Doulas Association of Southern California Sponsor a BOLD Fundraising Event on Labor Day Weekend
On Saturday, September 2 Los Angeles will boldly go where no play has gone before -- to listen to the stories of seven women about the naked truth of childbirth in America. Based on the true stories of 118 women, the Birth on Labor Day (BOLD) event is part of a global movement that brings communities together to raise awareness about the importance of mother-friendly maternity care.
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) September 2, 2006
On Saturday, September 2 Los Angeles will boldly go where no play has gone before -- to listen to the stories of seven women about the naked truth of childbirth in America. Doulas Association of Southern California (DASC), a non-profit community of maternity care professionals, will host a special benefit performance of the critically acclaimed theatrical hit, Birth. The event will take place at the Acapulco Restaurant, 385 N. La Cienega near Beverly Boulevard on Saturday, September 2, from 5 to 8 pm. Donations are welcome and all proceeds will benefit DASC and the Black Infant Health Program, part of the Pasadena Public Health Department.
“When you have a baby it affects your whole future,” stated Beverly Keye, a DASC member. “I wanted DASC to present this play because it reflects the voices of powerful women who can easily become disempowered in our current healthcare system. Science has shown that women who receive continuous emotional support from a doula (professional birth assistant) during childbirth are more satisfied with their birth experience and have improved health outcomes as do their newborns.
Based on the true stories of 118 women the Birth on Labor Day (BOLD) event is part of a global movement that brings communities together to raise awareness about the importance of mother-friendly maternity care. Based on the Ten Steps of the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative (MFCI), an evidence-based, consensus document created by the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services, BOLD supporters are confident that current maternity care practices will improve if care providers and birthing facilities implement the recommendations of the MFCI.
Created by mother and playwright Karen Brody, Birth is powerful, simple and direct. A theatrical reading, the play melds unbridled hilarity with unexpected poignancy. The cast represents the birthing experience of a broad spectrum of women. At the corner stone of each lies a personal choice. Janet’s epidural, Jillian’s home birth, and Sandy’s cesarean section are all on display without judgment. “Maternity care is a mess and in many communities pregnant mothers’ voices are silenced,” says playwright Karen Brody. “BOLD is a community effort to encourage people to know the truth about childbirth, make informed birth choices, and for professionals in maternity care to start listening to women.” The DASC performance will be followed by a talkback session, What Does Mother-Friendly Childbirth Mean and the Ten Steps to Get There.
DASC is a non-profit professional community of doulas which recognizes the profundity of birth on the human experience and society at large, while respecting the individual needs of childbearing families. We provide a supportive forum for maintaining professional standards, continuing the education of birth and postpartum doulas, and informing the public of the benefits of doula care. To locate a doula in your area visit http://www. dascdoulas. org (http://www. dascdoulas. org) or call toll-free 877-436-8528. To find out more about Mother-Friendly Childbirth visit http://www. motherfriendly. org (http://www. motherfriendly. org).
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