Saturday, January 24, 2009

March for Better Birth: Ending VBAC Bans in MN!

The Minnesota Better Birth Coalition, of which ICAN-Twin Cities is a member, is promoting "better birth at lower cost for all women in Minnesota by organizing public support for legislation that will remove barriers to evidence-based, woman-and family-centered maternity care."

Please join us for a Day on the Hill on Monday, March 9th to celebrate better birth for Minnesota women and hope for an end to VBAC bans in Minnesota:


DAY ON THE HILL SCHEDULE
11:15am Meet at St. Joseph’s Hospital or Region’s Hospital
11:30am Depart for the Capitol
12:45pm Assemble on the Capitol Steps
1:00pm Rally in the Rotunda
2:00pm Talk With Your Legislators!

Maternity care costs are increasing while maternal and infant outcomes are
getting worse:
• Minnesota’s infant mortality rate, compared to worldwide figures,
surpasses our national standing but still ranks 32nd.
• Surgical births, which cost up to 3x more than vaginal births, are
performed at a rate of 26% and rising, with some metro area hospitals at
57%. Research suggests a cesarean rate of no more than 10-15%.
• Over 1/3 of Minnesota births are paid for with public dollars..
• Women, lacking appropriate information to make informed choices, are
experiencing unprecedented rates of postpartum depression.


THE PROBLEM?
Current practices are not governed by evidence-based care,
which provides the best care with the least harm.

Bring the whole family and join us in front of St. Joseph’s or Regions Hospital with signs sharing your message about how BIRTH MATTERS to you. Our two groups will meet and march up the Capitol steps together to let legislators know that Minnesota families deserve: better birth. lower cost.