Midwifery is fundamentally political. Helping women during the transition to motherhood in a system that is essentially unmotherly takes a lot of creativity and skill. Birth advocates,lactation consultants, doulas, midwives and nurses(etc)- are pushing birthing to become a holistic practice. Midwives have historically been women leaders in their community and changed lives generation after generation. Here are only a few of the amazing works and projects that women are doing:

Applebee's Nurse-In

Saturday, September 8, 2007

Mothers are fighting back by breastfeeding across the country at their local Applebee's. It is so ridiculous that women have to fight to breastfeed in public. After an incident where a mom was told she needed to cover up at an Applebee's restaurant, legal action was taken against the establishment. The Applebee's Nurse-in calls on nursing mothers to show their solidarity by nursing their child publiclyI th on Saturday, September 8, 2007. It's beautiful to see that women are resisting and letting businesses know that we not only have the right to breastfeed publicly but that the right should be respected and supported. To find out more information check this link out: Lactivist blog.

Help Mothers in Senegal

The African Birthing Collective in Senegal, West Africa is a group of midwives (sage femmes) breaking through outdated practices while incorporating the existing culture of sustainability that has allowed many of the babies of Senegal to be born. The collective helps to emphasize didactic, academic training within the limited capacity of funds. Twice a year they have a study abroad program for midwives and midwifery students. Plus monetary donations are used to increase resources for Senegalese mothers and children. Here is some more info: African Birth Collective web site.

Host a Film Screening

Ricki Lake was the executive produceder a film called The Business of Being Born. On The View she said her objective of the film was to help inform women about their choices. The film has gotten rave reviews. Information dissemination gives momentum to the labor movement. You can host a screening of the film and use the proceeds of ticket sales to help an international or local birthing group. The link is: The Business of Being Born.

Help Guatemalan Midwives

Midwives for Midwives (MFM) is an organization of midwives and birth advocates based in Antigua, Guatemala and United States that is helping train local Indigenous midwives. They raise funds to provide the local parteras (midwife) with resources and teach organizing skills. MFM aims to provide local women with updated, evidence-based practice while respecting their right of self-determination. Since 2000, MFM has trained over 170 midwives and is influencing the way the Guatemalan government views midwifery. Please try to learn more about them and consider donating plastic gloves, stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, or money. These contributions will help traditional Guatemalan midwives obtain birth kits. There are also volunteer opportunities for those who speak Spanish. To find more about them, see: MFM web site.

Donate to a Milk Bank

Some hospitals buy human milk to help provide sick babies or premature babies with the exceptional nutrition and protection found only in breast milk. There are various situations in which human breast milk helps build new futures by saving babies lives. If you are a lactating mom with milk to spare, you can donate to a milk bank. Find out more from La Leche League.