[LaLa]

I need a name for it - I need all suggestions ladies!

The goal will be:
Advocacy - advocate normal and natural childbirth and the mother friendly care initiative (MFCI) as well as lodging complaints on behalf of women who were treated unjustly or in a non mother friendly way
Educate - Educate women on childbirth, labor, etc
Referrals - to motherfriendly care institutes & providers
Promoting - breastfeeding through awareness & also trying to encourage hospitals to provide nursing bags to breastfeeding mothers rather than formula bags (this woudl include putting them together).

Id also like to either refer to childbirth & lactation classes or hold them under our non profit. Monthly meetings about maternity care issues, newborn issues, etc.

Suggestions?! Im in Northwest florida by the way, but it can say something like florida, north florida, northwest florida, or no suggestions of florida at all

Lala...

[abigailsilva]

All I got so far is P.E.A.R. or P.A.R.E. but that's not very maternal is it?

[LaLa]

Ooh i hadnt thought of it that way lol.

I kept thinking NWFlorida Birth Network (how original huH? Lol) or NWFlorida Advocates for Birth,
Advocates for Better Birth Services (ABBS), Birth Options, Birth Choices, Florida Advocates for Childbirth Services, etc.

I couldnt seem to find anything that stood out, or was really unique. Notsure how "plain" would owrk, or if it might actually be better. I wanted it to sound professional, something people can refer to easily, and that could be on a poster and not sound crazy. A really good acronym wouuld work nicely.

We have a "group" in our area that does strictly referrals & the like & its called "Healthy Start", but they arent really advocates of much. They promote formula, dont hold CB classes, dont encourage BFing or natural birth, didnt even know what a doula was until last year when I went to talk to them, etc.

Lala...

[Heathermhill]

You have a great idea here... I'll try and help you think of a name.
BTW I am in the tampa area if I can help, let me know Or PM me

[PixieQueen]

How about R.E.A.P? Then you can say stuff about reaping what you sow, or something corny like that? Or reaping the benefits of all those things.... I don't know...

[abigailsilva]

Oooh, good one! Maybe I'm just a goober, but I really think the words mommy or mama or mom or mother should be in there somwhere as she's the main focus of this program.

[PixieQueen]

Oooh, good one! Maybe I'm just a goober, but I really think the words mommy or mama or mom or mother should be in there somwhere as she's the main focus of this program.[/b]

Well in that case you could call it the Mothers' R.E.A.P. Network. That way if it goes nationwide you don't have to change anything.

Or you could call it the Mothers' Advocates and Peer Network (M.A.P. Network).

I think I am tapped out.

[TheOtherMichelle]

Could you see this going out of state, maybe national (eventually), or do you want to keep it small? That would help to figure out if you want something with Florida in the name. I'll keep on trying to think of something.

I live in Orlando, and I would love to do something like this in the future. Keep me posted on how it's going and maybe I can find some way to help out!

Could you see this going out of state, maybe national (eventually), or do you want to keep it small? That would help to figure out if you want something with Florida in the name. I'll keep on trying to think of something.

I live in Orlando, and I would love to do something like this in the future. Keep me posted on how it's going and maybe I can find some way to help out!

[LaLa]

Ive thought of that. I think it woudl be awesome if other women wanted to open other chapters of the group in other areas. Within the state, out of state, anywhere

So in that case, Florida would be "ok", but obviously the name would have to be modified for other women in other areas. Hmmm....

I like the MAP network - it sounds generic enough to be flexible and is still focused. MAP Birth Network maybe? It could either be Mothers and Peers or even Mothers and Professionals Birth Network. Hmmm, Ill keep playing with that one and sleep on it and see where it takes me.

As for those in Florida - I think this state in GENERAL needs some serious reform. Including the states restrictions on midwives! Ill keep everyone posted as things evolve, and maybe we can work together to get other birth networks started! I found out Lamaze Int'l awards grants to women to start up and expand birth networks! IM going to get started on applying for one this week and get the ball rolling.

Lala...

[abigailsilva]

NICE!