The MAWS eBulletin
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Volume 2, Issue 1
January 2009
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Greetings!
Happy New Year from the MAWS Board of Directors!
I've just come from watching President Obama's inaugural ceremony with friends and I am infused with hope and a sense of what is possible. With the recent publication of the Milbank Report on Evidence-Based Maternity Care: What it is and What it can Achieve, Jennifer Block's powerfully stated op-ed piece in the LA Times beseeching the new administration to broaden the range of birth options for childbearing women and their families, the publication and distribution of the CPM Issue Brief, and the wide release and phenomenal response to Ricki Lake's documentary, "The Business of Being Born," it really feels like we're on a roll.
Here in Washington, licensed midwives are at the table along with representatives from ACOG, the Washington State Obstetrical Association, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American College of Nurse-Midwives exploring ways to lower the cesarean section rate and increase access to VBAC. YES WE CAN!
Please plan to join us in Olympia for MAWS' Annual Lobby Day: Tuesday, February 17th, from 8:00 - 5:00. Let's keep the momentum going!
Bright blessings to you all on this fine, fine day!
Audrey Levine
MAWS President
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The new discussion forum for Professional MAWS Members only is up!
Click here to register for the forum. Once we verify your membership, you will be able to log on and check it out. (You can see a screen shot of the forum with many of the great discussion categories in store for you by clicking here.) If you are reading this and are not a current member, renew your membership now. We think you'll find it a fun and useful tool.
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LOBBY DAY 2009
We will be gathering at 8:00 am at United Churches in Olympia, WA on Tuesday, February 17th for MAWS' Annual Lobby Day. Bagels, coffee, and tea will be served and we'll have a briefing from 8:15 - 8:45 am before heading out to meet with legislators. Stay tuned for details about our 2009 Legislative Agenda.
Directions to United Churches: Take exit 105 A off of I-5. At the stop light, proceed straight ahead, through the tunnel. At Capitol Boulevard, go right. United Churches is on the corner of Capitol and 11th Avenue. Please do not park in the Church parking lot or your car will get towed. On street parking (9 hour) is available.
Questions regarding Lobby Day, may be emailed to Amber Ulvenes the MAWS lobbyist (phone: 360.280.0384) or Sasha Henry, MAWS legislative liaison.
See you on February 17th!
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THANK YOU TO OUR 2009 MAWS BOARD MEMBERS
We are always grateful for those who step up each year to help continue the important work of MAWS. Please lend your support to the 2009 Board:
L-R - Audrey Levine, Molly Gray, Kristin Effland, Melissa Denmark, 2009 MAWS Board Officers
Audrey Levine, President
Kristin Effland, Vice President
Melissa Denmark, Secretary
Molly Gray, Treasurer
Midwife Members
Erin Curtiss, Quality Management Program (QMP) Chair
Suzy Myers, NACPM Liason
Chenelle Roberts, Membership Chair
Valerie Sasson, JUA Rep
Emily Streich, South Sound Regional Rep Sunita Iyer, Conference Committee
Consumer Members
Annthea Vining, Fundraising Chair
Melissa Petit, Consumer Member
Thanks to all the committee members and regional reps who contribute their time to the work of MAWS in addition to our voting board. These include:
Ann Tive, Northwest Regional Rep
Linda Marks, Eastern WA Regional Rep
Sasha Henry, Legislative Liaison
Bridget Carnahan, Legislative Committee
Elias Kass, Bastyr Student Rep
Tina Tsiakalis, SMS Student Rep
Jessica Balsam, Fundraising Committee
Midwives participating in the Quality Management Program include: Laurie Braunstein, Darlene Curtis, Carolee Hall, Geraldine Lee, Marge Mansfield, Winni McNamara, and Peggy Thurston
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PRACTICE UPDATES
Newborn Hearing Screening
Why screen
for hearing loss? Only approximately 50% of hearing loss in children is
traceable to risk factors such as family history of hearing loss,
illness during pregnancy or birth complications. By not screening we
miss 50% of all hearing impaired children. Click here for a full discussion from the Washington DOH, which includes a handout that can be shared with parents.
Substance Abuse Screening in Pregnancy
Substance abuse during pregnancy has been identified as an issue critical to
the health of mothers and babies from all socioeconomic groups. It is estimated
that in Washington State, between 8,000 and 10,000 infants born each year are
exposed prenatally to illegal drugs or alcohol. Click here for the revised screening guidelines document from the WA DOH.
Managing Hepatitis B positive mothers and out of hospital birth
Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
infection in a pregnant woman poses a serious risk to her infant at
birth. Without postexposure immunoprophylaxis, approximately 40% of
infants born to HBV-infected mothers in the United States will develop
chronic HBV infection. Of that 40%, approximately one-fourth will
eventually die from chronic liver disease or liver cancer.
Click here for a full discussion of the subject and additional resources. See the article below for a request from the State for input around working with Hepatitis B positive women in midwifery practice.
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PLEASE HELP GENERATE GUIDELINES FOR HEP B AND OUT-OF-HOSPITAL BIRTH
The DOH would like to hear about your
experiences in working with hepatitis B positive women and facilitating
post exposure prophylaxis for their infants. What has worked, what
didn't work? Do you routinely screen women for hepatitis B? Do you
accept hepatitis B positive women into your practice?
The goal of
starting this dialogue is to produce a protocol or guidelines for
ensuring that infants get the care that they need, maintain out of
hospital birth as an option for hepatitis B positive mothers, and
streamline the process of obtaining postexposure prophylaxis for
midwives and families.
Please offer your answers, thoughts, or feedback
via Melissa Denmark.
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 BUY PENNY SIMKIN'S NEW COMFORT MEASURES FOR CHILDBIRTH DVD & PENNY WILL DONATE 10% TO MAWS!
This 90-minute interactive DVD contains more than 40 techniques for reducing and managing the pain of labor contractions. Christiane Northrup, MD states, "Comfort Measures is wonderful. I suggest that it be required viewing for all pregnant couples and childbirth professionals." Use this link to buy it now or click here to read more about it.
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JANUARY IS THE TIME TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP!
This is a crucial time for midwives to be active in the health care arena. We must be visible and make our voices heard. Please support this important work by renewing your membership now!
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THANK YOU TO THE MAWS CONFERENCE COMMITTEE FOR A GREAT FALL CONFERENCE
 The MAWS Fall Conference was a great success, with approximately 75 people attending. There was a lively general meeting and informative workshops on Natural Induction Methods, NSTs, PIH/Preeclampsia/HELLP, and Room Air vs Oxygen in NRP. Thanks for your participation, and we look forward to seeing you this spring. Spring conference details will be coming soon.
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UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS
The Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS) Brings this Year's Forum to the West Coast
2009
Mother-Friendly Childbirth Forum: One Voice for Mother-Friendly Care,
CIMS annual forum will be held March 5-7 at the Handley Hotel &
Resort in San Diego, CA. CIMS offers excellent opportunities for
education and networking. Click here for more information and to register.
Midwifery Today Conference
Nurturing a Better Future through Birth
March 11-12, 2009 Pre-Conference; March 13-15, 2009 Conference
Visit the Midwifery Today Conference web page for more information and registration
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 and to register, click here.
REACHE Conference 2009: Why Are We All So Afraid?
Perspectives on How Fear and Risk Impact Birth
Friday, April 17, 2009 - 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
A conference examining the relative and absolute
risks of childbirth through the statistical, medical provider, and
consumer lenses. Featuring Jennifer Block, author of Pushed. Read more and register>
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This is your newsletter. Please send any feedback, suggestions or contributions to Kristin Effland.
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