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About GMCHA

GMCHA

Global Maternal/Child Health Association, Inc.

(503) 682-3600 / (503) 682-3434 FAX
P.O. Box 1400
Wilsonville, OR 97070

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Who we are

Global Maternal/Child Health Association, Inc. was originally incorporated in 1989, as Waterbirth International, in order to facilitate maternity care reform by helping parents and practitioners institute policies for the use of warm water immersion during labor. Our chartered purpose is to preserve, protect and enhance the well-being of women and children during pregnancy, birth, infancy and early childhood. GMCHA is working to alter the current technological dependency, excessive drug use and rising cesarean rate, all of which are predominant in the U.S., by educating medical professionals and the public on the benefits of family-centered, natural childbirth, midwifery as the model for maternity care, and the use of warm-water immersion during labor and birth.

Andaluz Water Birth Center in Guatemala

Cesarean sections have been the most commonly performed surgeries in the U.S. since 1983. In 1970, the cesarean rate was 5%. the 1990 cesarean rate was 25% with over 900,000 women undergoing major surgery with all the accompanying risks and expense in order to give birth.

Maternity care in the U.S. is in crisis. Some very serious questions arise when U.S. maternal/child mortality and morbidity statistics are compared with other industrialized countries. Twenty-two countries have better statistics than those of the U.S. Without exception, each of the countries with the best statistics use midwives as primary care givers. Rising health care costs also suggest that alternative solutions to the existing maternity care model be sought.

Andaluz Water Birth Center in Guatemala; Jennifer Gallardo, CPM, Midwife

We believe that women need to be respected during the birth process and that every baby is a conscious participant in his or her own birth.

Andaluz Water Birth Center in Guatemala; Jennifer Gallardo, CPM, Midwife


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What we do

Global Maternal/Child Health Association, Inc. is influencing change in the way families prepare to give birth. GMCHA provides up-to date educational materials. We refer pregnant couples to practitioners who support them in making informed decisions about their health care and who view birth as a completely natural process, not a medical event.

Together we are making a difference!

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If you are sending email to request information, please give us your mailing address, phone and due date (if you are already pregnant).

Global Maternal/Child Health Association, Inc. / Copyright © Barbara Harper 1997
(503) 682-3600 / waterbirth@aol.com / revised January 1999