**NOTE** Medical advancements have saved the lives of women and babies at risk for injury or death during pregnancy and birth. This site is not about the doctors who properly use interventions to save lives; it is about those who use them unethically for profit or convenience. Improperly used interventions have led to harm and death of women and babies and obstetrics is the only field in which mortality rates are rising and non-medically needed interventions such as c-sections are related to 66% of maternal deaths.
**NOTE** This site is designed to share valid evidence for those working to change the maternal healthcare system who do not have access to databases of peered research.
**NOTE** Chronological order allows users to find new data. It also begs the question of why, when we have known for decades that such practices are harmful, do they not only continue to be used but are increasingly used.
ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO IMPROVE MATERNAL HEALTHCARE
INTERNATIONAL
Birthing the New Humanity https://www.birthingthenewhumanity.com/ BTNH App is available for both Android and Apple phones
- INFO: This organization works with many groups around the world to share resources, sponsors webinars and summits in which leaders of the maternal health movement come together. I am a member and the app gives access to speaker sessions, and a huge number of resources. I highly recommend downloading the app. The website is under development so do check back.
International Confederation of Midwives: https://www.internationalmidwives.org/
- INFO (mission statement) ” strengthen Midwives’ Associations and to advance the profession of midwifery globally by promoting autonomous midwives as the most appropriate caregivers for childbearing women and in keeping birth normal, in order to enhance the reproductive health of women, their newborns, and their families.”
Jhpiego (Johns Hopkins Program https://www.jhpiego.org/our-expertise/health-systems-strengthening/nursing-midwifery/
- INFO: works internationally to “we develop nurses and midwives as practitioners, policymakers and leaders”
United Nations Population Fund https://www.unfpa.org/midwifery
- INFO “Since 2008, UNFPA has worked with partners, governments and policymakers to help build a competent, well-trained and well-supported midwifery workforce in low-resource settings. UNFPA focuses on four key areas: strengthening competency-based midwifery training; developing strong regulatory mechanisms to ensure quality services; raising the voices of midwives by establishing and strengthening midwifery associations; and advocating for increased investments in midwifery services. UNFPA also works to create a supportive environment for midwives by advocating for adequate workforce policies for midwives.”
World Health Organization https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/nursing-and-midwifery
- INFO WHO engages ministries of health, the Government Chief Nurses and Midwives (GCNMOs) and other relevant stakeholders to enable effective planning, coordination and management of nursing and midwifery programmes in countries. The Global Forum for the Government Chief Nurses and Midwives, established in 2004, is organized by WHO and meets every two years. It is a Forum for senior nursing and midwifery officials to develop and inform areas of shared interest. WHO also engages with academic institutions specialised in nursing and midwifery. Forty-seven academic centres are designated as Collaborating Centres for Nursing and Midwifery with WHO.
NORTH AMERICA
March for Moms https://marchformoms.org/
- INFO: “Every year we hold a march on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. to bring together the diverse voices of everyone who supports the health and well-being of all mothers and their families. Year round we work hard with families, healthcare providers, and policymakers to advocate for life-saving improvements in healthcare practices and better access to maternal healthcare.”