It is August and as the Florida sun creates unbelievable heat, the health care debate heats up as well.  I must say at first I was upset by all the tempest of emotion.  In my world as a mother, yelling never seems to accomplish much and I try hard to avoid it.  This noise has created attention, and I believe there is no going back now.  We will have reform in health care.  I also believe that if Al Sharpton and Newt Gingrich can team up for change in education, this debate can be an opportunity for polarities to come together as well. 

The Florida Birth Source is about the synthesis of varying views as well.  We have rededicated ourselves to sharing information and statistics that allow women in the community to make informed choices. 

We invite you to check out our information about labor induction.  I will provide information from the American College of Obstetrician’s Practice Guidelines.  In addition, our newest contributor, Robin Maddox LM, will discuss natural methods of inducing labor in Features.  And Stacey has some new questions about induction that you may want to Ask Your Health Care Provider.  How common is induction? We will get the best statistics we can from your local hospitals.  We will share a birth story that will move you and open up a new possibility for your birth. 

Lastly, I encourage you to check out the website www.reduceinfantmortality.com  This is a crucial issue in Orange County, my county,  where the black infant mortality rate is double the white infant mortality rate.  Local midwife, Jennie Joseph, founder of the JJWay, discusses health care methods that have been shown to  improve the health of our community. 

Thanks for reading and as always we want to hear from you.  We look forward to addressing the issues of importance to you and your stories about birth.   
 
Sincerely,
 
Cathy M. Rudolph CNM, MPH


p.s.  Don't forget to take the Birth Survey  on our Home Page!!