Statistically, the United States rates number 39 in maternal mortality. This means that it is safer to be pregnant and to give birth in 38 other countries than the USA... and less expensive too.

Pregnant women who are at risk for suffering complications and even death are in the prime of their lives. The most affected populations are minorities, Native Americans, immigrants, and women living in poverty and who speak little or no English.

Oxytocin is the hormone of love. We share it when we have a good conversation, we share it when we make love, and when we hug, and BIRTH is the biggest brightest time of rich oxytocin-sharing.

I cry when I work in the garden, because the Sun, the rain, the wind and the Earth all work together to make us food and flowers. It just blows me away.

My passion for maternal and child health led me to continue my studies and pursue the path of midwifery. And here I am now... still catching babies.

I became a fierce advocate for gentle birth as a solution for the most pressing problems of our times - a solution that begins at the source.

The number of maternal deaths is significantly understated because of a lack of effective data collection both in the US and around the world.