tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51329530331836710602024-03-18T22:35:34.127-05:00Citizens for MidwiferyThe only national consumer-based group
promoting the Midwives Model of Care.CfM Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03949865938769197211noreply@blogger.comBlogger525125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132953033183671060.post-56401711564663598222015-10-18T15:54:00.000-05:002015-10-18T15:54:53.833-05:00Changemakers Unite! How To Build Lasting, Effective Midwifery Coalitions: A Resource List<span style="font-family: inherit;">Citizens for Midwifery is presenting at the <a href="http://mana.org/mana2015/">2015 Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA) Conference: Shine</a>! Plenaries Jeanette McCulloch and Nasima Pfaffl will present <i><a href="http://mana.org/mana2015/session-descriptions#Change">Changemakers Unite! How To Build Lasting, Effective Midwifery Coalition</a><a href="http://mana.org/mana2015/session-descriptions#Change">s</a><a href="http://mana.org/mana2015/session-descriptions#Change">: What Works and What Doesn't</a></i>. We know you won't all be able to join us, so we wanted to share our resources with you!</span><br />
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
<b></b><a href="http://cfmidwifery.org/"><b>Citizens for Midwifery (CfM)</b></a></h3>
<ul>
<li>Letters of support to committee chairs or other relevant governmental bodies</li>
<li>Facts and information</li>
<li>Fact Sheets</li>
<li>Reviews: books, video, etc.</li>
</ul>
<a href="http://cfmidwifery.org/Resources/item.aspx?ID=21">Keys to the Art of </a><a href="http://cfmidwifery.org/Resources/item.aspx?ID=21">Persuasion</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
<a href="http://pushformidwives.nationbuilder.com/"><b>The Big Push for Midwives</b></a></h3>
<ul>
<li>Handouts and one-pagers, customized to the needs of the state. </li>
<li>Evidence backup in the form of articles and studies</li>
<li>Advice on strategy and testimony</li>
</ul>
<h3>
<b> </b></h3>
<h3>
<a href="http://www.usmera.org/"><b>U.S. Midwifery: Education, Regulation, Association (US MERA)</b></a></h3>
<a href="http://www.usmera.org/index.php/2015/07/01/statement-on-the-licensure-of-certified-professional-midwives-cpm/">Statement on the Licensure of Certified Professional Midwives (CPM)</a><br />
<a href="http://www.usmera.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/US-MERA-Annual-Meeting-Report-2015-06-23.pdf">2015 Annual Meeting Report</a><br />
<br />
Additionally, US MERA Legislative Committee is developing a consensus statement outlining principles for model midwifery legislation and regulation using the Delphi research process. The consensus statement will serve as a complementary document to the statement on legislative language.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
<a href="http://narm.org/"><b>North American Registry of Midwives (NARM)</b></a></h3>
<ul>
<li>Acts as advisors</li>
<li> Reviews proposed bills</li>
<li>Travels to states to help lobby if asked.</li>
<li>
Helps craft handouts and FAQs for use with legislators (NARM has
several general handouts, but many are crafted based on the current
issues/needs in a specific state.)</li>
<li>Offers a Legislative Workshop </li>
</ul>
<a href="http://narm.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/State-Licensure-of-CPMs2012.pdf">Statement of State Licensure of Certified Professional Midwives</a><br />
<a href="http://narm.org/pdffiles/legislativebooklet-3-09.pdf">Legislative Handbook </a><br />
<a href="http://narm.org/advocacy/"> Resources and Handouts </a><br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
<a href="http://nacpm.org/"><b>National Association of Certified Professional Midwives (NACPM)</b></a></h3>
<ul>
<li>Principle support provided through regional NACPM chapters</li>
<li>Available as a speaker at midwifery associations and other meetings </li>
<li>Customized support for chapters working on regulatory issues</li>
<li>Chapter Collaboration Calls where legislative issues can be discussed </li>
<li>State Legislation and Policy webinar series </li>
<li>Provide support for CPMs in states when federal action affects
regulatory issues on the state level (For example, in collaboration
with ACNM, NACPM reached out to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS),
asking for more specific and helpful guidance from CMS to the states
about implementation of the birth center provisions in the Affordable
Care Act.) </li>
<li>An Overview of State Licensure for CPMs</li>
</ul>
<a href="http://nacpm.org/us-mera-what-could-it-mean-for-cpms-webinar-recording-available/">US MERA: What Could It Mean for CPMs (recording)</a> <br />
<a href="http://nacpm.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/9.11.15-US-MERA_-What-it-Could-Mean-for-CPMs.pdf">US MERA: How to Put it to Use for CPMs </a><br />
<a href="http://nacpm.org/mamacampaign/">MAMA Campaign: A New Foundation for Federal Recognition of CPMs</a><br />
<a href="http://nacpm.org/contact-us/">New Legislative Hotline</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
<a href="http://www.midwife.org/"><b> American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM)</b></a></h3>
<ul>
<li>Support and contact with state affiliates where bills are being introduced to provide guidance and advice on implementing US MERA language/agreements</li>
<li>Help with conceptualization of bills and drafting language</li>
<li>Assistance and advice regarding state-level lobbyists</li>
<li>Strategy and guidance</li>
<li>Data gathering and evidence support</li>
<li>System to track information on bills and regulatory changes (last year tracked over 2000 bills and regulatory changes)</li>
<li>System to have supporters contact state or federal legislators, which also allows for forwarding of emails and tracking</li>
</ul>
Ginahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16467000773112646549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132953033183671060.post-68669114245466793602015-09-21T14:43:00.001-05:002015-09-21T14:43:58.017-05:00New Research on Planned Home VBAC in the US- Two Part Interview with Author Melissa Cheyney, PhD, CPM, LDM<div class="title">
The <a href="http://mana.org/blog/research-planned-home-VBAC-safety" target="_blank">MANA Blog</a> and the <span style="line-height: 20.8px;"><em><a href="http://www.scienceandsensibility.org/home-vbac-safety/" target="_blank">Science and Sensibility Blog</a> </em></span> have a two part post on important new VBAC research. It provides a much-needed analysis of VBACs in the home setting in the United States; an analysis that has been unavailable up to this point. </div>
<div class="title">
<br /></div>
<div class="title">
"Planned Home VBAC in the United States, 2004–2009: Outcomes, Maternity
Care Practices, and Implications for Shared Decision Making"<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>by Kim J. Cox PhD, CNM Assistant Professor, Marit L. Bovbjerg PhD Research Associate & Instructor of Epidemiology, Melissa Cheyney PhD, CPM, LDM Associate Professor, and Lawrence M. Leeman MD, MPH Professor came out
on 8/26/15 as an <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/birt.12188/abstract" target="_blank">online article</a> ahead of the print issue in the journal <em>Birth: Issues in Perinatal Care</em>. </div>
<div class="title">
<br /></div>
<span style="line-height: 20.8px;">Jeanette McCulloch
of BirthSwell interviewed Melissa Cheyney, PhD, CPM, LDM, one of the
paper’s authors. The first part of the interview is available in a guest blog at <a href="http://www.scienceandsensibility.org/home-vbac-safety/" target="_blank"><em>Science and Sensibility</em></a>. In that post, </span><span style="line-height: 20.8px;">Melissa
shares the findings and her recommendations for parents and policy
makers. In the <a href="http://mana.org/blog/research-planned-home-VBAC-safety" target="_blank">MANA Blog</a> Missy shares advice specific to midwives, based on the study’s
findings. </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 20.8px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 20.8px;">Both blog posts are full of important considerations and details that are helpful to fully understanding the new findings presented in this new research. I particularly appreciate the emphasis placed on informed consent and informed decision making in relation to the data. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132953033183671060.post-89712629020312097672013-12-05T16:44:00.001-06:002013-12-05T16:44:11.648-06:00Book Reaction: Cut, Stapled, and Mended<a data-mce-href="http://www.cutstapledandmended.com/" href="http://www.cutstapledandmended.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img class="alignright" data-mce-src="http://talkbirth.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/a3988-csm_cover.jpg?w=262&h=393" height="393" id="irc_mi" src="http://talkbirth.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/a3988-csm_cover.jpg?w=262&h=393" width="262" /></a>To be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect from Roanna Rosewood's memoir, <a href="http://www.cutstapledandmended.com/" target="_blank"><em>Cut, Stapled, and Mended.</em></a> After it arrived I actually wondered if I should
have agreed to review it, because I have so many things to read, things
to think about, and interests that are calling me---do I really need to
read a memoir about someone's cesareans? I've already read so many
books about birth, do I really want to read another one? Well...the
answer was YES, I did need to read it. After I finished the book, I felt
almost speechless at how deeply it had touched me. This book was a
surprise all the way through, from the opening Orgasmic Amazon Queen sex
scene, to a session with a psychic healer who tapped in to Roanna's
past life abdominal wound, to her dogged quest to open herself to her
own feminine wisdom, to her birth experiences---all soul-shattering in
their own way---this book touched me profoundly. I was shocked to find
myself with tears in my eyes at many different points and eventually
truly unable to put it down.<br />
<br />
Orgasmic Amazon Queen
notwithstanding, Roanna comes across as a practical and down-to-earth
narrator, who in her quest to understand herself, her body, her inner
wisdom, and her birth experiences, makes a decidedly <em>not</em>
down-to-earth personal journey through a variety of healing modalities
and nontraditional experiences and perspectives. I really loved the
balance she struck between the spiritual and metaphysical experiences
she describes and the nitty-gritty reality of <em>doing this</em> thing, giving birth. In a perfect example of what I mean, she writes:<br />
<blockquote>
You think I would run out of poop but I don't. It's endless poop. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<br />
My
ego, having (literally) had enough of this shit, quits. It gets up and
walks right out the door. What is left of me poops in the tub. Looking
down, I say, 'ewwwww.' I say it as if it wasn't me who just shat in the
tub. I say it as if I just happened to come across poop in my bath one
day. 'Ewwww' or not, I'm never getting out of the tub ever again. If
this tub were full of nothing but shit mud, I would still stay right
here (p. 144).</blockquote>
And, just a few pages later, the experience I already quoted in a prior post:<br />
<blockquote>
Only
then does the Divine come, taking my body as her own. I am no longer
alone. There is no fear…I experience completeness. I find religion.
Infinity is tangible. Generations of children, their dreams, passions,
defeats and glories—they all pass through me, converging here, between
my thighs… (p. 146-147). </blockquote>
<blockquote>
via <a data-mce-href="http://talkbirth.me/2013/12/03/thesis-tidbits-cut-stapled-and-mended/" href="http://talkbirth.me/2013/12/03/thesis-tidbits-cut-stapled-and-mended/">Thesis Tidbits: Cut, Stapled, and Mended | Talk Birth</a></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Despite planning homebirths, Roanna experiences two cesareans and her journey towards VBAC is an arduous one:</div>
<blockquote>
Deep
inside, I feel the screams of birth echoing off the sides of my skull. Softer and softer they fade, becoming a faint whisper, then disappearing
completely. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
I open my mouth. 'Please,' I whisper-scream-beg-cry, 'please come back.' </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
She does not. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I am, once again, mortal. (p. 155)</div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: left;">
While
I would likely proceed with some degree of caution if reading this
memoir as a pregnant first-time mom, there is much to be learned from
Roanna's experiences. Her narrative is rich, deep, compelling, scary,
dramatic, poignant, and powerful. I highly recommend it!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
--</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<em>Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes.</em><em> Crossposted at <a href="http://talkbirth.me/2013/12/05/talk-books-cut-stapled-and-mended/" target="_blank">Talk Birth</a>.</em></div>
CfM Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03949865938769197211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132953033183671060.post-36941081509736365712013-10-05T23:52:00.000-05:002013-10-05T23:52:25.497-05:00Film Reaction: Birth Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://watch.birthstorymovie.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="bs_header_f1" class="aligncenter" height="105" src="http://talkbirth.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/bs_header_f1.png?w=300&h=105" width="300" /></a></div>
<header class="entry-header">(Crossposted at <a href="http://talkbirth.me/2013/07/12/film-reaction-birth-story/" target="_blank">Talk Birth</a>)</header><header class="entry-header"> </header><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://watch.birthstorymovie.com/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="inamayteaches" class=" " height="133" src="http://talkbirth.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/inamayteaches.jpg?w=300&h=200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Prenatal visit</u></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<header class="entry-header">I
have never met anyone with more than a passing interest in birth
activism who has not heard of Ina May Gaskin. She isn’t referred to as a
the world’s most legendary midwife for nothing! But, how did she get
this way? The new documentary film, <a href="http://watch.birthstorymovie.com/" target="_blank"><em>Birth Story</em></a>, helps explore that question.
</header><div class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 310px;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="wp-caption-text">
<br /></div>
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“The feature-length documentary BIRTH STORY: INA MAY
GASKIN & THE FARM MIDWIVES tells the story of counterculture heroine
Ina May Gaskin and her spirited friends, who began delivering each
other’s babies in 1970, on a caravan of hippie school buses, headed to a
patch of rural Tennessee land. With Ina May as their leader, the women
taught themselves midwifery from the ground up, and, with their
families, founded an entirely communal, agricultural society called The
Farm. They grew their own food, built their own houses, published their
own books, and, as word of their social experiment spread, created a
model of care for women and babies that changed a generation’s approach
to childbirth.<br />
<br />
Forty years ago Ina May led the charge away from isolated hospital
birthing rooms, where husbands were not allowed and mandatory forceps
deliveries were the norm. Today, as nearly one third of all US babies
are born via C-section, she fights to preserve her community’s hard-won
knowledge. With incredible access to the midwives’ archival video
collection, the film not only captures the unique sisterhood at The Farm
Clinic–from its heyday into the present–but shows childbirth the way
most people have never seen it–unadorned, unabashed, and awe-inspiring.” </blockquote>
<br />
<a href="http://watch.birthstorymovie.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="inamaystephen" class="alignright" height="300" src="http://talkbirth.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/inamaystephen.jpg?w=207&h=300" width="207" /></a>I really enjoyed <a href="http://watch.birthstorymovie.com/" target="_blank"><em>Birth Story</em></a>.
It skillfully weaves together vintage footage, commentary, and births
with a present day shadowing of Ina May in her natural environment: at
the Farm. The documentary shows her working in her kitchen, eating,
talking to her husband, watering plants, riding her bicycle, teaching
workshops, training midwives, going to prenatal visits, and finally,
attending a very hands-off gentle waterbirth. It also lets us peek at
images from the early days of The Farm community, the caravan of buses,
the dreams of Stephen Gaskin and the “hippies” who followed him to
Tennessee. <a href="http://watch.birthstorymovie.com/" target="_blank"><em>Birth Story </em></a>is
not just a film about Ina May though, it chronicles the experiences of
several other Farm midwives as well, and I loved hearing the commentary
and opinions of the less-famous midwives who helped transform the birth
world. <br />
I found footage of Ina May with Stephen to be particularly poignant
and very much enjoyed the vintage photos and footage. I also find it
interesting how The Farm began because of Stephen’s leadership and ideas
and yet Ina May took off as the ongoing famous person in the family. Of
Stephen, Ina May explains: “He thought women we supposed to be
uppity—this was great relief, I didn’t like being held down.”<br />
<br />
Ina May describes her own first birth explaining that in typical
birth climates, “there’s nothing about the special energy of birth and
that’s kind of the most important thing…I felt like I was doing
something sacred.” She also makes the basic and crucial point that the
number one rule of maternity care should be <strong><em>Be Nice</em></strong><em> </em>and
laughs as she asks us to consider how just those two words could change
maternity wards. There are only a handful of actual births in the film,
three of which are from sometime in the 1980′s. We see a breech birth
(a lot more hands-on than I think of present-day midwifery practice) and
a shoulder dystocia, both rare occurrences in birth films. We also see
brief footage of Ina May’s Safe Motherhood quilt project and a brief
discussion of disparities in maternal mortality rates.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://watch.birthstorymovie.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="inamayandbaby" class="alignright" height="300" src="http://talkbirth.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/inamayandbaby.jpg?w=200&h=300" width="200" /></a>Another highlight of the film for me was midwife Pamela, whose birth
we also see on-screen. She is shown telling us about an early birth she
attended saying, “I fell in love with women. How can you see someone be
so strong and not fall in love?” Exactly. My doula and friend, Summer,
who watched the film with me, developed her reaction to this quote in a <a href="http://summerdoula.com/2013/07/11/epiphany-from-ina-may/" target="_blank">lovely blog post</a> and it reminds me of my own past post about my own former midwife who helped me see that <a href="http://talkbirth.me/2010/12/17/midwife-means-loves-women/" target="_blank"><em>midwife means loves women.</em></a>
Ina May explains that she learned how to be a midwife by allowing
herself to be instructed by the women themselves and then she trained
other midwives. As I watched <a href="http://watch.birthstorymovie.com/" target="_blank"><em>Birth Story</em></a> I found myself feeling a little sad, nostalgic, and bittersweet,
because I feel like the world that these beautiful midwives envisioned
has yet to really be birthed and that in some ways we’ve gotten so far
away from the relationship-oriented and community living/engagement
model upon which The Farm was based.<br />
<br />
My initial feeling as I watched the film was that it would be
primarily of interest to people already very familiar with Ina May,
thinking that it may not appeal to or interest “regular” people.
However, the friends I viewed the film with had totally different
perspectives. One friend told me she thought her husband would really
have liked the documentary, particularly for the emphasis on community.
The one husband who was present reported that he thought everyone should
see the film and not just people who are already “birth junkies.” So, I
stand corrected, and will now say that <a href="http://watch.birthstorymovie.com/" target="_blank"><em>Birth Story </em></a>has the capacity to engage with many people!<br />
<br />
In 2007, I had the opportunity to listen to Ina May speak in person
at the La Leche League International conference in Chicago. She talked
about sphincter law and made the association with our bodies’ capacity
for bowel movements and women’s physical capacity to rebound from
childbirth. I will never forget her saying: <em>“I don’t know about you, but my butt closes back up after I poop.” </em>That summed her up for me: plainspoken, real, matter-of-fact, and practical. She’s a legend!<br />
<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 310px;">
<div class="wp-caption-text">
<br /></div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://talkbirth.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/100_0564.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="100_0564" height="224" src="http://talkbirth.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/100_0564.jpg?w=300&h=224" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starstruck? Oh, yes I am. My husband said, “these people are like your *celebrities.*"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
–<br />
<em>Disclosure: I received a complimentary screening copy of the film for review purposes. </em>CfM Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03949865938769197211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132953033183671060.post-72890580118535994552013-05-12T12:53:00.000-05:002013-05-12T12:53:00.790-05:00Happy Mother's Day!<i>“Blessed be all the mothers of mothers.</i><br />
<i>Blessed be all the daughters of daughters.</i><br />
<i>Blessed be all the daughters of mothers.</i><br />
<i>Blessed be all the mothers of daughters.</i><br />
<i>Now and forever, wherever we are.”</i> –Diann L. Neu<br />
<br />
In Uganda there is a special word that means "mother of a newborn"--<i>nakawere</i>. According to the book <i>Mothering the New Mother</i>,
"this word and the special treatment that goes with it apply to a woman
following every birth, not only the first one. The massages, the foods,
the care, 'they have to take care of you in a special way for about a
month.'"<br />
<br />
There is a special word in Korea as well. Referring to the "mother of a newborn child," <i>san mo</i>
describes "a woman every time she has had a baby. Extended family and
neighbors who act as family care for older children and for the new
mother. 'This lasts about twenty-one days...they take special care of
you.'"<br />
<br />
These concepts--and the lack of a similar one in American
culture--remind me of a quote from Sheila Kitzinger that I use when
talking about postpartum: "<i>In any society, the way a woman gives
birth and the kind of care given to her and the baby points as sharply
as an arrowhead to the key values of the culture</i>." Another quote I use is an Asian proverb paraphrased in the book <a data-mce-href="http://www.fathersatbirth.com/" href="http://www.fathersatbirth.com/">Fathers at Birth</a>: "<i>The way a woman cares for herself postpartum determines how long she will live.</i>"<br />
<br />
Dana Raphael, the author of <i>Breastfeeding: The Tender Gift</i>, who is best known for coining the word "doula" as it is presently used, also coined another valuable term: <b>matrescense</b>.
