I teach childbirth education classes because I am passionate about helping women have a powerful and positive birth experience.   Besides teaching, I am learning about and am involved in a variety of organizations that support the rights of pregnant and birthing women.  I know that there are other women and men who would like to become involved in making childbirth safer and more satisfying. 

DId you know:

Almost 30% of births in the U.S. will be via cesarean section

The epidural rate in some hospitals is 90%

The University of Michigan is building a birthing center with enough operating rooms to accommodate a 50% C-sec rate

Over 92% of birthing women will be subjected to some form of medical intervention

Hospital administrators, insurance company executives, lawyers, and committees of physicians thousands of miles away are the ones determining how you will be allowed to give birth

Less than half of all pregnant parents in this country take birthing classes...the only place many parents can get information about their birthing options.

You can help change that.  Please visit these websites:

The Birth Survey/Transparency Project This is the link to a national project aimed at providing accurate, objective data about birth providers.  The Business of Being Born Link to Ricky Lake's amazing new documentary about the state of childbirth in the U.S.  A great film! The Coalition to Improve Maternity Services A coalition of professionals and parents involved in providing evidence-based care for birthing women.  They are committed to childbirth being a natural and safe process. Childbirth Connection Access to statistics and a clearinghouse for childbirth research and media. Birth Network Cesarean Awareness - ICAN The International Cesarean Awareness Network.  Awareness, advocacy, prevention, and recovery. The Cochrane Database This is an awesome compendium of the most comprehensive research findings regarding childbirth care and interventions.  This link takes you directly to the pregnancy and childbirth section of the databse. When using this database, it would be helpful to have some knowledge of reading medical studies.  Somewhat technical.

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