What if something is deeply wrong with our childbirth system?
Highly-trained specialists working in well-equipped hospitals manage most births. Seen this way, one might assume that our system is safe, evidence-based, and effective. One might explain the high cost as a necessary trade-off for quality service while complications, injuries, and deaths might be explained as unavoidable.
But what if overwhelming evidence shows that we're living with a system that isn't very good at all, on average?
Our system has saddled millions of women with expensive over-treatment, unnecessary complications, and avoidable risks.
When expecting a baby for the first time, there is so much for a mom or couple to think about besides critically examining the birth system they are about to traverse. Let us not leave them alone facing a broken system.
Join us in this exploration of what's gone wrong with birth in the U.S, the impact on mothers and babies, and how we can unbreak birth.
What's the Event?
A 30 minute presentation "UnBreaking Birth," a panel Q and A, and a reception. It will be much like TED talk followed by a panel and reception.
Yes, this location is wheelchair-accessible.
Busses and Metro
0.7 mile walk from Takoma (red line) metro station
On Ride-On Bus lines 13, 17, 18, 25 and Metro Bus F4.
About the panel
Following the talk, there will be a panel Q & A with representatives from the birth community who can respond to questions about the problem, the proposed solution, and how everyone can be involved in unbreaking birth.
About the speaker, Ryan McAllister, PhD
Ryan serves as a Research Assistant Professor in the Physics and Oncology departments at Georgetown University. In addition to the bioethics of obstetrics, he studies experimental biophysical problems including cancer cell migration, nerve cell development, and Giardia attachment. Ryan has facilitated more than 150 workshops on relationships, parenting, and communication. He is also a proud parent of a young woman with a rare genetic translocation and what some call "profound special needs.”
For more information
UnBreaking Birth on Facebook
UnBreaking Birth on Eventbrite
Contact: Carmen Calvo, carmencalvo22@gmail.com
