Maternal Health Care in the 21st Century, Sarasota and Beyond November 1, 2009

This event is a community service brought to you by the Sarasota-Manatee Chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW), Florida Friends of Midwives (FFOM) and the Sarasota Commission on the status of Women (SCSW). Admission is free, but reservations are strongly recommended. Please call (941) 915.8115 for reservations or more information.

The event will have a panel discussion that will review current trends in maternity care in Sarasota within the context of the U.S. and the world and will target paths to improving maternity care locally and nationwide. The discussion will last approximately an hour and a half. Time will be allotted for audience questions and answers as well as refreshments following the program.

Panelists include:

Obstetrics
Dr. Washington Hill, MD, FACOG, Maternal Fetal Medical Director, SMH

Midwifery
Ina May Gaskin, MA, CPM, The Farm Midwifery Center

Legislature
Rep. Keith Fitzgerald, Florida House of Representatives, Dist. 69

Public Health
Jennifer Highland, Executive Director, Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota

Moderator
Kelly Kirschner Vice Mayor, Sarasota City Commission

Discussion Topics Include:
* Obstetric intervention rates and risks
* Reasons for interventions and malpractice concerns
* Pending legislation and health care reform
* Maternal mortality
* The midwifery model of care
* Informed Consent and Refusal
* Community education and awareness
* Availability of prenatal and postpartum care (including education, counseling, and doulas)
* The upcoming expansion of Sarasota Memorial Hospital