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© 2008 BirthNet

General Resources and Information

For your convenience here is BirthNet's list of useful fact sheets, national/international birth-related organizations, and other birth-related resources. Where possible, information about organizations has been taken from the organizations' own materials -- noted by italics. Some fact sheets are in PDF (Portable Document Format) and require Acrobat Reader (already on your computer, or a free download).

Fact Sheets from BirthNet

• Ideals vs. Reality in U.S. Births (2005) (PDF)

• The State of American Childbirth (2003) (PDF)

• Technology-Intensive Birth: Is It Good for Babies? (2003) (PDF)

• Overview of Maternity Care (2005) (PDF)

• Developments in Improving Maternity Care (2003) (PDF)

• Recommended Reading (2003) (PDF)

• Organizations, Web Sites, and Publications (2005) (PDF)

Fact Sheets from Other Organizations

• Midwives Model of Care

• The Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative

• The Rights of Childbearing Women from Childbirth Connection

• The Risks of Cesarean Delivery to Mother and Baby from CIMS (PDF)

• Problems and Hazards of Induction in Labor from CIMS (PDF)

• Breastfeeding is Priceless

• What Every Pregnant Woman Needs to Know about Cesarean Section from Childbirth Connection (PDF)

• Brief Exploration of the Impact of Birthing Practices on Breastfeeding from the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action

• Effects of Hospital Economics on Maternity Care from Citizens for Midwifery

National Advocacy Organizations

African-American Breastfeeding Alliance (AABA)
1-877-532-8535
www.4woman.gov/breastfeeding/aaba.htm
AABA is the first organization whose sole purpose is to promote breastfeeding to African-American mothers, fathers and families. AABA's goals are to: improve the overall health status of African-American babies; increase access to breastfeeding information for African-American parents; and create a breastfeeding-friendly culture within the African-American community.

Alliance for the Improvement of Maternity Services (AIMS)
ww.aimsusa.org
All too often our children's potentials are decided at birth by avoidable birth trauma and injury. The goal of the Alliance is to bring about a reduction of birth injury and trauma in newborns and their mothers through the sharing of scientific information and public information.

Citizens for Midwifery (CfM)
1-888-CfM-4880
www.cfmidwifery.org
Citizens for Midwifery -- the only national consumer-based group promoting the Midwives Model of Care! CfM works to provide information and resources that promote the local midwife, as well as midwives and midwifery care across the country.  CfM's web site includes resources and information about maternity care, finding midwives, the status of midwifery in each state, and tools for activists.

Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS)
1-888-282-CIMS
www.motherfriendly.org
CIMS is a coalition of individuals and organizations with concern for the care and well-being of mothers, babies, and families. Our mission is to promote a wellness model of maternity care that will improve birth outcomes and substantially reduce costs. CIMS developed the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative in 1996.  A consensus document that outlines the principles and practices of mother-friendly care, the MFCI has been endorsed by numerous prominent individuals and more than 50 organizations representing over 90,000 members.

International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN)
(310) 542-6400
www.ican-online.org
ICAN's mission is to improve maternal-child health by preventing unnecessary cesareans through education, providing support for cesarean recovery, and promoting Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC).

La Leche League
1-847-519-7730
www.lalecheleague.org
La Leche League is an international, nonprofit, nonsectarian organization dedicated to providing education, information, support, and encouragement to women who want to breastfeed. All breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women interested in breastfeeding are welcome to come to our meetings or call our Leaders for breastfeeding help.

Lamaze Institute for Normal Birth
Lamaze International
2025 M Street NW, Suite 800
Washington DC
20036-3309
(800) 368-4404
http://www.lamaze.org/institute
Founded upon six care practices that support normal birth, the Lamaze Institute for Normal Birth is an evidence-based resource for new and expectant parents and childbirth professionals. It also seeks to bring advocates of normal birth together.

