International Midwives Day!

May 5th is International Midwives Day, which has been celebrated internationally since 1991. The theme for 2008 is Healthy Families: The key to the future.

Here are some ideas to mark this day in your community:

• Be a "day sponsor" on your local public radio station--either in honor of International Midwives Day or in honor of your own baby (but include in the day sponsor message that she/he was born at home with a midwife).
• Plan a simple community family picnic in the park (bring a banner that says what you're celebrating!)
• Send a press release to your local newspaper or radio stations.
• Wear pro-midwifery buttons or pins.
• Wear t-shirts or carry tote bags with pro-midwifery slogans on them.
  
• Ask every pregnant woman you see if she has a midwife!
• Make a donation to a midwifery or birth related organization (hmm...maybe CfM! ;-)
• Mark the day with a brief personal acknowledgment by lighting a candle for a bright future for midwifery everywhere.

You can read more about International Midwives Day on the Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA) website.