Most people do not know about the childbirth situation in WNY, or do not care. The people who do care are not happy with their options in maternal care and some have previously experienced bad maternal care due to lack of information and options. All too often we hear, "If only I had know about this, maybe my birth would have been better." The statistics are in: the Western New York area has one of the highest rates of intervention. Look at the statistic yourself at intervention statistics and see how they compare to the recommended percentage rates. We also have a lack of options in the area for maternal care. Midwives are scarce and homebirth is feared and hard to accommodate with the current laws regarding written practice agreements. We do not have a birth center yet, and doulas find it hard to serve women because of all the politics and enforced policies around birth.

How are BuffaloBirth and other organizations bringing about change?

BuffaloBirth is one of many organizations that has started up in the state of New York. Each has had a different mission and a new way to bring about change. Some groups are working to change the written practice agreement that prohibits some midwives from attending homebirths. Some are working to open a birth center in their area. Others are working to educate the public on the benefits of The Midwives Model of Care and the option of Homebirth; and still others are working to lower the C-Section rate.

BuffaloBirth keeps its ear to the ground and keeps in contact with all the other organizations. We know that by working together, we will have beautiful results and we are definitely seeing the results even in this early stage. We are picking up ideas and information from other groups and they are using our creative fresh thoughts as well.

The Nuts and Bolts already!

We started at a dining room table over a cup of tea like so many organizations do. At the table sat 3 midwives and the core team. We talked about the situation in NY and decided we were going to do something about it. When we first started we had no idea that there were other organizations out there with missions complimentary to ours. We felt overwhelmed and alone. We are so grateful we are not without a paddle!!! We are so grateful for the midwives who generously gave their time, knowledge, and encouragement that night. They told us "the change has to come from you-the women having the babies. You have to know what you want."