"Nothing changes life as dramatically as having a child. And there was
no word to describe that. So we invented the word--matrescence--becoming
a mother."<br />
<br />
<b>Happy Mother's Day to mothers around the world!</b><br />
<br />
<b></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEpNUkjbQdVyPcGHeFFxUn6zkFekWv3JfIrsfvCYidhknsJ6Ttpm_ug6IlRiWJgV2lONMAfj_rDoVrsJ_2YH0OxTLtpR_l_UcPE5LNYNWcpYiG2b7Ecg7x358t6IhyajlqEXb7rE36N8/s1600/CFM+Mother%27s+Day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEpNUkjbQdVyPcGHeFFxUn6zkFekWv3JfIrsfvCYidhknsJ6Ttpm_ug6IlRiWJgV2lONMAfj_rDoVrsJ_2YH0OxTLtpR_l_UcPE5LNYNWcpYiG2b7Ecg7x358t6IhyajlqEXb7rE36N8/s640/CFM+Mother%27s+Day.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></div>
<span class="ts_page_content"></span><br />
Want to find out what mothers really want? Check out the newest <i>Listening to Mothers </i>survey results: <a data-mce-href="http://transform.childbirthconnection.org/reports/listeningtomothers/" href="http://transform.childbirthconnection.org/reports/listeningtomothers/" rel="bookmark" title="Permalink: Listening to Mothers III: Report of the Third National U.S. Survey of Women’s Childbearing Experiences">Listening to Mothers III: Report of the Third National U.S. Survey of Women’s Childbearing Experiences</a><br />
<br />
<i>Other Mother's Day reads:</i><br />
<a data-mce-href="http://talkbirth.me/2013/04/27/womenergy-womanergy/" href="http://talkbirth.me/2013/04/27/womenergy-womanergy/" title="Womenergy (Womanergy)">Womenergy (Womanergy)</a><br />
<a data-mce-href="http://talkbirth.me/2013/03/08/international-womens-day-prayer-for-mothers/" href="http://talkbirth.me/2013/03/08/international-womens-day-prayer-for-mothers/" rel="bookmark" title="Permalink to International Women’s Day: Prayer for Mothers">Prayer for Mothers</a><br />
<a data-mce-href="http://talkbirth.me/2012/10/10/what-if-shes-stronger-than-she-knows/" href="http://talkbirth.me/2012/10/10/what-if-shes-stronger-than-she-knows/" rel="bookmark" title="Permalink to What If…She’s Stronger than She Knows…">What If…She’s Stronger than She Knows…</a><br />
<span class="ts_page_content">-- </span><br />
<span class="ts_page_content">This is a modified repost of a <a data-mce-href="http://cfmidwifery.blogspot.com/2009/05/happy-mothers-day.html" href="http://cfmidwifery.blogspot.com/2009/05/happy-mothers-day.html" target="_blank">previous post for Citizens for Midwifery</a>. It is being crossposted today at CfM, Talk Birth, and Pagan Families. </span>CfM Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03949865938769197211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132953033183671060.post-31193765284871216972013-02-15T16:23:00.000-06:002013-02-15T16:23:00.114-06:00Documentary: The Mama Sherpas<b>A CfM Facebook fan recently posted to share some information about an interesting sounding new documentary about Nurse-Midwives:</b><br />
<br />
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.themamasherpas.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="spotlight" height="320" src="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/400867_377596618991076_662172789_n.jpg" style="height: 554px; width: 542px;" width="313" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.thehospitalmidwife.com/" target="_blank">The Mama Sherpas</a> follows nurse midwives, the doctors they work with, and
their patients, in the DC area over the course of two years. The
documentary will provide a personal glimpse into what midwives can bring
into the birthing process in the hospital system. <br />
<br />
Maher
focuses on four “collaborative care” practices where doctors and
midwives manage women’s care together. Although there is few
collaborative care efforts in the United States, research proves that
this method provides better outcomes for mother and baby as well as
lowers the C-section rate, which has skyrocketed in recent years. <br />
<br />
The documentary’s subject is one that explores two of the most heated
debates - Women’s Issues and Health Care. This will be an important
contribution to women’s films as a genre because knowledge about medical
options has often been withheld from women. Additionally, this film
will serve as an educational tool to inform women about their own health
and bodies.<br />
<br />
For information on partnership or sponsoring visit <a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.themamasherpas.com&h=wAQFQEn8O&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">www.themamasherpas.com</a>. Also, visit <a href="http://www.facebook.com/TheMamaSherpas" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/TheMamaSherpas</a> for photos, videos, and updates. <br />
<br />
Here are a few ways you can help with our outreach:<br />
1. Add a logo of our film to your website<br />
2. Blog about our film<br />
3. Suggest participants<br />
4. Tweet, Link to our website, and share our Fb page<br />
5. Watch and share the scenes (clips are on the FB page)<br />
6. Suggest possible stories to follow! For instance, “I’d like to see
how dad’s prepare for labor.” We’ll add it to our story queue!<br />
7. Host a fundraiser in your community<br />
8. Host an Discussion Group about the film and film scenes centered on a topic area<br />
9. Connect us with a community organization in your area<br />
10. And...</div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Check us out on </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheMamaSherpas" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" target="_blank">Facebook</a><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> and </span><a href="http://pinterest.com/bamaher/the-mama-sherpas-midwives-who-work-in-a-hospital-s/" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">View our channels on </span><a href="https://vimeo.com/channels/themamasherpas" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" target="_blank">Vimeo</a><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> and </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKeezAWbJcIu0LA4Xx2AwiLnZvUMCJcY-" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" target="_blank">YouTube</a></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Follow us on </span><a href="http://www.tumblr.com/blog/mamasherpas" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" target="_blank">Tumblr</a><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> and </span><a href="https://twitter.com/mamasherpas" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" target="_blank">Twitter</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thehospitalmidwife.com/contact-us/" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" title="Contact Us">Join our Email list for updates</a></li>
</ul>
<img alt="Trish is a midwife at Physician and Midwife in Alexandria" class="attachment-featured-slide wp-post-image" height="345" src="http://www.thehospitalmidwife.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/TRISHRILEY.jpeg" title="Midwife Trish" width="600" /><br />
<br />CfM Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03949865938769197211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132953033183671060.post-78788979201712643542013-02-13T16:09:00.000-06:002013-02-13T16:09:46.696-06:00GRN: How Consumers Can Help Birth Centers Become A Reality for Every Community<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse;" valign="top"><table border="0" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-collapse: collapse;" valign="top"><div style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 150%; text-align: left;">
<h4 style="color: #202020; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 22px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: teal;"></span><strong>The National Birth Center Study II</strong></h4>
<br />
<img align="none" height="330" src="http://gallery.mailchimp.com/5a8cff9a49e6c40f0ce712a53/images/greenfamily4.jpg" style="border: 0; display: inline; height: 330px; line-height: 100%; outline: none; text-decoration: none; width: 450px;" width="450" /><br />
<br />
Hello Friends,<br />
<br />
While the whole nation has been watching the cesarean section rate and cost of maternity care climb ever-higher,<strong>
midwife-led birth centers have been providing low-risk women with a
safe, low-cost model of care with excellent outcomes and a c-section
rate orders of magnitude lower than the national average</strong>.<br />
<br />
The long-awaited <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jmwh.12003/pdf" style="color: #016a80; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">National Birth Center Study II</a> (Stapleton et al., 2013), published today in <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jmwh.12003/pdf" style="color: #016a80; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">The Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health</a>
(the journal of the American College of Nurse Midwives), reported on
outcomes of over 15,000 women planning to give birth at birth centers
around the country between the years of 2007 and 2010. The American
Association of Birth Centers has published an <a href="http://www.birthcenters.org/research" style="color: #016a80; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">excellent summary of the study results for consumers.</a><br />
<br />
Briefly, the main results showed:
<ul>
<li>
84% of women who started labor at the birth center, had their babies at the birth center.</li>
<li>
94% of women had vaginal births (whether they remained at the birth
center or transferred to a hospital), with no evidence of compromised
outcomes for babies. <strong>(That is, only 6% of women who started labor at a birth center had a cesarean birth.)</strong></li>
<li>
The national average is 32.8%. According to the authors, the national
c-section rate for low-risk women comparable to this sample is 27%.</li>
<li>
The fetal and neonatal death rate was extremely low and comparable to
what has been reported in other studies of low-risk populations.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<strong>Why is this study important for consumers to know about?</strong>
The overall number of birth centers has been growing over the last ten
years. However, if you Google the phrase, “birth center closing,” you
will see story after story of communities around the country despairing
as their birth centers were closing their doors for all sorts of
reasons.<br />
<br />
In some states, the regulations for birth centers represent barriers to
getting them started. In others, the financial or physician back-up
structure was not sustainable. <strong>The loss of birth centers leaves significant gaps in the continuum of care options for women</strong>, leaving them to choose care that is not optimally suited to their situation.<br />
<br />
The solution to lowering the cesarean section rate and the astronomical
maternity care costs in this country will be multifaceted, for sure.
Today we have been given empirical evidence that support for birth
centers, with their low-cost and excellent outcomes, should be a
substantial piece of the equation.<br />
<h4 style="color: #202020; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 22px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; text-align: left;">
<br />
<span style="color: teal;">What Can You Do?</span></h4>
<br />
If you already have a birth center in your community:
<ul>
<li>
Support it! Send them love today on Facebook, host a fundraiser, become their champion.</li>
</ul>
If your community does not have a birth center:
<ul>
<li>
Read the <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jmwh.12003/pdf" style="color: #016a80; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">article</a> and the <a href="http://www.birthcenters.org/research" style="color: #016a80; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">consumer summary</a> and share them on social media.</li>
<li>
Host a meeting to gather energy, information, and support.</li>
<li>
Learn about birth center regulations in your state and what the potential barriers may be.</li>
<li>
Send a copy of the article to local doctors and hospital administrators.</li>
</ul>
As Amy Romano of Childbirth Connection said in her <a href="http://transform.childbirthconnection.org/2013/01/birth-centers/" style="color: #016a80; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Transforming Maternity Care post</a>, “Birth centers have met their moment.”<br />
<br />
<strong>For midwife-led birth centers to thrive in the U.S., they need consumer champions</strong>. That's you!<br />
<br />
How do you plan to support midwife-led birth centers? Tell us on
Facebook and Twitter today and please share this message widely!<br />
<br />
Yours in safe and respectful maternity care,<br />
Lauren Korfine, PhD, & The CfMidwifery Team<br />
<br />
References<br />
Stapleton, S.R., Osborne, C., and Illuzzi, J. (2013). Outcomes of care
in birth centers: Demonstration of a Durable Model. Journal of Midwifery
and Women’s Health, January/February, 2013.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://us1.campaign-archive.com/social-proxy/facebook-like?u=5a8cff9a49e6c40f0ce712a53&id=b32eb11326&url=http%3A%2F%2Fus1.campaign-archive.com%2F%3Fu%3D5a8cff9a49e6c40f0ce712a53%26id%3Db32eb11326&title=Grassroots%20News%20From%20CfM%3A%20How%20Consumers%20Can%20Help%20Birth%20Centers%20Become%20A%20Reality%20for%20Every%20Community" id="fblike-" rel="socialproxy" title="Like Grassroots News From CfM: How Consumers Can Help Birth Centers Become A Reality for Every Community on Facebook"><img alt="Like Grassroots News From CfM: How Consumers Can Help Birth Centers Become A Reality for Every Community on Facebook" border="0" height="20" src="http://cdn-images.mailchimp.com/fb/like.gif" style="display: inline;" width="48" /></a><a href="http://twitter.com/?status=Grassroots%20News%20From%20CfM%3A%20How%20Consumers%20Can%20Help%20Birth%20Centers%20Become%20A%20Reality%20for%20Every%20Community%20-%20http%3A%2F%2Feepurl.com%2FuLscr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="Twitter"><img alt="Twitter" border="0" class="mc-share" height="15" src="http://cdn-images.mailchimp.com/icons/share/twitter.png" title="Twitter" width="15" /></a>
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fus1.campaign-archive2.com%2F%3Fu%3D5a8cff9a49e6c40f0ce712a53%26id%3Db32eb11326&t=Grassroots%20News%20From%20CfM%3A%20How%20Consumers%20Can%20Help%20Birth%20Centers%20Become%20A%20Reality%20for%20Every%20Community" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="Facebook"><img alt="Facebook" border="0" class="mc-share" height="15" src="http://cdn-images.mailchimp.com/icons/share/facebook.png" title="Facebook" width="15" /></a>
<a href="http://www.myspace.com/Modules/PostTo/Pages/?u=http%3A%2F%2Fus1.campaign-archive2.com%2F%3Fu%3D5a8cff9a49e6c40f0ce712a53%26id%3Db32eb11326&t=Grassroots%20News%20From%20CfM%3A%20How%20Consumers%20Can%20Help%20Birth%20Centers%20Become%20A%20Reality%20for%20Every%20Community" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="MySpace"><img alt="MySpace" border="0" class="mc-share" height="15" src="http://cdn-images.mailchimp.com/icons/share/myspace.png" title="MySpace" width="15" /></a>
<a href="http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&url=http%3A%2F%2Fus1.campaign-archive2.com%2F%3Fu%3D5a8cff9a49e6c40f0ce712a53%26id%3Db32eb11326&title=Grassroots%20News%20From%20CfM%3A%20How%20Consumers%20Can%20Help%20Birth%20Centers%20Become%20A%20Reality%20for%20Every%20Community" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="Digg"><img alt="Digg" border="0" class="mc-share" height="15" src="http://cdn-images.mailchimp.com/icons/share/digg.png" title="Digg" width="15" /></a>
<a href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fus1.campaign-archive2.com%2F%3Fu%3D5a8cff9a49e6c40f0ce712a53%26id%3Db32eb11326&title=Grassroots%20News%20From%20CfM%3A%20How%20Consumers%20Can%20Help%20Birth%20Centers%20Become%20A%20Reality%20for%20Every%20Community" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="StumbleUpon"><img alt="StumbleUpon" border="0" class="mc-share" height="15" src="http://cdn-images.mailchimp.com/icons/share/stumbleupon.png" title="StumbleUpon" width="15" /></a>
<a href="http://del.icio.us/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Fus1.campaign-archive2.com%2F%3Fu%3D5a8cff9a49e6c40f0ce712a53%26id%3Db32eb11326&title=Grassroots%20News%20From%20CfM%3A%20How%20Consumers%20Can%20Help%20Birth%20Centers%20Become%20A%20Reality%20for%20Every%20Community" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="Delicious"><img alt="Delicious" border="0" class="mc-share" height="15" src="http://cdn-images.mailchimp.com/icons/share/delicious.png" title="Delicious" width="15" /></a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-collapse: collapse;" valign="top">
<table border="0" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border-collapse: collapse;" valign="top">
<img alt="" border="0" src="http://gallery.mailchimp.com/653153ae841fd11de66ad181a/images/transparent.gif" style="border: 0; display: inline; height: auto; line-height: 100%; margin: 0; outline: none; padding: 0; text-decoration: none;" />
<div style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 150%; text-align: left;">
<h4 style="color: #202020; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 22px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px; text-align: left;">
</h4>
<strong><span style="font-size: 18px;">LEARN MORE ABOUT CFM</span></strong><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12px;"><strong> </strong></span><span style="font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://cfmidwifery.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=5a8cff9a49e6c40f0ce712a53&id=d6e0d8e0f6" style="color: #016a80; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;">SIGN UP HERE</a><strong> TO RECEIVE GRASSROOTS NEWS MESSAGES!</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>SHARE WITH OTHERS IN YOUR AREA!</strong><br />
Feel free to forward and share on facebook with friends, family and colleagues<br />
<br />
<strong>SEND US NEWS!</strong><br />
If you find news, resources, or other valuable information that you
think should be posted on the Grassroots Network, please send it to
info@cfmidwifery. org... with "For the grassroots network" in the
subject line. We will definitely consider using them!<br />
<br />
<strong>LEARN ABOUT CfM!</strong><br />
<span style="color: #016a80; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;">Check out our website</span><br />
<a href="http://cfmidwifery.blogspot.com/" style="color: #016a80; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;">Check out our blog</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/citizensformidwifery" style="color: #016a80; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;">Like us on Facebook</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://twitter.com/cfmidwifery" style="color: #016a80; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;">Follow us on Twitter</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12px;"> <strong>GET INVOLVED!</strong><br />
Are you interested in volunteering with some dynamic women in a supportive environment?<br />
Help CfM promote the Midwives Model of Care!<br />
We have many ways to get more involved.<br />
Get in touch with us!<br />
<br />
<strong>DONATE!</strong><br />
CfM couldn't do it without your support.<br />
</span><a href="https://cfmidwifery.org/Web/c-4-memberships.aspx" style="color: #016a80; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;">Make your contribution here!</a><br />
<br />
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
CfM Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03949865938769197211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132953033183671060.post-86891444813602818932013-01-23T10:00:00.000-06:002013-01-23T10:00:02.998-06:00Postpartum Survival Tips<br />
<blockquote>
<a href="http://talkbirth.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/324.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="324" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-7662" height="240" src="http://talkbirth.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/324.jpg?w=300&h=240" width="300" /></a>“In western society, the baby gets attention while the
mother is given lectures. Pregnancy is considered an illness; once the
‘illness’ is over, interest in her wanes. Mothers in ‘civilized’
countries often have no or very little help with a new baby. Women tend
to be home alone to fend for themselves and the children. They are
typically isolated socially & expected to complete their usual
chores…while being the sole person to care for the infant…” –Milk,
Money, & Madness</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<em></em>I
recently shared this quote on my <a href="http://facebook.com/talkbirth" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> and a reader responded
expressing her fear at preparing to face this exact situation. I
responded that it is an unfortunately realistic fear and suggested she
check out <a href="http://talkbirth.me/?s=Postpartum" target="_blank">some resources for postpartum planning</a>
that might help work through the fear as well as plan for a nurturing
postpartum instead of a stressful one. She then responded that she has a
very minimal local support system and that got me thinking about
postpartum survival tips for when one’s local support system is limited…</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<em>My ideas:</em><br />
<ul>
<li> Suggest to your out of town friends and family that they contribute
to a “babymoon” for you and all pitch in to hire a postpartum doula.</li>
<li>Tactfully remind people that even if they’re too far away to bring
you a meal, they can certainly call up a local restaurant and order a
delivery for you! I think a lot of us forget that is an option for a
long distance family member (that we would bring food to if they were
local). In my experience, getting enough food is a <em>huge</em> issue
postpartum! I remember long distance friends having babies a variety of
times and wishing I was close enough to bring them dinner. Duh. Many
restaurants do, in fact, deliver food!</li>
<li>Be your own “best friend” by preparing and freezing meals and snacks
now. I know I sound obsessed with food, but it is totally one the
hardest things to take care of postpartum, but so important!</li>
<li>Put together a mama survival kit for yourself that you can then open up when you need it. Some ideas <a href="http://www.motherrisingbirth.com/2012/12/postpartum-survival-kit.html" target="_blank">here</a> and more ideas of variable quality <a href="http://www.lucieslist.com/the-postpartum-experience/" target="_blank">here</a>.</li>
<li>If you don’t have a sense of community work, actively work on building one—go to <a href="http://www.lli.org/" target="_blank">La Leche League</a> meetings, <a href="http://www.holisticmoms.org/" target="_blank">Holistic Moms Network</a>, <a href="http://www.mops.org/" target="_blank">Mothers of Preschoolers</a>, <a href="http://attachmentparenting.org/" target="_blank">Attachment Parenting International</a>, or other mothers’ groups. Go BEFORE you have your baby if you can.</li>
</ul>
<strong>Other ideas for helpers:</strong><br />
<ul>
<li>In addition to my idea of ordering delivery for a postpartum family
as a way of bringing them dinner long distance, is to order a dinner
through the mail via the business <a href="http://www.spoonfulofcomfort.com/" target="_blank">Spoonful of Comfort</a>.
