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Professional Organizations
For your convenience here is BirthNet's list of organizations for birth professionals. Where possible, information about organizations has been taken from the organizations' own materials -- noted by italics.
Professional Organizations for Midwives
American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM)
(202) 728-9860
www.midwife.org
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.
For help finding a certified nurse midwife, go to http://www.midwife.org/find.cfm
International Center for Traditional Childbearing (ICTC)
(503) 460-9324, ext. 3
www.blackmidwives.org
The International Center for Traditional Childbearing, Inc. (ICTC) is a non-profit African centered organization located in Portland, Oregon. ICTC was created to promote the health of women and their families and to train Black women aspiring to become midwives.
Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA)
(888) 923-MANA (6262)
www.mana.org
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.
For help finding a midwife, go to www.mana.org/memberlist.html
Professional Organizations for Doulas
Association of Childbirth Educators and Labor Assistants (ALACE)
(617) 441-2500
www.alace.org
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
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
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
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 Childbirth Education Association (ICEA)
(952) 854-8660
www.icea.org
The International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA) as a professional organization supports educators and other health care providers who believe in freedom of choice based on knowledge of alternatives in family-centered maternity and newborn care.
Professional Organizations for Childbirth Educators
American Academy of Husband Coached Childbirth – The Bradley Method® of Natural Childbirth
(800) 4-A-BIRTH
www.bradleybirth.com
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.
Association of Childbirth Educators and Labor Assistants (ALACE)
(617) 441-2500
www.alace.org
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
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
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!
International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA)
(952) 854-8660
www.icea.org
The International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA) as a professional organization supports educators and other health care providers who believe in freedom of choice based on knowledge of alternatives in family-centered maternity and newborn care.
Lamaze International
(800) 368-4404
www.lamaze.org
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.
Professional Organizations for Labor & Delivery Nurses
Association of Nurse Advocates for Childbirth Solutions (ANACS)
(301) 434-5546
ANACS is an association for professional obstetric nurses who are deeply committed to promoting evidence based practice, and positive birth experiences. ANACS has established the Mother-Friendly Nurse Recognition Project to honor and celebrate nurses that continue to provide mother-friendly care to the best of their autonomous ability.
Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHHONN)
(800) 673-8499
www.awhonn.org
AWHONN is the leading professional association for nurses who specialize in the care of women and newborns. Our members include neonatal nurses, APRNs, women's health nurses, OB/GYN and labor and delivery nurses, nurse scientists, nurse executives and managers, childbirth educators and nurse practitioners.
Organizations in Support of Breastfeeding
International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE)
(703) 560-7330
www.ilca.org
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.
For help finding a lactation consultant, go to http://www.ilca.org/falc.html