Birth activists in many countries around the world celebrate the International Week for Respecting Childbirth in May every year to bring attention to a particular topic related to respectful and dignified care in childbirth for all women. The 2013 edition of IWRC is just wrapping up, held from May 20 to May 27 on the theme:
Do Not Disturb... Birth in Progress
The IWRC was initiated in 2004 by Alliance française pour l’accouchement respecté (AFAR), a French non-profit society entirely free from philosophical, medical, religious and political lines of thinking. Since 2011 its coordination has been handed over to the European Network of Childbirth Associations (ENCA). IMBCI region and country representatives, especially in Europe, have been connecting the IMBCI: 10 Steps to IWRC and actively using IMBCI documentation to promote and advocate for respectful care.
In Greece, Maria Andreoulaki shared with us that events and demonstrations were organized as early as mid-April in prelude to the IWRC. The IMBCI: 10 Steps were central to these conversations.
Lucie Ryntova shared that in the Czech Republic, the Active Motherhood Movement organized events geared toward informing women and their families about physiologic and respectful care during pregnancy, labour and birth, the postpartum period, and beyond...
Events celebrating IWRC 2013 in Quebec, Canada focused in on physiologic care in childbirth and even approached the theme quite literally with one session on "hands off" vs. "hands on" practice in the 2nd stage of labour (or the pushing stage).
In Greece, Maria Andreoulaki shared with us that events and demonstrations were organized as early as mid-April in prelude to the IWRC. The IMBCI: 10 Steps were central to these conversations.
Lucie Ryntova shared that in the Czech Republic, the Active Motherhood Movement organized events geared toward informing women and their families about physiologic and respectful care during pregnancy, labour and birth, the postpartum period, and beyond...
Events celebrating IWRC 2013 in Quebec, Canada focused in on physiologic care in childbirth and even approached the theme quite literally with one session on "hands off" vs. "hands on" practice in the 2nd stage of labour (or the pushing stage).
Did you plan or participate in any activities for IWRC 2013? We would love to hear from you in the comments section below or on our Facebook page!