HealthNet and the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) invite the public to learn about midwifery during National Midwifery Week, October 6-12.
This annual celebration brings women, families, and midwives together to empower women to make informed choices about their health care.
The high rate of cesarean sections, skyrocketing health care costs, and misperceptions about midwives and women’s health are among the reasons ACNM and its more than 7,000 midwife members observe National Midwifery Week each year. The week also highlights 80 years of midwifery care in the United States.
Through celebrating this week, we hope to educate, inform, and empower women in Indianapolis,” said Mary Blackburn, CNM, manager of HealthNet Women’s Services and Midwifery. “National Midwifery Week is an excellent time to recognize the contributions midwives make toward women’s health within our community.”
Midwifery has a crucial part to play in saving the lives of millions of women and children who die during and around the time of pregnancy, according to a major new series, published in The Lancet.
HealthNet Midwifery Services is the largest midwifery practice in the state, assisting in the birth of more than 2,400 babies each year at Indiana University – Methodist Hospital. The program’s 23 nurse midwives provide prenatal care, postpartum care, well-woman care, family planning and more for women at HealthNet’s eight community health centers and one OB care center. The program celebrates its 23th year this year.
