Childbirth Organizations and Resources

Organizations and groups involved in womens health, natural childbirth, and the care of babies and moms.

Academy of Certified Birth Educators

American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth

American College of Nurse-Midwives

College of Domiciliary Midwives

Association of Labor Assistants & Childbirth Educators

Association for Pre- & Perinatal Psychology & Health

Association of Women's Health, Obstetrics, and Neonatal Nursing

Attachment Parenting International

Birthworks, Inc

Center for Perinatal Research & Family Support

Childbirth Solutions

Doulas of North America

The Farm

Global Maternal/Child Health Association

International Cesarean Awareness Network

International Childbirth Education Association

International Lactation Consultant Association

La Leche League International

Lamaze International

Midwifery Today

Midwives Alliance of North America

Ministry of Midwifery

National Association of Childbearing Centers

National Association of Postpartum Care Services

North American Registry of Midwives

Virginia Friends of Midwives

What is a midwife

A midwife is a person who, having been regularly admitted to a midwifery educational program that is duly recognised in the country in which it is located, has successfully completed the prescribed course of studies in midwifery and has acquired the requisite qualifications to be registered and/or legally licensed to practice midwifery. The educational program may be an apprenticeship, a formal university program, or a combination.

The midwife is recognised as a responsible and accountable professional who works in partnership with women to give the necessary support, care and advice during pregnancy, labour and the postpartum period, to conduct births on the midwife's own responsibility and to provide care for the infant. This care includes preventive measures, the promotion of normal birth, the detection of complications in mother and child, accessing of medical or other appropriate assistance and the carrying out of emergency measures.

The midwife has an important task in health counselling and education, not only for the woman, but also within the family and community. This work should involve antenatal education and preparation for parenthood and may extend to women's health, sexual or reproductive health and childcare.

A midwife may practice in any setting including in the home, the community, hospitals, clinics or health units

Source: According to the International Confederation of Midwives (a definition that has also been adopted by the World Health Organization and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics), Wikipedia

Motherhood day was a success!

Despite the drizzling rain and cold wind, Motherhood Day turned out well. Our classes had decent attendance and the moms, dads and nurses who participated learned about breastfeeding, childbirth issues, midwifery, the legislative process of midwifery in our state, the Bradley childbirth method, as well as the new CIMS initiative in which Ina May Gaskin is leading our nation.

We learned about Ina May's quilt being the first attempt on the part of a concerned midwife to alert the public to the unfortunate and highly preventable problem of maternal mortality in our country. The quilt stretched from one side of the large classroom to almost the other end. Sadly, this quilt will continue to grow and we will support Ina May in walking with this quilt through the nation's capital some day.

We had many pioneering vendors who braved the cold for the morning outside and ended up cozy and warm with other vendors inside by the afternoon. We owe everyone a big thanks for their participation and effort and we look forward to seeing the same faces again next year.

Dr. Warren Johnson, Dr. Dallas Cooley and Deborah Snarr, R.N., M.S.N, N.P. were honored at our first annual award ceremony that evening. We were pleased to offer them hand-tossed and glazed pottery from a local potter with the MOM emblem on the front. A local Irish dance school put on a fabulous show for the evenings light entertainment and we were blessed to hear Ina May speak once again of the importance of autonomous midwifery and how our group CAN change the laws in our state.

(We have to mention the *delicious* Indian food that a Stephens City restaurant made for us that evening --- if you are ever in Stephens City, stop by the convenience shop on Main St. and be prepared for a mouth-watering treat!)

Motherhood Day has given the MOM group more inspirational energy to tackle the upcoming year and we will take with us the memory of this first, special event to inspire our next event. Thank you to everyone who made it possible! All of the hard work was appreciated.

Previous information for those looking for Midwifery information from VirginiaMom.org