They will send fresh chicken soup, rolls, cookies, and a baby present
via Priority Mail (packed with freezer packs). I send it with a note
saying, “this is me, bringing you dinner!” <em>Friendly tip from unfortunate personal experience:</em>
if you are doing this for a friend make SURE you enter THEIR address as
the shipping address and not your OWN address, or you will then be
forced to enjoy their postpartum meal and feel like a total idiot at the
same time.</li>
<li>Don’t forget about other meals—breakfast = awesome. Muffins = awesome.</li>
<li>Pay it forward–I think sometimes people feel like they don’t know
someone well enough to bring them food, or maybe they even do a mental
“tally” and think, “well, she won’t be bringing me food ever, so why
should I take time to bring it to her” or, “she didn’t make anything for
me when I had my last baby, so I’m off the hook on this one.” When I
had Alaina, a mother who had literally JUST moved to town and that I had
not yet met, sent a hot breakfast casserole to me (that my lovely doula
delivered to my lovely mother at the snowy end of my gravel road). I
think of that generosity when I bring a postpartum meal to a mama from
whom I will never end up getting a reciprocal meal. Who cares. She needs
it. You can do it!</li>
<li>Another doula commented on my post: “Do you know a mom that is about
to have a baby? Or maybe a momma who just gave birth recently? Don’t
even ‘offer’ just show up with a bucket of cleaning supplies, a bag of
healthy food, and maybe something nice for her. Go tuck her in bed with
baby, and get to work on her home.. When she wakes, she has nothing to
do but nurse that baby. (If she has other kids, delegate chores with
them, if to young, call mutual friends to sit for them! Our Mom’s need
this, up through 6-9weeks pp, Mom’s need help, even longer for some.
There is a reason the US has the highest Post Partum Depression issues
in the developed world… Create your community! DO IT!” I would add that
if you do not know mom well, do <em>not </em>plan to engage in a deep cleaning project and stay for a long time doing such project.</li>
</ul>
<em>I also posted to the <a href="http://facebook.com/citizensformidwifery" target="_blank">Citizens for Midwifery Facebook page</a>
asking for contributions for postpartum survival tips when your local
support system is limited. What beautiful, helpful women we have on that
page! While I didn’t get many suggestions specifically for minimal
local support systems, I did get a nice collection of survival tip
ideas:</em><br />
<ul>
<li>Trust your own instincts. Many women have great advice but if your heart is telling you something else, go with it.</li>
<li>Craniosacral therapy… one session for you and one for the baby.</li>
<li>In addition to lots of suggestions to hire a postpartum doula, there
were lots and lots and lots of shout-outs for placenta encapsulation. <a href="http://talkbirth.me/2011/10/24/placenta-encapsulation-three-days-postpartum-comparison/" target="_blank">I echo it myself</a>.</li>
<li>Get out of the house alone! For me, it’s been crucial to my sanity
to leave my home, by myself, even if only for an hour or two between
nursings. Just a Target run was therapeutic!</li>
<li>Kangaroo care for high needs babies.</li>
<li>Lots of mentions of it being okay to accept help and okay to ask for help.</li>
<li>A lot of new moms get really overwhelmed by family and friends
coming by to see baby, and it’s important for them to remember that they
can always put out a sign that says “mom and baby sleeping!” (even if
they aren’t) anytime they need a break.</li>
<li>Watch only positive stuff without violence on TV (cooking shows,
home improvement) as regular TV is really violent for new mamas and she
may be watching more with all the nursing/healing.</li>
<li>
<div>
Have homemade high protein frozen meals (and snacks) in the freezer
before birth so anyone can warm them up for the household after birth.
If breastfeeding, get much more rest than you think you need from day
one to ensure an abundant milk supply (*note from Molly: it is true that
prolactin receptors are “laid down” during the first days of
breastfeeding. Breastfeeding “early and often” makes sure that there are
an ample supply of receptors in your brain.)</div>
</li>
<li>
<div>
Have a sign up sheet for family and friends to choose which chores
to help with, gift certificates to a cleaning service, stocking up on
disposable plates and dinnerware…</div>
</li>
<li>
<div id=".reactRoot[13].[1][2][1]{comment10151352338729483_26287136}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0]">
A new mommy group can be a life saver. Just knowing that other mommies are going through the same thing help</div>
</li>
<li>
<div id=".reactRoot[13].[1][2][1]{comment10151352338729483_26287148}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0]">
Food
registries such as mealtrain and mealbaby. Not enough families know
about these amazing and free services. (*note from Molly: we often use
Care Calendar locally.)</div>
</li>
<li>
<div id=".reactRoot[13].[1][2][1]{comment10151352338729483_26287148}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0]">
Plan
ahead and freeze several of your favorite freeze-able meals. Let the
clothes be a little wrinkled. Use paper and plastic ware instead of
worrying over dishes. Stay laying down first 3 days postpartum
(preferably naked: it gives a certain message and is better for baby
anyway) and the first week stay in pajamas. Enjoy frequent rest times,
even if you can’t sleep.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div id=".reactRoot[13].[1][2][1]{comment10151352338729483_26287184}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0]">
Baby wearing….lots of time in bed, sleeping cuddling and feeding babe skin to skin…brest friend nursing pillow</div>
</li>
<li>
<div id=".reactRoot[13].[1][2][1]{comment10151352338729483_26287185}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0]">
Send
a subliminal message to the limited visitors you’ll have (set limits
early with partner) by wearing your robe for several weeks</div>
</li>
<li>
<div id=".reactRoot[13].[1][2][1]{comment10151352338729483_26287185}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0]">
Eat well, accept all offers of help and food, get out of the house alone!</div>
</li>
<li>
<div id=".reactRoot[13].[1][2][1]{comment10151352338729483_26287273}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0]">
I
loved getting meals brought by friends, but I didn’t always want to
socialize. So, someone to run interference, or maybe a drop-off location
for leaving food. (*note from Molly: my doula was the perfect person
for this job.)</div>
</li>
<li>
<div id=".reactRoot[13].[1][2][1]{comment10151352338729483_26287369}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0]">
Ask for help! No one will know what you need if you don’t speak up.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div id=".reactRoot[13].[1][2][1]{comment10151352338729483_26287488}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0]">
Don’t
go without showering for more than four or five days. Brush your teeth
once a day no matter what, even if it ends up being at a weird time.
Take your vitamins/ herbal supplements/tea. HYDRATE! Nap with baby if
you need to, arrange childcare for older siblings sometimes, but also
listen to your instincts—one of my worst baby blues moments was with my
third when my older two were gone and I wanted them home!</div>
</li>
<li>
<div id=".reactRoot[13].[1][2][1]{comment10151352338729483_26287589}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0]">
LOVE
yourself, nap when you can , Yes you are doing it right, No it’s no
ones business (breastfeeding/cosleeping/pumping etc.) allow opinions and
advice to slide off, drink lots of water , eat small snacks/meals, love
your baby look into their beautiful eyes and connect, skin to skin
whenever even with dad or siblings (safely) cherish these moments they
don’t last forever, the laundry will get done, the dishes will be get
cleaned …</div>
</li>
<li>
<div id=".reactRoot[13].[1][2][1]{comment10151352338729483_26287642}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0]">
Take
a “babymoon”. Put on a robe when someone comes to the door–even if you
have real clothes underneath. Sleep when the baby sleeps. Don’t answer
the phone. Remember, self-care is essential for you to be able to care
for your baby.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div id=".reactRoot[13].[1][2][1]{comment10151352338729483_26287674}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0]">
I
loved having herbal soaked pad (frozen) to wear afterwards, felt soooo
good. Have easy one-handed snacks available and a BIG water bottle.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div id=".reactRoot[13].[1][2][1]{comment10151352338729483_26287674}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0]">
In
those last few months of pregnancy I prepare meals to freeze (I start
about month 5 or 6). I make up 6 weeks worth of dinners (they always
last longer since we have a great church family and friends that bring
us meals). After baby is born I can put 2-3 dinners in the refrigerator
(to thaw) a few days before I need them. Then all I have to do is pop
one in the oven and BAM….dinner’s ready. I love “Don’t Panic, Dinner’s
In The Freezer” I & II. The recipes are amazing and all freeze well.
Hope that helps!</div>
</li>
<li>
<div id=".reactRoot[13].[1][2][1]{comment10151352338729483_26288379}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0]">
Skin-to-skin
in bed for as long as possible; 40 days of rest, recuperation,
establishing breastfeeding, bonding, limited visitors, and limited
activity; drink when the baby nurses; sleep when the baby sleeps; nurse
on demand; learn to wear your baby; and use a peri bottle when peeing! A
postpartum herb bath and massage are nice, too.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div id=".reactRoot[13].[1][2][1]{comment10151352338729483_26288379}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0]">
Hot water bottle for afterpains</div>
</li>
<li>
<div id=".reactRoot[13].[1][2][1]{comment10151352338729483_26288379}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0]">
Placenta encapsulation and WishGarden Herbs ReBalance tincture!</div>
</li>
<li>
<div id=".reactRoot[13].[1][2][1]{comment10151352338729483_26290738}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0]">
Chiropractic adjustments, ASAP</div>
</li>
<li>
<div id=".reactRoot[13].[1][2][1]{comment10151352338729483_26290738}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0]">
Call in your mom. My mom’s job after my second was born was to keep me fed and to spend some quality time with my older child.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div id=".reactRoot[13].[1][2][1]{comment10151352338729483_26291447}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0]">
Drag oneself outside and BREATHE! <img alt=":)" class="wp-smiley" src="http://s0.wp.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif?m=1129645325g" /> </div>
</li>
<li>
<div id=".reactRoot[13].[1][2][1]{comment10151352338729483_26291447}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0]">
Water…..hot
tub, shower, steam, pool, raindrops, snow, sauna, bath, river, stream,
ocean, lake! If you can, immerse yourself, if you cannot, imagine
yourself floating <img alt=":-)" class="wp-smiley" src="http://s0.wp.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif?m=1129645325g" /> </div>
</li>
<li>
<div id=".reactRoot[13].[1][2][1]{comment10151352338729483_26299079}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0]">
Lots
of water, lots of protein and healthy fats, placenta encapsulation and
low expectations of anything other than bonding time with baby.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div id=".reactRoot[13].[1][2][1]{comment10151352338729483_26302036}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0]">
Don’t try to impress others with how quickly you can get up and going, even if you can, just take it easy!!!!</div>
</li>
<li>
<div id=".reactRoot[13].[1][2][1]{comment10151352338729483_26302036}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0]">
It’s not in the asking for help; its in the accepting…</div>
</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://talkbirth.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/january-2013-107.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Surround her with support!" class="size-medium wp-image-7664" height="224" src="http://talkbirth.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/january-2013-107.jpg?w=300&h=224" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surround her with support!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_7664" style="width: 310px;">
<div class="wp-caption-text" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<em>Check out these previous posts:</em></div>
<h1>
<a href="http://talkbirth.me/2012/12/12/guest-post-mothers-matter-creating-a-postpartum-plan/" rel="bookmark" title="Permalink to Guest Post: Mothers Matter–Creating a Postpartum Plan">Mothers Matter–Creating a Postpartum Plan</a></h1>
<h1>
<a href="http://talkbirth.me/2011/01/18/planning-for-postpartum/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link to Planning for Postpartum">Planning for Postpartum</a></h1>
<h1>
<a href="http://talkbirth.me/2012/02/03/some-reminders-for-postpartum-mamas/" target="_blank">Some reminders for postpartum mamas & those who love them</a></h1>
<em>and a great one for helpers written by my own doula:</em><br />
<h1>
<a href="http://summerdoula.com/2010/12/02/the-incredible-importance-of-postpartum-support/" rel="bookmark" title="Permalink to The Incredible Importance of Postpartum Support">The Incredible Importance of Postpartum Support</a></h1>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<em>And, remember…</em></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><em>“The first few months after a
baby comes can be a lot like floating in a jar of honey—very sweet and
golden, but very sticky too.”</em></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> –American College of Nurse-Midwives</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<i>This post is crossposted at <a href="http://talkbirth.me/" target="_blank">Talk Birth</a>.</i>CfM Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03949865938769197211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132953033183671060.post-13028392082274303292012-12-07T15:17:00.001-06:002012-12-07T15:17:44.801-06:00AJOG editorial rejects the ethic that autonomy is a fundamental human right<div style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 150%; text-align: left;">
Read it for yourself: <u><a href="http://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378%2812%2901074-5/fulltext" style="color: #016a80; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Planned Homebirth: the professional responsibility response</a></u><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wNsPLi3edJt5EdlRKbnWtenzcAnzxUYTeLcysW-YnE4u072sTEiigTBCKu4WEX-hKrBm9LI92ggvkQdbqgW02vtD5ZhnURZE4pSJpP9g4HW1-VAJkL9WteJBANuxZk1t3xhVGo414DI/s1600/MR_137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wNsPLi3edJt5EdlRKbnWtenzcAnzxUYTeLcysW-YnE4u072sTEiigTBCKu4WEX-hKrBm9LI92ggvkQdbqgW02vtD5ZhnURZE4pSJpP9g4HW1-VAJkL9WteJBANuxZk1t3xhVGo414DI/s320/MR_137.jpg" width="320" /></a>This article represents a serious attack on home birth and on patient
centered care in the United States. The attack is based on <a href="http://www.scienceandsensibility.org/?p=5800" style="color: #016a80; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="color: teal;">poor research</span></a> and runs roughshod over established rights to bodily integrity.<br />
<br />
This article was “Presented at European Congress of Perinatal Medicine,
Paris, France, June 13, 2012.” So not only does the article attack home
birth, it also represents an attempt to “export” to the rest of the
world a position that the obstetric profession, not mothers, should have
the final decision on birth, at a time when that isn’t even legally
defensible here in the United States. <br />
<br />
The primary author, a Fellow of ACOG, faculty member at Cornell
University Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, should be aware of
American jurisprudence supporting patient autonomy and right to informed
consent. We can also assume that he is aware that systems of midwife
attended homebirth are well established and integrated into the health
delivery systems of many European countries. And yet, it is the
decision of the 2010 European Court of Human Rights case that seems to
have prompted this “critical evaluation”. This was a case where
obstetrician, Agnes Gereb, was imprisoned for attending home births in
Hungary. Her story is told in the movie <a href="http://www.freedomforbirth.com/" style="color: #016a80; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">“Freedom for Birth”</a>, produced by One World Birth.<br />
<br />
The authors’ conclusion is the height of hubris: “We urge obstetricians,
other concerned physicians, midwives and other obstetric providers, and
their professional associations to eschew rights-based reductionism in
the ethics of planned home birth and replace rights-based reductionism
with an ethics based on professional responsibility.” <b>In other words, reject the ethic that autonomy is a fundamental human right.</b> <br />
<br />
<h3 style="color: #202020; display: block; font-family: Arial; font-size: 26px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-top: 0; text-align: left;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: 24px;"><span style="color: teal;">Who decides what is reasonable?</span></span></h3>
<br />
Fiduciary responsibility is, by definition, putting the needs of the
patient first. If fiduciary responsibility was the same as professional
responsibility, this would not be an either/or proposition. The author
defines professional responsibility as a model of decision making where
“the patient has the right to select from medically reasonable
alternatives”. Who gets to decide what is reasonable? Why, the
obstetrician, of course. And if the patient opts for an alternative the
obstetrician has not deemed reasonable, then the obstetrician is
justified in placing the “rights of the fetus” ahead of the rights of
the first patient (the mother), although what is actually being asserted
is the obstetrician’s own agenda over the rights of his/her patient.<br />
<br />
Buried in this article, and lost in the conclusion, is one very true
statement: “The first professional responsibility of obstetricians is to
ensure that hospital delivery is safe, respectful, and compassionate.”