Childbirth Connection
(212) 777-5000
www.childbirthconnection.org
The mission of Childbirth Connection is to promote safe, effective, and satisfying maternity care for all women and their families through research, education, and advocacy. Throughout its history, Childbirth Connection (formerly the Maternity Center Association) has provided national leadership in innovative woman- and family-centered approaches to maternity care. Many of these innovations -- including prenatal care, childbirth education, nurse-midwifery education, and care in out-of-hospital birth centers -- have improved the quality of maternity care.

National Advocates for Pregnant Women
212-255-9252
www.advocatesforpregnantwomen.org
NAPW has a vision of a world where women enjoy full personhood and where neither pregnancy nor drug use serve as an excuse to dehumanize and punish select groups of people. Our mission is to secure the human and civil rights, health, and welfare of pregnant and parenting women while protecting children from punitive and misguided state policies. We advocate on behalf of all women, especially those who are most marginalized: women of color, low-income women, and women who use drugs.

Sister Song
www.sistersong.net
The SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Health Collective is made up of local, regional and national grassroots organizations in the United States representing four primary ethnic populations/indigenous nations in the United States: Native American/Indigenous, Black/African American, Latina/Puerto Rican, Asian/Pacific Islander.

The Collective was formed with the shared recognition that as women of color we have the right and responsibility to represent ourselves and our communities. SisterSong is committed to educate women of color on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights, and work towards the access of health services, information and resources that are culturally and linguistically appropriate through the integration of the disciplines of community organizing, Self-Help and human rights education.

National Organizations with Provider Directories

American Academy of Husband Coached Childbirth – The Bradley Method® of Natural Childbirth
(800) 4-A-BIRTH
www.bradleybirth.com/info_request.asp
Our classes stress the importance of Healthy Baby, Healthy Mother and Healthy Families. We attract families who are willing to take the responsibility needed for preparation and birth.  Classes include discussions about nutrition, relaxation techniques, the birth process, exercise, positive communication, and coaching.

American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM)
(202) 728-9860
www.midwife.org/find
The mission of ACNM is to promote the health and well-being of women and infants within their families and communities through the development and support of the profession of midwifery as practiced by certified nurse-midwives, and certified midwives. The philosophy inherent in the profession states that nurse-midwives believe every individual has the right to safe, satisfying health care with respect for human dignity and cultural variations.  Visit this site for help finding a certified nurse midwife.

Association of Childbirth Educators and Labor Assistants (ALACE)
(617) 441-2500
www.alace.org/ref.html
Knowledgeable childbirth educators and labor assistants/birth doulas can do a great deal to provide pregnant women with information and practical alternatives so that they may give birth with confidence, strength and joy. Laboring women who feel confident and supported are much more likely to achieve satisfying outcomes than are women without such support.

BirthWorks
(888) TO-BIRTH
www.birthworks.org/directory.phtml
Birth Works embodies the philosophy of developing a woman's self confidence, trust and faith in her ability to give birth. It is our goal to promote safe and loving birth experiences through education, introspection and confident action.

Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association (CAPPA)
(888) MY-CAPPA
www.cappa.net/members.asp
CAPPA is a membership and certification organization for childbirth professionals such as childbirth educators, labor doulas, postpartum doulas, lactation educators and others. CAPPA is the most comprehensive pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum organization available...caring for women before, during, and after birth through education and support!

DONA International (Doulas of North America)
(888) 788-DONA
www.dona.org/FindingADoula.html
DONA is an international association of doulas who are trained to provide the highest quality emotional, physical and educational support to women and their families during childbirth and postpartum. Evidence based certification programs are offered for both birth doulas and postpartum doulas.

International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE)
(703) 560-7330
www.iblce.org/us_regional_registry.htm
The International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) is a non-profit organization established to develop and administer the certification examination for lactation consultants. The IBLCE examination is the premier, internationally recognized measure of competence in lactation consulting.

International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA)
(952) 854-8660
www.icea.org/cb.htm
The International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA) as a professional organization supports educators, doulas, and other health care providers who believe in freedom of choice based on knowledge of alternatives in family-centered maternity and newborn care.

