Question for well... everyone

[RoseRed]

I have this idea that is stuck in my head. Abimommy has given me the ok to post this. I want to get some feedback from you wonderful MDC moms. I will be cross posting this in a couple of different places.. so if you see it else where don't be shocked.

I have an idea to create a data base of natural parenting resorces (such as midwives, doulas, cloth diapering sites, birthing centers, etc. etc.) that people can search through to find the type of service they need. what would make it different is that those who place them selves or there companies in the database would pay a small fee, which would go into a fund that would turn around and help mothers and families offset the cost of a home birth, doula services, the start up cost of cloth diapering etc. etc.

Would this be something you would use??

[srlpenny]

If it became a large enough database to be useful I would certainly use it although w/ homebirth specifically I think it could be touchy in some states where CPMs/LMs have to be more under the radar.
I would also be more likely to use it if it had a way for people to post their experiences with the providers, I tend to be leary of databases where people pay to be listed, instead favoring things like Angies List where the consumers post.

[MamaVolpe]

It would have to be a large database to be useful or specific to an area. Maybe a database by state? I always thought it would be cool to have a database of birthstories for each state. The birth stories could be sorted by provider. So if a person was concidering between two providers she could look up recent birth stories with each to have a more realistic idea of what birth with that provider would be like. It would be broken down into State, then Provider/Facility, then by date showing the most recent stories first. The stories could be kept private by just listing the month and year of birth and the first name or alias. I have no idea how to set up a database like that but would if I could.

[wldflower]

This is a good idea. And, there are some local sites that already exist. For example:
http://www.birthlink.com/ which covers the chicagoland area in terms of birthing services.

[lil_earthmomma]

ITA with the birthstories by provider part, as sometimes it is so hard to judge what type of birth experience is the norm for each provider just by talking to them. It would be invaluable to be able to read what other mama's thought/experienced.

As for cloth diapers/wraps/carriers etc. maybe it could also include things like the learning info that is so hard to find about each of these items. For example the world of cloth diapering can be very daunting at first, so maybe lots of useful info about different choices, same with the carriers etc.

It sounds like such a great idea though! What an awesome way to make homebirth and natural family living more readily available. U rock!

[MommyMidwife]

We have a homebirth network on our website of just folks that we know are homebirth friendly and have hte same values that we have...if anyone would like to be listed on there just e me. the site is www.blessedbirthservices.com
jeni

[ralphie76]

I think so. We have a county wide natural parenting yahoo group that has hundreds of members, and on that yahoo group are a ton of databases about practitioners, peds, dentists, etc. with reviews. It was very helpful when I was choosing peds to interview.

[yamilee21]

Originally Posted by srlpenny

...although w/ homebirth specifically I think it could be touchy in some states where CPMs/LMs have to be more under the radar...

This would be my concern; a lot of midwives put themselves at risk by practicing; even when they are legal, sometimes they aren't "supposed to" take on certain clients (VBACs for example). For everything else, I think it is a good idea.

[sunnymw]

Originally Posted by yamilee21

This would be my concern; a lot of midwives put themselves at risk by practicing; even when they are legal, sometimes they aren't "supposed to" take on certain clients (VBACs for example). For everything else, I think it is a good idea.

And ofc this is the info we'd most need