The author goes on to describe what that needs to look like, and in an
easily overlooked fashion concedes that hospitals aren’t always safe
places either. In fact, both infant and maternal mortality are on the
rise in the United States, at a time when hospitals have a near monopoly
on birth. This failing falls squarely at the feet of ACOG and the
collective actions of its Fellows, which calls to mind this quote:<br />
<br />
“ACOG no longer has the moral authority to set standards in maternity
care…. It has made too many self-aggrandizing and self-protective
recommendations (e.g. against home birth, videotaping birth, and VBAC)
that limit the freedom of American women and families.” (M. Wagner, Born
In The USA, 2006, University of California Press, p. 32)<br />
<br />
Overlooking this reality completely, the author also overlooks the most
reliable research on the safety of home birth, while noting that ACOG
“accepts the findings of Wax et al”, a thoroughly discredited piece of
published research that does not stand as prima fascia evidence against
the safety of home birth. Even Amy Tuteur (no friend to home birth)
says this AJOG article is “poorly researched, relies on bad studies and
is woefully paternalistic”.<br />
<br />
One contradiction stands out as the authors call for “safe, respectful,
and compassionate” hospital delivery. No hospital birth can be truly
respectful if the birth is happening in the hospital because the
physician disrespects the woman’s right to an alternative and has rigged
the system to eliminate access to all legal alternatives.<br />
<br />
Illinois Friends of Midwives also <a href="http://illinoisfriendsofmidwives.blogspot.com/2012/11/against-unconstrained-rights-of.html" style="color: #016a80; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">responds to this article</a>, calling it “paternalistic and misogynistic."<br />
Wendy Gordon, LM, CPM, MPH, Midwives Alliance Division of Research, <a href="http://www.scienceandsensibility.org/?p=5800" style="color: #016a80; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="color: teal;">published an in-depth response on Science and Sensibility</span></a>.<br />
<br />
Another resource in any discussion on the safety of birth, and home birth in particular, can be found on <a href="http://cfmidwifery.org/pdf/SafetyinChildbirth2009cfm.pdf" style="color: #016a80; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Citizens for Midwifery website.</a><br />
<br />
Yours in safe and respectful maternity care,<br />
Willa Powell & the CfM Team</div>
<div style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 150%; text-align: left;">
-----</div>
<img alt="" border="0" src="http://gallery.mailchimp.com/653153ae841fd11de66ad181a/images/transparent.gif" style="border: 0; display: inline; height: auto; line-height: 100%; margin: 0; outline: none; padding: 0; text-decoration: none;" />
<br />
<div style="color: #505050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 150%; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18px;">LEARN MORE ABOUT CFM</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12px;"><b> </b></span><span style="font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://cfmidwifery.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=5a8cff9a49e6c40f0ce712a53&id=d6e0d8e0f6" style="color: #016a80; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;">SIGN UP HERE</a><b> TO RECEIVE GRASSROOTS NEWS MESSAGES!</b><br />
<br />
<b>SHARE WITH OTHERS IN YOUR AREA!</b><br />
Feel free to forward and share on facebook with friends, family and colleagues<br />
<br />
<b>SEND US NEWS!</b><br />
If you find news, resources, or other valuable information that you
think should be posted on the Grassroots Network, please send it to
info@cfmidwifery. org... with "For the grassroots network" in the
subject line. We will definitely consider using them!<br />
<br />
<b>LEARN ABOUT CfM!</b><br />
<span style="color: #016a80; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;">Check out our website</span><br />
<a href="http://cfmidwifery.blogspot.com/" style="color: #016a80; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;">Check out our blog</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/citizensformidwifery" style="color: #016a80; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;">Like us on Facebook</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://twitter.com/cfmidwifery" style="color: #016a80; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;">Follow us on Twitter</a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12px;"> <b>GET INVOLVED!</b><br />
Are you interested in volunteering with some dynamic women in a supportive environment?<br />
Help CfM promote the Midwives Model of Care!<br />
We have many ways to get more involved.<br />
Get in touch with us!<br />
<br />
<b>DONATE!</b><br />
CfM couldn't do it without your support.<br />
</span><a href="https://cfmidwifery.org/Web/c-4-memberships.aspx" style="color: #016a80; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;">Make your contribution here!</a></div>
CfM Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03949865938769197211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132953033183671060.post-19855848604748078122012-09-21T12:12:00.000-05:002012-09-21T15:29:30.409-05:00Book Review: Pushing for Midwives<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1439902208/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1439902208&linkCode=as2&tag=stonehaven-20" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" class="alignright" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1439902208&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=stonehaven-20" /></a>Book Review: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1439902208/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1439902208&linkCode=as2&tag=stonehaven-20">Pushing for Midwives: Homebirth Mothers and the Reproductive Rights Movement</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=stonehaven-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1439902208" style="border: none!important; margin: 0!important;" width="1" /> <br />
by Christa Craven<br />
<b>Paperback:</b> 232 pages<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> <a href="http://www.temple.edu/tempress/titles/2073_reg.html" target="_blank">Temple University Press</a>; 1 edition (October 28, 2010)<br />
<b>ISBN-13:</b> 978-1439902202<br />
<br />
Reviewed by Molly Remer, <a href="http://talkbirth.me/">Talk Birth</a><br />
<br />
<blockquote>
Mainstream feminist groups have been slow to recognize the right<b> <i>to </i></b>reproduce along with the right to be free <b><i>from</i></b>
reproducing. A focus of the second-wave women’s movement was shaking
off motherhood as what solely defined womanhood. So perhaps there has
been a reluctance to watch over the process that makes women mothers.
–Jennifer Block quoted in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1439902208/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1439902208&linkCode=as2&tag=stonehaven-20">Pushing for Midwives</a></blockquote>
Framed as a health policy concern, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1439902208/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1439902208&linkCode=as2&tag=stonehaven-20">Pushing for Midwives</a>
assesses the homebirth movement and midwifery activism in the context
of the reproductive rights movement. The focus of the book is on
legislation in Virginia, but is still of relevance and interest to
activists from other states. Craven also tackles complicated topics that
are often ignored in homebirth and midwifery texts, addressing issues
of race, privilege, and socioeconomic status and the impact on access to
care. She also takes a solid look at issues of political and religious
diversity within the homebirth activist community.<br />
<br />
Written in a densely academic style evocative of a dissertation, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1439902208/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1439902208&linkCode=as2&tag=stonehaven-20">Pushing for Midwives</a>,
became tedious and dry in places and took a long time to finish
reading. The very narrow focus on Virginia, while still applicable to
other states, became tiresome by the final chapters.<br />
<br />
I particularly enjoyed Craven’s exploration of the history of
consumer activism in midwifery as well as the consideration of homebirth
in the larger context of women’s health activism. I appreciated her
exploration of the feminist movement and how it has historically
neglected issues of birth advocacy and reform, while also looking the
current relationship between feminism and midwifery activism,
particularly how birth advocates choose to self-identify. Women’s health
activists and midwifery advocates will likely find a lot of food for
thought in the pages of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1439902208/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1439902208&linkCode=as2&tag=stonehaven-20">Pushing for Midwives</a>.<br />
<br />
–<br />
<i>Disclosures: I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes.</i><br />
<i>Amazon affiliate links included in book title and image.</i>CfM Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03949865938769197211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132953033183671060.post-5932555886460190572012-08-17T12:34:00.000-05:002012-08-17T12:34:20.141-05:00Guest Post: How to Avoid a Medical Induction Seminar
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://acubirth.com.au/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFC0kb3jqr042Wvu6hNjxmLcs_L7RjicApLInBQ4wW4xRYBxctwPsx2EftfzbtplUi5METAE_qKHGK3el8qiOx6lGezJOz-OdEs_EJity3SG7qWez2QRApn8N7l7CN_3OnHB_7j1ameho/s1600/acubirth.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
Are
you interested in <b>natural effective techniques</b> to avoid a medical
induction? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
Are
you tired of seeing birthing mothers face a <b>cascade of intervention</b> that
could be avoided?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
Are
you frustrated with seeing<b> fear take over</b> what could be an empowering
birth?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
Are
you saddened by the amount of <b>medicalisation</b> in the birth process?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
We
are hosting a one-time complimentary teleseminar on Thursday September 13 at
830am (Sydney Australia time). That’s Perth 630am, Alice Springs/Darwin/Cairns
8am, Auckland NZ 1030am, In other parts of the world this means: Wednesday
September 12, LA & Vancouver 330pm, NY & Montreal 630pm & London
1130pm.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
Listen
LIVE from your land line or Skype on the day if you can as there will be
specials, or else receive a recording later and listen to it when you’re free –
it’s that easy!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b>SAVE
YOUR SPOT NOW BY CLICKING HERE =></b> <a href="http://acubirth.com.au/opt-in-sept-2012">http://acubirth.com.au/opt-in-sept-2012</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
On
this call, Naomi and Rebecca from Acubirth and the Red Tent Health Centre will
reveal:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
• The <b>biggest mistake</b> that can hinder the start of birth</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
• The best acupressure point to <b>encourage bub to engage</b> and ripen that
cervix</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
• What the <b>ancient secrets</b> are and how they can empower your women</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
• How Chinese medicine can <b>deliver more choice</b> and effective outcomes
for birth</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
• The importance of <b>touch</b> and how crucial it is in the lead up to birth</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
• How to <b>calm nerves</b> and deal naturally with anxiety</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
• <b>Inspiring pregnancy and birthing stories</b> where situations have been
incredibly turned around using acupressure</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
You
definitely want to <b>save your spot for this one-time event</b>. It’s so easy
to attend from anywhere, in the comfort of your own home or wherever you are on
the move. If you can, be near a computer connected to the internet, as we’ll be
referring to juicy info on line.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
Naomi
and Rebecca both run Acubirth for Midwives as well as the Red Tent Health
Centre in Sydney, Australia. Acubirth is a specialised education website for
midwives to find out how natural eastern remedies can improve birthing outcomes
for their clients, as well as how it can support their own health and
wellbeing. All courses are accredited by the Australian College of Midwives.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
On
this exciting call you will not only get an insight into how supportive Chinese
medicine can be for your women but you will come away with <b>tools you can use
right away. </b>On the day we’ll be telling you how you can learn even more
about acupressure for midwifery, in a way that’s accredited by the Australian
College of Midwives (and we’re in the process of getting specialty credit from
the American College of Nurse Midwives also).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b>SAVE
YOUR SPOT NOW BY CLICKING HERE</b> => <a href="http://acubirth.com.au/opt-in-sept-2012">http://acubirth.com.au/opt-in-sept-2012</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
We
look forward to meeting with you on the 13th.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
Warmly</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b>Naomi
Abeshouse and Rebecca Mar Young</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
Your
Eastern Birthing Mentors</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
Acubirth
and Red Tent Health Centre</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">
ACUBIRTH FOR MIDWIVES</span></b><br />
~ Empowering mothers with eastern remedies ~<br />
<a href="http://www.acubirth.com.au/" target="_blank">www.AcuBirth.com.au</a><a href="mailto:rebecca@acubirth.com.au" target="_blank"></a><br />
<br />
Join our Acubirth for Midwives facebook group: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Acubirth-for-Midwives/147274028671556" target="_blank">Acubirth-for-Midwives</a><br />
Follow Acubirth on Twitter @AcuBirthSydney: <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/AcuBirthSydney" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/#!/AcuBirthSydney</a></div>
CfM Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03949865938769197211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132953033183671060.post-8392716610942711692012-05-21T15:47:00.000-05:002012-05-21T15:47:10.724-05:00I am a Midwife Campaign<a href="http://mana.org/" target="_blank">MANA</a> has a great educational campaign going on right now called <a href="http://www.mana.org/IAAM/node/19" target="_blank">I am a Midwife</a>. The campaign involves a series of short videos released once a week about a variety of topics. More than just a general education campaign, each video includes a variety of different women--midwives, mothers, public health activists, maternity care activists, authors---speaking out on important topics in maternity care. Each woman also identifies, "I am a Midwife." This week's video is about health disparities in maternity care, which is a very important and too-often ignored topic. It raises the concern that African American women and their babies are more likely to die than their Caucasian counterparts even when other variables are equalized (i.e. same socioeconomic status, same education, etc.) and moves into wider discussions about racism and the treatment of minority group members. It then focuses on the value and role of midwifery care in addressing these concerns.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/euagoBCsZBM" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
As MANA states in relationship to this campaign: "<i>For midwives, sharing is daring. We dare to challenge the status quo. We
dare to speak up for women's innate wisdom in pregnancy and birth. We
dare to assert that there is a better way for our babies to be born. And
we dare to insist that birth belongs to families.</i>"<br />
<br />
Absolutely! The <a href="http://www.mana.org/IAAM/node/19" target="_blank">I am a Midwife</a> public education campaign is extremely powerful. I have to confess that when it originally launched, I didn't personally make time to watch the videos right away, somehow assuming that they were "generic" videos with a "rah, midwives!" type of message. Don't make the same mistake I did. These are quality videos with important messages, powerful voices, and essential education and information. You will definitely learn something from watching them!<br />
<br />
--<br />
Molly<br />
CfM BloggerCfM Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03949865938769197211noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132953033183671060.post-7445073048306959682012-05-12T14:39:00.000-05:002012-05-12T14:39:28.494-05:00Answer Ina May's Call: This Mother's Day, Support A Woman's Birth Choices<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="clear: right; color: #505050; float: right; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" id="_x0000_i1025" src="http://gallery.mailchimp.com/5a8cff9a49e6c40f0ce712a53/images/CFM_twomoms.bw.jpg" width="320" /></span><em><span style="color: #016a80; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></em></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<em><span style="color: #016a80; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%;">“{I am calling] for
greater involvement of women in the formulation of maternity care policy and in
the education of young women and men about birth. Women who are fully informed
about the capacities of women’s bodies should lead the way, and all women </span></em><em><span style="color: #016a80; font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">
</span></em><em><span style="color: #016a80; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">who care about social justice and human rights should be
involved.”</span></em><i><span style="color: #016a80; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">– Ina May Gaskin, Birth
Matters: A Midwife’s Manifesta</span></em></span></i><span style="color: #505050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<em><span style="color: #505050; font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">
</span></em><span style="color: #505050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #505050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
Happy Mother's Day!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #505050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
Here at Citizens for Midwifery, we have been heeding Ina May’s call for more
than 16 years, providing women with evidence-based information about pregnancy
and birth, and supporting state and national efforts to secure access to
midwifery care for all women.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">And we need your help!
We can’t do it alone!</span></strong><br />
<br />
US Birth statistics and maternity care present many challenges:<br />
<br />
One in three US babies are born by cesarean section, a rate more than twice
that recommended by the WHO, a rate that results in harm to mothers and babies.<br />
<br />
Racial disparities in birth outcomes remain a tremendous problem. For example,
African American infants are 2.4 more times likely to die in their first year
than white infants, and African American women are more likely to have cesarean
sections, and nearly twice as likely to experience preterm labor or give birth
to a low birthweight baby. Midwives providing individualized care have been
successful in reducing these disparities.<br />
<br />
In countries with lower c-section rates and better maternal and infant outcomes
than ours, midwives provide primary care for all healthy pregnancies and
births.<br />
<br />
Access to midwives and the Midwives Model of Care in the US is limited. CPMs
are licensed or legally recognized in just 27 states, and CNMs are restricted
in the care they may give by practice agreements and supervision requirements
in 23 states.<br />
<br />
In the US in 2009, only 8.1 % of births in all settings were attended by
midwives.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Citizens for Midwifery
is working to meet those challenges, with information and action.</span></strong>
</span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #505050; line-height: 150%; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Through our website and
educational materials, we provide women and birth advocates with high
quality, consumer-focused information. Our website reaches many
women every day (over 66,000 every year!), who download materials or find
midwives and advocates in their area.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #505050; line-height: 150%; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Citizens for Midwifery
represents consumers as essential stakeholders and elevates the importance
of the consumer voice in key national forums on the future of midwifery
care. As part of the MAMA Campaign, CfM continues to work actively
to achieve federal recognition for CPMs, so that more and more women of
all income levels will eventually have access to the Midwives Model of
Care.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #505050; line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">CfM has been at the forefront,
using the internet and social networking to reach more women and families
than ever before with solid information that is helpful when making
maternity care choices and for advocating for the Midwives Model of Care.
