About BirthNetFL

Goals

Meeting Schedule

Our mission is to promote awareness and availability of healthy, normal, mother-friendly childbirth through information, education, outreach and advocacy.

BirthNet of the Finger Lakes was created in response to changes in birth options in our local communities. We are a consumer-based and volunteer-run working group that advocates for women and their families in order to protect the availability of birthing options. We are also committed to providing comprehensive information regarding all aspects of prenatal, birth and postpartum health.

Some of our work includes:

  • Encouraging open, respectful communication between hospitals, midwives, doctors and consumers
  • Working groups on VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) and other issues
  • Advocating for providers and hospitals to sign on to the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative
  • Responding to local, regional and national media coverage of birth issues
  • Joining regional and national initiatives to assert and preserve women's right to comprehensive and appropriate maternity care

BirthNet of the Finger Lakes is modeled after our sister organization BirthNet (an Albany, NY based group). Any information duplicated is with their full permission.

BirthNet mission is to educate the public about maternity care in order to improve it. Our goal is to encourage all women and families to learn about their rights and about the choices and options available during the childbearing year.  Women need to know what they are choosing, including risks, benefits, and options.  They need to have complete and accurate evidence-based information.

BirthNet and BirthNet of the Finger Lakes works to improve maternity care for women of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, races, religions, sexual orientations, abilities, and socio-economic circumstances. We see birth options--such as where, with whom, and how to give birth--as reproductive rights.