The coalition for improving maternity services: evidence basis for the ten steps of mother-friendly care

Barbara A Hotelling1

  • 1BARBARA HOTELLING is an independent childbirth educator and doula in Rochester Hills, Michigan. She has served as president of Lamaze International, president of Doulas of North America (DONA), and chair of the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS).

One factor explaining why women choose unnecessary high-tech births is their lack of knowledge of the research. Presenting research in Lamaze class can be difficult; however, teaching tools described in this article may help facilitate evidence-based discussions. The recently published Journal of Perinatal Education supplement issue written by the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services Expert Work Group gives Lamaze educators a rich resource to pass along to expectant parents.

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