From Robin Elise Weiss, LCCE,
Your Guide to Pregnancy & Childbirth.
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Charity giving is a something many of us do on a regular basis. You probably have some charities or organizations that you believe in and to which you contribute. I thought I'd bring to light some of the pregnancy related organizations of which you may not be aware.

• Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS)
  "The Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS) is a coalition of individuals and national organizations with concern for the care and well-being of mothers, babies, and families. Our mission is to promote a wellness model of maternity care that will improve birth outcomes and substantially reduce costs. This evidence-based mother-, baby-, and family-friendly model focuses on prevention and wellness as the alternatives to high-cost screening, diagnosis, and treatment programs." from Rae Davies, Executive Director of CIMS

• International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN)
  "ICAN's mission is to improve maternal-child health by preventing unnecessary cesareans through education, providing support for cesarean recovery, and promoting vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). ICAN is an international grass roots organization with over 72 chapters around the United States and Canada that provide support to women on a mother to mother basis at monthly meetings. In addition to our quarterly newsletter, the Clarion, some of our program initiatives for 2006 include: sending information on cesarean prevention to first time pregnant women; producing a cesarean recovery brochure to be given to women in the hospital after they have had a cesarean; printing of literature in Spanish and French; developing a continuing legal education program to educate attorneys on normal birth and the harms routinely done to birthing women; and continuing our media efforts in educating the public on the risks of ceasreans and the violation of women's civil rights as they are forced into repeat cesareans. Complete information on ICAN's programs and chapter locations can be found at their website" from Tonya Jamois, President, ICAN

• March of Dimes
  "The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish language Web site at nacersano.org." from Todd P. Dezen, Associate Director, National Media Relations, March of Dimes

• SHARE
  "The mission of Share Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support, Inc. is to serve those whose lives are touched by the tragic death of a baby through early pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or in the first few months of life. All information packets, correspondence, and support are free of charge for bereaved parents." from their website

• Childbirth Connection (formerly Maternity Center Association (MCA))
  "Helping women and health professionals make informed maternity care decisions." from their website. They also do the National Listening to Mother's Survey.

12/14/05