- Are you affiliated with any political
or religious organization?
- What is a Birth Circle?
- What is evidence-based care?
- I have some questions about birth, but there are
no Birth Matters classes in my community. Is there someone from
Birth Matters who can answer my questions?
- Who can attend your classes? Is there a cost?
- Can I start a Birth Matters group in my community?
- What is your Annual Awards Dinner?
1. Are you affiliated with any political or religious organization?
No, we have no religious or political affiliation or agenda. We are a non-profit
organization with the sole purpose of providing childbirth education and support
to our communities.
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2. What is a Birth Circle?
Birth Circle is an informal gathering of mothers and mothers-to-be. We hold
that pregnancy is a normal, healthy life process that should be honored and
respected. We dialogue about informed choices for birthing women and their
families and seek to support each other in our childbearing years. We share
our experiences, our resources, our birth stories, our hopes, our fears,
our questions, our concerns, and our joys. We celebrate birth!
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3. What is evidence-based care?
Evidence-based care is a type of care in which the medical studies are consulted
to help you and your caregiver decide the
safety and usefulness of all procedures used. With evidence-based care, only
procedures that are proven by research to be safe and beneficial are done routinely.
Other procedures which are not supported by the medical evidence are weighed
carefully, taking your personal circumstances into account. This is called "informed
consent". This may seem obvious, but, for example, routine use of epidurals
is not supported by the evidence. You can find information about epidurals
and other "routine" procedures on our website. We wish to share the
facts, so families can make informed decisions.
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4. I have some questions about birth, but there are no
Birth Matters classes in my community. Is there someone from
Birth Matters who can answer my questions?
Yes, you may call or email any of the local Birth Matters directors and they
will be happy to answer your questions or help you find someone who can. You
can also become a Birth Matters member and join our on-line Yahoo list. You
may post questions to our members, who are a diverse group of professionals
and mothers with lots of birthing experience.
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5. Who can attend your classes? Is there a cost?
Anyone interested in birth may attend our classes. You do not need to be a
Birth Matters member and there is no charge.
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6. Can I start a Birth Matters group in my community?
If you are interested in starting a Birth Matters group in your community,
please contact one of the local directors for more information.
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7. What is your Annual Awards Dinner?
We are continuing a tradition started by Midwifery Options for Mothers (MOM)
in which we honor childbirth providers and educators who are working to improve
the culture of birth in Virginia. Our dinner is held annually in different
locations around the state. We meet with others who are passionate about
birth, hear a speaker, honor our awardees and raise money to continue our
work.
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