We Believe:
- The childbearing year of pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and early parenting are natural life processes and are uniquely significant to each individual and family.
- Parents to be and new parents’ needs should be addressed from a holistic perspective, and consideration should be made to the uniqueness of each family.
- All information provided to families should be current and evidence based.
- Information given about the natural process and alternatives of childbirth and the appropriate use of medical technology in childbirth should be current and accurate.
- Women and their partners should be supported in their choice of childbirth.
- In a low risk situation, women have all the internal resources required to gestate, birth, breastfeed, and parent their babies without routine medical intervention.
- Effective childbirth education, access to community connections and resources and continuous supportive care during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum makes for the best maternal, family and neonatal outcomes.
- Every chosen member of one’s birth team has an important role to play. With a respect to all members’ roles and good communication, all team members can create a safe and gratifying birth experience.
- Doulas and childbirth educators need to clearly communicate their scope of practice and practice within this scope.
- Effective communication and trust are key elements of any effective team!
