Keep Waterbirth Afloat!

What will you do to help????


Waterbirth International may close doors. Here is a note from Barbara Harper of Waterbirth InternationalBarbara Harper wrote:.I cannot yet imagine a world without the voice and work of WaterbirthInternational - we get calls and emails every day from women who need helpconvincing one hospital or another to let them labor or birth in water. Ifwe die - a big part of the movement dies. Waterbirth has shown us all thatwomen know how to give birth and babies know how to be born. Waterbirthgave us "hands-off", sit back and let the baby out. I see waterbirthmentioned on Blogs every single day, not to mention Baby Story on the TV. Itook Waterbirth International to ACOG two years in a row - and was the ONLYbooth showing birth films to obstetricians and especially to studentphysicians. There were tears, laughter and outrage - just the thing to stirup those young crop of doctors. I am finally realizing a life's dream.But now I am faced with letting this dream go. Perhaps I have done enough.Perhaps it is time to quit.About 18 years ago, maybe it was longer, when Mothering Magazine was facingbankruptcy Peggy did a heartfelt plea asking their readers to considerordering a Life-time subscription. I think the subscriptions were $1000 or$1200, I can't remember now. I do remember that I couldn't imagine notreading my Mothering. So, I bought two and gave one to my obstetrician'soffice.How can you help us stay open to take the next phone call? - to convince thenext obstetrician to incorporate waterbirth into his/her practice - to workwith the nurse midwives to install pools in their facilities? To educate anentire hospital on the benefits of allowing women freedom of movement in thewater. How much is it worth to see waterbirth become the norm in the US,like it is in the UK? I think we only need a few more years to make thathappen. Do women really wan t waterbirth to be an available choice in everyhospital? I think so.Can you help us by getting the word out on blogs and lists? I had to let goof all of the staff except one person to process orders. Miraculously, wemade payroll today, but we can't hang on much longer. We need a miracle.If I need to call every single waterbirth parent personally, I will. Idon't want 25 years of work to end over a measly $200,000.The work that we have done the last few years has been phenomenal. How Godarranged for me to teach in hospitals and medical schools around the planet- Taiwan, Venezuela, Turkey, Mexico, Canada, Holland, Portugal, China,Trinidad, Croatia - I'll never figure that out. I laugh out loud sometimeswhen I get up in front of an audience of physicians in a medical schooloverseas - who all want to hear about waterbirth and the incorporation ofGentle Birth practices and principles into their routines.Think about w hat you can do and call me if you want to chat or if you havesome great ideas on how we can quickly move into the black and keepwaterbirth alive and thriving.We need your help. Barbara Harper needs your help. The waterbirth/gentlebirth movement needs your help.Blessings,BarbaraBarbara Harper, RN, CLD, CCEFounder/DirectorWaterbirth Internationalwww.waterbirth. org503-673-0026 -office (out of US or in Portland)800-641-2229 - toll free503-710-7975 - cell phoneWe LOVE helping women get into Hot Water!!And have been doing it for 24 years!!