We have one of the most active Facebook pages reaching consumers, with
over 5,000 people on our page and lively exchanges occurring on a regular
basis.</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: #505050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Now we need YOUR
financial support so we can do more and even better!</span></strong> Times and
technology are changing, and we need your help to update our infrastructure so
we can reach more women even more effectively.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Your donation today will
help us to:</span></strong></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #505050; line-height: 150%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Update our online infrastructure
to more effectively communicate with women and activists.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #505050; line-height: 150%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Launch targeted educational
campaigns and materials to meet the diverse needs of women and birth
advocates.</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #505050; line-height: 150%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Maintain a consistent consumer
presence representing women at critical moments and decision points in the
evolution of US midwifery.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #505050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">With your support we can reach more expectant
women and advocates and do more to advance the Midwives Model of Care than ever
before!<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Please make a donation
today!</span></strong><br />
<a href="http://cfmidwifery.us1.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=5a8cff9a49e6c40f0ce712a53&id=034a9b8d28&e=16a9e18289"><span style="color: #016a80; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><img alt="Donate Now" border="0" id="_x0000_i1025" src="http://www.razoo.com/assets/brands/1/donate_now.png" /></span></a> <br />
Visit the CfM Fundraising page at <a href="http://cfmidwifery.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=5a8cff9a49e6c40f0ce712a53&id=a419e0dda6&e=16a9e18289"><span style="color: #016a80;">www.cfmidwifery.org/Donate</span></a>. And please share
this letter with your friends and family on Facebook, Twitter and email
listserves. Mothers and babies, now and in the future, will love you for
it!<br />
<br />
Thank you!<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
</span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Nasima
Pfaffl<br />
</span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
</span><span style="color: #505050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">President<br />
<br />
P.S. Your donation, of ANY amount at <a href="http://cfmidwifery.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5a8cff9a49e6c40f0ce712a53&id=e2d96db912&e=16a9e18289"><span style="color: #016a80;">www.cfmidwifery.org/Donate</span></a>, will help us
answer Ina May Gaskin’s call to equip women with the information and tools to
improve maternity care in their communities.</span><span style="clear: right; color: #505050; float: right; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></span>CfM Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03949865938769197211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132953033183671060.post-91195177756265557562012-04-02T12:06:00.003-05:002012-04-02T13:16:59.543-05:00Book Review: Into These Hands<a href="http://wisdomfrommidwives.com/"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 210px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7RYnV1Y7bCaTn7aVuQ_SPbaIZsVitwQclW45k9PjMigoTbSBb180c-LYaN3DNMlF3xfK_EVpb2D0xXkLGTOTBx9BjgzHckWPO3REAc9vvmEOlNsMUd8h_amdRP4wgxwkDCoInGIVQYSU/s320/into-these-hands-wisdom-from-midwives.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726868310716547378" border="0" /></a><strong>Into These Hands: Wisdom from Midwives</strong><br />Geradine Simkins<br />Paperback, 300 pages<br />Published by Spirituality & Health Publisher, 2011<br />ISBN: 9780981870854<br /><a href="http://wisdomfrommidwives.com/" target="_blank">Wisdom from Midwives</a> <div>Reviewed by Molly Remer, <a href="http://talkbirth.me/posts" target="_blank">Talk Birth</a></div> <p><em>Into These Hands</em> is an amazing anthology of midwives’ retrospectives about their careers and midwifery journey. You won’t find birth stories here–this is book about women’s lives and journeys to midwifery. A book of midwife stories–how women are birthed as midwives, rather than about births they attended<em><em></em></em><em>–Into These Hands</em> is great reading for aspiring midwives or for currently practicing midwives who wish to feel a sense of solidarity with their sisters. <em></em>There are many paths, many lessons, many voices and each midwife clearly loves women and has a passion for birth. <em></em></p> <p>From the press release:</p> <blockquote><p>We are eager for you to meet some modern-day wise women, healers, revolutionaries, and reformers.<em> Into These Hands, </em><em>Wisdom from Midwives</em>© is a comprehensive anthology of the life stories of 25 remarkable women who have dedicated their lives and careers to the path of social change through midwifery. These exemplary midwives are all over 50 years of age with 25-40 years in the field. Collectively, they have over 800 years of experience and have assisted in over 35,000 births.</p></blockquote> <p>The midwives whose voices are included in the anthology come from diverse backgrounds, training, experiences, and range of practice settings. Quite a few of the stories are from “bridge club” members–women who began as direct entry midwives and later became CNMs. These midwives have a foot in both worlds and insight into the politics of the profession. In general, <em>Into These Hands</em> is a good look at the politics of midwifery both past and present. Almost all of the midwives in the book have homebirth roots or orientation.</p> <p>Since there are lots of voices represented, the tone or style of some stories is more compelling than others. Some within-story chronology jumps were a little confusing and there were a couple of stories in which I had to do some re-reading for clarity. <em></em></p> <p><em>Into These Hands </em>is likely to be of particular interest to midwifery activists, aspiring midwives, or current/retired midwives and may hold less appeal for general birth enthusiasts, doulas, or childbirth educators. The stories are rich, insightful, thought-provoking, and diverse and they brought tears to my eyes several times. This book is a treasury of women’s wisdom and a powerful legacy for the generations of women to follow.</p> <div class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 250px"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://talkbirth.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/20120402-120957.jpg"><img class="size-full " src="http://talkbirth.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/20120402-120957.jpg?w=500" alt="20120402-120957.jpg" /></a></div><p class="wp-caption-text">(An indicator of how much I like a book is how many page corners I turn down in order to come back to re-read those sections and write blog posts based on them/share quotes/etc. This is <span style="font-style: italic;">Into These Hands</span> last night as I was finishing it...;-D)</p></div> <p>–</p> <p><em>Disclosure: I was provided with a complimentary copy of the book for review purposes.</em></p>CfM Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03949865938769197211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132953033183671060.post-60072778725897088552012-03-21T14:55:00.002-05:002012-03-21T17:07:50.765-05:00Book Review: More Than a Midwife<a href="http://www.henschelhausbooks.com/catalog/maven-mark-books/83-more-than-a-widwife.html"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZOYVNbeDVAdI8hdip7RCmVYtKV-1J4MQHzFfbEINDDFwRGyLvFStaDFYOKJZNFxsRc_pAuBuyBdveDNxny7c0PUvzuvUHBVprUN7Ba-CTryKUjfd1XMPHWbNlKc2lXV8QLyJHTYlgWk/s320/more-than-a-widwife.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722474620150240802" border="0" /></a><strong>More Than a Midwife: Stories of Grace, Glory, and Motherhood </strong>[Paperback]<br /><p>by Mary Sommers<br />MavenMark Books (HenschelHAUS Publishing) (October 1, 2011), 148 pages<br />ISBN-13:978-1595981066</p> <p>Reviewed by Molly Remer, <a href="http://talkbirth.me/posts" target="_blank">Talk Birth</a></p> <p><em>More Than a Midwife </em>is a thoroughly delightful little volume by experienced and resourceful midwife, Mary Sommers. One of the things that makes the book particularly distinctive is the impressive diversity of Mary’s work experience. The book includes stories from her work as a midwife in urban Chicago as well as in Africa and Mexico. As always, glimpsing the dire situations facing birthing women cross-culturally is a sobering reminder of the immense challenges international midwives face with few physical resources—they accomplish an amazing level of care with only their heads, hands, and hearts.</p> <p>Each story shared in the book is selected with care and has an important message to share. The stories are about unique women and their unique births and what Mary (and the reader) can learn from them. From empowering and exhilarating, to difficult and heartbreaking, particularly notable are the stories that remind us all to treat every woman with dignity and respect, regardless of her life’s circumstances or choices. Mary is clearly a midwife who <em>loves women </em>and birth and practices with sensitivity, respect, and positive regard.</p> <p><span style="font-style: italic;">More Than a Midwife</span> is a slim paperback. It is nice size to hold easily and the stories are short and easy to read in small chunks of free time. It is occasionally erratic in the organization/flow of a story and in a few of them I had to re-read segments to understand chronology. However, this was a negligible issue in the context of this thoroughly enjoyable small book.</p> <p>Mary Sommers has written a true gem of a book. I feel honored to have read <em>More Than a Midwife</em> and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in birth, homebirth, midwifery, or women’s health. Most excellent!</p> <p>–</p> <p><em>Disclosure: I was provided with a complimentary copy of the book for review purposes.</em></p>CfM Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03949865938769197211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132953033183671060.post-4515348832782839722012-03-13T12:42:00.002-05:002012-03-13T13:09:28.337-05:00GRN: CPM Symposium Offers Live Streaming<a href="http://cpmsymposium.com/sponsor/citizens-for-midwifery/"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 64px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvowV0ij64kSr9y4_djsT8a-wW7Dig_OR6WDrEjxBol4ZlZeXOtRZwiRpq-hOtvf3tVVEr9W2zk5U2-ZOIj2j4Ngze4si2t8_o3jJejoEShNenFkx6s0NIVzDm6SE3ffcQ3aYsgW86mc/s320/CFM_c_s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719445276896574018" border="0" /></a><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> <w:word11kerningpairs/> <w:cachedcolbalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont val="Cambria Math"> <m:brkbin val="before"> <m:brkbinsub val="--"> <m:smallfrac val="off"> <m:dispdef/> <m:lmargin val="0"> <m:rmargin val="0"> <m:defjc val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent val="1440"> <m:intlim val="subSup"> <m:narylim val="undOvr"> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif][if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" defunhidewhenused="true" defsemihidden="true" defqformat="false" defpriority="99" latentstylecount="267"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="0" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Normal"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="heading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="35" qformat="true" name="caption"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="10" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" name="Default Paragraph Font"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="11" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtitle"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="22" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Strong"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="20" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="59" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Table Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Placeholder Text"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="No Spacing"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Revision"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="34" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="List Paragraph"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="29" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="30" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="19" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="21" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="31" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="32" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif][if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span class="title"><b><span style="line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:18.0pt;color:dimgray;" ></span></b></span><span style="line-height:150%; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"; font-family:";font-size:10.5pt;color:#505050;" ></span><span style="mso-fareast-Times New Roman"font-family:";" ></span>Hello Friends,<br /></p><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SAfont-family:";font-size:10.5pt;color:#505050;" ><br />Citizens for Midwifery is a proud sponsor of the <a href="http://cfmidwifery.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5a8cff9a49e6c40f0ce712a53&id=3ffcea81ff&e=16a9e18289" target="_blank"><span style="color:#016A80;">CPM Symposium</span></a> co-sponsored by NACPM and AME this coming weekend. We are very excited to both participate and support this gathering because it promises to be a unique and fresh approach to assessing the current landscape, identifying opportunity and challenges and creating realistic next steps in order to advance the profession of midwifery. We're particularly excited to see that they are offering <a href="http://cfmidwifery.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5a8cff9a49e6c40f0ce712a53&id=4851cab398&e=16a9e18289" target="_blank"><span style="color:#016A80;">Live Streaming</span></a>, making conference content affordable and accessible to those who cannot make the Symposium in person. Live streaming participants will be able to contribute and interact with the conversation happening inside the Symposium!<br /><br />We wanted to let you know that they are giving away one free Live Streaming pass. All you have to do is share the information about the conference on one of your social networks and leave a comment to enter to win. <a href="http://cfmidwifery.us1.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=5a8cff9a49e6c40f0ce712a53&id=8e81795d9c&e=16a9e18289" target="_blank"><span style="color:#016A80;">Learn more and enter here!</span></a><br /><br />If you are attending the conference please make sure to introduce yourself and say hello to Susan Hodges, Jeanette McCulloch and Nasima Pfaffl who will be participating as Citizens for Midwifery representatives.<br /><br />Warmly,<br /><br />Hillary Boucher & the CfM team<br /><br />P.S. If you can't make the conference or attend the Live Streaming event you can still follow along on Twitter! Follow the hashtag #CPMsymp12 to join the conversation!<br style="mso-special-character:line-break"> <br style="mso-special-character:line-break"> </span>CfM Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03949865938769197211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132953033183671060.post-7552300204418794942012-03-08T08:30:00.001-06:002012-03-08T08:30:00.067-06:00International Women's Day---Guest Post: Wake Up Campaign<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_tsCOGKRNF-jLcEJ6pgqu5OwpdsE23lP_iDWyGo7o_owXgxiqfygvpJZ3XNnLXnFlIT0M1kn2KtjtIBHA-qEWQylpEvBoao7X-gbQPi7FSoo6KkdUgfdAL1hBQChXwEn-7LHaljCxS0/s1600/wakeup.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_tsCOGKRNF-jLcEJ6pgqu5OwpdsE23lP_iDWyGo7o_owXgxiqfygvpJZ3XNnLXnFlIT0M1kn2KtjtIBHA-qEWQylpEvBoao7X-gbQPi7FSoo6KkdUgfdAL1hBQChXwEn-7LHaljCxS0/s320/wakeup.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717273016578260386" border="0" /></a><br />Today is International Women’s Day, an occasion to celebrate women and girls’ remarkable potential, inherent worth and vital contributions to our communities. It’s also a day to recognize that millions of women and girls still confront threats to their safety, their health, their livelihoods and their dignity - and to advocate for solutions that can improve their lives.<br /><br />Are you concerned with these issues? Then join the International Rescue Committee (IRC)’s Wake Up campaign. At <a href="http://www.rescue.org/wakeup/?ms=bl_zzzz_zzz_zzzz_rf_11zzzz">rescue.org/wakeup</a>, you can read stories of real women facing crisis – like Fatuma, whose daughter was assaulted on the daily trek for clean water in Somalia; Francine, who is working to overcome the wounds of sexual slavery in Congo; and Angele, a Cameroonian asylee who fled political turmoil in her home country and is slowly rebuilding her life in the United States. You can <a href="http://www.rescue.org/wakeup/pledge/?ms=bl_zzzz_zzz_zzzz_rf_11zzzz">sign a pledge </a>affirming your support for women and girls like these all over the world who are fighting for survival and struggling to endure. When you do, you’ll join the ranks of such notables as IRC Voice and “The Walking Dead” star Sarah Wayne Callies and actresses Téa Leoni, Alyssa Milano and Morena Baccarin. And you can use the tools in the IRC’s handy<a href="http://www.rescue.org/wakeup/action/?ms=bl_zzzz_zzz_zzzz_rf_11zzzz"> social action kit</a> to share the pledge and raise awareness about what can be done to help – which makes you a part of the solution.<br /><br />The IRC works to protect and empower women and girls in more than 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, from Burundi to Baltimore. We’re joining with them on this special day, to take a stand for women and girls. We hope that you will, too. <a href="http://www.rescue.org/wakeup/pledge/?ms=bl_zzzz_zzz_zzzz_rf_11zzzz">Sign the Wake Up pledge</a> and pass it on!<br />---<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Article provided by Ruth Fertig of International Rescue Committee </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">In photo:</span><br />Lay Htoo, 20, looks at her newborn daughter Di Lay, born a few hours earlier in Tham Hin refugee camp’s maternity ward. Each year, 15 midwives trained by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) examine and support hundreds of women and children in the camp, which is near the Thailand-Myanmar border. (Photo: Peter Biro/IRC).<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span>CfM Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03949865938769197211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132953033183671060.post-16594586571334390792012-02-11T14:09:00.001-06:002012-02-11T14:12:41.837-06:00Grassroots News: $40 Million Going Towards Early Inductive Election, Prematurity<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> <w:word11kerningpairs/> <w:cachedcolbalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont val="Cambria Math"> <m:brkbin val="before"> <m:brkbinsub val="--"> <m:smallfrac val="off"> <m:dispdef/> <m:lmargin val="0"> <m:rmargin val="0"> <m:defjc val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent val="1440"> <m:intlim val="subSup"> <m:narylim val="undOvr"> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" defunhidewhenused="true" defsemihidden="true" defqformat="false" defpriority="99" latentstylecount="267"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="0" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Normal"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="heading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="35" qformat="true" name="caption"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="10" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" name="Default Paragraph Font"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="11" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtitle"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="22" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Strong"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="20" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="59" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Table Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Placeholder Text"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="No Spacing"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Revision"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="34" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="List Paragraph"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="29" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="30" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="19" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="21" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="31" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="32" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";color:#505050;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">Hello Friends,<br /><br />The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has launched a campaign called the “<a href="http://cfmidwifery.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5a8cff9a49e6c40f0ce712a53&id=a90e0a13bf&e=16a9e18289"><span style="color:#016A80">Strong Start Initiative</span></a>,” which is designed to decrease the number of preterm births occurring every year. Babies born prematurely are more likely than babies born at full term to experience a vast array of medical complications both in infancy and across the lifespan. In order to reverse a 20 year trend of increasing rates of prematurity, the HHS has announced the availability of $40 million in grant money for programs that are exploring ways to reduce prematurity through improved prenatal care.<br /><br />The “Strong Start Initiative” will focus on reducing early elective inductions, which are labors that are induced prior to 39 weeks and without any medical indication. The rate of early elective inductions has increased dramatically over the past decade and is associated with poorer outcomes for babies and increased obstetrical interventions, including cesarean section. Reversing this trend can improve the health of babies and reduce unnecessary medical intervention in birth.<br /><br />In addition to creating conditions for healthier births and babies, the Strong Start Initiative has the potential to save considerable health care costs that are typically associated with preterm births. The HHS will partner with the March of Dimes, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and other organizations to implement this campaign.<br /><br />To learn more about current research on early elective inductions, see the recent <a href="http://cfmidwifery.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5a8cff9a49e6c40f0ce712a53&id=480d751e2b&e=16a9e18289"><span style="color:#016A80">Citizens for Midwifery article</span></a>.<br />To learn more about the “Strong Start Initiative,” <a href="http://cfmidwifery.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5a8cff9a49e6c40f0ce712a53&id=9be5b42e9b&e=16a9e18289"><span style="color:#016A80">read the full press release</span></a>.<br /><br />Warmly,<br /><br />Lauren Korfine & The CfM Team<br style="mso-special-character:line-break"> <br style="mso-special-character:line-break"> </span>CfM Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03949865938769197211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132953033183671060.post-13769638799830803142011-12-27T16:51:00.006-06:002011-12-27T23:33:25.724-06:00Happy New Year!<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When I began writing this blog for Citizens for Midwifery, one of my goals was to be collaborative in terms of networking with other maternity care activists across the country. To me, that means giving acknowledgement, praise, and congratulations to other organizations that are making a real difference and to sharing ideas, credit, and resources with each other. It makes complete sense to me to create a climate in which organizations are mutually supportive of one another, rather than in competition with one another. To that end, I'd like to highlight the year-end fundraising requests of some great organizations working on behalf of mothers, babies, motherbabies, midwifery, women's health, or birth activism. There are many worthy organizations out there working tirelessly on behalf of the women in this country and beyond our borders. I hope you will help to support any or all of them in some way so that we can greet 2012 with a strong camaraderie as our complementary efforts to improve maternity care continue to survive, thrive, and blossom into hopeful and beautiful fullness. To make a donation to Citizens for Midwifery, please visit </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://cfmidwifery.org/Web/c-4-donate.aspx">this link</a><span style="font-family: arial;"> and become, at minimum, a "citizen" supporter yourself!</span></span> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">CIMS shares some great information:<br /></span></p> <blockquote style="font-family: arial;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">This year has been an eventful one for maternity care advocates. Ina May Gaskin, noted midwife and author of <i><span style=";">Spiritual Midwifery</span></i></span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > and <i>Birth Matters </i>won the <a href="http://motherfriendly.org/EmailTracker/LinkTracker.ashx?linkAndRecipientCode=3DOHc4eSFh0I8mz%2bESgb9sPJzYNkDjBSD2bAUSrYrzELnq%2bFKYzL0e9fZwiasdQLEy3h6jtoiZFJzm1%2fSx8etD1cSthlwcmoFG3jx2bvt5Q%3d">Right Livelihood Award</a>, (also known as the “Alternative Nobel Prize”) for 'outstanding vision and work on behalf of our planet and its people'. Robin Lim, an American midwife working in Indonesia, won the <a href="http://motherfriendly.org/EmailTracker/LinkTracker.ashx?linkAndRecipientCode=UXg%2florDcPz0%2b%2fjbA6Bi1FGGX2ivn1AnihU%2fB0j0sFDvYAdlynGPwJOQ5Tc1POT9%2bS2cveb5tNCdOexbi%2bXcmFV9PyCxDdIs70kKOQGQUKs%3d">CNN Hero of the Year</a> award. Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein released their new film “<i><a href="http://motherfriendly.org/EmailTracker/LinkTracker.ashx?linkAndRecipientCode=uAS8STaiIm3H4C1hrpbFyEaDKsb2X4f8xgzAidUz4Oj9jwNDIFbmvF1WXnA%2fdljEpJCLkDFdmv2FuCNWVVMXWAieyk5nEfIT6376srs%2bhyw%3d">More Business of Being Born</a></i>.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >The Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS) has had an eventful year as well. With the end of the grant funding that CIMS was fortunate to have for the past few years, CIMS is now transitioning into a leaner organization and we are sharpening our focus more than ever on improving maternity care and promoting the principles of the <a href="http://motherfriendly.org/EmailTracker/LinkTracker.ashx?linkAndRecipientCode=vHg%2fu7hizvZFRy45An6kHKESARONLZdNLduU7HHOy2xSrclgrJGzR3qFO%2bvIKfehG3IGesqc2%2bg%2fE3dWL%2bvh1MWtlgts8wtOcAWUi6Gbgis%3d">Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative (MFCI).