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Nicette Jukelevics, MA, ICCE
e-CIMS Editor
1500 Sunday Dr, Ste 102
Raleigh, NC 27607
Tel 1: 888-282-CIMS
Tel 2: 919-863-9482
Fax: 919-787-4916
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Greetings!
Many exciting new developments are happening at CIMS. We have a whole new look. And now offer a whole lot more! For starters, we've recently updated our web site at www.MotherFriendly.org.
Given the unsettling trends in U.S. maternity care, we recognize the dire and urgent need for collaboration within the maternity care community to affect change. CIMS is now a member of the National Quality Forum (NQF) Consumer Council, a significant voice in the ongoing quality improvement efforts in maternity care.
CIMS is taking a historic step this year by formalizing CIMS membership to unify and leverage our efforts, and to become "One Voice" that speaks for and promotes Mother-Friendly Care. We invite you to join the CIMS Coalition at this critical time and help us to become a powerful force for safer maternity care practices. As you will read, CIMS has already made a significant contribution to the current national debate. With many new programs and products already unveiled, and more to come, we're sure that the new CIMS will continue to inspire your passion for Mother-Friendly Care.
Sincerely,
Mayri Sagady Leslie, CNM, MSN
Chair, Coalition for Improving Maternity Services |
 2008 Mother-Friendly Childbirth Forum Highlights
CIMS took the lead in addressing the nation's maternity care crisis and how to improve it at the 2008 Mother-Friendly Childbirth Forum in Kissimmee, Fla., March 6-8. Top experts in maternity care research brought attention to the disturbing trends that directly affect mother and infant health, and frontline care providers presented success stories of evidence-based childbirth improvement efforts they have initiated in their own communities.
The presentations of Keynote speakers Charles S. Mahan, MD, dean and professor emeritus of the College of Public Health at the University of South Florida and the Lawton and Rhea Chiles Center for Healthy Mothers and Babies, and Eugene R. Declercq, PhD, MBA, assistant dean for Doctoral Education at the Boston University School of Public Health, are available for download on the CIMS web site. CIMS honored Dr. Mahan with the 2008 Sharron S. Humenick Award for his outstanding contributions to Mother-Friendly Care. Following her riveting presentation, Keynote speaker Jennifer Block, journalist and author, graciously participated in a lengthy Q & A period and signed copies of her new book Pushed: The Painful Truth About Childbirth and Modern Maternity Care.
Please join us at the 2009 Mother-Friendly Childbirth Forum in San Diego, Calif., March 5-7, at the Handlery Hotel. Online registration to open in Fall 2008, at www.MotherFriendly.org. |
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CIMS comments on National Voluntary Consensus Standards for Perinatal Care
As a member of the National Quality Forum (NQF) Consumer Council, CIMS submitted its member comments last week on the perinatal care measures. These performance measures address perinatal care received during the last trimester of pregnancy through hospital discharge of both mother and newborn and are critical in the movement to improve the maternity care system in the U.S. While the NQF has already endorsed several performance measures pertaining to maternity and newborn care, this is the first time NQF has considered for endorsement a comprehensive set of perinatal measures. CIMS' membership on the NQF Consumer Council lends our unique maternity care perspective to the ongoing national dialogue about health care quality reporting and measurement. Among other potential impacts, leaders in Medicaid and other payors of maternity care will be watching these new measures for guidance on reimbursement policies. Visit NQF's Perinatal Care Project web page for a complete list of perinatal measures, supporting information, and public and member comments submitted on the proposed measures. |
Advocates blast AMA, ACOG for resolution to criminalize home birth
In response to the surge in public and media interest in home birth as an option for healthy, low risk women, the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates adopted resolution 205 introduced by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) that commits the AMA's significant resource base to the development of "model legislation in support of the concept that the safest setting for labor, delivery, and the immediate post-partum period is in the hospital...". Sources report that the initial draft of the resolution went so far as to reference Ricki Lake, executive producer of the eye-opening documentary The Business of Being Born (BoBB), by name. Lake, BoBB Director Abby Epstein, and Author Jennifer Block teamed up to write a powerful response blasting the AMA and ACOG for engaging in a turf war at the expense of American women and their babies. Buy BoBB on DVD today -- a portion of the sales will benefit CIMS. |
| CIMS research featured at International Confederation of Midwives Conference
Members of the CIMS Expert Work Group (EWG), whose research was published in CIMS Evidence Basis for the Ten Steps of Mother-Friendly Care (Journal of Perinatal Education, Winter 2007), were invited to present at the International Confederation of Midwives' (ICM) 28th Triennial Congress in Glasgow, Scotland, June 1-5. The EWG was represented by members Mayri Sagady Leslie, Judith Lothian and Debra Woolley. Other key presentations at the Congress included new research on the U.S. Optimality Index by U.S. researchers Lisa Kane Lowe, Holly Powell Kennedy and others. Homebirth researchers K.C Johnson and B.A. Daviss presented an update on their Canadian/U.S. study and discussed a forthcoming study from California showing equivalent outcomes in homebirth, birth center and hospital births when competent care is provided. |
| Royal College of Midwives invites CIMS to participate in strategic discussion on a global campaign for normal birth
While at the ICM Congress, worldwide midwifery organization leaders discussed possible ways to form a global alliance for normal birth, including strategies for "first steps" such as data sharing, creating a committee within ICM, and sharing successes. CIMS reported on our current activities and our organization was examined as a model of change. The new International MotherBaby Childbirth Initiative (IMBCI) was also shared. The IMBCI was developed by the International MotherBaby Childbirth Organization - previously CIMS' international committee - to promote the IMBCI: 10 Steps to Optimal Maternity Services worldwide. |
| CIMS' Transparency in Maternity Care Project featured at annual ACNM meeting
On May 27, Amy Romano presented "Transparency in Maternity Care: Bringing Birth Out of the Dark to Improve Quality" to over 100 attendees at the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) 53rd Annual Meeting in Boston, Mass. Ms. Romano presented the evidence basis for ensuring transparency in maternity care, a review of the literature showing that rates of intervention as well as outcomes vary widely across providers and facilities, and how transparency initiatives have been effective in driving quality improvement both in maternity care and in other specialties. Ms. Romano presented the plans for and progress on CIMS' innovative transparency project--The Birth Survey, spearheaded by the CIMS Grassroots Advocates Committee (GAC). Participants in the audience recognized that midwives, who provide high quality care with excellent outcomes, have much to gain by promoting transparency initiatives.
