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Choices in Childbirth      Choices News You are subscribed as mmmbarnes@blueyonder.co.uk Choices Reminder Documentary film ‘THE BUSINESS OF BEING BORN’ - premier review ‘THE BUSINESS OF BEING BORN’ comes to South Yorkshire A call for action 2: homebirths withdrawn in Bradford Postcard: Women Deserve Better Maternity Services! La Leche League meetings in West Yorkshire Controversial Breastfeeding Research Mass Breastfeeding at IKEA  The UK Film Premiere of ‘ORGASMIC BIRTH’ Supporting mothers into business: two events Odds and Ends  Ducking a Midwife  Choices Reminder Bradford Choices is the 2nd Tuesday of the month, 13th May 2008, beginning at 7.30pm with tea and home made cake. This month we have both quality time with Independent Midwife Michelle Whittle and a visitor, Midwife Charlotte Rhodes who practices reflexology and is doing her advanced training.  Bradford Choices is at the home of Ruth WESTON, 45 Downside Cresc, Allerton, BRADFORD, BD15 7LH.  Call Ruth on 01274 781358 (evenings only), or Michelle 077990 38376 if you need further directions.  Bradford Choices advanced notice: June 10th, Simon Ward, father of two and acupuncturist will demonstrate how acupuncture and acupressure can support pregnancy and birth.  All welcome 10th June! Calderdale Choices is the final Wednesday of the month and is hosted and facilitated by independent midwife Susan Stephenson.  Sue also runs antenatal classes on a similar basis.  Do call Susan on 01422 825593 for more information and to book. Calderdale Choices: Antenatal Classes run by Susan within the Choices ethos, for more information call Sue on 01422 825 593 Leeds Choices is the first Wednesday of the month and is facilitated by IM Debs Neiger and NCT Homebirth co-ordinator Stevie Welbourne.  Contact Midwife Debs Neiger 07900 900 206 for more information. Wakefield Choices had its second meeting 31st March.  Contact Sue for more information on the next meeting: Tel. 07791 498314. Sue is a hypnotherapist so take the opportunity to talk to her about this as well. Choices in York is known as the local homebirth group for women and their partners who want a home birth or are thinking about it and want more info. They often talk about other birth choices, ie 3rd stage/ Vit k, induction / water/ tens/ hypnoBirthing. The York contact is Clare Round 01759 388020. Generally the meetings are held on the first monday of the month. s. More Documentary film ‘THE BUSINESS OF BEING BORN’ premier reviewInspired by her own experience, actress Ricki Lake approached filmmaker Abby Epstein to collaborate on a film that would examine birth culture in America and ask questions about the way American women have babies Ruth Weston, attended the ‘must-see movie for anyone even thinking about having a baby!’  on 14th April and sat on the discussion panel after the film with Naomi Whitelaw (obstetrician) and Annie Francis (Independent Midwife).  She says: I found the film both intellectually stimulating, entertaining and at times immensely moving.  It charts the journey of Rikki Lake, to understanding the choices she has for the birth of her baby, the consequences of those choices and why maternity care is the way it is.   The statistics presented are stark: the US has one of the most medicalised birth rates in the western world and one of the highest maternity mortality rates in the Western World.  The documentary films an obstetric hospital as the normal place of birth for American women and it films a state registered midwife in action visiting her caseload.  The births filmed show sensitivity and tact; and are immensely moving mainly because these are clearly ordinary women giving birth, in the bath, in the pool, on the floor.  Some seem serene others scream the place down. Without wanting to spoil the end of the film, it shows the breadth and depth of understanding of the way birth is – and so leaves us with many more questions than when we began.  It truly is a film to be watched and discussed. It is an American film about birth in the US and this could be its weakness with a UK audience, however I think it presents the UK audience with much food for thought about what birth choices we are offering to mothers in the UK, and the direction our maternity services are taking us – and whether this is something we want.”  To find out more and see a film preview visit www.saveindependentMidwifery.org Also find out where the film is now being shown across the country (cf below).. More ‘THE BUSINESS OF BEING BORN’ comes to South Yorkshire Graece Sheffield Homebirth Group in partnership with Yoga Birth Sheffield are delighted to announce the Sheffield Premiere of the documentary film ‘THE BUSINESS OF BEING BORN’. Released in the USA in January 2008, it has great relevance to anyone with an interest in childbirth. See www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com for further details and a trailer of the film. The screening will take place at the Showroom, Sheffield, on Saturday 17th May, at 2.00pm, there will be discussion after the screening, led by Mavis Kirkham, Emeritus Professor