Allium Birth & Family Center

10/22/2024

We are thrilled to share that Allium Birth & Family Center has received a generous $1,000 grant from The Community Foundation of Greater Lafayette! This support brings us closer to our goal of creating a dedicated space where Greater Lafayette families can access compassionate, midwifery-led care. We are so grateful to the Community Foundation for believing in our mission and investing in the future of our community. Thank you for helping us make a positive impact on family health and wellness in our community!

You can learn more about The Community Foundation of Greater Lafayette's work here: https://www.inspiringgreater.org/

Let's Build a Birth Center! gofundme.com/lets-build-a-birth-center

10/21/2024

Did you know?

A 2023 study analyzed data from the AABC perinatal registry and national birth certificate files from 2009 to 2019, comparing 85,842 birth center births with 261,439 hospital births for low-risk pregnancies. The study found that midwifery-led birth center care resulted in lower rates of cesarean births, low birth weight, NICU admissions, and neonatal deaths, along with higher breastfeeding rates, despite both groups having the same risk profile.

A prospective cohort study (2007-2010) of midwifery-led birth centers showed a cesarean rate of 6%, less than half the rate for low-risk hospital births. The overall U.S. cesarean rate currently sits at 32%. The World Health Organization states ideal cesarean rates are below 15%, noting that rates over 10% do not improve mortality outcomes and come with risks like infection, organ injury, and complications such as uterine rupture and placenta accreta in future pregnancies.

Let's Build a Birth Center! gofundme.com/lets-build-a-birth-center

Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10771911/

10/20/2024

Did you know?

The U.S. ranks 55th in the world for maternal mortality, the worst among developed nations, with rates more than double those of countries like France and the U.K. Unlike the U.S. and Canada, where OB-GYNs outnumber midwives, countries such as Australia and Sweden employ far more midwives and experience only a fraction of the maternal deaths. Despite high healthcare spending, the U.S. sees little benefit. For example, childbirth in the Netherlands costs a third of what it does in the U.S., with far better outcomes. The Netherlands, with slightly fewer OB-GYNs but over five times the midwives per capita, midwifery is intricately woven into their healthcare system, 60% of births are attended by midwives and 40% of births occur outside hospitals. Their maternal mortality rate is five times lower and their infant mortality rate three times lower than in the U.S. The U.S. relies heavily on OB-GYNs for pregnany care with a drastically undersized midwifery force at a higher cost both financially and in lives lost. Cesarean births account for 32% of U.S. births, far above the WHO's 10% recommendation.

Joan Combellick, PhD, from Yale School of Medicine
"In other countries, midwives make up the basic maternity care workforce, while obstetricians are used as the surgeons that they are for handle complications.

Midwives are the experts in normal childbirth, which happens the majority of the time.”

Source: https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2023/may/expanding-role-midwives-address-maternal-health-crisis

Lets Build a Birth Center! https://gofund.me/cf7da51c

10/19/2024

Did you know?

Families who receive care from midwives are more likely to be satisfied with their care.

In a Delphi study, women receiving midwifery care highlighted the respect, compassion, and attentiveness provided by their midwives. A 2017 trial also showed that women reported high levels of satisfaction with prenatal care from midwives. Additionally, in a 2011 study, women receiving care in a collaborative Certified Nurse Midwife practice had patient satisfaction scores in the 91st to 95th percentile on the Press-Ganey national survey.

https://gofund.me/1fe8923d

Source: https://www.midwife.org/ACNM-News-Release-Evidence-Based-Care

10/18/2024

Did you know?

An 18-year systematic review found that families cared for by midwives experienced a significant reduction in the incidence of third and fourth-degree perineal tears compared to patients with the same risk status who were cared for by OB-GYNs.

https://gofund.me/1fe8923d

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22372080/

10/18/2024

Did you know?

Cesarean rates have increased in the United States for the 4th year in a row.

Midwifery and birth center care leads to fewer cesarean births for low-risk patients compared to OBGYN care.

From 1970 to 2009, the U.S. cesarean rate jumped from 5% to 33%. After a slight drop from 2009 to 2019, the rate is rising again, with 2023 marking the fourth year in a row of increases. Despite this, research hasn’t shown any significant improvements in maternal or child health due to the higher number of cesarean births.

Government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, agree that the cesarean rate needs to be reduced. A 2011 review showed that families cared for by Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) had much lower cesarean rates than those under OBGYN care. In a collaborative practice where midwives and OBGYNs work together and patients had the option to give birth at a freestanding birth center, about 81% of patients had vaginal births, compared to just 63% in the OBGYN only practice.

Data from over 15,000 freestanding birth center births between 2007 and 2010 showed excellent outcomes. There were no maternal deaths, a neonatal death rate 74% lower than the national average, and a cesarean rate of just 6.1%, compared to the national average of 33%.

Lets Build a Birth Center! https://gofund.me/1fe8923d

Source:https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/vsrr/vsrr035.pdf

10/16/2024

Thank you West Lafayette Mom Friends!