Ms. Romano is a midwife practicing in Connecticut and one of the members of the CIMS Expert Work Group. Ms. Romano previously served on the GAC Steering Committee in 2007 and authored the Lamaze International fact sheet on transparency.
CIMS is hitting the road to spread the word about Mother-Friendly Care and The Birth Survey. While you're out and about this summer, look for representatives from CIMS at these upcoming conferences:
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| The Birth Survey to launch nationally Aug. 1. Volunteers needed.
CIMS' Transparency in Maternity Care Project: The Birth Survey, the brainchild of CIMS' Grassroots Advocates Committee, is poised to transform the way in which women identify and choose their maternity care providers and birthing facilities. Through The Birth Survey, women share feedback on their maternity care providers and birthing institutions with other women in their communities to help them to make informed choices about childbirth. Already, women have reviewed more than 1,000 New York City physicians and midwives, and 24 hospitals and birthing centers. Starting Aug. 1, 2008, The Birth Survey will be available to women nationally to review their providers and birthing institutions. Become a The Birth Survey Ambassador to help spread the word and/or collect data by emailing info @ thebirthsurvey.com. |
| CIMS partners with Duke University to develop a policy manual for administrators
The CIMS Evidence and Action Committee (EAC), in collaboration with Duke University School of Nursing is developing a Sample Policy and Procedure Manual for the Ten Steps of Mother-Friendly Care. Under the direction of faculty member and former hospital consultant Helen Gordon, CNM, MS, Duke students are helping to develop a "best practices" policy manual for birth centers and hospital maternity units. Gordon is also studying for a doctorate. "We are very excited about all of the upcoming products," said Barbara Hotelling, chair of the EAC. "The Policy Manual, in particular, will help us to bring Mother-Friendly Care closer to reality than ever by giving birth facilities the tools they need to provide care consistent with CIMS' Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative." The Policy Manual is part of CIMS' new professional line of products currently in development. |
| CIMS endorses the National Birth Policy Coalition organizing statement
CIMS recently announced its support of the National Birth Policy Coalition (NBPC) and The Big Push for Midwives Campaign. CIMS shares the NBPC's commitment to the health and well-being of childbearing women and their babies. CIMS' evidence-based Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative (ratified in July 1996) supports the Midwives Model of Care and recommends access to professional midwifery services for all birthing mothers as the first of the ten steps toward providing Mother-Friendly maternity care. To learn more, visit the NBPC web site. |
| Lamaze Launches New Weekly Pregnancy Newsletter for Parents
Lamaze International launched a new weekly pregnancy e-mail newsletter for expectant parents. This free weekly e-mail, entitled Lamaze: Building Confidence Week by Week, features trustworthy information, practical tips and inspirational stories to help guide women and families through pregnancy and beyond. |
Two important new breastfeeding studies now available online
Two recent studies about the importance of effective support for breastfeeding mothers are now available at no cost on the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative web site:
- Kronborg H et al (2008) Health visitors and breastfeeding support: influence of knowledge and self-efficacy. Eur J Public Health; 18(3): 283-288
- McInnes RJ, Chambers JA (2008) Supporting breastfeeding mothers: qualitative synthesis. Journal of Advanced Nursing; 62 (4): 407-427
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CIMS Board of Directors seeking applications
The CIMS Leadership Team (LT, i.e. Board of Directors) is seeking applications from individuals with interest in serving on the CIMS LT. The CIMS LT is a working board with members contributing approximately 10 hours per week. Individuals who share CIMS commitment to Mother-Friendly Care and who possess prior Board of Trustees experience, non-profit leadership experience or business leadership experience are encouraged to apply. CIMS has a non-voting membership according to its bylaws. New LT members are chosen by the CIMS LT. Email your resume/CV to info @ motherfriendly.org. | |
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