of Midwifery, Sheffield Hallam University and the ticket price will also include refreshments. Tickets £10 - for further information or to book a place please contact Olivia Lester via email olivia.lester@virgin.net or telephone 0114 2678 948. Other screenings of The Business of Being Born Other screenings of The Business of Being Born: Kings College, London 8th May, Milton Keynes 14th May, Sheffield 17th May, Nottingham 24th May, Bristol 5th June, Bath 13th June, Southampton 14th June Leicester 17th + 18th June, Northampton tbc, Hackney tbc,St Albans tbc, And in Blackburn on 30th April!!!For more information on venues and ticket sales. Please visit www.saveindependentmidwifery.org More A call for action 2: homebirths withdrawn in Bradford    Following on from the Premier of the Business of Being Born a new opportunity to take action in Bradford has come about.  At the Premier we were being offered fantastic postcards addressed to the local PCT Chief Executive, and entitiled: “Women Deserve Better Maternity Services – Now it is time to provide them!  I am proposing that 1000 Bradford based mothers, fathers, grannies, grandads, sisters, midwives, health visitors, anyone with a care for the welfare of mothers and babies, signs a card and returns them to me.  We will then deliver 1000 cards to the PCT Chief Executive – representing one sixth of the birth rate in Bradford, demanding delivery of the promises contained in the Government’s Maternity Matters Report. Obviously I need your help to do this. I need you to sign a card, I need you to take 10 or 15 or 20 cards and get your friends and relatives and neighbours signing these cards.  I have done this with about 120 cards this week without trying, so with your help we can make an impact very quickly. You can obtain the cards from me at Unit 80 Carlisle Business Centre, BD8 8BD, I will post them out to you if you either email me at ruth@aquabirths.co.uk or call 0845 230 1381. Alternatively why not copy the text below into an email and send if to me and I will put it in the post sack with the others! Then email it to your Bradford friends to do the same, and see if we cannot get to 1000 in just a few weeks! If you are out of Bradford area – then why not start your own postcard campaign? Visit www.saveindependentmidwfery.org for more information.  Finally remember:  that if you have booked a homebirth and  when you ring for a midwife in labour they say there is no one on call you can insist on remaining at home and a midwife will come to you.  You do not have to go into hospital if you do not want to.  Visit www.Aims.org.uk  for more information and advice. If you have had a homebirth or you are someone who supports women choosing where to birth in Bradford.  Please write to Julie Walker the Head of Midwifery at Bradford Julie.Walker@bradfordhospitals.nhs.uk and Miles Scott, Chief Executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals Miles.Scott@bradfordhospitals.nhs.uk copying it to your local MP. More Postcard: Women Deserve Better Maternity Services – Now its time to provide them! This Government has made a commitment that by the end of 2009 ‘every woman will be supported by a midwife she knows and trusts throughout her pregnancy and after birth.’ The PCT can help make this a reality: By ensuring that women have direct access to community caseload midwifery and homebirth as promised in the Maternity Matters report. By commissioning the services of local independent midwives who offer individualized, woman focussed care. Women birthing with a known midwife are: more likely to have a normal birth, less likely to have forceps or caesareans, less likely to need drugs, likely to have a shorter labour, more likely to breastfeed, more likely to be happy with the experience, less likely to suffer postnatal depression. To Simon Morritt, Chief Executive of Bradford & Airedale Primary Care Trust I choose my hairdresser, I choose my dentist, I want to choose my midwife! From: Name . . . .  . . . . . .Address . . . . For more information go to www.saveindependentmidwfery.org Copy and complete. If you live in Bradford or Airedale, send it to me at ruth@aquabirths.co.uk .  If you live elsewhere email it to your PCT chief executive. See www.networks.nhs.uk/189.php Many thanks for your time – it will really make a difference!  Watch this space! More   La Leche League meetings in West Yorkshire Are you a breastfeeding mum, expecting a baby or supporting a mum to breastfeed?Come and share the highs and lows of parenting with other breastfeeding mums. Babies and toddlers welcome Individual breastfeeding help available.  Please phone to confirm date, time and venue before setting off  LLL Calderdale meets in Hebden Bridge- roving venue. 