There is a challenge facing the health care system today over and above the basic requirement to make birth as safe as possible for mothers and babies. This challenge consists of two main issues. The first is to provide genuine choice over the birth place and caregiver. The second important issue is to enable women giving birth in a hospital to feel a sense of control over the birth place so that they are not merely at the receiving end of care.

Let Your Voice Be Heard! “We will see changes when we are educated, know our options and create a demand for something different!” YOU can take action now to create awareness of the possibilities for a transformational birth experience for every woman and to help them ensure access to options for non-interventive care.

CABO encourages people to take action. You can do this by:

Volunteer and support a CABO event!
Join The Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS). For more information click HERE.

If you are pregnant… “You Have a Choice” // A Short Birth Documentary from Mark Mroz on Vimeo.

Decide how to have your baby? The choice is yours! Educate yourself. Ask questions. Demand truthful answers.

Choose a midwife. Research shows that your odds of a vaginal birth are better outside a hospital, weather at home or in a birth center.

The current cesarean rate in the United States is 32.9 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control. A new study from researchers at the Yale University of Medicine pinpoints two primary reasons for the skyrocketing cesarean rate in the United States: more c-sections in first-time mothers and decreasing rates of VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean).

Childbirth Connection is a great resource for benefit/risk information about epidural analgesia. Also view The Rights of Childbearing Women.

Seek support from other women who want the same kind of birth you want.

Hire a doula for your hospital birth. A meta-analysis of studies shows that women who use a doula are 26 percent less likely to have a cesarean birth, among other dramatic benefits. Cochrane Reviews show support during your birth from a doula improves outcomes significantly more than continuous support from family members, friends or medical staff.  The latest (2011) review from the Cochrane Database: Continuous Support for Women during Childbirth (Hodnett, Greulich, Albers, 2011).

Believe in your body’s ability. Release your fears surrounding birth.

Films you may enjoy…
Orgasmic Birth
The Business of Being Born
Gentle Birth Choices
Birth Without Violence
Babies