ImprovingBirth - South Florida

08/07/2018

The California Health Care Foundation asked us to partner with them to spread the word to new parents about how the hospital you choose for your birth matters. Learn more about how to avoid a c-section unless it’s absolutely necessary at http://mybirthmatters.org.

08/01/2018

Hey Birth Advocates!

**BOOM**

And just like that, the doors have opened to a new possible future.

A future where pregnant families receive evidence based, respectful care, and you were a part of the solution.

But first, you've got to get your business and life in line so that you can be the force you want to be in the world.

Imagine knowing exactly how much money you need for every month and having a clear realistic plan that fits your lifestyle and knowing exactly how to get it.

The first call for Make Room for Advocacy starts tonight! DON'T MISS OUT!

Iris normally charges over $2000 for her programs, but she is so moved by the work that we all do that she is offering it to us for a fraction of the price.

Iris will jump right into helping you find the money drains that keep you stuck.

You'll get inspired by her “Pay Day Everyday” system that will allow you to always have an overview of your finances in 5 minutes a day -- no fancy technology required.

You will learn to implement YOUR cash flow system - the one that works for you, because she works to understand your money archetype and puts together an individualized plan made just for you.

You will create a one page income generation plan that will be so good, you’ll keep copies everywhere you go, so you never lose sight of your intention.

You will put your Financial Freedom Toolbox together – with your income plan, daily, weekly, and monthly checklist.

ALL THIS IN JUST THE FIRST MONTH!

The program is broken up into easily digestible sections, once a week, to fit all of our busy schedules.

To make it even easier, all the calls are recorded so if you miss a call because of a birth or other commitments, you can come back and watch the recording.

Even better, Iris has also agreed to make herself available through email anytime throughout the program to support you.

The greatest obstacles to our advocacy work is not enough time and money. The thing I understand clearly after doing this work is that we need more of us putting the pressure on the system. We need more of us working together as a team. We need more of us saying ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

We want to help you manage your business and life so that you can be an enormous force in improving maternity care.

Don't let the door close on this huge opportunity.

https://improvingbirth.org/make-room-for-advocacy

07/31/2018

The Community Advocacy Training program is here! Visit https://improvingbirth.org/make-room-for-advocacy for more information and to sign up today!

When I was a Doula I pretty much treated it like a hobby and not a business. I just deposited checks. I didn't manage the money at all. Most of us who are drawn to birth work are not naturally business minded so we don't have systems in place to manage it.

How would it feel knowing exactly how much money you need for your life goals every month and have a clear, realistic plan on how to get it?

Join us and create an achievable income plan to support you and your family that leaves you time for all the things you want to do

Birthing families need more advocates, people on the front lines in their communities who are working to improve birth beyond their clients. The first step in being able to be that advocate is getting our own business and personal life in line.

07/10/2018

From the British Medical Journal: "Sadly, some women may not be aware of their human rights during childbirth: rights for respectful care, privacy, and freedom of choice concerning their birth. It is therefore the duty of caregivers to use language that will help empower all women."

Language matters as a way of respecting women’s views and ensuring that they are empowered to make decisions Natalie Mobbs, Catherine Williams, Andrew D Weeks Avid readers of clinical guidelines [...]More...

07/04/2018

We recently met some Mothers with 4th Degree Tears when we attended the March for Moms in May. Here are some of their words that we want to share with you.

For more: https://t.co/ZwPo5M0vEk

To join the 4th Degree Tears Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1538075199800995

06/08/2018

Oh goodness. Grab a tissue!

"There is no statistic that can quantify what it’s like to tell an 18 month old that his mother is never coming home."

PLEASE SHARE!

04/15/2018

Last call for "It All Matters" t-shirts and tanks! Order tonight by midnight Pacific time to ensure you get your style and size preference.

LAST CALL!!! Place your orders for the "It All Matters" crew neck shirts, v-necks, and tanks by midnight Pacific to ensure you'll receive the apparel in your preferred size. After tonight, we will have limited stock and sizes available. Don't miss out!

TO ORDER: http://improvingbirth.org/shop

03/28/2018

Happy World Doula Week! Thank you to all of the doulas out there supporting birthing people and families through their prenatal, labor, birth, loss, and postpartum experiences.

For more information on what the evidence-based research notes regarding the support of doulas and their impact on labor and birth outcomes: http://evidencebasedbirth.com/doulas

02/22/2018

Feeling the need to share this reminder:

YOU ARE THE ULTIMATE DECISION-MAKER when it comes to the care you receive prenatally, in labor, during birth, or postpartum. YOU have complete authority over what does and does not happen to your body.

The legal authority in childbirth lies with the woman giving birth, not the providers of care. Our words should reflect that.

01/21/2018

I need your help.

I don’t know about you, but there is a lot that ticks me off about maternity care.

Like the mama who has no choice but another cesarean, because there isn’t a hospital or provider near her that will support her desire for a vaginal birth even though all major health organizations say it's a reasonable option.

It ticks me off that the color of a woman's skin can determine whether she lives or dies during childbirth.

It ticks me off to hear the stories of nurses and providers who roll their eyes when a patient comes in with a birth plan.
It ticks me off when I hear about the family who doesn’t have an option but to go back to work even though their baby is only 6 weeks old.

It ticks me off to hear about the vaginal exams, episiotomies, vacuum extractions, and the premature rupture and stripping of membranes, all without consent.

It ticks me off so much that I’m going to show up.
I’m going to show up for mothers at the March for Moms 2018 on May 6th in Washington, D.C.

My question to you is: are you ticked off enough to show up? Tell us if you can make it on our Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1340432389400571

Can't make it today? That's okay. We've got you covered. Sign up to host a sister event in your community now: https://ibn.memberclicks.net/rally-to-improve-birth

In love and service,
Dawn Thompson

This year for the 6th Annual Rally to Improve Birth we join in solidarity with the March for Moms event happening in Washington D.C. on May 6th, 2018 by hosting sister locations all across the country.