Articles: Advocacy

Fake Hospital Birth Centers: Sutter Health Bait & Switch?

by Cristen Pascucci | Aug 9, 2023 | Advocacy, All, Birth Trauma, Obstetric Violence, Trauma

Hospital advertising–using language about “choice,” “autonomy,” and respect for birth plans–has evolved along with the changing demands of a more informed birthing population… but how reliable are those promises?

Alabama Birth Centers: Action Call

by Cristen Pascucci | Jul 13, 2023 | Advocacy, Alabama, All

Today, July 13, 2023, is the much-anticipated hearing in Montgomery, Alabama, about proposed birth center regulations in a state where there are currently zero. As folks flood the hearing in person, we are hosting an action call via Zoom to support Alabama families'...

Birth in Rape Culture

by Cristen Pascucci | Dec 29, 2022 | Advocacy, All, Birth Rights, Birth Trauma, Obstetric Violence, Trauma

Obstetric violence culture is a part of rape culture, where sexual violence, especially against women, is normalized.

Secondary Trauma and Birth Advocacy

by Cristen Pascucci | Nov 22, 2021 | Advocacy, All, Birth Trauma, Trauma

Secondary trauma, trauma experienced by those who witness the abuse of others, spills over into the lives of everyone who sees it, who is complicit in it, who is conflicted about their role in it, who fights with everything in them against it, who perpetrates it.

A Call to Advocates: Compassion and Loss in Out-of-Hospital Birth

by Cristen Pascucci | Nov 28, 2018 | Advocacy, All, Birth Trauma, Home Birth, Out of hospital birth, Trauma

If we support out-of-hospital birth, we should welcome these opportunities for growth, even when they are uncomfortable.

When Your Lawyer is Your Doula

by Cristen Pascucci | Oct 23, 2018 | Advocacy, All, Birth Rights, Birth Trauma, For Providers, Trauma

“That doesn’t make sense, for her to wait until after she’s abused to call me. If she’s really worried about it, I can meet her at the hospital as her doula, and make sure that doesn’t happen.”

“Women are the ONLY stakeholders who matter.” Cristen Pascucci’s Speech at 2018 Kentucky March for Moms

by Cristen Pascucci | Jun 10, 2018 | Advocacy, All, The Birth Monopoly

These words came out of a growing sense of frustration that American leadership is so quick to blame women for what are actually systemic problems in maternity care.

International Midwives and Obstetricians Groups Plead for Clemency in Case of Persecuted Hungarian Midwife/OB Agnes Gereb

by Cristen Pascucci | Jan 30, 2018 | Advocacy, All, Birth Rights, Home Birth, Out of hospital birth, The Birth Monopoly

This case of birth monopoly is about the long-term legal prosecution of Agnes Gereb, the trailblazing Hungarian obstetrician who chose to become a midwife almost 20 years into her career so that she could support women on their own terms.

Birth Plans Are Never A Joke: Trust, Betrayal, and Misogyny in Maternity Care

by Cristen Pascucci | Nov 20, 2017 | Advocacy, All, Birth Trauma, Obstetric Violence, Trauma

Birth plans are women being smarter than hospitals when hospitals fail to follow humane, science-based practices. That they have to be written down and pre-approved by a doctor is evidence of how little women’s decisions in birth matter.

Meet Your New Hero: Senator Vivian Davis Figures Tells the Truth About Birth Choice in Alabama

by Cristen Pascucci | May 20, 2017 | Advocacy, Alabama, All, The Birth Monopoly

Sen. Vivian Davis Figures drops a truth bomb in the Alabama legislature: “Who do you think birthed your ancestors. Uneducated slaves, ok? They were midwives.”

VIDEO: Hospitals Already Ban Vaginal Birth After Cesarean in Hospitals, Want to Ban it at Home

by Cristen Pascucci | Mar 15, 2017 | Advocacy, All, Obstetric Violence, The Birth Monopoly

This short Birth Monopoly video looks at the reality families face in a state where, in many ways, hospitals have more control over birth than women do.

Letter to an Obstetrician: Forced Vaginal Procedures are Unethical, Traumatic

by Cristen Pascucci | Sep 19, 2016 | Advocacy, All, Birth Rights, Birth Trauma, For Providers, Obstetric Violence, Sexual Trauma, Trauma

The performance of medical procedures without consent on a competent adult is unethical, unprofessional, and possibly illegal. More specifically, when a medical or midwifery professional administers a procedure without the consent of the pregnant or laboring...

ACOG to Docs: Women’s Right to Say “No” Comes First

by Cristen Pascucci | May 31, 2016 | Advocacy, All, Birth Rights, For Providers

ACOG discourages physicians “in the strongest possible terms” from the use of coercion and court-ordered threats or interventions against pregnant women.

“Birthrape & the Doula” with Amy Gilliland, Ph.D.

by Cristen Pascucci | May 2, 2016 | Advocacy, All, Birth Trauma, Obstetric Violence, Sexual Trauma, Trauma

So what does a doula do when her client is being violated right in front of her?

Obstetrician Ethics: Awesome Guidelines from the National OBs’ Group

by Cristen Pascucci | Mar 8, 2016 | Advocacy, All, Birth Rights, For Providers, Obstetric Violence

For pregnant people and those who work with them, these ethical concepts around their care are critical.

Mom Sues for Bait & Switch in Maternity Care

by Cristen Pascucci | Nov 19, 2015 | Advocacy, All, Birth Rights, Birth Trauma, Obstetric Violence, Sexual Trauma, Trauma

“As if birthing a baby isn’t hard enough, I gave birth while engaged in a physical struggle against the people I trusted to care for us.”

Is the doula’s role changing?

by Cristen Pascucci | Jul 7, 2015 | Advocacy, All

What do you think about the role of doulas and their “place” in our system? Is it changing?

Does it need to change?

Three Things Your Doula Can’t Tell You

by Cristen Pascucci | Jul 7, 2015 | Advocacy, All

Some moms don’t realize that doulas can’t say every little thing that’s on their minds, and they have professional standards that may preclude them from talking to you like you are a best friend.

Doctor, You’re Not Listening

by Cristen Pascucci | Sep 30, 2014 | Advocacy, All, Birth Trauma, For Providers, Obstetric Violence, Trauma

So much trauma could be prevented by simply listening to and respecting the women giving birth.

Why I unapologetically charge for my work and why you should, too

by Cristen Pascucci | Aug 2, 2014 | Advocacy, All, Uncategorized

I’m not willing to be an economic victim any longer. I’m in it for the long haul, and I want you to be, too.

Arizona Birth Monopoly: Mandatory Surgery or Forced Vaginal Exams

by Cristen Pascucci | Jun 30, 2014 | Advocacy, All, Birth Rights, Birth Trauma, Home Birth, Obstetric Violence, Out of hospital birth, Sexual Trauma, The Birth Monopoly, Trauma

While some states are working hard to make maternity care safer, less expensive, and more humane, Arizona is going backwards, fast, led by its state Department of Health Services. New interpretation of existing state regulations that go into effect on July 1 impose...