The countdown is on for LamazeLIVE! 2024. As you prepare to join your global community of perinatal professionals online, March 7–8, get a preview of some of the latest insights in childbirth education you will gain from the virtual event.

Here, midwife and Harvard-educated Doctor of Public Health Cristina Alonso, DrPH, MPH, CPM, dives into her session, “Birth Centers in Low and Middle Income Countries: A Global Movement for Peace,” taking place at 9 a.m. EST on Friday, March 8. Get a glimpse at how communities all over the world are organizing for change to their perinatal health options and services with this session preview.

Lamaze: What industry trend(s) or challenge(s) does your session address? Why does it matter for childbirth educators and perinatal professionals?

Cristina Alonso, DrPH, MPH, CPM (CA): High rates of medical intervention, mistreatment and poor quality persist around the world. In the push to make birth safer, global organizations and ministries of health have left women one option for pregnancy and birth care: go to large, overcrowded hospitals where care is the care is either “too much, too soon” or “too little, too late”. Providers are badly paid, work in challenging environments and have to adhere to goals and metrics that are out of their hands.

As a response, over 450 midwifery centers have opened all over the world. They provide prenatal, birth and postpartum care that is based on a midwifery model where the center of care are pregnant people, their families and babies. Led by communities, their services address the complexities of the local community. They may offer economic empowerment classes and workforce development or integrate traditional healers with medical providers; or they may be emergency shelters for crisis and emergencies. Each midwifery center is unique, but together they are working to improve options, improve outcomes and make beautiful, empowered birth an option in every community.

Lamaze: LamazeLIVE! is a virtual event, allowing for connection with peers from across the globe. How does your session foster connection and dialogue among attendees?

CA: We will be discussing the current realities of maternity care systems worldwide. We will discuss how women and pregnant people perceive their local options for care and how trust with these systems is broken and built. We will discuss the role of providers and how disrespect toward women begins at disrespect within the healthcare workforce. We will then identify a few case studies where midwifery centers opened in response to community organizing and action around respectful, safe and family-centered care and learn how they are thriving and connecting.

Lamaze: What is one key takeaway or actionable step attendees can learn from your session and immediately incorporate into their daily work?

CA: Kind, empowered, respectful care is available everywhere, at any time. The solution to complex systemwide problems is often in the hands of communities. Trust is built on a hyperlocal level through listening, growing and taking action together.

Lamaze: Why is it valuable to present at — and attend — a Lamaze event?

CA: Lamaze brings together activists and movement makers from around the world. For decades, Lamaze has been the safe space where people arrive to rest in a space of justice, kindness and empowerment. Lamaze can be taken outside of the bathroom into every space we inhabit where we practice evidence-based case, humanity and wellness.

Register now to save your spot for LamazeLIVE! 2024. We’ll see you online!

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