La Leche League
(847) 519-7730
www.lalecheleague.org
La Leche League is an international, nonprofit, nonsectarian organization dedicated to providing education, information, support, and encouragement to women who want to breastfeed. All breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women interested in breastfeeding are welcome to come to our meetings or call our Leaders for breastfeeding help.

Closest group to Albany (Delmar): www.lllusa.org/NYE/Albany/albany.HTM
Online group: www.lalecheleague.org/Online1.html
For help finding a La Leche League Group in New York, contact Adele at akmchk2@aol.com. Please include your city and county.

Lamaze International
(800) 368-4404
www.lamaze.org/expectant_eld/index.cfm
The mission of Lamaze International is to promote, support and protect normal birth through education and advocacy. We envision for the future a world of confident women choosing normal birth.  Lamaze International believes that women who are fully informed, confident and supported will want normal birth. Lamaze International believes that caregivers should respect the birth process and not intervene without compelling medical indication.

Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA)
(888) 923-MANA (6262)
www.mana.org/memberlist.html
The mission of MANA is to provide a nurturing forum for support and cooperation among midwives. Through our collective strength, we can ensure midwifery care for all mothers and their babies throughout North America.  Visit this site for help finding a midwife.

Useful Web Sites

The sites below have a wealth of good information.  Most focus on a wide range of pregnancy and birth topics, well-researched articles, useful tools, and access to experts in a number of areas.  None can replace the advice of a medical professional.

Birthing the Future
www.birthingthefuture.com
The mission of Birthing The Future, the non-profit, is: to gather, synthesize, and disseminate the finest world wisdom that inspires people about the significance of birthing in each of our lives.  We focus upon what is ideal for mothers and babies that will promote their physical, psychological and spiritual well-being and the development of their full potential -- in the context of family, community and society. Provides insights from a global perspective.

Black Women's Health Imperative
www.blackwomenshealth.org
Black Women's Health Imperative, the new name of the National Black Women's Health Project, is a leading African American health education, research, advocacy and leadership development institution. Our mission is to promote optimum health for Black women across the life span--physically, mentally and spiritually.

Childbirth Solutions
www.childbirthsolutions.com/index.php
There exist so many different ideas about childbirth and so many methods of pain management, delivery and recovery that it will take some effort on your part to discover them all.  Childbirth Solutions seeks to inform women worldwide about all of their options so that they may make informed choices for the most empowering birth experience that is possible. General Online Resource with articles, links, and tools.

Choices in Childbirth
www.choicesinchildbirth.com
Education includes knowledge of the physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual aspects of giving birth, and a deeper awareness of our bodies and our strength as women.  Preparing yourself for this special moment in your life is important, because it will give you the confidence and resources to deal with this physically challenging and rewarding experience. General Online Resource, extensive listings of articles and links.

Childbirth Connection
www.childbirthconnection.org
The Childbirth Connection (formerly Maternity Center Association) website can help women and their partners understand the available options and work together with caregivers to choose the best possible maternity care practices. This website helps ensure that childbearing women and their families have access to information and maternity care based on the best current scientific research. General Online Resource, tools and resources for evidence-based care.

Midwifery Today
www.midwiferytoday.com
Midwifery Today is a professional journal for midwives of every background with in depth articles about both the practice and philosophy of midwifery.  This web site offers articles and information for midwives, clients, and other interested in maternity care. Site for professionals, with articles and resources for those interested in midwifery and birth.

Mothering Magazine
www.mothering.com
Mothering celebrates the experience of parenthood as worthy of one's best efforts and fosters awareness of the immense importance and value of parenthood and family life in the development of the full human potential. As a reader's magazine, we recognize parents as the experts and wish to provide truly helpful information upon which parents can base informed choices. Site for parents with articles and resources about pregnancy, birth, and parenting.

