Our Story
Mother Nature's Belly Pregnancy & Lactation Center Inc is a community based non-profit maternal and infant health organization. Our mission is to uphold the organic nature of pregnancy and childbirth, offer woman-centered care beginning in the preconception phase, throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period and related community education. We firmly believe in offering services, support and education that aid in reproductive equality, positive birth outcomes, decreased infant mortality rates and healthy mothers and babies.
The Impact
The Bellies, Birth & Babies Project is a fund raising effort which will provide the funds necessary to train 20 women as Community Doulas. The project is geared towards low-income women and young mothers. While the project will provide vital pregnancy and birth support to expectant and new mothers, it will also enhance the community by providing employment opportunities to women who often are underserved.
A doula helps fill this gap by providing support to the woman and her partner or support system throughout the childbearing year. A doula does not replace the support system; instead, they help support them so that they can focus on loving and encouraging the laboring woman. Doulas can serve as a source of information during pregnancy, labor and birth. A doula assists families in gathering information about their pregnancy, labor and the options available for delivery.
Doulas provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational support before and during labor, birth, and the immediate postpartum period. The intent of a doula is to help the woman have a safe and satisfying experience, as the woman defines it.
Doula support has positive effects on...
Birth Outcomes:
Labors are shorter.
There are fewer complications.
Cesarean rates are reduced.
There is less need for oxytocin to speed up labor.
Need for forceps is reduced.
Women request less pain medication and epidurals
The Mother:
Greater satisfaction with their birth experience.
More positive assessments of their babies.
Less postpartum depression.
The Baby:
Babies have shorter hospital stays with fewer admissions to special care nurseries.
Babies breastfeed more easily.
Mothers are more affectionate to their babies postpartum.
The Health Care System:
The cost of obstetrical care is dramatically reduced.
Women are pleased with the personalized care doulas offer.
What We Need
Our 2012 goal for the Bellies, Birth & Babies Fundraiser is $5,500. The funds will enable us to train 20 women as labor/postpartum doulas. The funds will be divided up as follows:
Each doula trainee will receive:
*A $250 scholarship to cover tuition expenses associated with the Community Doula Training & Certification Program
*Course materials
*A $25 transportation stipend
*One year certification, membership and mentorship
All donations are tax deductible on your 2012 tax return. Mother Nature's Belly Pregnancy & Lactation Center Inc is a tax-exempt non profit organization (Tax ID # 27-5409284).
Other Ways You Can Help
The work we do at Mother Nature's Belly Pregnancy & Lactation Center is paramount to the health and wellness of mother's and babies in our community. We ask that you please share this fund raising campaign with those in your circle. It's the contributions from our community and those who support our work that makes our program a success! Thank You!
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