Cesarean Awareness Month – April 2012

For the first time in 14 years, the 2010 US C-section rate of 32.8% is down slightly from the 2009 rate of 32.9%. This is excellent news but it is too early to celebrate. A quick look at the US Cesarean Rates from 1970 to 2010 depicts the long history of a negative trend. It [...]

Oregon Health Plan applications should be expedited for pregnant women

Low-income pregnant women in Oregon experience too many delays in completing the Oregon Health Plan application process. These delays run counter to Department of Human Services policy requiring applications by pregnant women be expedited and processed within two business days. DHS branches must have or develop a specific process for expediting applications made by pregnant [...]

Mandatory Licensure for Midwives?

Oregon State Represenative Mitch Greenlick has introduced House Bill 2380 to the Health Care Committee. 2380 requires all direct-entry midwives in the state to become licensed providers. If passed, this bill would replace Oregon’s voluntary licensure program for direct-entry midwifery. Bill 2380 contains an emergency clause making it effective upon signature by the Governor meaning [...]

Sacred Heart to become Baby Friendly, McKenzie-Willamette exploring designation

Since posting Project Aims to Improve OR Hospital-Based Breastfeeding Services, MotherBaby Network has received a good deal of positive feedback from individuals in healthcare, elected office, local government, the insurance industry, the non-profit sector as well as from consumers. The post describes a new statewide project (Oregon Hospitals Partnering for Evidence-Based Infant Nutrition) that support hospitals [...]

Lane Co’s extends prenatal to women ineligible for OHP due to immigration status

Following six other counties, Lane County is implementing Oregon’s Prenatal Expansion Program to provide Oregon Health Plan (OHP) Plus Prenatal services to pregnant women who have “Citizen / Alien Waived Emergency Medical” (CAWEM) coverage. Expansion of CAWEM coverage to include prenatal care is made possible through the federal Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) that allows [...]

Project Aims to Improve OR Hospital-Based Breastfeeding Services

With funding support from Oregon WIC and Multnomah County Health Department, the Breastfeeding Coalition of Oregon (BCO) recently launched a new statewide project – Oregon Hospitals Partnering for Evidence-Based Infant Nutrition. This project supports hospitals in developing the evidence-based systems associated with increased rates of breastfeeding.  The project aims to promote evidence-based hospital maternity practices [...]

Latest on Midwifery Board rules / Shout Out to Midwifery Supporters

Latest development in OARS The Oregon Board of Direct Entry Midwifery is near the end of a yearlong process of revising the Oregon Administrative Rules (draft rules) that govern licensed direct-entry midwives (LDMs). With a few exceptions, LDMs are the sole providers of home birth services in Oregon. In September, draft rules developed by the [...]