Our Bodies Ourselves Companion Website
www.ourbodiesourselves.org
Following the chapters in the book, this site offers book excerpts along with “Companion Content” with web links and other information.

Parents Place
www.parentsplace.com
Parents Place offers a broad range of information for parents from pre-pregnancy through adolescence including articles, links, resources, and access to various experts in the field, including Birth Guru Henci Goer. Site for parents with articles and resources about all aspects of parenting.

VBAC.com
www.vbac.com
This website provides childbearing women and maternity care professionals access to research-based information, resources, continuing education and support for VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). Our goal is to help women make informed decisions about how they will give birth and to encourage an honest and respectful dialogue with their caregivers. Focuses on VBAC and contains a wealth of information on a number of birth issues.

Useful Books for Expectant Parents

Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin.  Bantam Books, 2003.

Having a Baby Naturally by Peggy O'Mara.  Atria Books, 2003

The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer.  Perigee, 1999.

Birthing from Within:  An Extraordinary Guide to Childbirth Preparation by Pam England & Rob Horowitz.  Patera Press, 1998

The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth by Sheila Kitzinger.  Knopf, 1996.

Gentle Birth Choices: A Guide to Making Informed Decisions About Birthing Centers, Birth Attendants, Water Birth, Home Birth, Hospital Birth by Barbara Harper & Suzanne Arms. Inner Traditions Intl Ltd, 1994.

Hey, Who's Having This Baby Anyway? What Every Woman Must Know about Childbirth (A Guide and Workbook) by Breck Hawk. Metropolis Ink, 2005.

Mothering the Mother: How a Doula Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier, and Healthier Birth by Marshall H. Klaus, Phyllis H. Klaus, John Kennell. Perseus Press, 1993.

The Birth Partner: Everything You Need to Know to Help a Woman Through Childbirth by Penny Simkin, P.T. Harvard Common Press, 1989.

Active Birth: The New Approach to Giving Birth Naturally, Revised Edition by Janet Balaskas.  Harvard Common Press, 1992

Useful Books about Birth and Maternity Care

Giving Birth: A Journey into the World of Mothers and Midwives by Catherine Taylor. Perigee, 2002.

Misconceptions: Truth, Lies, and the Unexpected on the Journey to Motherhood by Naomi Wolf. Doubleday, 2001

Spiritual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin.  Book Publishing Company, Fourth Edition, 2002

Immaculate Deception II: Myth, Magic & Birth by Suzanne Arms.  Celestial Arts, 1994

Birth As an American Rite of Passage by Robbie E. Davis-Floyd. University of California Press, 1993

The American Way of Birth by Jessica Mitford. Plume Books, 1993.

Expecting Trouble: The Myth of Prenatal Care in America by Thomas Strong, Jr.  New York University Press, 2000.

Midwifery and Childbirth in America by Judith Rooks, S. Charles, M. D. Mahan.  Temple University Press, 1997

Birth by Design:  Pregnancy, Maternity Care, and Midwifery in North America and Europe ed by Raymond De Vries et al.  Routledge, 2001

Pursuing the Birth Machine: The Search for Appropriate Technology by Marsden Wagner.  Australia: Ace Graphics, 1994.

The Medical Delivery Business:  Health Reform, Childbirth, and the Economic Order by Barbara Bridgman Perkins. Rutgers University Press, 2003

Impact of Birthing Practices on Breastfeeding:  Protecting the Mother and Baby Continuum by Mary Kroeger & Linda Smith.  Jones and Bartlett, 2003

Obstetric Myths Versus Research Realities: A Guide to the Medical Literature by Henci Goer.  Bergin & Garvey, 1995.

Care in Normal Birth: A practical guide by the World Health Organization, 1996.

Encyclopedia of Childbearing: Critical Perspectives by Barbara Katz Rothman & Donna Lee King.  Onyx Press, 1992.

Guide to Effective Care in Pregnancy and Childbirth by Murray Enkin, et al.  Oxford University Press, 2000.

