History
Purpose of the International MotherBaby Childbirth Initiative
The IMBCI is both educational and instrumental in purpose.
Educational purpose
Its educational purpose is to call global attention to the importance of the quality of the mother's birth experience and its impact on the outcome, whilst also drawing attention to the scientific evidence showing the benefits of MotherBaby-centered care based on the normal physiology of pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding and on attention to women's individual needs.
Instrumental purpose
The instrumental purpose of the IMBCI 10 Steps is to raise worldwide awareness and encourage the practice of the MotherBaby model of care. A woman-centered, non-interventionist approach that promotes the health and well-being of all women and babies during pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding. Setting the gold standard for excellence and superior outcomes in maternity care.
Women’s rights and the IMBCI 10 steps
The IMBCI acknowledges that women's rights are human rights and that women have a right to informed decision-making and to receive care that is evidence-based for themselves and their babies. The IMBCI recognizes the effects of birth practices on maternal self-confidence and breastfeeding, and the importance of cultural sensitivity and continuity of care. These basic principles, along with the IMBCI 10 Steps, have the ability to transform birth and breastfeeding practices around the world. With infant and maternal mortality and morbidity at distressing rates, the IMBCI is a call to action that will help achieve the Millennium Development Goals to improve the quality of care for mothers and babies of the world. .
Educational purpose
Its educational purpose is to call global attention to the importance of the quality of the mother's birth experience and its impact on the outcome, whilst also drawing attention to the scientific evidence showing the benefits of MotherBaby-centered care based on the normal physiology of pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding and on attention to women's individual needs.
Instrumental purpose
The instrumental purpose of the IMBCI 10 Steps is to raise worldwide awareness and encourage the practice of the MotherBaby model of care. A woman-centered, non-interventionist approach that promotes the health and well-being of all women and babies during pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding. Setting the gold standard for excellence and superior outcomes in maternity care.
Women’s rights and the IMBCI 10 steps
The IMBCI acknowledges that women's rights are human rights and that women have a right to informed decision-making and to receive care that is evidence-based for themselves and their babies. The IMBCI recognizes the effects of birth practices on maternal self-confidence and breastfeeding, and the importance of cultural sensitivity and continuity of care. These basic principles, along with the IMBCI 10 Steps, have the ability to transform birth and breastfeeding practices around the world. With infant and maternal mortality and morbidity at distressing rates, the IMBCI is a call to action that will help achieve the Millennium Development Goals to improve the quality of care for mothers and babies of the world. .
The Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative (MFCI) was created by the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS) in 1996, specifically for the United States. The International MotherBaby Childbirth Initiative (IMBCI) took the MFCI as its original basis, then sought input from dozens of international organizations and 100 individual experts to create an Initiative that would work for every country beyond the US. The MFCI is a national, US-based initiative, whereas the IMBCI is a global initiative, designed for the flexibility needed to improve maternity care in both developed and developing countries.