Birth Network National

Birth Network National

BirthNetwork National (BNN) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit grassroots organization that focuses on mother-friendly maternity care, as outlined by the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative (MFCI). BNN was formed in October 1999 in Oakland County, Michigan by five mothers who were unhappy with their birthing processes. Members are involved among 23 BNN chapters in 11 states, with new chapters created annually.

A partial list of the BirthNetwork chapters include: Alabama; Alaska; Northwest Arkansas; Colorado Springs, Colorado; South Denver, Colorado; Greater Hartford, Connecticut; Brevard, Florida; Northwest Florida; Columbus, Georgia; Idaho; Illinois; Indiana; Louisiana; Baltimore, Maryland; Massachusetts; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Macomb, Michigan; Oakland County, Michigan; Southwest Michigan (which includes meetings in Kalamazoo and St. Joseph); Missouri; Nevada; South Jersey, New Jersey; Hudson County, New Jersey; Buffalo, New York; North Carolina; Akron, Ohio; Cleveland, Ohio; Toledo, Ohio; Oklahoma; Oregon; Nashville, Tennessee; Texas.

Their Core Philosophies include:

  • Birth is a normal, healthy process, not an illness or disease
  • Empowering births can take place in birth centers, hospitals and homes
  • Women are entitled to complete and accurate information on their full range of options for pregnancy, birth, post-partum and breastfeeding
  • Women have a right to make health care decisions for themselves and their babies. That right includes Informed Consent as well as Informed refusal.

Read more about Birth Network National:  Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative

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