Useful Videos for Expectant Parents

Gentle Birth Choices by Barbara Harper (1993) -- Demonstrates the power of women during childbirth and addresses the important decisions parents face today during pregnancy. Shows birth center births and a home birth, plus interviews.

Giving Birth:  Challenges and Choices by Suzanne Arms -- A terrific overview of issues and options. Includes a homebirth, various interviews, and statistics about birth in the US in the '90s.

Born in the USA by Marcia Jarmel and Ken Schneider -- A balanced look at birth in the hospital, a birth center, and at home.  Viewer's guide is available for downloading on the Web site (click the link above).

Birth Day by Naoli Vinaver Lopez (1999) -- As labor commences, we follow midwife and laboring mother, Naoli Vinaver Lopez, and her family to the river for a celebratory picnic. Later we see the gentle emergence of Tamaya into the loving hands of her mother and father in the family hot tub. Shows the beauty, joy, dignity, and power of natural home birth. Inspiring!

Birth In Water: A Sacred Journey, Andaluz Waterbirth Center (2001) -- Filmed by the Andaluz Waterbirth Center, this is a beautiful, touching video that affirms every woman's natural ability to birth in an environment of freedom and gentleness. Six amazing waterbirths.

Birth Into Being: The Russian Waterbirth Experience (1999) -- Families birthing in the Black Sea in summer and in birthing pools. Commentary by Barbara Harper.

Penny Simkin Presents Relaxation, Rhythm, Ritual: The 3 R’s fo Childbirth by Penny Simkin, (2003) -- Shares moments from labor and births of ten women, showing their unique responses to contractions as they progress from early labor through birth.

Comfort Measures for Childbirth by Penny Simkin (1995) -- A “video childbirth class” featuring Penny Simkin demonstrating a wide variety of comfort measures for all stages of birth. Includes information of breathing and relaxation, comfort measures for back pain, attention focusing and visualization, and pushing techniques. A wealth of information for couples
looking for real hands-on ways of working with labor.

Labor Support: A Comfort Guide, Mindspring (2000) -- Features demonstrations of tried and true labor strategies such as massage techniques, positions for labor, helping back labor, using a birth ball and much more.

New Fathers, New Lives: A Video to Help Men Make the Transition to Fatherhood, Injoy Productions (1993) -- Features four new fathers and a studio audience of fathers, discussing parenting from a father’s point of view. Available through ICEA Bookcenter, ICEA.org. for $49.95

Special Women: How a Labor Assistant Makes Birth Safer, More Satisfying and Less Expensive by Injoy Productions (1997) -- Parents and professionals explain how having a doula present at birth can benefit babies, parents and health care providers.

Labor and Birth, Abbott Northwestern Hospital (1995) -- Video for families who are preparing for labor and birth in a subsequent pregnancy after experiencing a previous pregnancy loss.

Movies and Documentaries

Bringin' in Da Spirit, Rhonda L. Haynes, Producer, 2003 -- Through the use of first-person narrative and rare archival images, this award-winning documentary provides a moving glimpse of the women who have skillfully brought scores of children across the threshold of existence. Narrated by Phylicia Rashad, this evocative and passionate film celebrates women who have committed themselves to holistic answers amidst powerful misconceptions about the practice of midwifery and virulent opposition from practitioners of Western medicine.

Singing the Bones, Caitlin Hicks, Producer, 2002 -- This award-winning work of fiction is also a one-woman play.  It incorporates the the stories of three generations of women, brought together by a single birth. Meg, the midwife, is visited by haunting dreams just as she takes on a new client. The mother, pregnant with twins and scarred by past traumas at the hands of modern medicine, "absolutely wants a home birth." Dr. Sara Bienemann, the compassionate obstetrician from Europe whose "secrets are leaking from every pocket," warns of dangerous complications.

Professional Organizations

BirthNet maintains a separate list of organizations for birth professionals (midwives, doulas, childbirth educators, lactation consultants, etc.).