10am-12 noon. 1st Tuesday of the month contact Ellen 01422 844314LLL LLL Bradford meets at the Desmond Tutu centre on Great Horton Rd, 2nd and last Wednesday of the month, 10am –12 noon contact Ellen 01422 844314LLL LLL Wharfedale - Meets 1st Friday of the month (2nd Friday in April, 11th), 10am-12 noon, Lower Hall – Christ Church, The Grove, Ilkley Contact Barbara 01943 430622 LLL Harrogate, meets on 3rd Thursday of the month, 10am- 12 noon, CVS offices on East Parade Contact Ruth 01943 461051 Web address: www.laleche.org.uk National helpline number  0845 120 2918 La Leche League Great Britain is a company limited by guarantee registered in England Number 01566925. If you want this in flier format please email barbara@olicana.org . More Controversial Breastfeeding Research Two links to some controversial research done in Airedale.  As you see it has provoked some sharp discussion.  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7355094.stm Also http://adc.bmj.com/cgi/eletters/adc.2006.107102v1 If you are a first time breastfeeding mother reading this information – be aware that it is research and discussion.  The most important thing is that you find a way of breastfeeding your baby that works for you – continuing breastfeeding is more important than any dictates as to how to do it.  Listen to what works for other Mums (eg at a LLL meeting) and then work out what works for you More Mass Breastfeeding at IKEASarah Powell writes: I am emailing you to invite you to become involved in organising a big event for May’s Breast Feeding Awareness Week.  Last year I was involved in the ‘big feed’ at Ikea and really wanted to repeat the experience as the feedback from the attending mums was so positive.  Ikea remain very supportive and it’s hard to find a venue with free cake, coffee and good parking so I have booked them again.  They are happy for us to have as much space and cake as we need on Wednesday 14th May 11am and are happy to provide a raffle prize or similar.  Last year we had a lovely mixture of mums who were involved with NCT branches or Peer Supporter groups and got good press coverage.  It gets harder to get the local news to cover the event each year but they seem to find that bigger is better so I wondered whether we could really showcase the provision for breastfeeding mums by having representatives and mums from the different local (ish!) breastfeeding groups be they Baby Café, NCT or Peer Supporter.    The size and nature of the venue mean that we can really have a proper breastfeeding mums and supporters get together which is lovely all by itself and even better with good media coverage and public promotion of breastfeeding.  It . . .will be best if there is a person or team from every baby café, NCT and Peer Supporter group working to recruit breastfeeding mums  . . ..  To highlight the number of different groups I wondered whether we should all get creative and make some banners representing our particular organisations?   To keep a track on involvement I am happy to be the email coordinator and to share any of the ideas that you have for making the event work as well as it can.    We do have some posters and flyers that I will email to you in a following email  I can send hard copies too if you want some.  no time to delay…can you help?   Sarah Powell BFC Wakefield NCT sarahpowelli@ntlworld.com More Research Project on lay involvement in health promotion activities The expert hearings for the People in Public Health project are to take place on: Thursday 5th June, Friday 13th June and Weds 25th June 2008. Please visit our web page for more Information: http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk/health/piph/hearings.htm ************************************** Dr Angela Meah Research Fellow People in Public Health (PiPH) Centre for Health Promotion Research Leeds Metropolitan University Faculty of Health Queen Square House Leeds, LS2 8AF  Email: a.meah@leedsmet.ac.uk Tel: 0113 8124372 or 07930 803771  People in Public Health: Register your interest: http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk/health/piph/index.htm. More The UK Film Premiere of ‘ORGASMIC BIRTH’YOU ARE INVITED TO The UK Film Premiere of ‘ORGASMIC BIRTH’ A documentary that examines the intimate nature of birth and the powerful role it plays in parent’s lives  when they are permitted to experience it.   Powerful, passionate and thought provoking, with commentary by a dozen pre-eminent health professionals and many couples who share their birthing journey, Orgasmic Birth dismantles untruths about labour and birth that women have been told for generations. The women in this film are transfigured and transformed with the power of their own bodies.  Thursday 29 May London   Reception: 18:30  Hors d'oeuvres buffet included (cash bar/drinks) Film: 19:15PM Panel discussion to follow screening Venue: Baden-Powell House, 65-67 Queen’s Gate, South Kensington, London   Debra Pascali-Bonaro, the director of the film, will introduce the screening and afterwards be part of a  panel discussion with leading UK birth educators.    Tickets for this unique event are £15  Available at  www.fatherstobe.org    (0)1892890614  SPONSORED BY FATHERS-TO-BE A preview clip is available at www.orgasmicbirth.com    If your organisation would like to host a screening please contact us. Patrick Houser of F2B is the UK agent for this wonderful film. More Supporting mothers into business: two events The aim of Inspiring YOU is to help you consider working for yourself as a career option.  