They didn’t know we were seeds…indeed! I first saw these words in 2017 at the Women’s March in Washington DC. Today seeds of hope are sprouting shoots of life around infant and maternal mortality in the United States. Typically, we’re ranked last of all industrialized nations as a safe place to give birth. And that is still the case. But now, states like California are seeing the need to study this issue. “Momnibus” laws have been passed and the California Surgeon General aims to halve Maternal Mortality by 2026.
In addition, the World Health Organization has adopted the Midwifery Model of Care as the standard for pregnancy and birth. This kind of care is woman-centered. It regards birth as a normal life process and the midwife as a trusted pre and post natal care provider. Trust reduces fear which in turn reduces the need for costly and unnecessary interventions. This is good news for mothers, babies and the world.