</a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >In March, CIMS-along with the Breastfeeding and Feminism Symposium-co-hosted our Forum <i>“Reframing Birth and Breastfeeding-Moving Forward”</i> in Raleigh, North Carolina. Forum attendees were privileged to hear cutting edge presentations on a wide variety of the latest topics in birth and breastfeeding from stellar speakers such as:</span></p> <ul type="disc"><ul type="circle"><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-size:100%;" >Eugene Declercq, PhD, MBA, Boston University School of Public Health, <i>“Where We Stand in Improving Maternity Care, Blue Print for Action”</i></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-size:100%;" >Penny Simkin, noted Author, Doula, Childbirth Educator, Birth Counselor, <i>"What's New With Doulas? Challenges and Opportunities"</i></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-size:100%;" >Bettina Lauf Forbes and Danielle Rigg, Co-Founders, Best for Babes Foundation, <i>“Changing Frames: Giving Breastfeeding a Makeover”</i></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-size:100%;" >Geradine Simkins, CNM, MSN, current President of Midwives Alliance of North America, "<i>What Matters to Women, Matters to Midwives”</i></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-size:100%;" >Kirsti Kreutzer, Doula, Filmmaker, one of the founders of “Where’s My Midwife?” <i>"Social Media and Activism: 'Where's My Midwife?' Calls For a Revolution"</i></span></li></ul></ul> <p style="margin-left: -4.5pt;"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >As always, the CIMS Forum facilitated many exchanges of ideas and professional learning from leaders in their fields. (Click <a href="http://motherfriendly.org/EmailTracker/LinkTracker.ashx?linkAndRecipientCode=GLnpiQ6HAKeBYop9f8vODxHj0yO3ji8Yxsr5pzPZycochmduzgysFB%2bCwyxfaEg9XF%2fJVYJ1lfBfJoyHKzBlLfLN2kI9S4qO2KV%2b2dlcvbA%3d">here</a> to learn more about what sessions were offered or to purchase audio recordings from the Forum). CIMS was also honored to host two luncheons for <a href="http://motherfriendly.org/EmailTracker/LinkTracker.ashx?linkAndRecipientCode=XvF%2bSVW%2bcoBpEZFuD3EKkSt2TwpSmw2zRzlzpEJo40g7ssHFg9MEyYHW36tFRWP7RZyvFqJwsQt8TL6GQdlzNPO5%2fNUxgcPXSXa6VB3dRw4%3d">CIMS’ Organizational Members</a>, and facilitate discussions for collaborative learning and sharing ideas between many of the major birth organizations from around the country.</span></p> <p style="margin-left: -4.5pt;"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >The Mother-Friendly model of care continues to set the standard for maternity care across the United States. CIMS is proud to continue to grow and promote <a href="http://motherfriendly.org/EmailTracker/LinkTracker.ashx?linkAndRecipientCode=XJgaTXL5JCAR2AmGfPCRMrNAIFFeV8Ot6iuhkrvN8OOXNqEhWJs9S7cIbabjqqFkTUZRD9O%2f8MW8S8wXRQ16eAq2RdPqbs6byHfmiWAmJdE%3d">The Birth Survey</a>, which has amassed a huge database of women's birth experiences that are invaluable to researchers and care providers and encourages women and their families to seek out Mother-Friendly maternity care.</span></p> <p style="margin-left: -4.5pt;"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >You can be a part of the growth and positive change in maternal infant health by partnering with CIMS as we continue to be a voice for Mother-Friendly care. If you haven’t already, won’t you join us by either <a href="http://motherfriendly.org/EmailTracker/LinkTracker.ashx?linkAndRecipientCode=QDl0uyNH5JirM1xyEfHRGtksDurvQrw%2fPoJkPxop9E5JCNQh9o%2bTH7fII4xjI%2feJthDP9Tb%2bq7zJzzqHX7WNtlqIVxrUvGqXUYyip5Zhc7E%3d">becoming a member</a> or making a tax-deductible <a href="http://motherfriendly.org/EmailTracker/LinkTracker.ashx?linkAndRecipientCode=xxKnwBc04wltzxw%2bYirHNm%2fYnuliC0vVkK9SI8%2fcSVqsk%2fTuRiGaz9Cy2hfZTWVzTkg2jjVLH4KGpejdgBy07sGD69XdWoSdKc1WVvj6cWU%3d">donation</a> to CIMS before the end of this year?</span></p> <p style="margin-left: -4.5pt;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b><span style=";">Thank you </span></b>for all that you do to improve and promote Mother-Friendly care!</span></p></blockquote><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I also heard from the women at National Association of Mother's Centers (make sure to check out their 12 Days of Christmas video!)</span><br /><br /></span><blockquote style="font-family: arial;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style=";font-size:100%;color:black;" >What are you grateful for this year? Perhaps it's the birth of a new baby, or the purchase of a new home, the start of a new job, or maybe the giggles of your kids or grandkids.<br /><br /><span style=";">For many mothers across the country, being grateful for the Mothers' Center is at the top of their list this year.</span> They are thankful they have a place where they can come to share in the joys and challenges of motherhood and gain friendship, support and sisterhood during what can be one of the most isolating experiences of our lives.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 7.5pt;"><span style=";font-size:100%;color:black;" ><br />If you are feeling grateful for your family this year, <strong><span style=";">please consider <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=nukbhbcab&et=1108999916341&s=3578&e=001hgBhCEnfapnJ-io63UYjb8eGfp-cpRmqhAIHvfJ1PIohSjwYRI0rUDF-Ci5VoUvBfYnZq8tBPXykuBN1B_nkdjttpCUG2_UT4KuIsKgh7YD19xoVx8krAtT1fUo19mwBjGFC-9Ltl9BbzS5WRj0SGxDiQeF4wce9gXpUhC7SuMhrtBFEESpYl0GwiwM6JPzj5xST06yDVcx8484HVTzEhw==" target="_blank" shape="rect">making a donation</a></span></strong> in honor of that gratitude to the National Association of Mothers' Centers. With your help, we can continue our work helping mothers across the country.<br /><br /><strong><span style=";">And as a holiday treat - we've created this short video:<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=nukbhbcab&et=1108999916341&s=3578&e=001hgBhCEnfaplyKQqMynUOCCBZcMqaJUpDQZ3PZH5XfL693B9vy9ln0gzKXWE4uHTzL-B322rRDldbJUQAbeEuQKrVBrHwFwbi1ESAML-1IYzv7ldtGeQJjNbD1eS7gWEOdcxJHf5gVjD7v_g-mOBOuw==" target="_blank" shape="rect">A Mother's 12 Days of Christmas</a>.</span></strong> Enjoy! </span></p></blockquote><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Choices in Childbirth is another amazing favorite of mine. I'm in love with their </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://www.choicesinchildbirth.org/resources/CIC_2011_NATIONAL_BirthGuide_WebMech_01_hires.pdf">Guide to a Healthy Birth</a><span style="font-family: arial;">. Seriously. In love. </span></span><blockquote style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />As you make your year-end chartiable contributions, please consider a gift to support Choices in Childbirth in our endeavor to improve maternity care by ensuring that women and families have access to the full range of birth options and helping women make informed decisions about childbirth. To ensure that your gift is tax-deductible for 2011, make a secure <a href="https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/ChoicesInChildbirth/OnlineDonation2.html">online contribution</a> by December 31.</span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";font-size:100%;color:black;" >Thank you for your dedication to healthy birth.<br /></span></p><span style=";font-size:100%;color:black;" >P.S. Are you on Facebook? <a href="http://www.causes.com/causes/297944-support-choices-in-childbirth?recruiter_id=39749332" title="causes"><span style="color:black;">Join our Cause </span></a>and start your own Holiday Wish <a href="http://wishes.causes.com/"><span style="color:black;">Fundraising Page</span></a> to benefit CiC!</span></blockquote><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:";font-size:100%;color:black;" blockquote="" ><br /><br />Also, we love the Transforming Maternity Care initiative of Childbirth Connection! <blockquote><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> <w:word11kerningpairs/> <w:cachedcolbalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont val="Cambria Math"> <m:brkbin val="before"> <m:brkbinsub val="--"> <m:smallfrac val="off"> <m:dispdef/> <m:lmargin val="0"> <m:rmargin val="0"> <m:defjc val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent val="1440"> <m:intlim val="subSup"> <m:narylim val="undOvr"> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" defunhidewhenused="true" defsemihidden="true" defqformat="false" defpriority="99" latentstylecount="267"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="0" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Normal"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="heading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="35" qformat="true" name="caption"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="10" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" name="Default Paragraph Font"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="11" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtitle"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="22" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Strong"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="20" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="59" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Table Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Placeholder Text"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="No Spacing"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Revision"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="34" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="List Paragraph"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="29" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="30" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="19" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="21" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="31" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="32" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 150%; color: rgb(80, 80, 80);">As the year comes to an end, we want to say one last thank you to everyone who has remained passionate about transforming maternity care in 2011. As we wrote last week, <a href="http://childbirthconnection.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4b7d76a98d87f0951fb1af14f&id=803b4274b0&e=6653e53bc6" target="_blank"><span style="color:#336699">our efforts are starting to pay off.</span></a><br /><br />Let's keep this momentum going in 2012. We have the collective vision, and we know how to get there. Leaders and legislators are listening and women are activated because they know they deserve better.<br /><br />There's still time to make a tax-deductible donation to support Childbirth Connection. Every dollar counts and every dollar will be used to transform maternity care.<br /></span></p> <a href="http://transform.childbirthconnection.org/"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";font-size:10.5pt;color:#505050;" ><span style="text-decoration: none;color:#336699;" ><img id="_x0000_i1025" src="http://gallery.mailchimp.com/4b7d76a98d87f0951fb1af14f/images/transforming_logo.png" border="0" height="130" width="260" /></span></span></a></blockquote> <span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SAfont-size:10.5pt;color:#505050;" > </span> <br />CfM Board member Hillary and I both have our pictures on the cover of the newest edition of the women's health classic, </span><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Our Bodies, Ourselves</span>:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="font-family: arial;"><span style=";"><br /></span></b></span><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><em></em></span></p><blockquote style="font-family: arial;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><em><b><span style=";">"We want women to say: I read a book and it changed my life." </span></b></em></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >That's how our Turkish partner, Mavi Kalem, approached the challenge of creating <em><b><span style=";"><a href="http://e2ma.net/go/7403316936/208787187/230350635/1401080/goto:http:/www.ourbodiesourselves.org/programs/network/in-progress/turkey.asp" target="_blank" title="Turkey: Mavi Kalem"><span style="color:#990000;">Bedenlerimiz Biziz</span></a></span></b></em>, the first Turkish adaptation of <em><span style=";">Our Bodies, Ourselves</span></em>. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >Slated for release in 2012, this new edition explores the social norms and laws, traditional practices and religious edicts that make it difficult for Turkish women and girls to exercise their health and human rights. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >This holiday season, <strong><span style=";"><a href="http://e2ma.net/go/7403316936/208787187/230350636/1401080/goto:https:/www.networkforgood.org/donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=23-7274169&vlrStratCode=T6GtcntF2IGrY76%2fBlOTb%2bxK6%2b%2fjliqIZDWtsXD415%2bijoCp0MPCN%2fIUfCnWGbJQ" target="_blank" title="please give as generously as you can"><span style="color:#990000;">please give as generously</span></a></span></strong> as you can — $100, $250, or more — to Our Bodies Ourselves. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong><span style=";">Your generous contribution sustains our legacy of educational activism on behalf women and girls in every region of the world. </span></strong></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >For <strong><span style=";"><a href="http://e2ma.net/go/7403316936/208787187/230350637/1401080/goto:https:/www.networkforgood.org/donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=23-7274169&vlrStratCode=T6GtcntF2IGrY76%2fBlOTb%2bxK6%2b%2fjliqIZDWtsXD415%2bijoCp0MPCN%2fIUfCnWGbJQ" target="_blank" title="donations of $150 or more"><span style="color:#990000;">donations of $150 or more</span></a></span></strong>, we will send a signed copy of the new U.S. edition of<em><b><span style=";"> <a href="http://e2ma.net/go/7403316936/208787187/230350638/1401080/goto:http:/www.ourbodiesourselves.org/publications/obos2011/default.asp" target="_blank" title="Our Bodies, Ourselves"><span style="color:#990000;">Our Bodies, Ourselves</span></a></span></b></em>, selected by Library Journal as one of the Best Books of 2011. Keep it for yourself or share it with friends, your local library, or community health clinic. </span></p></blockquote><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"> </p><!--[if !mso]> <style> v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> <w:word11kerningpairs/> <w:cachedcolbalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont val="Cambria Math"> <m:brkbin val="before"> <m:brkbinsub val="--"> <m:smallfrac val="off"> <m:dispdef/> <m:lmargin val="0"> <m:rmargin val="0"> <m:defjc val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent val="1440"> <m:intlim val="subSup"> <m:narylim val="undOvr"> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">La Leche League has a long history of advocacy for mothers and babies and they are close to meeting their year-end fundraising campaign goal: </span></span><blockquote style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We have <strong>one last challenge match</strong> on the table! Between now and December 31st all donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $5,000! Gifts can be made either online or by mail.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> We already have an original challenge of all gifts being matched dollar-for-dollar up to $100,000, so any gift you make this <strong>last week of our campaign</strong> will go three times as far in helping mothers and babies. <a href="https://www.kintera.org/AutoGen/Simple/Donor.asp?ievent=996951&en=cnIALMNrH4LDJNMfE4LLJZNzElJOIVPuG9JKI0OEG"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><img style="width: 153px; height: 209px;" id="_x0000_i1025" src="http://www.llli.org/images/00000011111YEC/yec2011/2011yec_update121911_2.jpg" alt="2011 Appeal Donation Update" align="top" border="0" /></span></a></span></div></blockquote><p style="font-family: arial;"><!--[if !mso]> <style> v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> <w:word11kerningpairs/> <w:cachedcolbalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont val="Cambria Math"> <m:brkbin val="before"> <m:brkbinsub val="--"> <m:smallfrac val="off"> <m:dispdef/> <m:lmargin val="0"> <m:rmargin val="0"> <m:defjc val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent val="1440"> <m:intlim val="subSup"> <m:narylim val="undOvr"> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" defunhidewhenused="true" defsemihidden="true" defqformat="false" defpriority="99" latentstylecount="267"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="0" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Normal"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="heading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="35" qformat="true" name="caption"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="10" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" name="Default Paragraph Font"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="11" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtitle"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="22" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Strong"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="20" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="59" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Table Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Placeholder Text"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="No Spacing"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Revision"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="34" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="List Paragraph"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="29" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="30" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="19" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="21" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="31" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="32" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--></p> <span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;color:black;" >These are just a handful of the many high quality organizations out there working on behalf of compatible purposes. We wish them all the best in 2012!<br /></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:relyonvml/> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> <w:word11kerningpairs/> <w:cachedcolbalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont val="Cambria Math"> <m:brkbin val="before"> <m:brkbinsub val="--"> <m:smallfrac val="off"> <m:dispdef/> <m:lmargin val="0"> <m:rmargin val="0"> <m:defjc val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent val="1440"> <m:intlim val="subSup"> <m:narylim val="undOvr"> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" defunhidewhenused="true" defsemihidden="true" defqformat="false" defpriority="99" latentstylecount="267"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="0" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Normal"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="heading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="35" qformat="true" name="caption"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="10" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" name="Default Paragraph Font"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="11" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtitle"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="22" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Strong"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="20" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="59" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Table Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Placeholder Text"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="No Spacing"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Revision"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="34" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="List Paragraph"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="29" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="30" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="19" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="21" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="31" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="32" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-family: arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">May the dawning of 2012 find you with warm hearts, treasured companionship, and lots of love. And, may women, babies, and families have access to quality maternity care and healthy birth choices throughout the world.<br /></span></p> <span style="font-family:"Georgia","serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-mso-ansi-language: EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SAfont-family:Arial;font-size:10.0pt;color:black;" ><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" >--<br />Molly<br />CfM Blogger</span><br /></span>CfM Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03949865938769197211noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132953033183671060.post-12879800549770270132011-12-23T15:58:00.004-06:002011-12-23T16:17:13.372-06:00Doulas & HomebirthEarlier this month I posted to the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/citizensformidwifery">CfM Facebook page</a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/citizensformidwifery"> </a>asking for opinions about doulas at homebirths. I am the editor of the Friends of Missouri Midwives newsletter and was seeking contributions for the winter issue with the theme of Doulas. I received some excellent feedback from the CfM page "likers" as well as from the FoMM membership. As an extended companion piece to the article that eventually went into the newsletter, we ran the full article on the <a href="http://www.friendsofmomidwives.org/2011/12/doulas-and-homebirth/">Friends of Missouri Midwives </a>blog. Since CfM fans were contributors, I felt it appropriate to share the full article on this blog as well! Thanks to all who contributed their stories and ideas. We appreciate each one!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Doulas and Homebirth </span></span><p class="MsoNormal">Compiled by <a href="http://talkbirth.wordpress.com/posts">Molly Remer</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The decision to hire a doula is a personal one, regardless of in which setting you give birth. My first baby was born at a birth center with the presence of a midwife, a doctor, my doula, a friend, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpqHZ-32pMj1o7LaNMvGkWRrEGco5i9gDvQwPjZZFBZC6UAmvHG8ShQfOAJLkjeG5q9mIHGEzngXzL7dWeZo2brh5rFnujcqqswu9eFhPIM7iDsTxx2Jdn_Ts5D9iD0yCc-Q9HRvqDuw/s1600/doulapicturecrop.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpqHZ-32pMj1o7LaNMvGkWRrEGco5i9gDvQwPjZZFBZC6UAmvHG8ShQfOAJLkjeG5q9mIHGEzngXzL7dWeZo2brh5rFnujcqqswu9eFhPIM7iDsTxx2Jdn_Ts5D9iD0yCc-Q9HRvqDuw/s320/doulapicturecrop.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689449966248744786" border="0" /></a>my mother, and my husband. In hindsight, I felt like it had been too many people and that the doula hadn’t really been needed. For my second birth, at home, it was extremely important to me to have as few people present as possible. My husband, my mom, and my son greeted the arrival of my second son. My midwife arrived five minutes before his birth—just in time to catch! My midwife for this birth was so amazing, that I didn’t feel the need for any other professional care. I still miss her! For my <span class="commentbody">third birth also at home, this time a second trimester miscarriage with only my husband present, I really wished I had a doula there for emotional support and supportive physical care tasks (not medical support, but tea bringing and towel washing). And, finally, </span>with my last baby, while I liked and respected my midwife I didn't have the same warm bond with her and really wanted to hire a doula, precisely because I was missing some of the emotional component I value so highly in midwifery care. It is really the little things that make doula care so special. In the included photo my doula (FoMM President, Summer!) puts warm socks on me after my baby’s January birth.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Despite my own range of personal experiences, when calling for contributions for this article, I still anticipated receiving a number of responses suggesting that doulas at homebirth are unnecessary, or redundant. After all, an emotional connection and secure trust is often the hallmark of what differentiates the midwifery model from the medical model. However, the responses I received were overwhelmingly in favor of hiring a doula for a homebirth.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">Finding inner power instead of crumbling in pain </b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Jami writes:<br /><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">As I eagerly awaited my homebirth, I never considered getting a doula. I had two midwives assisting me, so I figured that would be enough, wasn’t that the same thing anyway? When labor hit in the middle of the night I could hardly function, I was in so much pain. Everything I learned in childbirth class went right out the window, and the same thing happened for my husband when it came to trying to help me. One of my midwives didn’t show up for a few more hours, so I was alone struggling with my blinding pain that whole time. Once she did arrive, and started walking me through my contractions, it made a world of difference. My homebirth ended up turning into a hospital transfer due to decelerations in my baby’s heartbeat during every contraction, and a doula was called out to stay with us while our midwives couldn’t. I don’t know what I would have done without her… Having to transfer to the hospital was a very scary experience, and when my much hoped-for homebirth turned into a much dreaded c-section, my doula was there as a voice of reason as well as much-needed emotional support. Looking back on the whole turn of events, I’m so grateful she was there and I have a whole new outlook on the work of a doula. There’s no way I’ll go through labor without one again. I had to get an epidural for the c-section, and that turned out to be the most terrible, painful part of the whole experience – much worse than labor by a long shot. Ever since my experience, I’ve been encouraging all of my friends to hire a doula for their births, whether they choose to go to a hospital or not. If they want a sure shot at avoiding drugs, a doula is the way to go at a hospital. And it makes sense at a hospital, but why would a home birth mom consider a doula? There aren’t any drugs or negatively persuasive doctors or medical staff to avoid there, and isn’t that the biggest reason to have a doula? I thought so, anyway. But doulas offer much more than a voice of reason against pressuring medical personnel. They help you find your inner power when you could easily crumble under the pain of labor. They erase fear that can easily find its way into your mind if you’re laboring without support. And, speaking from personal experience, they change labor from “painful” to “empowering”, turning it into the beautiful, positive experience it should be – you’re bringing a baby into the world! Something so wonderful shouldn’t be tagged with such a negative word as “painful”, and doulas make that possible. Labor is labor, no matter what your location is when you’re experiencing it, and having a doula there during it makes a huge difference.