Mission

The mission of birthNETWORK is to promote the awareness and availability of mother-friendly maternity care.

birthNETWORK is leading a grassroots movement based on the belief that birth can profoundly affect our physical, mental and spiritual well-being.  birthNETWORK advocates mother-friendly care, as defined by the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS).   By making informed choices and having confidence in the process, families can experience safe and satisfying childbirth.

Programs

To promote the awareness of mother-friendly maternity care, birthNETWORK chapters conduct free meetings where chapter leaders or speakers present on various topics related to pregnancy, birth and the post-partum period.     birthNETWORK offers additional outreach opportunities including birth fairs, conferences and educational curriculum.

To promote the availability of mother-friendly maternity care, birthNETWORK chapters publish a free birth resource guide to maternity providers (midwives, physicians, doulas, educators, etc.) who have endorsed CIMS’ Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative (MFCI).   The guides are available through local chapters and online.   Chapters distribute the guides in various places such as provider offices, meetings, birth fairs and events and local libraries.    

History

birthNETWORK began in October 1999 when five mothers started brainstorming on how to improve maternity care in their local community.   birthNETWORK is based on the MFCI, which outlines the principles of mother-friendly care in order to promote the safest, healthiest and most cost-effective maternity care.

Local Chapters

In order to make more women and families aware of the benefits of mother-friendly pregnancy and birth, birthNETWORK has developed a structure to allow like-minded individuals to start chapters of birthNETWORK in their own communities.   In addition to the established structure, the birthNETWORK national board provides materials and support for local chapters.   The local chapters will remain the experts in their community, conduct meetings, publish their local birth resource guides and determine any other programs needed in their area.

Legal Structure of Chapters

birthNETWORK chapters officially share the national organization’s non-profit status.   This requires chapters to submit financial reports and follow basic guidelines.