Organization Spotlight: Improving Birth

A big thanks to Carla DeVries of Improving Birth - Ann Arbor for sharing this information with us about an awesome organization! For more information on Improving Birth, check out their website here

By: Carla DeVries

Improving Birth is a non-profit organization that is made up of moms and the people who care for us. Our mission is to bring evidence-based care and humanity to childbirth. The moms of Improving Birth are a cross-section of the 9 out of 10 American mothers whose bodies and babies have been put at risk by non-evidence-based maternity care (read the Listening to Mothers survey).

What is evidence-based care? Evidence-based care is based on the highest quality, most current medical evidence, tailored to the individual. We believe that women can make safer, more informed decisions about their care and that of their babies when they are given full and accurate information about their care options, including the potential harms, benefits, and alternatives.

Humanity in childbirth means respect of the birthing woman, of her autonomy, and of her fundamental right to make decisions about her body and her baby. We believe that childbearing women, like all human beings, should be treated with dignity, respect, and compassion.

We just recently wrapped up our 2013 International Labor Day Rally to Improve Birth, where an estimated 12,000 parents, healthcare providers, and advocates around the country gathered to call attention to the crisis in American maternal healthcare. Supporters called for safer, evidence-based birth practices that put women and babies before profits, convenience and liability concerns. It is the only demonstration of its kind in the United States. The rally took place in more than 170 U.S. cities, Japan, Australia, and Canada, Monday, Sept. 2. A virtual rally included photos and participants from all over the world.

The U.S. has a national C-section rate of 33%, which is significantly higher than the 15% suggested by the World Health Organization as a highest recommended rate. While some have pointed to older, more obese, less healthy mothers as the reason for such high rates of Cesarean surgery, research shows that the most variability in rates is currently among low-risk women, and the Joint Commission, the national accrediting body for hospitals, recently pointed to “physician factors” as the driving force in these differences.

And, though the U.S. has the highest maternity care costs in the world, it ranks 45th in maternal safety, according to data from the United Nations, which lists our nation’s maternal death rate as tied with that of Iran and Hungary.

Rally attendees called for maternity practices that put mothers and babies first, including obtaining fully informed consent, using medical interventions only when necessary and reducing the rate of Cesarean section. This major surgery occurs in one in three American births – more than double the highest recommended rate by the World Health Organization.

Policymakers who support better maternal care lauded the family-friendly rallies, which also highlighted barriers to evidence-based care. Some states, under pressure from well-funded hospitals and professional lobbyists, have effectively banned proven, cost-effective options for families like birth centers and midwifery care.

Recent studies show that there is often a drastic difference between evidence-based care (practices proven best by science for mothers and babies) and the care women receive in labor and delivery rooms. (See 2012 State of Maternity Care Table for a comparison.) Caregivers are often driven by routine, profits, convenience and liability, rather than the needs of families and mothers, many of whom say they did not provide fully informed consent to medical procedures during birth.

In addition to the Rally to Improve Birth, we provide women on a daily basis with information, resources, help finding providers, and help accessing medical or legal advice. You can follow us on facebook to stay connected with us, or contact us with questions.

To get involved, find the closest chapter near you! Contact your city’s coordinator, and become a supporter. Each city has a team that is working very hard year-round to bring changes and raise awareness in their local communities. This is an amazing opportunity to work with your neighbors and improve maternity care in your own back yard.

For more information visit www.improvingbirth.org

#evidencebasedcare #improvingbirth