For Parents
Mother Friendly Care
The Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative states, “The quality of care provided in the first 24 hours after birth is critical to the successful initiation and continuation of breastfeeding" and promotes the successful breastfeeding practice of rooming in... allowing "mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day."
The Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative states that “A mother-friendly hospital, birth center, or home birth service … has a total cesarean rate of 10% or less in community hospitals, and 15% or less in tertiary care (high risk) hospitals; and has a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) rate of 60% or more with a goal of 75% or more."
2008 Cesarean Rates in Chattanooga and surrounding area:
2008 Cesarean Rates in Chattanooga and surrounding area:
- Athens Regional Medical Center, Athens (low & high risk patients) = 44%
- Skyridge Medical Center, Cleveland (lower-risk patients) = 29%
- Women's East, Chattanooga (lower-risk patients) = 35%
- Erlanger Downtown, Chattanooga (low & high risk patients) = 39%
- Parkridge East, Chattanooga (low & high risk patients) = 36%
The Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative states that a Mother-Friendly care provider “Does not routinely employ practices and procedures
that are unsupported by scientific evidence, including but not limited to … withholding nourishment or water.”
The Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative states, “A mother-friendly hospital, birth center, or home birth service … educates staff in non-drug methods of pain relief, and does not promote the use of analgesic or anesthetic drugs not specifically required to correct a complication.”
The Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative states that “birth can safely take place in hospitals, birth centers, and homes” and that “every woman should have the opportunity to … give birth as she wishes in an environment in which she feels nurtured and secure, and her emotional well-being, privacy, and personal preferences are respected.”
The Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative states that "every woman should have the opportunity to...receive accurate and up-to-date information about the benefits and risks of all procedures, drugs, and tests suggested for use during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period, with the right to informed consent and informed refusal."
The Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative states that "interventions should not be applied routinely during pregnancy, birth, or the postpartum period" and that “a mother-friendly hospital, birth center, or home birth service … Does not routinely employ practices and procedures that are unsupported by scientific evidence, including but not limited to the following: shaving; enemas; IVs (intravenous drip); withholding nourishment or water; early rupture of membranes; electronic fetal monitoring.”
The Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative states that “A mother-friendly hospital, birth center, or home birth service … has an induction rate of 10% or less.” More generally, it reminds us that “Many standard medical tests, procedures, technologies, and drugs carry risks to both mother and baby, and should be avoided in the absence of specific scientific indications for their use. If complications arise during pregnancy, birth, or the postpartum period, medical treatments should be evidence-based.”
The Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative states that “A woman’s confidence and ability to give birth and to care for her baby are enhanced or diminished by every person who gives her care,” and that “a mother-friendly hospital, birth center, or home birth service offers all birthing mothers unrestricted access to the birth companions of her choice, including fathers, partners, children, family members, and friends” as well as “unrestricted access to continuous emotional and physical support from a skilled woman—for example, a doula, or labor-support professional.”
The Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative states that, "The midwifery model of care, which supports and protects the normal birth process, is the most appropriate for the majority of women during pregnancy and birth."
Advocacy and Organizations
A directory for evidence-based maternity care, consumer education and professional organizations.
American Academy of Pediatrics Statement on Circumcision
Ask Dr. Sears
Parenting information from the authors of The Baby Book. Includes information on vaccinations
Birth International
Provides support and resources for midwives, childbirth educators and expectant parents.
Birth Stories
Childbirth Connection
ChildbirthConnection.org, trustworthy up-to-date evidence-based information and resources on planning for pregnancy, labor and birth, and the postpartum period. evidence-based maternity care for all women and families.
Circumcision Decision Maker
Information to help parents consider and evaluate when deciding about circumcision.
Citizens for Midwifery
Midwives Model of Care! CfM works to provide information and resources that promote the local midwife, as well as midwives and midwifery care across the
country!
Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS)
A coalition of individuals and national organizations with concern for the care and well-being of mothers, babies, and families." Strongly pro-midwife.
Infant Massage USA
International Cesarean Awareness Network
James McKenna Co-Sleeping
Leading infant/mother sleep researcher
Lamaze
Lamaze has been a leader in the push for normal/natural birth.
Mothering
Mothering magazine has expanded into an online community.
Mothers Naturally
Midwifery Today
Midwifery Today: "The heart and science of birth." Find answers to your questions, read the latest research.
National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Centers
Postpartum Dads
Postpartum issues - is it postpartum depression? Help for dads.
Postpartum Support International Information on postpartum depression
Spinning Babies information on baby's position in labor
The Association for Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology & Health
APPPAH's mission is to educate professionals and the public about, and advocate for, the life-changing discoveries made in the area of prenatal and perinatal psychology and health.
VBAC.com
information and support for VBAC
Water Birth Information
American Academy of Pediatrics Statement on Circumcision
Ask Dr. Sears
Parenting information from the authors of The Baby Book. Includes information on vaccinations
Birth International
Provides support and resources for midwives, childbirth educators and expectant parents.
Birth Stories
Childbirth Connection
ChildbirthConnection.org, trustworthy up-to-date evidence-based information and resources on planning for pregnancy, labor and birth, and the postpartum period. evidence-based maternity care for all women and families.
Circumcision Decision Maker
Information to help parents consider and evaluate when deciding about circumcision.
Citizens for Midwifery
Midwives Model of Care! CfM works to provide information and resources that promote the local midwife, as well as midwives and midwifery care across the
country!
Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS)
A coalition of individuals and national organizations with concern for the care and well-being of mothers, babies, and families." Strongly pro-midwife.
Infant Massage USA
International Cesarean Awareness Network
James McKenna Co-Sleeping
Leading infant/mother sleep researcher
Lamaze
Lamaze has been a leader in the push for normal/natural birth.
Mothering
Mothering magazine has expanded into an online community.
Mothers Naturally
Midwifery Today
Midwifery Today: "The heart and science of birth." Find answers to your questions, read the latest research.
National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Centers
Postpartum Dads
Postpartum issues - is it postpartum depression? Help for dads.
Postpartum Support International Information on postpartum depression
Spinning Babies information on baby's position in labor
The Association for Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology & Health
APPPAH's mission is to educate professionals and the public about, and advocate for, the life-changing discoveries made in the area of prenatal and perinatal psychology and health.
VBAC.com
information and support for VBAC
Water Birth Information