Student Researcher: Amie Shirkey
Faculty Evaluator: John Sterner
Southwest Minnesota State University
In Ecuador, there is a new movement called Gravity Birthing. These birthing rituals started small but have become more popular due to the amazing results they have had. These births are shown to reduce complications at the hospitals. Ecuador has a lot of issues with getting women into the hospital to participate in normal birthing practices. This article shows that Ecuador has found new ways to attract more women into the hospital due to a decrease in maternal and infant mortality. The hospital has an infant mortality of 7.8 per 1,000 births; which, is less than half the national average of 19 per 1,000 births. These birthing methods also reduce caesarean sections from 18 to 8 percent. This article being published worldwide could create a movement for the maternity world. This movement could bring more women to the hospital for their deliveries as well as help decrease the infant mortality worldwide.
“’Gravity Birth’ Pulls Women to Ecuador Hospital” Dominique Soguel, WeNews
Women’s Enews, 02/15/09
http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/3920/context/cover