Advocating UP/UC

1528 Views 32 Replies 17 Participants Last post by Devaskyla, Apr 22, 2006

Zamber

Discussion Starter · Apr 11, 2006

In light of the recent involvement of CPS taking a baby who was a UC birth, I think it is time we started brainstorming ways to promote awareness and acceptance of UP/UC. Some ideas I had:

~ Informational phamplets
~ Bumper stickers
~ Purchasing UP/UC books and putting them in libraries
~ Leaving articles in places where mothers are known to frequent

The first two have to be in essence made, but it can be done. Any more ideas?

1 - 20 of 33 Posts

Synchro246

· #2 · Apr 11, 2006

I first read Laura Shanly's Unassisted Childbirth when I checked it out of the local library. Most libraries take suggestions of what books to purchace and some will take donations of good condition books for circulation. My local library won't take a donation to put it circulation, but they have a spot on their website to suggest books to go into circulation.

I think that's a good start.

The state of florida has language in the midwifery law that says a woman has the right to birth in the way she wants. Writing your reps and senators is always good. Quote the Florida law and talk about how it's important to you.

I also just started making some stuff on cafepress and I think I may add an unassisted birth sticker to the collection. Thanks for the idea.

BirthFree

· #3 · Apr 11, 2006

I did a presentation not too long ago at an ICAN meeting (International Cesarean Awareness Network meeting) here - it was on birth choices and I got to do the UC part. I printed off the only study and made up a board with pictures, stories, quotes and the study. I also gave the study as handouts at the mtg.

I am going to (eventually) get a bumper sticker too but I can't find anything that doesn't look cheesy or whatever.

I think that as I get into birth prep. classes, I'm going to talk about types of birth and include UC in it... it's another birth choice just like the rest.

Word of mouth is the best here... our doula network is aware of it b/c I am having one, our MWs in town are aware of it b/c they have people who call them with ?s, they do back-up support if asked, etc. There is also a Moms group that has a few UC members and they talk about their stories at times.

It's so "edge" here that it's kind of hard to know how to "get it out there" without acruing huge negative response. I'll be interested to see what others say...

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Tuckersmom

· #4 · Apr 11, 2006

I would definitely get a bumper sticker

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sapphire_chan

· #5 · Apr 11, 2006

A small thing, there could be some advocating in the "I'm Pregnant" forum. I get the impression from the posts there that a lot of the regular posters don't really branch out much.

Zamber

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 11, 2006

Quote:

I also just started making some stuff on cafepress and I think I may add an unassisted birth sticker to the collection. Thanks for the idea.

Please keep us posted on your cafepress store. Shirts, bumper stickers, pins, etc. are a great way to start the ball rolling.

Quote:

The state of florida has language in the midwifery law that says a woman has the right to birth in the way she wants. Writing your reps and senators is always good. Quote the Florida law and talk about how it's important to you.

Hmm....that is a good idea. We need to have laws like that that protect the rights of those that UP/UC. Most laws are too vague. Or, if they are in place, track them down. I'll definately will have to look into this more.

Quote:

It's so "edge" here that it's kind of hard to know how to "get it out there" without acruing huge negative response. I'll be interested to see what others say...

I know exactly what you mean. My DH and I tell everyone we come in contact with about our UC. However, I get nervous that it will result in fights. I worry about how promoting this will end up also drawing negative people to our informational sites and cause problems. Ultimately, I have to keep reminding myself "Women who behave rarely make history".

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alegna

· #7 · Apr 11, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by sapphire_chan
A small thing, there could be some advocating in the "I'm Pregnant" forum. I get the impression from the posts there that a lot of the regular posters don't really branch out much.

Good idea, but good luck. I get jumped on for advocating homebirth....

-Angela

faithhopelove

· #8 · Apr 11, 2006

Definitely update if bumper stickers are made because I would SO put one on our car!!!!

faithhopelove

· #9 · Apr 11, 2006

oops double post

djinneyah

· #10 · Apr 11, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by BirthFree
I did a presentation not too long ago at an ICAN meeting (International Cesarean Awareness Network meeting) here - it was on birth choices and I got to do the UC part. I printed off the only study and made up a board with pictures, stories, quotes and the study. I also gave the study as handouts at the mtg.

what study, and where can i get a copy? i'd love to be able to hand it out to friends/family/interested individuals i run into....

i'd definitely put a bumper sticker on my car, too!

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BirthFree

· #11 · Apr 11, 2006

Mmmm, let me go find it...

http://www.unhinderedliving.com/stats.html

Tuckersmom

· #12 · Apr 11, 2006

oooh, very interesting, dh and I were just talking about if there were any stats on uc very cool
thanks julie

hypnohobbit

· #13 · Apr 11, 2006

Quote:

The state of florida has language in the midwifery law that says a woman has the right to birth in the way she wants. Writing your reps and senators is always good. Quote the Florida law and talk about how it's important to you.

I am so glad I live in Florida!

I can't wait to advocate UP/UC, although I have never experienced it. I would get a t-shirt and a bumper sticker. I am getting my creative-thinker going on this one, I would so love to come up with something clever and would hope to help you ladies out!

NinaBruja

· #14 · Apr 11, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by BirthFree
Mmmm, let me go find it...

http://www.unhinderedliving.com/stats.html

do you know if theres anything else stating the relative safety of uc?

what about up? up seems harder to defend since everyone seems to think without prenatal apointments your baby will die. all i ever did was pee in a cup and have my fundus measured...

Synchro246

· #15 · Apr 11, 2006

Tests never cured anyone. Nutrition is the best prevention of disease in the pregnant body or otherwise. Prenatal care with a doc is almost nothing but tests. It's funny, but I think some people think that there's just no way to know something is wrong unless you get expensive tests, and they don't get that usually doing nothing is all you can and should do.

I guess my response to proxy was a little pointless. . .

NinaBruja

· #16 · Apr 11, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synchro246
Tests never cured anyone. Nutrition is the best prevention of disease in the pregnant body or otherwise. Prenatal care with a doc is almost nothing but tests. It's funny, but I think some people think that there's just no way to know something is wrong unless you get expensive tests, and they don't get that usually doing nothing is all you can and should do.

I guess my response to proxy was a little pointless. . .

well i know that, thats why i had a up...i need something to show the judge if need be...

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Synchro246

· #17 · Apr 11, 2006

2

You could show the judge your wonderful healty baby!

Oh wait- they don't actually care about the health of babies.

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lillake

· #18 · Apr 11, 2006

2

TrustBirth sells shirts, pins, bumper stickers and more. trustbirth.com I have a great shirt that I wear often that reads: Birth is safe, intervention is risky.

Also at Cefepress just type in home birth in the search box and you'll find a lot of good designs.

I would love to make some pamplets about UC and sneak them in at the hospital, library, and other places that have set up for free info.

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geekmediainc

· #19 · Apr 11, 2006

I would 100% put a bumper sticker on my minivan.

Zamber

Discussion Starter · #20 · Apr 11, 2006

Thanks for all of your responses so far. Right now I am in the process of creating a basic informational phamplet to be passed around. I will keep you all posted on the progress of it.

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