Midwifery & Doula News from SMS
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February 2009
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Volume 7 No 2
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Greetings!
Late winter greetings from Seattle Midwifery School!
Things are jumping here at SMS as spring approaches. We hope you'll pay special attention to news of the proposed merger of Bastyr University and Seattle Midwifery School. An FAQ page designated to answer your questions on this subject is coming soon to the SMS web site.
Also exciting are two upcoming events--the SMS Clothing Swap, coming Friday March 6th and the SMS Annual Auction, coming Friday, May 1st at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Seattle.
We look forward to seeing you this spring!
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SMS Clothing Swap: The Perfect Plan for Economic Recovery!
Friday, March 6, 2009 at 6 PM at SMS
 Bring friends, clothes, accessories, shoes and books to swap! Join us for a unique women's night out! This event is a 3-way blast -- you'll recycle clothes you don't want any more, pick up some great new items for your closet, enjoy great food AND support doulas, midwives and other childbirth professionals at all once! If you've never been to a clothing swap, don't miss it! Despite the current economic worries, this is your chance to look great, even if your bank account doesn't!
We will also have a book swap. Bring your old books in a box with the spines up for easy viewing. $25 recommended donation. Snacks and drinks are provided!! Click here to register>
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| Contact Us |
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info@seattlemidwifery.org
4000 NE 41st Street
Building D, Suite 3
Seattle, Washington 98105
206.322.8834 / 800.747.9433
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Proposed Merger of Bastyr University and Seattle Midwifery School
Bastyr University and Seattle Midwifery School, including the Simkin School for Allied Birth Vocations, are pleased to announce that we have entered into a due diligence process to work out the details of a proposed merger of our two organizations. Click here to read the Joint Statement of Intent.
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International Center for Traditional Childbearing (ICTC) Meets Goal, Thanks to 2008 Grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation
The 2008 grant has funded partial and full scholarships to train women to work as doulas in communities of color, according to a recent article at BlackNews.com. Thanks to the grant, ICTC has met their goal to offer trainings in five states. Congratulations ICTC! Read more>
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Essay Contest for Undergraduate and Graduate Students on Obama's Health Care Framework
Are you a graduate or undergraduate student interested in US Health Care Policy? Kaiser is sponsoring an essay contest with a $1,000 prize for both undergrad and graduate winners. Essay will be in response to President Obama's proposed framework for reforming health care. For more information and to enter> Deadline is March 2, 2009. |
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Congratulations to "The Big Push" for a Successful Media Blitz!
Click here to read the Associated Press news release published by "The Big Push for Midwives" on January 28 following their email campaign to President Obama. According to Steff Hedenkamp, Campaign Communications Coordinator, this great public awareness piece has been picked up by hundreds of print and online media outlets in the US and internationally--and they keep hearing about more every day!
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More Research Discourages Elective Term Delivery Before 39 WeeksThe February 2009 issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology contained another study confirming that a greater risk of adverse outcomes is associated with elective term delivery at less than 39 weeks completed gestation. The authors conclude that "for over 2 decades, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has advocated the restriction of elective term delivery to women with a confirmed gestational age of at least 39 weeks. Our data support the ongoing validity and importance of these recommendations, as well as the fact that they are disregarded in at least 10% of all deliveries."
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Save the Date!
 Join us Friday evening, May 1st at the fabulous Pan Pacific Hotel in Seattle for the SMS Annual Auction. This year's theme is Connect! and we are planning a very exciting and very different kind of event. Stay tuned for more details, but mark your calendars now! |
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Excellent Editorial - "The Authorities Resolve Against Home Birth" from JOGNN"I am very proud to be an American, but I am embarrassed that our country, founded on the ideals of individual liberty and freedom, can also support 'authoritative' initiatives such as these by the ACOG and AMA, initiatives that are founded on neither science nor an understanding of the physiologic and psychosocial needs of mothers and babies," said Nancy K. Lowe in an editorial published in the recent Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, Neonatal Nursing, the official journal of the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN).
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Allied Organization Spotlight
Postpartum Mood Disorder Support Groups
The mission of Postpartum Support International of WA is to overcome the effects of Postpartum Mood Disorders (PPMD) through early identification and treatment, thereby ensuring a healthy environment in which both mother and baby can thrive together. At least 1 in 10 new mothers experiences various degrees of Postpartum Depression. For information about support groups in Washington State, click here.
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Birth Matters Virginia announces a birth video contest!
* 1st place prize: $1000 * 2nd place prize: $500 * Honorable Mention: $100 * Deadline for Entry is 11:59pm on Mother's Day, May 10, 2009*
As a step toward the goal of educating women about their choices and options, Birth Matters Virginia is soliciting short videos about evidence-based maternity and delivery care. They want videos that will appeal to and inspire new audiences that may not have previously been exposed to any model of childbirth other than the version we see on television and in movies: dangerous, uncertain, excruciating, and usually in need of extensive and often emergency medical interventions. Birth doesn't have to be this scary, and people need good information in order to make good choices. For more information and to enter>
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Upcoming Conferences
Breastfeeding for Doulas Course at Birth & Beyond, Seattle
Birth and Beyond is pleased to offer a DONA-approved class tailored to the needs of labor and postpartum doulas. The 3-hour course will focus on breastfeeding in the family's home. The instructor, Dolly Smith RN, MS, IBCLC, has many years of experience working with birth families, adoptive parents and doulas. Feb 27, 2009, 1-4 pm. More information and to register>
Coalition for Improving Maternity Services - 2009 Mother-Friendly Childbirth Forum: One Voice for Mother-Friendly Care
CIMS annual forum comes to the west coast this year.
March 5-7, San Diego CA. For more info and to register>
Midwifery Today Conference - Nurturing a Better Future through Birth
March 11-12 (pre-conference), 13-15 (conference). More information>
Barbara Harper's Waterbirth Credentialing Workshop
The Kitsap Birth Collective, a not-for-profit organization offering outreach and workshops in the Kitsap area, is hosting Barbara Harper's Waterbirth Credentialing Workshop on March 18, 2009. Space is limited and CEUs are available so don't delay! For more information, click here for brochure (pdf) or click here to register online.
Breastfeeding for Doulas Course with Sarah Huntington in Olympia
This course meets the DONA certification requirements for a three-hour breastfeeding course and is designed specially for emerging doulas. March 24, 7-10 pm. More information>
REACHE Conference: Why Are We All So Afraid? Perspectives on How Fear and Risk Impact Birth (Featuring Jennifer Block, author of Pushed)
Friday, April 17, 2009 at UW Center for Urban Horticulture. Read more and register>
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Pregnant in Seattle? - Panelists Needed
The Simkin School is seeking pregnant women in their third trimester to be
panelists for our popular Birth Doula Labor Support Course.
It's a lot of fun and a great chance to help aspiring doulas learn
about the emotions of pregnancy. We need panelists for Saturday, February 28 and Saturday, April 18, 2009 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm. Honorarium offered. Contact us by email or call Annie Kennedy at 206.322.8834 x115 for more information.
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We've truly appreciated the feedback you've given us on the SMS eNews. Please keep it coming. We welcome your input and, certainly, any news that affects women, babies and families in the childbearing year. You can write to us by simply replying to this email. And please share this with your friends by using the "forward email" link, which will give them the benefit of the graphics and photos. They will not be automatically subscribed to the list, but they can sign up if they like!
Sincerely,
Seattle Midwifery School
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