MIDWIFERY ADVOCACY MONTH
Continued from page 30 legislators are campaigning all the time and always appreciate extra funds. At the heart of successful advocacy is a personal relationship. Now is the time to build relationships with people you trust in Washington. Making connections can seem daunting, but remember: don’t sweat the small stuff. When you talk with your legislators, their health care staff, and the media, just stick to what you know. Tell them about the women you serve and the obstacles to better care that you run into on a regular basis— ACNM will take care of the rest. Be on the lookout for specific
action plans, toolkits, and materials for this year’s Midwifery Advocacy Month, to be disseminated through www.midwife. org and weekly issues of ACNM Quick eNews. ?
NORMAL PHYSIOLOGICAL BIRTH Continued from page 1
“BirthTOOLS is tied to national initiatives to improve safety and quality,” said Amy Romano, CNM, project consultant from Childbirth Connection. “Making BirthTOOLS accessible to all maternity care providers allows us to insert ourselves into the national discussion at a really critical point and promote the collaborative improvement efforts that are gaining steam across the country.” In keeping with the goal of reaching a wide audience, BirthTOOLS includes plans to incorporate resources and advice from sister organizations. Childbirth Connection will be contributing material on hormonal influences and relationships with physiologic birth as well as findings of the Listening to Mothers III survey. The Toolkit Subcommittee has also contacted obstetricians to request case studies for the Web site. Stay tuned to Quickening and weekly issues of ACNM Quick eNews for continuing updates on the work of the Physiologic Birth Task Force and the forthcoming release of BirthTOOLS.?
2013 Normal Birth Task Force
STEERING COMMITTEE
Ginger Breedlove, CNM, PhD, FACNM Justine Clegg, CPM, MS, LM Tina Johnson, CNM, MS Diana Jolles, CNM Lorrie Kaplan, CAE
CONSUMER SUBCOMMITTEE
Ginger Breedlove, CNM, PhD, FACNM Ellie Daniels, CPM JoAnne Davis, CNM, PhD Judy Lothian, RN, PhD Clare Lynam Pam Dyer Stewart, CPM Tanya Tanner, CNM, PhD, MBA, RN
TOOLKIT SUBCOMMITTEE
Ellise Adams, CNM Melissa Avery, CNM, PhD, FACNM, FAAN Andrea Christianson, CNM Sharon Dalrymple Lisa Hanson, CNM, PhD, FACNM Tina Johnson, CNM, MS Lisa Kane Low, CNM, PhD Amy Romano, CNM Connie Stasko, SNM
Get Connected!
Holly Kennedy, CNM, PhD, FACNM, FAAN Judy Lothian, PhD, RN Lisa Kane Low, CNM, PhD Clare Lynam Julia Martin, SNM, MPH Amy Romano, CNM Tanya Tanner, CNM, PhD, MBA, RN Nichole Wardlaw, CNM
MATERNITY CARE SUBCOMMITTEE
Diana Jolles, CNM Lorrie Kaplan, CAE
Hear from ACNM national office staff and working midwives at the ACNM blog, Midwife Connection!
CLINICAL NOTES Continued from page 14
Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use. See more at http://1.usa.gov/12VeXRF.
www.midwife.org/ blog
CDC Issues Travel Notice for Rubella
tics, the rate of cesarean birth remained unchanged from 2009 to 2011 — the first time it failed to increase in 12 years. View the brief at http://1.usa.gov/1bkTgm0.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urge special precautions when traveling to Japan or Poland. Pregnant women who have not been vaccinated for rubella should avoid travel to these areas because of the risk of birth defects. All other travelers are advised to ensure that they are up-to-date on rubella vaccination. View the most recent information on the notice at http://1.usa.gov/1bkSFk5.
FDA: Valproate Anti-seizure Medication Not Recommended for Pregnant Women
CDC: Cesarean Rate Stabilizing
According to the latest data brief from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statis36
The US Food and Drug Administration is advising health care professionals and women that the anti-seizure medication valproate sodium and related products valproic acid and divalproex sodium are contraindicated and should not be taken by pregnant women for the prevention of migraine headaches. There is evidence that these medications can cause decreased IQ scores in children whose mothers took them while pregnant. See the full safety information at http://1.usa. gov/11rzMJz.?
American College of Nurse-Midwives