</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">A lasting legacy</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-Times New Roman"font-family:";" >Mandy writes:<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"> Hanging on my fridge is a note that reads, call me if you need groceries, a hug or anything! My doula put that there after I gave birth at home. For most of my pregnancy, I thought I would not need a doula at my homebirth; afterall, I had a wonderful midwife and assistant. As my pregnancy became more and more uncomfortable, I thought having extra support at my homebirth would be wise. I wanted the full attention from my partner, and I knew I would need my midwives to be able to focus their energy on the progression of my labor and on how well both our baby I were working together. My doula helped to support us as a family caring for my partner, our other child, as well as the much needed emotional and physical support that I ended up needing. It takes a lot of compassion and wise intuition to find the balance to meet the needs of both my family and the midwives. She provided massage, position suggestions, hydrotherapy, encouragement and cleaned, cooked, fetched things that were needed and even made coffee for everyone. While the midwives and I were caught up in the whirlwind of a difficult labor, she stood in the back keeping the peace. Every time I look at the note on my fridge, I smile and think about how deeply grateful I am to have had her with us on our birth journey. </i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">And, Fabiane shares: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">My doula was my angel, she helped me through it. My labor lasted 36 hours and she was there all the way. She didn’t sleep, and I felt bad for her, she held me when I was in pain and scared, she told me everything was going to be fine. Her support made all the difference. Her kind words when I had to be transferred to the hospital made me realize I was not a failure for doing that. Meredith B. you are my angel!!!</i></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";" >Comparing experiences</span></b></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" > </span></b></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" >Several women wrote sharing their experiences with both hospital births and homebirths and of a doula’s special touch. </span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" >Becky wrote to share: </span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" >We had a doula for four of our births, and a midwife for the last three. We had a midwife and a doula for one of them.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We had a doctor who did housecalls for two of the births.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We had a hospital birth that made us decide that the rest needed to be home births.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We didn't have a doula for that one.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I honestly wonder how differently that birth would have been if we had had a doula.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Because the housecall doctor was much like a midwife would have been (although a different gender than most midwives), having a doula wasn't as important as if it had been hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However, having a female there was a lot better than a male doctor, and she stayed with me for the hours and hours (and hours) that I was in labor before we called the doctor.</span></i></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> </p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Tahoma;font-size:11.0pt;" >Sara writes:<br /><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">I had </i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:Tahoma;" >the </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:Tahoma;font-size:11.0pt;" >same doula at both my hospital birth and my homebirth and it was well worth it in both cases. At the homebirth she obviously didn't have to function as a warrior/advocate like she did at the hospital birth, but it was still wonderful to have her there in a supportive role. My husband was there to give support as well, but there is just a different kind of support that comes from another woman, especially one whom you know has experienced what you are going through at that moment. It also seemed at both births that she knew just what to say at the right moment when I was having trouble, whether it was how to take the edge off of the contractions, or helping things move along when my pushing was ineffective. Having a doula there for mental and physical support provided comfort and assurance, while allowing my husband to be "in the moment" with me while my midwife could focus on the particulars of the labor and delivery themselves. I wouldn't have had things any other way and I would highly recommend having a doula at any birth, home or hospital.</span></i></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> </p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" >The benefits of a doula:</span></b></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" >Angela shares:</span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" >The midwife team I had for my homebirth were trained doulas.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I didn't know exactly what would be midwife roles and what would be them acting as doulas.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In hindsight I think having a doula with the midwives may have been a little nicer since it was my first homebirth/natural birth and the midwife seemed to be having to do a little more "technical" stuff than I expected but it probably depends on lots of factors. Either way, I did fine and the baby came out! My husband was there too doing his best. I look at it as a learning curve so I hope to have more kids and have less and less worry and pain with each birth! (doula or not!)</span></i></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"> </p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" >A midwife’s perspective</span></b></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" > </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Debbie offered the following perspective on doulas at homebirth: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">I think doulas are wonderful for women choosing hospital birth. The kind of care the laboring woman gets from the hospital staff can really be supplemented by a doula. In that situation, a doula is a great benefit to the mother. I have a lot of doula friends, and I do not mean to disrespect them in any way. They go places and do work that I cannot emotionally handle. I am a homebirth midwife. I have had a couple interviews where a woman has asked if she should have a doula at her home birth. If someone wants to hire me and a doula, I will not try to talk them out of it. But I see my work as being a doula plus a midwife. I bring an assistant to every birth. If it’s a VBAC, I bring another fully-trained midwife. I don’t know what I would be doing during the birth if there was a doula there, too. If I had to sit in the corner and my only work was to check heart tones and catch the baby, I would feel like an obstetrician! I don’t want to do birth that way! I love birth! I love helping the woman through her contractions as they build and build. I love rubbing her back, holding her up, giving her bites of food and sips of drink, helping her squat, and breathing with her. During a birth I get tired, sore muscles from squatting and bending, sweaty from the heat, humidity and heavy lifting. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love my work!</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-Times New Roman"font-family:";" >Susan also wrote with the opinion that a midwife fills the doula role well: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">My experience of three homebirths is that the midwives play the role of doula as well. It seems to me that often one midwife is more "doula" and the other more "doctor", if that makes sense. The two together make a great team, and I'm sure their roles vary from birth to birth. If, perchance, there were only one midwife attending a birth, I believe a doula would be a wonderful addition.</i></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" > </span></b></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" >A father’s perspective</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Ben wrote to share his family’s experiences with doulas: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Our first birth was in the hospital and it was horrific. I had been raised in an environment friendly to home-birth, but when it was my first child, I over-rode my wife's wishes and we had a hospital birth. It's one of the few things in my life I truly regret. </i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Our second and subsequent births were at home. We used a doctor who made housecalls on our first two home-births, but we also asked some old family friends to help out. They were doulas. I didn't even know what a "doula" was at the time. </i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">From a male perspective, a doula is a life-saver. There I am, the 'extraneous' member of the family (during birth, at least)--but one who is wracked with emotions for the safety of my wife and child. My wife leans on me for her emotional support--and I was just as much an emotional wreck as she was, with that "I'm hiding my insecurities in machismo" facade. The doulas were as much a comfort to me as they were to her. Kind words, a hug, a held hand, those life-saver words, "It's okay, this is normal," a gentle suggestion to step away for a few moments. And when the baby came, when the emotions flooded over us both and all we could do is kiss and cry and hug and hold our life's joy in our arms together, the doulas were there to settle the room, soften the lights, take away the trash and clutter and afterbirth and details and all that myriad of things that neither one of us could even think about. While the doctor or midwife (we had both depending on the birth) was there to do all the technicals, to check on the health, the doulas were there to comfort, to settle, to relax the chaos of our lives and let us truly experience the first moments with our most precious treasure.</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Men think about the costs, the finances, the harsh realities of life. If I were to give an expectant father advice about the new baby: Pay for a good midwife, pay for a good doula, make sure your wife is comfortable with both of them and slather the baby's bottom and diaper with vaseline for a week after birth (meconium was a real shock till I learned that trick). :) </i></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" >Doulas weigh in </span></b></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" >Genevieve: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">My favorite place to doula is at homebirths. I give my clients a discount for having a homebirth because, as I always tell them, it is easier on everyone! It's easier for the mom, baby, dad, doula, and midwife!</i></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" > </span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="commentbody">Hillary: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">I am a doula who has attended homebirths. It's a different thing. I find myself arriving before the midwife. Providing support for long labors so the midwife can conserve her energy for the important work she might need to do during the actual birth and immediately after. I find myself doula-ing the birth team. Making tea, providing support to the dad, taking pics and of course, supporting the mom as she wishes. I had a doula at my last birth and I relied on her a lot for emotional support during pregnancy. I'm so glad she was there. </i></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" >I also posted to the Citizens for Midwifery Facebook page asking for input on the doula’s role at homebirth. While the responses were more varied, many women were squarely in favor of doula support during homebirth.</span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" > </span></b></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" >Opinions from the larger birth community</span></b><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" ></span></p> <p class="MsoPlainText"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latinfont-family:";font-size:11.0pt;" > </span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Gillian:<span class="commentbody"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"> As long as the doula understands that homebirths often need the doula to "do" less and "be" more I think it can be a great help to the client and the midwives. I did go to one birth with a control-freak doula who couldn't stop trying to fix everything but I think that was an anomaly. </i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><br /><span class="commentbody">What I notice, as a midwife, is that most clients are already paying for their homebirth care out-of-pocket and the idea of paying for additional support seems like quite a stretch. I haven't had any clients choose doula care for their homebirths unless the doula was also a friend or family member working attending for free out of love. I think I give really good support as a midwife so I don't think that my clients are lacking but during some births, especially the long ones, I can really see the benefit of someone else who can support while the midwife takes a snooze!</span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Christine: <span class="commentbody"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">I was a doula before I ever got pregnant, so I actually had two at my first birth (one I had hired and one I had apprenticed with). Two was overkill, but my husband really appreciated having them there, probably more than I did! My next two births were fairly precipitous, so no doulas (although I had arranged to have one for the second birth). I loved being a doula at homebirths, and suspect that they are as useful at home (or maybe more so?) as they are in hospital. A doula empties the birth pool or makes supper for everyone, starts a load of laundry and rocks the baby while mom showers; basically does what needs to be done, so that everyone else can concentrate on their specific jobs...</i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Fonda: <span class="commentbody"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">My last two were at home. Having to shell out nearly $4k out of pocket each time, paying for doula on top of that would have been impossible. That said, being at home I didn't really need one.</i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Maria: <span class="commentbody"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">I had a homebirth but no doula. My midwife had two assistants and they acted very much like doulas, doing things like laundry, breakfast, partner support, etc. I also had a very fast labour, and think a doula would have been excessive. I recommend doulas all the time to my preggo friends, although I don't see myself ever hiring one...</i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Laura: <span class="commentbody"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">I think one difference between home and hospital is that generally you know more what you are getting in advance in terms of support in a homebirth situation--usually you have one or maybe two midwives in a practice whom you already know fairly well prenatally, and perhaps an assistant or apprentice who works with the midwife. So you have a pretty good idea before you go into labor how much support and what type of support your particular midwife/practice will provide. In a hospital setting, the L&D nurse is really the primary potential support person besides a spouse or family member--and that is somebody you don't know until going into the hospital and it's a wild card how supportive or unsupportive the L&D nurse will be of your wishes or how much that person can/will do in terms of emotional support or comfort measures. I think doulas are more critical/necessary for that reason in a hospital setting than in a homebirth setting.</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><br /></i><br /><span class="commentbody"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">That said, I think it also depends on the particulars of your own homebirth situation. I hired a doula for my last homebirth because I had a midwife who worked alone (no assistant or apprentice) and I wanted to make sure there was an extra pair of hands/extra person available in case of 1) a long labor where my midwife and husband needed a break, 2) a complication of any sort, 3) as a backup support person for my older child in case her babysitter wasn't available to come and be there with/for her (no family nearby who could be with her during the birth).</i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Katie: <span class="commentbody"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">I planned a homebirth with my twins, and did not have a doula. I ended up with a (pretty terrible) hospital birth and I WISH I had a doula. I will have a doula if I ever birth again, no matter where I birth (but hopefully it will be HBAC!), and I recommend EVERY mother I know to have a doula, no matter where she births.</i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Natalie: <span class="commentbody"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">My midwife had an assistant at my three homebirths. I felt no need for a doula, but if I had a solo midwife or was planning a hospital birth I would want one.</i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Raissa: <span class="commentbody"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">I had the same doula for my first (surgical) and second (home birth) and wouldn't have wanted it any other way. At home she came several hours before the midwife and really gave peace of mind for me and took some of the pressure off my husband. Worth every penny! (I literally paid for her with my babysitting money.)</i></span> <span class="commentbody"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">And, since the midwife got stuck in traffic, she unpacked the birth kit and almost got to catch the baby!</i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Elizabeth: <span class="commentbody"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">We had our baby at home with the help of two midwives and a doula. Our doula was amazing. She is still the person from our birth team that I talk to the most -- it has been 18 months since the birth of our child. Her care and concern for my family's welfare has been ongoing and consistent. I strongly encourage any pregnant woman, regardless of where they intend to give birth, to hire a doula or search for volunteer doulas if hiring one is not financially feasible. I can't imagine having a baby in a hospital without a doula.</i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Kasey: <span class="commentbody"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">I don't remember if the doula showed up during my labor or after to help my midwife, but my placenta wouldn't come out and I had to have a catheter put in, and since my husband was caring for the baby, the doula filled in (I'm petrified of needles and the like) and I have to say, I was very grateful she was there. If my husband couldn't have been there for whatever reason, I would definitely want a doula present, no doubt about that.</i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="commentbody">I really appreciate all the people who lent their voices to this article. I very much valued the specific and customized postpartum care my doula provided to me after my last homebirth and I’ve concluded that a doula has the potential to offer something unique and precious to families, in whatever setting the birth takes place.</span> I also agree with Elizabeth’s remark above, that it <span class="commentbody">does seem like the doula is the most likely member of the birth team to remain in contact with the family in the future. Perhaps it is because, even given the friendliness of the midwifery model, there is less of a "power differential" between mother and doula. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="commentbody">As we prepare to greet a new year, I propose this toast: </span>Here’s to beautiful, empowering, healthy, fulfilling births for all women, in all settings, with the birth companions of their heart’s desire.</p>CfM Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03949865938769197211noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132953033183671060.post-70688697318304949012011-09-06T09:50:00.002-05:002011-09-07T12:43:00.133-05:00Book Review: Evolve…a woman’s journey<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.patrickstull.com/"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 279px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJ2HIQqxb60XLgFCez8vThfa3I98nBkFTeRLV9wM_Mrzc7cPQeeM2_HU4eIHUF2fJaFu0YpDFNuJNJ5MoCu05dtnRExe5O86pF7sgvmbwsxk7tOPyBl4ZZxa39Zwl0uV1SNpq7RDS91Q/s320/evolve.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649259441396071474" border="0" /></a><br />Book Review: <em>Evolve…a woman’s journey</em><br />by Patrick Stull<br />Stull Visual Arts, 2011<br />Hardcover, 164 pages, $44.95<br />Also available as an <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/evolve/id452856295?ls=1&mt=8" target="_blank">iPad app</a> and as an<a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/evolve...-enhanced-version/id453868817?mt=11" target="_blank"> iBook in Itunes</a> for $9.99.<br /><a href="http://www.patrickstull.com/books/" target="_blank">http://www.patrickstull.com/books/</a> <p>Reviewed by <a href="http://talkbirth.wordpress.com/posts">Molly Remer</a><br /></p> <p>A combination of stirring photography celebrating the creative journey of pregnancy and lyrical ode to women, <em>Evolve</em> is a unique book presented by artist Patrick Stull. The author-photographer’s love, respect, and honor for women shines through on every page. The photographs are arresting and dramatic and the prose is poetic and beautiful. The book is part of a <a href="http://www.patrickstull.com/exhibitions/evolve/" target="_blank">multimedia exhibit taking place in 2012</a>. I would love to see the full exhibit, which involves full body casts as well as images and voice recordings.</p> <p>Why would a man prepare a project such as this? According to his introduction, due to “this insatiable desire to be part of something that excludes me…I have found something within me that one might call love, though I think it is more a sense of attachment to something that makes me whole. I have fallen in love with this creature and she has left her imprint on my being, casting me out to share the love—the humanity I have found.” Later he also shares that: “I have discovered nothing more stunning, nothing more emotionally stirring, nothing more intriguing than a woman as she creates life.” He also has an activist purpose behind his work, asserting that one mission of the <em>Evolve </em>project is to help people recognize the strength and value that all women possess. Stull states, “I also want people to consider the daily injustices to women and children all over the world, and how often they suffer the greatest costs of conflict. Why are women treated so cruelly?”</p> <p>The early photographs shared are the faces of the women we follow throughout the rest of the book. A short snippet of information about the woman’s life accompanies each portrait. One woman is a midwife and several mothers had homebirths and/or hired doulas or midwives for their births.<em> Evolve </em>is a high quality hardback book that would be a great addition to a birth center waiting room or midwife’s office. If the price for the hardback book is out of your budget, luckily there is <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/evolve...-enhanced-version/id453868817?mt=11" target="_blank">an affordable iBook version available</a>.</p> <p>The overwhelming message received through <em>Evolve</em> is of pregnancy as an <em>active process</em>. The pictures are very active and dynamic in feel, celebrating form and motion. <em>Evolve </em>is not a book of “belly pictures,” it is a book about women and their lives in the act of creation.</p> <p>—</p> <p style="font-style: italic;">Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes.</p>CfM Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03949865938769197211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132953033183671060.post-57754441420512994322011-08-04T13:11:00.004-05:002011-08-04T16:40:19.480-05:00World Breastfeeding Week: Impact of Birthing Practices on Breastfeeding<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lllusa.org/wbw/"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 207px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBK3ZyLp6nq9uA_a2OvE1ipFDl7LBAZGHESAgYJZ9QXiFOYEeLj7G0ohq6PzVv2YTnLTR09XGhG1o92Cl3CJR3wxIQJezKMgZ6NpO3hhGU_4oV5NZpL6WbemLhKTYSzBIKr-g1wiDziVM/s320/WBW.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637118212332161954" border="0" /></a><br />It is World Breastfeeding Week this week! I hope everyone has found a way to celebrate the event in their own communities, or is communicating about WBW with their networks, including social networks. When it comes to breastfeeding, birth matters! La Leche League has a free <a href="http://www.lalecheleague.org/mp3/LLL_Podcast_ImpactOfBirthingPracticesOnBreastfeeding.mp3">podcast</a> available with Linda Smith (author of <span style="font-style: italic;">Impact of Birthing Practices on Breastfeeding</span>). During the <a href="http://www.lalecheleague.org/mp3/LLL_Podcast_ImpactOfBirthingPracticesOnBreastfeeding.mp3">podcast </a>she mentions midwives and also talks about doulas. Last year, I wrote <a href="http://talkbirth.wordpress.com/2010/05/28/the-birth-breastfeeding-continuum/">an article about the birth-breastfeeding continuum</a> and also <a href="http://cfmidwifery.blogspot.com/2008/05/breastfeeding-birth-practices.html">another post</a> about birth practices and breastfeeding.<br /><br />In the past I've also <a href="http://cfmidwifery.blogspot.com/2007/11/lll-of-mo-conference.html">written about</a> Diane Wiessinger and her wonderful presentations about mammals, birth, and breastfeeding. So, it is also exciting to me that LLL has a free podcast available from Diane! The podcast is called, "<a href="http://lalecheleague.org/mp3/LLL_podcast_026-DWiessinger-Mammals.mp3">What other mammals can tell us about nursing</a>."<br /><br />There are <a href="http://www.llli.org/podcasts.html">many more wonderful podcasts</a> available for free on the LLLI website. What a great resource!