Chicago Birth Summit - Summary
Date:
Nov 18 2008
On Saturday, November 8, 2008, I was privileged to represent ICAN at the Chicago Birth Summit. This event brought various childbirth, midwifery, and doula organizations together for the purpose of creating an evidence-based and unified voice to improve maternal-child health and maternity services.
The following organizations were represented:
· Advanced Birthing Concepts & The Bohen Center for Women’s Health
· American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM)
· Birth Matters International
· Birth Network National (BNN)
· Birthing From Within
· The Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS)
· Dayton Area Labor Support
· Doulas of North America (DONA)
· The HypnoBirthing Institute
· International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN)
· International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA)
· Lamaze International
· Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA)
· Perinatal Education Associates
· Waterbirth International
The group made this collective statement:
“On November 8, 2008, The Chicago Birth Summit came together as a representative group of over 40,000 birth professionals and consumers who are committed to the improvement of maternity care. This group, under the direction of the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS) will serve as a catalyst for change to advocate for birth choices within obstetrical care, including VBAC, homebirth, waterbirth, midwifery care and evidence-based childbirth education.”
The organizations represented at the Chicago Birth Summit (along with other birth-friendly organizations) will continue to work as a Task Force under CIMS. The group hopes to bring about change in various ways. Possible examples include:
· A rapid response team that has the capability of quickly responding to future birth related news and press releases
· A response to the ACOG/AMA Resolution 205
· Meeting with Obama’s administration or transition team to discuss access to evidence-based maternity care and its costs
· Presence at obstetric and nursing conferences to educate and meet with leaders
· Working with nursing education organizations to encourage support for normal birth to be included in their curriculum
I am happy to have been a part of the Chicago Birth Summit, and I look forward to what we can accomplish to promote normal birth, including VBAC.
Lisa Houchins
Education Director, ICAN
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