 |
Expanding access to midwifery education
and care
The central challenge
The research evidence on the benefits
of midwifery care indicates that this valuable public resource is drastically
under-used. The consequences of this gap between knowledge and practice
are serious. How can we bring more clearly into public consciousness the
connection between evidence in the scientific literature and the health
and happiness of mothers, fathers, and babies? How can we make the economic
and public health benefits of midwifery care a priority topic in the discourse
of public policymakers?
Our most immediate challenge
Seattle Midwifery School has taken
up the challenge of promoting the midwifery model of care while educating
more midwives and doulas. To accomplish this work, we must expand and strengthen
our base of public support. We are currently funded 80% through student tuition and 20% through donations and grants. Most of the private charitable
contributions we receive are from individuals in the healthcare arena who
are passionate about our cause. Licensed midwives, nurse midwives, doulas,
childbirth educators, and midwifery clients comprise a large percentage
of these individuals. It is now our obligation to find a broader base of
support.
This is a major public policy issue and we must work to bring
it further into the public arena. Our success in doing so will have a two-fold
benefit. First, increased publicity highlighting the safety and cost-effectiveness
of midwifery care for low risk pregnancies will increase families' access
to this care. Second, we will establish a more solid foundation for our
programs.
Long-term structural changes
Additional funding is required if
we are to extend the benefits of our program expansion to students in subsequent
years. Underfunded needs include:
- expanded staffing and services to support a larger student body and to continue raising public awareness about the benefits of midwifery care;
- expanded recruitment of new students and support for applicants;
- scholarships for low-income students;
- outreach to ensure a diverse student body; and
- increased library and information resources for students and faculty.
BEING BORN IS IMPORTANT
You who have stood at the bedposts and seen a mother on
her high harvest day,
the day of the most golden of harvest moons for her.
You who have seen the new wet child dried behind the ears,
swaddled in soft fresh garments,
pursing its lips and sending a groping mouth toward
nipples where white milk
is ready
You who have seen this love's payday
of wild toiling and sweet agonizing-
You know being born is important.
You know that nothing was ever so important to you
You understand that the payday of love is so old,
so involved, so traced with circles of the moon,
so cunning with the secrets of the salts of the blood
It must be older than the moon, older than salt.
--Carl Sandburg
Invest now!
If you believe that being born is important and that the work of the Seattle
Midwifery School is important, now is the time to invest in our future.
Your dollars, time, and commitment are needed now to support the breakthrough
we’re seeking!
Go to next page:
How You Can Help
|
