Lamaze And ICEA Bring Together The Birthing Community

WASHINGTON, DC, December 03, 2009; 24-7 PressRelease

Lamaze International and the International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA) are joining together in Milwaukee, Wis., September 30 - October 3, 2010, to celebrate their 50-year anniversaries. The 50th Anniversary Mega Conference, Celebrating Our Pasts, Uniting for the Future of Birth, will unify the birthing community in an unprecedented event that combines education, research, networking and social activities.

The Mega Conference will aid in promoting the shared vision of both childbirth education organizations: to educate women and their families about pregnancy, birth and early parenting. As maternal deaths and medical interventions in labor continue to rise, this conference comes at a pivotal time in maternal-child health care.

"Our joint venture reinforces the strong commitment to childbearing women, maximizes the potential of our reach to women around the world and enables us to create an unparalleled conference experience," says Lamaze International president Sharon Dalrymple, RN, BN, MEd, LCCE, FACCE.

"We anticipate that the Mega Conference will be the largest gathering of birth advocates we have seen in years," says ICEA president Jeanette Schwartz, RNC, MA, ICCE-CD, LCCE. "As a childbirth educator, doula, nurse, midwife or doctor, this is the place you need to be and attendees are the people you need to meet."

Lamaze and ICEA invite childbirth educators, midwives, nurses, doulas, administrators, doctors, physical therapists, birth advocates, social workers, authors, researchers and lactation consultants to share their expertise by submitting an abstract for a conference and/or poster presentation at the 50th Anniversary Mega Conference.

For more information, visit www.futureofbirthconference.org 

About Lamaze International
Lamaze International promotes a natural, healthy and safe approach to pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting practices. Knowing that pregnancy and childbirth can be demanding on a woman's body and mind, Lamaze serves as a resource for information about what to expect and what choices are available during the childbearing years. Lamaze education and practices are based on the best, most current medical evidence available. Working closely with their families, health care providers and Lamaze educators, millions of pregnant women have achieved their desired childbirth outcomes using Lamaze practices. The best way to learn about Lamaze's steps to a safe and healthy birth is to take a class with a Lamaze certified instructor. To find classes in your area, or for more information visit http://www.lamaze.org.

About the International Childbirth Education Association
The International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA) as a professional organization supports educators and other health care providers who believe in freedom of choice based on knowledge of alternatives in family-centered maternity and newborn care. ICEA's goals are to provide: Training and continuing education programs, quality educational resources and professional certification programs. For more information about the International Childbirth Education Association, visit http://www.icea.org.