I am just back from the LamazeLive! 2018 conference event and more excited than ever to continue to work every single day to reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. The LamazeLive! gathering in San Antonio was a great success. The location and venue were beyond suitable for the gathering, and the presenters and the attendees were on point with presentations and participation.

I was so pleased to see that many of the presenters - both keynote/plenary and Learning Lab facilitators were directly addressing the state of maternity care, the high rates of birthing people and babies dying in the USA compared to other similar nations and the complications impacting both parents and babies that have lifelong impacts on health and quality of life. Additionally, the inequities that exist for people of color in the United States are to blame for babies and parents dying at greater rates than their white counterparts. Natalie S. Burke, Nina Martin, Joyce Edmonds, Chama Woydak, Karen Faulk, Bayan Raji, and Nikita Smart all shared information that opened the attendees' minds and hearts to the challenges facing birthing people and especially those who identify as people of color. This is a topic that must be moved and kept front and center. People's lives are at stake. Parents and babies are dying.

With this in mind, I would like to invite you to participate in the upcoming second annual March for Moms event in Washington D.C. on May 6th, 2018. Lamaze International is proud to be an official partner of the March for Moms. Created by our friends and partners Neel Shah, MD, MPP and Ginger Breedlove, CNM, PhD, FACNM, March for Moms is a movement designed to bring attention and change to the issues pregnant people in the United States face, including: rising maternal mortality and poor health outcomes, perinatal depression, health inequity and disparities, premature birth, inadequate maternity and family leave policies and lack of access to healthcare.

While this may only be the second annual march, the momentum is growing by leaps and bounds and the excitement for what is possible is absolutely palpable. There are so many partners who represent maternal-infant health organizations in the USA. Lamaze International is joining ACOG, DONA International, ACNM, AWHONN, SMFM, Every Mother Counts and so many more. Everyone realizes that the time to act is now. Lives are at stake. It matters. If joining the national event is not possible for you at this time, consider sponsoring a local march under the March for Moms umbrella. You can find out more about the location of existing local marches or how to set up one in your community here.

The March on May 6th starts the first annual Maternal Health Awareness Week, a variety of events that week will include lobbying on the Hill, a congressional briefing, and sister city rallies nationwide with specific state-based advocacy efforts to raise awareness. In addition to the actual March, there will be lobbying day and congressional briefings on Capitol Hill.

According to March for Moms' President Ginger Breedlove - "March for Moms' mission is to help align and coordinate the efforts of families, health care providers, policymakers, and other partners who are acting to achieve the best possible health and well-being for all mothers. Society must invest in moms, and understanding the multiple issues involved is necessary to create system-level changes. These changes include establishing maternal death review boards in every state, advocating for routine perinatal depression screening and mental health services, addressing causes of preterm birth, and acknowledging the role that racism and health inequity play in maternal health outcomes of women of color, particularly African American women."

Pregnant and postpartum people deserve better. Parents and children of color deserve better. The current statistics and outcomes are not only embarrassing, they are deadly. We know better. It is time to do better! This cause needs your help and support. March for Moms needs your energy, your dollars, and your voice. Standing together, standing strong, we can save lives. We can improve lives. Won't you join your Lamaze colleagues and other professionals and consumers to stand together strong and loud? The time is now. Sign up today! Additionally - add your name and contact information here so that Lamaze International can connect with you prior to the event to coordinate our organization's presence.

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