If you are short on motivation and confidence but big on ideas and looking for that extra support then join us at this inspirational event. During the session we will explore what you love doing and look at the potential to turn it into a business idea.  Inspiring YOU will include: *        Motivational talks by guest speakers     *        Confidence building and creativity workshops *        Stalls Date:Friday 16th May 2008 Time: 10:00am to 1:00pm (registration from 9:30am. Buffet lunch from 12:00 – 1:00pm) Venue: Café West, Wanstead Crescent, Allerton, Bradford BD15 7PA. To book a place or for more information please contact Shelley on 01274 223347 or email: shelley@digitalife.co.uk.Woman 2 Woman 14th May 2008 If you are looking to get out, grow your business and meet like-minded women who are out to do the same, then Woman to Woman is the place to do it. These FREE informal networking sessions bring together mothers who run businesses and women who run businesses for mothers. The aim of the sessions is to provide a forum where women can offer each other support, advice and referrals to help grow their own businesses. The next Woman to Woman Session is sponsored by Bizfizz (cf. www.bizzfizz.org.uk ) and will be held at the fabulous and tasty 'Vicars' Cafe Bistro, 79 Victoria Road, Saltaire, Bradford, BD18 3JS on 14th May 2008. The session is from 10am -12 noon and will include coffee. Of course people can stay on afterwards to network over the very good lunches the Vicar provides! The keynote speaker for the session will be Celia Hickson, bizzfiiz coach. A mother herself who has also run a business, she has a particular flair for systems and processes in business. Ruth Weston of Aquabirths pool specialists, will act as facilitator for the networking session, to help you get the most from your time at Woman to Woman. If you want to come along, here's what you need to do: • put the date in your diary • email ruth@aquabirths.co.uk with your name, organisation name/business type, phone number and details of any guests you will be bringing along with you • bring your address/ contacts book to the session so that you can offer referrals to others  • come with an idea of the kind of people you want to meet at the session  • come along on 14th May 2008 with a handful of business cards, ready to expand your circle of acquaintances You can also call Ruth on 0845 230 1381 . More Odds and EndsRuth’s Sheffield Home Birth Conference speech is really now on the website www.AquabirthsAtHome.co.uk  The 28th Day of Dance will take place on Saturday 10th May at the Victoria Hall, Saltaire, West Yorkshire.  With 55 daytime workshops in dance, song and more there is something for everyone at this hugely popular event.Go to www.dayofdance.co.uk to download your booking form today! Thankyou to everyone who came to my 40th Birthday Party and made it such a wonderful day! What Charlotte Church said about breastfeeding: http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/Breast-is-best.4033689.jp Breastfeeding growth charts a step closer: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6943949.stm Feedback from a reader: hi Ruth, Just wanted to say what a great newsletter you put out. well done. ~ my best wishes, Veronika Veronika Robinson, Editor ~ The Mother magazine  www.themothermagazine.co.uk        Author ~ The Drinks Are On Me ~ everything your mother never told you about breastfeeding. To order see www.artofchange.co.uk or phone + 44 (0)1342 823 809 Mentoring ~ www.veronikarobinson.com More Ducking a MidwifeStory in the Kentish Gazette. See the picture here: http://www.kentishgazette.co.uk/news/default.asp?article_id=40914 http://www.kentishgazette.co.uk/paper/default.asp?article_id=9315 A MIDWIFE splashed back to Medieval times to help stop independent professionals from going under. Virginia Howes, who runs the Ashford-based Kent Midwifery Practice waded into the River Stour to draw attention to the Save Independent Midwifery Campaign. She was watched by midwives from across the county and some of their clients at the Weavers Restaurant while an effigy was placed in the ducking stool. A lack of insurance means hundreds of independent midwives up and down the country could be forced to stop work by the end of next year in the face of government guidelines. Her 'ducking' stunt echoed the tradition of the fate of witches and midwives who were often treated with suspicion. Partner at Kent Midwifery Practice, Kay Hardie, said: "No one will insure us. "We are a high risk group and the pot is small for any coverage because we work outside the NHS. We offer invaluable one-to-one care for pregnant women and many more are choosing alternative methods to give birth." She added: "We hope that the primary care trusts will buy our services in the same way they do GP services. In that way we would have insurance coverage."Look out for this story in the Times this week. . . .. More To unsubscribe, please click here. Brought to you because of the generosity of Aquabirths, www.aquabirths.co.uk, 0845 230 1381 Every blessing to you all Ruth Weston, ruth@aquabirths.co.uk