September 25, 2009, Ottawa, ON - The Ottawa based advocacy group Coalition for Breech Birth (CBB) will host the International Breech Birth Conference at the Bronson Centre in Ottawa, October 15 and 16, 2009.

On the heels of new guidelines published by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC), the International Breech Conference will bring together a community of experts and consumers from around the world working toward the restoration of breech delivery skills to maternity care providers.

Over the last ten years, the practice of vaginal breech birth was nearly eliminated from obstetrical practice and surgical birth was the only option offered to women carrying breech babies. Consumer pressure, the lack of research evidence against normal delivery of breech babies, and widespread acknowledgement of the significant risks of caesarean section combined to result in this major turn in obstetrical thinking. Canada has been at the forefront of this change while women in many countries continue to be denied the right to choice in childbirth despite evidence supporting the safety of vaginal breech birth.

“This lack of choice is unacceptable to many women, especially as the clinical evidence does not show clear benefit to women or their babies in having a surgical rather than vaginal breech birth,” says Robin Guy, conference organizer and mother of a breech baby. “It was distress about the situation at the grassroots level that resulted in the creation of CBB, and it’s why we decided to host this conference right here in Ottawa where vaginal breech birth is already starting to make a comeback.”

The CBB is thrilled to announce a high profile line-up of speakers at the International Breech Birth Conference including world-acclaimed obstetricians, midwives, researchers and others who have assisted women and tirelessly defended their right to vaginal breech delivery. Invited experts hail from Canada, the United States, Israel, Germany, Australia and the United Kingdom. Special guests include Dr. Stuart Fischbein of California, Dr. Marek Glezerman of Tel Aviv, Drs Frank Louwen and Anke Reitter of Frankfurt, and the legendary American midwife Ina May Gaskin, author of Spiritual Midwifery and Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth.

Canadian speakers include Dr. André Lalonde, Vice President of the SOGC; Dr. Robert Gagnon, an obstetrician from Montreal; Betty-Anne Daviss, acclaimed researcher and Ottawa midwife; and Dr. Savas Menticoglou, a Winnipeg OB who never stopped delivering breech babies vaginally. Additional speakers include prominent chiropractors, naturopaths, and consumers with insight into breech birth.

Fees are on a sliding scale, making this conference exceptionally affordable for consumers, while offering educational credits to participating obstetricians, midwives, doulas, and other professionals.

Registration is online at www.breechbirth.ca.

For more info or to schedule an interview with members of the CBB or conference speakers,
please contact Robin Guy, Planning Committee Chair, at breechbirth@gmail.com.