Tallahassee, Florida- September 3, 2012
Families rally for what they call "the largest women's rights issue in decades".
"We support women's choice" says one woman.
Dozens of women and men held a rally in front of Florida's Old Capitol, Monday.
The group 'Improving Birth', is in support of evidence-based maternity care.
Supporters say a surgical Cesarean section is performed in one out of three births, and they want a reduction in C-sections.
Angela Meredith, the Improving Birth Tallahassee Coordinator, says, "We recognize that they can be life-saving and we're grateful to live in a country with that kind of medical technology. But, when they're over used, there are risks to moms and babies. It could mean further complications in later births of not being able to have a natural vaginal birth in the future."
Supporters say they also want a reduction in augmented labor through the use of drugs.
Meredith says, "We feel that there are a lot of unnecessary interventions that are being done during birth, things that could be avoided if we were practicing evidence-based maternity care across the board."
Research shows that U.S. home births increased by 29 percent between 2204 and 2009. Mothers out here at the rally say that's an option that all women should be aware of.
Rally attendee Charlie Wagner home-birthed both of her children.
Wagner says, "Some of the benefits are no interference with the mom and interventions so that she can do what her body needs to do without people telling her what to do."
The first National Rally for Change took place in 110 cities.
Hospitals where rallies were held were contacted to ask for their cooperation in the effort to raise awareness.
For more information, visit www.ImprovingBirth.org.