<br /><br />In my own community our local LLL Group is celebrating World Breastfeeding Week by hosting a family picnic in the park and a Big Latch On event. Here is more about WBW from La Leche League USA:<br /><br /><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);" class=" down" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Link" class="gl_link" border="0" /></span></span><a href="http://lllusa.org/wbw/index.php">LLL USA’s World Breastfeeding Week Celebration’s 2011</a> focus will be to: <ul style="line-height: 150%"><li>Connect with other breastfeeding advocates. </li><li>Utilize the <a href="http://lllusa.org/wbw/BigLatchOn.php"><u><b>Big Latch On</b></u> </a>to bring awareness of breastfeeding and show solidarity with all nursing mothers.</li><li>Contact local communicators to help them raise awareness and offer our expertise.</li><li>Show how the mother/baby breastfeeding dyad is the beginning of lifelong communication.</li></ul> <p>Join with us in supporting WBWC 2011 and in communicating the importance of breastfeeding and the vital need for support available from <a href="http://lllusa.org/wbw/index.php">La Leche League</a>.</p> <p style="line-height: 150%"><strong>OBJECTIVES OF WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK CELEBRATIONS 2011</strong><br />*To increase communication about breastfeeding in a variety of ways.<br />*To raise funds for La Leche League USA, with emphasis on local communities.<br />*To raise awareness that breastfeeding prepares humans for life.<br />*To raise awareness that the lack of breastfeeding affects the child, mother, community and health care systems.<br />*To raise awareness that <a href="http://www.lllusa.org/groups.php">La Leche League Leaders and Groups</a> offer breastfeeding information and support to all.</p>I'd like to close with two quotes from Diane Wiessinger about the importance of a physiological birth to babies and to the breastfeeding relationship:<br /><p>“A trip to a strange place with strange smells. Bright lights, busy people. Numbness. A carefully cleaned and wrapped baby who doesn’t stay with Mama. Any other mammal would reject her baby after a beginning like that. Which means that most American mothers have to welcome their newborns with their heads and not their hearts. Not the best start for confident mothering. Not the best start for breastfeeding. Not the best start for love.”</p> <p>She also says, “<span style="font-style:italic;">Don’t be fooled by the Birth Channel</span>. A normal birth is not a medical event or a source of horrible pain. It happens on its own, with the woman moving in whatever way feels right to her, feeling the labor and feeling–being–in charge. Find someone who will support this.”</p><br />--<br />Molly<br />CfM BloggerCfM Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03949865938769197211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132953033183671060.post-53963926218585427272011-08-03T11:14:00.001-05:002011-08-03T11:15:27.650-05:00GRN: Transforming Maternity Care: Connecting Consumer Activists to the Larger Picture<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> <w:word11kerningpairs/> <w:cachedcolbalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont val="Cambria Math"> <m:brkbin val="before"> <m:brkbinsub val="--"> <m:smallfrac val="off"> <m:dispdef/> <m:lmargin val="0"> <m:rmargin val="0"> <m:defjc val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent val="1440"> <m:intlim val="subSup"> <m:narylim val="undOvr"> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" defunhidewhenused="true" defsemihidden="true" defqformat="false" defpriority="99" latentstylecount="267"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="0" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Normal"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="heading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="35" qformat="true" name="caption"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="10" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" name="Default Paragraph Font"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="11" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtitle"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="22" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Strong"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="20" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="59" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Table Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Placeholder Text"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="No Spacing"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Revision"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="34" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="List Paragraph"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="29" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="30" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="19" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="21" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="31" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="32" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";color:#505050;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"><br />Hello Friends,<br /><br />A new web tool - called <a href="http://cfmidwifery.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5a8cff9a49e6c40f0ce712a53&id=c11f770d47&e=16a9e18289" target="_blank"><span style="color:#016A80">Transforming Maternity Care</span></a> - was launched this spring on the premise that a high-quality, high-value maternity care system is within reach. The web-based project is a collaborative effort of more than 100 diverse health care leaders, with the goal of pulling together high quality tools and resources to transform maternity care in the US.<br /><br />Citizens for Midwifery is excited and hopeful about the web tool, which offers <a href="http://cfmidwifery.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5a8cff9a49e6c40f0ce712a53&id=2aa6c89750&e=16a9e18289" target="_blank"><span style="color:#016A80">a vision</span></a>, <a href="http://cfmidwifery.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=5a8cff9a49e6c40f0ce712a53&id=e375d6e108&e=16a9e18289"><span style="color:#016A80">a blueprint</span></a>, and <a href="http://cfmidwifery.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5a8cff9a49e6c40f0ce712a53&id=b2453fbd40&e=16a9e18289" target="_blank"><span style="color:#016A80">action steps</span></a> for groups and individuals. <a href="http://cfmidwifery.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=5a8cff9a49e6c40f0ce712a53&id=c6526db6db&e=16a9e18289" target="_blank"><span style="color:#016A80">Progress</span></a> is highlighted and <a href="http://cfmidwifery.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5a8cff9a49e6c40f0ce712a53&id=be1984dbb0&e=16a9e18289" target="_blank"><span style="color:#016A80">resources</span></a> are organized and offered to interested participants. We look forward to integrating our work into each of the key steps. This project is a critical step to pulling together the incredible energy of the birth movement right now, and we are happy to see how they are recognizing the key role that you - the citizen activist - can play in transforming birth.<br /><br />Amy Romano, project director, says, "...the aim was to foster, accelerate and coordinate implementation of the consensus Blueprint for Action. There's so much work to be done, but there are also unprecedented opportunities and many examples of individuals, facilities, organizations, and agencies doing great work and making measurable improvements, so we want to shine a spotlight on those examples and make it easier for others to replicate and adapt successful programs."<br /><br />This project symbolizes a new level of maturity reached by the maternal health and childbirth community. With the high level of coordination provided by this project, the efforts of the birth advocacy movement can be effectively coordinated to ensure the best possible maternity care for women.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">You can help too!</span></strong> Visit the Transforming Maternity Care website and become familiar with the vision and blueprint. We dug into the project and wanted to highlight ways that you--a consumer activist-- can help take part in the Transforming Maternity Care project.<br /><br />Here's what you should check out:<br /><br /><a href="http://cfmidwifery.us1.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=5a8cff9a49e6c40f0ce712a53&id=c2327605de&e=16a9e18289" target="_blank"><span style="color:#016A80">Take Action Page for Consumer Advocates</span></a><br /><a href="http://cfmidwifery.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5a8cff9a49e6c40f0ce712a53&id=22e1bb9534&e=16a9e18289" target="_blank"><span style="color:#016A80">Toolkit Resource Page</span></a><br /><a href="http://cfmidwifery.us1.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=5a8cff9a49e6c40f0ce712a53&id=24dac7363f&e=16a9e18289" target="_blank"><span style="color:#016A80">The Data Center</span></a><br /><a href="http://cfmidwifery.us1.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=5a8cff9a49e6c40f0ce712a53&id=29d164b53a&e=16a9e18289" target="_blank"><span style="color:#016A80">Share Your Story</span></a><br /><a href="http://cfmidwifery.us1.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=5a8cff9a49e6c40f0ce712a53&id=d3f398c266&e=16a9e18289" target="_blank"><span style="color:#016A80">TMC Blog featuring news and analysis from Childbirth Connection staff</span></a><br /><br /><br />Consumer advocates drive health care change and it's important that we work together to create a safe maternity health care system that works for all women. Kudos to Childbirth Connection creating a tremendous resource and *thank you* for your tireless efforts. Together we are creating healthy and safe birth options for women and their babies.<br /><br />Warmly,<br /><br />Hillary Boucher<br /><br />P.S. Now is a great time to enter your project in the <a href="http://cfmidwifery.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=5a8cff9a49e6c40f0ce712a53&id=dd77f18cea&e=16a9e18289" target="_blank"><span style="color:#016A80">Share Your Story</span></a> section. For a limited time, qualifying entries will receive a gift from <a href="http://cfmidwifery.us1.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=5a8cff9a49e6c40f0ce712a53&id=871ff80fc0&e=16a9e18289" target="_blank"><span style="color:#016A80">Childbirth Connection's Bookstore</span></a>.</span>CfM Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03949865938769197211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132953033183671060.post-22843565128129813512011-07-18T13:31:00.013-05:002011-07-20T16:35:39.005-05:00Connecting with Doulas: Come Meet Us at DONA 11 and Online<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxYzUdInZYtjKg4itWbWRJldKPDFj74XYpXOU0Hh73ScrItpEaGIUGiE31mUN9ZUXNpuibn504z8RmZuiBwiuqYLHrV2vbOtLSdNDsfbOv45bUoM0UKGF6XwPApIOZsubFOzWz-V4UQd2/s1600/Picture+83.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 65px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxYzUdInZYtjKg4itWbWRJldKPDFj74XYpXOU0Hh73ScrItpEaGIUGiE31mUN9ZUXNpuibn504z8RmZuiBwiuqYLHrV2vbOtLSdNDsfbOv45bUoM0UKGF6XwPApIOZsubFOzWz-V4UQd2/s400/Picture+83.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630777719809454850" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" id="internal-source-marker_0.022448111819120542" >Doulas are best known for their ability to reduce interventions and improve maternal satisfaction in birth. But doulas play other important roles, too, such as educating women about their birth options, including midwifery care. Doulas also tend be very active in their local birth communities, helping with local and statewide efforts to improve maternal health. Where appropriate, doulas help mothers transform their birth experiences, gently guiding women to activism. </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >This is why Citizens for Midwifery is so excited to attend the Doulas of North America (DONA) International conference in Boston, MA this week. We’ll be in exhibitors area, sharing information about Citizens for Midwifery and meeting doulas from across the nation.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >At the conference, <span style="font-weight: bold;">we’ll also be holding Citizens for Midwifery’s first ever friendraiser, creating as many “virtual” friends as possible!</span> We’ll be reaching out to doulas with two goals.<br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >For those already using social media, we hope to build and connect our virtual networks. Together, we can significantly increase our reach, educating more mothers with evidence-based information about birth and key policy issues.<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >For those not yet active with social media, or just learning the ropes, we’ll have our laptops fired up, ready to show you how to get signed on!</span></li></ul><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why a friendraiser?</span> Because all of the impactful things that a doula does face-to-face - educating families, empowering mothers, connecting women to critical policy issues - can and are being done on social media. Doulas have been among the first birth professionals to embrace these new tools. <span style="font-weight: bold;">We want to connect our communities, share tools, and make healthy birth - and midwifery care - go viral!</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Three ways to participate in the CfM friendraiser:</span></span><br /><br /></span><ol><li>Share this post on your networks and encourage your family and friends to <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/citizensformidwifery">like us on facebook</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/CfMidwifery">follow us on twitter</a> and <a href="http://cfmidwifery.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=5a8cff9a49e6c40f0ce712a53&id=d6e0d8e0f6">sign up for our free email list</a>. (Make sure you're connected up too!)<br /></li><li>If you're at DONA this weekend tweet make sure you're signed up for Twitter and tweet under the #DONA11 hashtag. Follow us and give us a shout out by mentioning <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/CfMidwifery">@cfmidwifery</a> and we'll make sure to retweet and follow you back. Similarly, mention us in a facebook status or <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/citizensformidwifery">post on our facebook page.</a> Watch for conference give-aways and come introduce yourself.<br /></li><li>If you are not attending DONA help spread the amazing information that will be coming out of the conference by following the #DONA11 hashtag on twitter. Come swing by our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/citizensformidwifery">facebook page</a>--we'll be posting pics and updates throughout the week.</li></ol><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bonus!</span> If you share this post on your facebook page tag us and we'll head over to like your page AND post your birth page on our wall. This way we can all grow our networks!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >When we make these powerful connections--online and in-person-- we're helping to promote the Midwives Model of Care and organizing for future legislative pushes.<br /><br />Your participation is important and greatly appreciated.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">A big thanks to <a href="http://www.facebook.com/YourDoulaBag">YourDoulaBag.com</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/MamaPearDesigns">Mama Pear Designs</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/YourDoulaBag#%21/JilliansDrawers">Jillian's Drawers</a> for donating items for us to give-away to friendraiser and conference participants. </span></span><br /><br /><br /></span>flowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07465768862975245860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5132953033183671060.post-16606368827303729552011-07-08T08:18:00.002-05:002011-07-08T08:23:34.728-05:00Guest Post: The World Needs Midwives – Now More Than Ever<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> <w:word11kerningpairs/> <w:cachedcolbalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont val="Cambria Math"> <m:brkbin val="before"> <m:brkbinsub val="--"> <m:smallfrac val="off"> <m:dispdef/> <m:lmargin val="0"> <m:rmargin val="0"> <m:defjc val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent val="1440"> <m:intlim val="subSup"> <m:narylim val="undOvr"> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" defunhidewhenused="true" defsemihidden="true" defqformat="false" defpriority="99" latentstylecount="267"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="0" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Normal"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="heading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="35" qformat="true" name="caption"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="10" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" name="Default Paragraph Font"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="11" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtitle"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="22" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Strong"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="20" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="59" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Table Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Placeholder Text"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="No Spacing"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Revision"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="34" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="List Paragraph"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="29" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="30" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="19" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="21" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="31" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="32" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> <w:word11kerningpairs/> <w:cachedcolbalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont val="Cambria Math"> <m:brkbin val="before"> <m:brkbinsub val="--"> <m:smallfrac val="off"> <m:dispdef/> <m:lmargin val="0"> <m:rmargin val="0"> <m:defjc val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent val="1440"> <m:intlim val="subSup"> <m:narylim val="undOvr"> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" defunhidewhenused="true" defsemihidden="true" defqformat="false" defpriority="99" latentstylecount="267"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="0" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Normal"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="heading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="35" qformat="true" name="caption"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="10" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" name="Default Paragraph Font"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="11" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtitle"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="22" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Strong"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="20" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="59" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Table Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Placeholder Text"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="No Spacing"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Revision"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="34" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="List Paragraph"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="29" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="30" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="19" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="21" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="31" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="32" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language: EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SAfont-family:";font-size:11.0pt;color:#1F497D;" >This post is republished from the blog of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation</span>:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><a href="http://www.gatesfoundation.org/foundationnotes/Pages/theresa-shaver-110505-world-needs-midwives.aspx">The World Needs Midwives – Now More Than Ever</a></span><br /><br />It was 1980 in a nomadic community in Mauritania that I first attended a woman during birth. There, I experienced with her the fragile balance of life and death and the sweet joy of a mother embracing her healthy newborn daughter.<p><a title="The World Needs Midwives – Now More Than Ever by Gates Foundation, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gatesfoundation/5684997671/"><img alt="The World Needs Midwives – Now More Than Ever" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5292/5684997671_3e6ea8843c_z.jpg" height="344" width="611" /></a> </p><p><b>Midwife.</b> In the olde English it meant “with woman.” It’s why I became a midwife – to be with women through skilled care and support before, during and after pregnancy and childbirth, so that all women and families everywhere experience the joy and celebration of safe motherhood. </p><p>Today is the International Day of the Midwife. But today, like every day, nearly 1000 women will die giving life; and many of their babies will not survive beyond the first hours and days after birth. That’s more than 350,000 women and 5 million infants every year whose lives are lost as a result of preventable complications of pregnancy and childbirth. </p><p>And while 99 percent of these deaths happen in developing countries, the United States is not exempt. Thousands of American families suffer the tragedy of maternal and newborn mortality every year. </p><p>No mother should have to risk her life or that of her unborn baby going through childbirth without expert care. Yet, globally, one in three women gives birth without a skilled birth attendant. The World Health Organization estimates that more than <i>3.5 million more</i> health workers – including a million midwives – are needed by 2015. Without them, millions of mothers and children have no one to diagnose and treat illnesses, dispense treatment, or provide immunizations and advice on how to stay healthy and prevent disease. </p><p><a href="http://www.internationalmidwives.org/CongressesWorkshops/InternationalDayoftheMidwife/tabid/327/Default.aspx" target="_blank">The International Confederation of Midwives (ICM)</a> has embraced this in their campaign – <i>The World Needs Midwives Now More than Ever</i> and with a commitment to march in honor of women. The theme for this year’s march is <i>The Road to Durban: Midwives Walking for the Women of the World</i>. </p><p>Today, around the world, women will walk “for the women of the world.” It’s a journey that starts on the “<i>Road to Durban</i>,” and culminates on the 18th of June at the ICM Congress in South Africa. At the Congress, more than 3,000 midwives will meet to share their knowledge and skills about better quality care and strategies to intensify the fight against maternal and newborn mortality. There too will be the release of the long awaited <a href="http://www.internationalmidwives.org/Portals/5/2011/SoWMy_FACTSHEET_EN_19Jan11.pdf" target="_blank"><i>State of the World’s Midwifery Report</i></a> and the powerful, poignant <a href="http://www.whiteribbonalliance.org/storiesofmidwives/" target="_blank"><i>Stories of Midwives</i></a>. </p><p>We join with tens of thousands of midwives, today, in walks across the globe to demonstrate our shared commitment to safe motherhood. We walk to show <i>zero tolerance</i> for needless deaths of mothers and newborns. We walk to publicize the urgent need for investments in maternal and newborn health. We walk on this <i>Road to Durban</i> so that one day pregnancy and birth will not mean the road to death for mothers and their babies. </p><p>To borrow from the American College of Nurse-Midwives, let’s show the world that together we are “With women, for a lifetime.”</p> <div style="padding-top:18px;"><div style="width: 611px;float: left;"><div style="width: 480px; float: left;">Theresa Shaver is the President and Executive Director of the <a href="http://www.whiteribbonalliance.org/index.cfm" target="_blank">White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood</a>.<br /><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> <w:word11kerningpairs/> <w:cachedcolbalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont val="Cambria Math"> <m:brkbin val="before"> <m:brkbinsub val="--"> <m:smallfrac val="off"> <m:dispdef/> <m:lmargin val="0"> <m:rmargin val="0"> <m:defjc val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent val="1440"> <m:intlim val="subSup"> <m:narylim val="undOvr"> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" defunhidewhenused="true" defsemihidden="true" defqformat="false" defpriority="99" latentstylecount="267"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="0" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Normal"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="heading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="35" qformat="true" name="caption"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="10" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" name="Default Paragraph Font"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="11" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtitle"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="22" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Strong"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="20" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="59" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Table Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Placeholder Text"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="No Spacing"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Revision"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="34" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="List Paragraph"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="29" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="30" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="19" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="21" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="31" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="32" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--><a href="http://www.gatesfoundation.org/foundationnotes/"><span style=" Calibri","sans-serif"; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-style: italic;font-family:";font-size:11pt;" >The Bill & Melinda Gates </span></a><span style=" Calibri","sans-serif"; color: rgb(49, 132, 155); font-style: italic;font-family:";font-size:11pt;" ><a href="http://www.gatesfoundation.org/foundationnotes/">Foundation</a> works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. Safeguarding the health of mothers and young children is one of the world’s most urgent priorities and a core focus of the foundation’s work; especially in the developing world</span><span style=" Georgia","serif"; color: rgb(57, 45, 28); font-style: italic;font-family:";font-size:11pt;" >.</span><span style=" Calibri","sans-serif"; color: rgb(31, 73, 125); font-style: italic;font-family:";font-size:11pt;" > </span><br /></div></div></div>CfM Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03949865938769197211noreply@blogger.com1