New Group Fights Breastfeeding Discrimination

As a result of the Applebee's incident that occured last year in Lexington KY, BWB sponsored a Nationwide demonstration to bring attention to the issue of breastfeeding discrimination, and the need for education and change. As a result of this event where approximately 2000 people in 44 states participated, a new national organization called "FIRSTRIGHT" was established. Please read the press release here.

BIG PUSH FOR MIDWIVES RALLY

From Philadelphia to the Northwest area of PA, advocates for childbirth choices came out to show their solidarity with others across the country who are demanding the changes needed to offer true freedom in childbirth for women in our country.

The Roots of Love, Health and Happiness: "Ancient Wisdom and Modern Science and the Mother-Baby"

...was held on Saturday, February 9th, 2008

This one-day workshop was presented by SUZANNE ARMS, Author, Speaker, & Filmmaker.

Suzanne honored the Central PA area community by presenting her vitally important information from brain-mind science, trauma healing, child development, and attachment theory. She presented ways in which each of us can identify, prevent, heal and transform birth-related trauma in mothers and babies.

Thank you Suzanne!

Calling All Grandmothers!

On Feb. 7, 2008, Harrisburg area women gathered to participate with Internationally acclaimed author, photo journalist, and Birth Activist Suzanne Arms to participate in the first Grandmothers Circle for this area. The concept of the Grandmothers Circle was developed by Suzanne Arms and will be nationally launched soon.

THE BUSINESS OF BEING BORN COMES TO HARRISBURG

On Jan. 13, the day after the charter meeting of Pennsylvania Families for Safe Birth where many met to agree to work on legitimizing midwifery through legislation in PA, BWB hosted a screening of The Business of Being Born. Over a hundred people from the community attended the showing of the film and enjoyed a silent auction that included artwork created by local artists. Thank you to our sponsor, Barbara Zemlock, Esq. for making the event possible.

NURSE IN AT BUDDY HOLLY CENTER IN LUBBOCK TEXAS IS A SUCCESS!

- read more -

BREASTFEEDING SUPPORTERS GATHER NATIONWIDE
seeking policy changes at Applebee's Restaurant chain

On Saturday, September 8, 2007, nearly 2000 breastfeeding supporters gathered in 44 states at 100 Applebee's to demonstrate support of breastfeeding in public.

- read more -

CDC REPORTS HIGHEST CESAREAN SECTION RATES EVER IN U.S.

Redondo Beach, CA, December 5, 2007 – The National Center for Health Statistics has reported that the cesarean rate has hit an all-time high of 31.1 percent.

The cesarean rise coincides with CDC report that maternal death rate rising for the first time in decades. World Health Organization data shows that mothers die at a higher rate in the U.S. than 40 other countries. Consumer Reports includes cesarean on "10 overused tests and treatments"

"There's no doubt that cesarean surgery is being overused," said Pam Udy, president of the International Cesarean Awareness Network. "Unfortunately, despite its reputation as a harmless surgery, many women and babies are paying the high price of complications from this surgery."

To view the CDC report: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr56/nvsr56_07.pdf

Click here to view the top 12 scientific studies of 2007 regarding Cesarean Section
(thank you ICAN)

NEW TSA POLICY ON EXPRESSED BREASTMILK

Traveling on airplanes with expressed breastmilk just got easier. As of August 4, 2007, the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) instituted a new policy concerning transporting pumped breastmilk in airplane carry-on luggage. Breastmilk may now be carried in any quantity and in no special container as long as it is declared for inspection at the airport security checkpoint. This modification of TSA rules is a great victory for breastfeeding women.

- read more -

Please send BWB your experiences traveling with breastmilk
under the new TSA policy.

PENNSYLVANIA HOMEBIRTH MIDWIFE ORDERED TO CEASE AND DESIST

READ ABOUT THE BERKSHIRE MALL NURSE-IN.

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE RESTRICTS BREASTFEEDING

In April 2007, the administration in the Ronald McDonald House in Houston, Texas, ordered the mother of a seventeen-month-old recovering from the removal of a brain tumor to stop breastfeeding him in public areas of the facility. The family was told that if they did not comply with this "oral guideline" forbidding breastfeeding in common areas they could be evicted.

The child's aunt, staying with the family, reported the incident on the Mothering Dot Commune forum, prompting a national outcry in support of this family and their right to breastfeed on demand rather than bring the sick child to their room three floors away. On Monday, April 16th, a meeting was held with RMD administration, the family, and La Leche League representatives in which a tentative settlement was reached allowing the family to nurse conditionally while the RMD Board of Directors considered a policy change.

The story as reported by the family is located here and updates will be added as they come from the family. Please join Birth Without Boundaries in supporting this family's efforts to feed its children in peace and safety

HOMEBIRTH FREEDOM IN PA

THANK YOU for the overwhelming support of Diane Goslin, and the freedom to birth at home in Pennsylvania. THANK YOU to everyone who joined us on January 26th at the State Board of Medicine offices, and at the State Capital, from Maryland, to Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New York, and most of all, Lancaster county. Thank you to the Amish community for showing their strong support.

News story about rally: ABC27

Also on our site is a transcript of BWB member Nataki McNeal Bhatti's speech at the rally.

Please visit our website often, as we will be updating the continued work towards the legitimization of homebirth midwives in PA. Check out how the U.K. is changing its birth practices BBC article.