Allium Birth and Family Center’s Board President, Sarah Gotlund, and Board Treasurer, Beth Smith, were honored to accept a generous donation from West Lafayette Mom Friends this morning. Their organization held an incredible auction, raising $1,376 to support our mission! This donation brings us closer to making a birth center in Greater Lafayette a reality. We are truly grateful for your support in helping to create a space where families in our community can thrive.

If you’d like to join this amazing support network, learn more here: https://westlafayettemomfriends.wordpress.com/

Let’s Build a Birth Center! https://gofund.me/cf7da51c

10/15/2024

Did you know?

States with laws that better support midwives tend to have better birth outcomes then those with more restrictive regulations.

A study found that states with more midwife-friendly laws had a significantly higher proportion of midwife-assisted births, which was associated with more spontaneous vaginal deliveries, higher breastfeeding rates, fewer preterm births, fewer low birthweight babies, and fewer cesarean sections.

https://gofund.me/1fe8923d

Source: http://bit.ly/2HlJ7Kr

08/11/2024

Biddings ends at 8pm tonight for Flourish Studio & Classroom Canvas Fundraiser benefiting Allium!

https://www.32auctions.com/organizations/110573/auctions/166632/auction_items/5516517?

12/16/2023

“The model will also prioritize funding for programs who develop a plan to increase access to midwives, midwifery-led care models, freestanding birth centers, and doula support services.

This 10-year payment and care-delivery model represents a significant step towards addressing the maternal health crisis in our nation.“
https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/hhs-improve-maternal-health-outcomes-new-cms-care-model-expands-access-services-other-proven

Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) announced the release of its newest model designed to improve maternal health access and outcomes for individuals enrolled in our nation’s Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The Transforming Maternal Health (TMaH) Model will support participating state Medicaid agencies (SMA) development of a whole-person approach to pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum maternal health care. The overarching goal of the model is to reduce disparities in access and treatment that disproportionately impact people of color.

The TMaH model will provide funding to selected SMAs to help provide access to the wide range of physical, mental health, and social needs experienced during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. The model will also prioritize funding for programs who develop a plan to increase access to midwives, midwifery-led care models, freestanding birth centers, and doula support services. Each participating SMA will be eligible for up to $17 million during the model’s 10-year period. CMS is slated to release a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for SMAs in Spring 2024. Applications will be due in Summer 2024.

ACNM is supportive of this initiative and will be pulling together a fact sheet in the coming weeks for our state affiliate leaders to better understand the initiative and the required next steps to ensure SMAs are well-versed in the value of midwifery care and are prepared to apply for funding. This 10-year payment and care-delivery model represents a significant step towards addressing the maternal health crisis in our nation, and ACNM commends the Biden Administration’s commitment to improving outcomes for pregnant, birthing, and postpartum people. https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/hhs-improve-maternal-health-outcomes-new-cms-care-model-expands-access-services-other-proven

11/28/2023

🤲 GIVING TUESDAY FUNDRAISER 🤲

Tina Garwood of Rooting For You was generous enough to donate these gorgeous Allium themed handmade clay earrings as a way to help raise money for Allium Birth & Family Center!

These would make great presents while also contributing to a very worthy cause- providing more birthing options to the families in our community 💜💚

Suggested donations are listed on the individual pictures - $10-$25. Porch pick up in Lafayette available or $5 shipping. Comment ME to claim and donation can be sent via PayPal to PayPal.me/AlliumCenter

Please indicate local pickup or shipping and let us know when you have sent donation. One of our board members will PM you to get you your items.

Thank you for supporting us during this wild and crazy venture! Additional thanks to Tina for donating her amazing talents to us for this fundraiser!

07/27/2023

🌟Board Member Spotlight! 🌟

We are on Day 10 of Board Member Spotlight! Today we are privileged to be able to introduce you to Amanda Findlay. We know her experience and skills will be such an asset to Allium!

Amanda Findlay is a community-builder in the nonprofit sector, with a focus on the creation and growth of small businesses and startups. She's the Managing Director at MatchBOX and leads cohorts of founders through MBXax acceleration programming. She's inspired and driven by MatchBOX's vision to support a better future for the region that is vibrant, innovative, and optimistic, and is passionate about working toward a more equitable community. Previously, Amanda was a member of the founding team at Purdue Foundry, and managed women's health marketing and programs at a rural Indiana hospital.

Through birthing and mothering her two children, Liam and Quinn, Amanda found a passion for volunteering with community organizations that advocated for outcomes and options for mothers and caregivers. She helped start and run Greater Lafayette Babywearing, served as a volunteer for La Leche League of Greater Lafayette, and was a member of United Way of Greater Lafayette's Healthy Active Tippecanoe initiative and Breastfeeding Coalition. Amanda believes that access and options are critical elements of healthy communities that support parents and caregivers, and is grateful to be part of the board at Allium.

Join us in creating a lasting impact on the lives of Lafayette's families. Together, we can ensure that every individual receives the care and support they deserve.

PayPal.me/AlliumCenter