Join Solace in writing about abusive birth practices

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Solace for Mothers invites you to join us in writing to Lynn Rosenthal and Michelle Obama in an effort to bring awareness to the violence women experience at the hands of some maternity care providers. First Lady Michelle Obama has made recent remarks championing the rights of childbearing women, and may be an ally for this cause. Lynn Rosenthal is a former executive director of the National Network to End Domestic Violence and the recently appointed Presidential Advisor on Violence Against Women.

For more information on the campaign and to read our letter, please visit our website: www.solaceformothers.org
A sample letter is provided for you below and can be sent via email or post to:

Office of Violence Against Women
Attention: Lynn Rosenthal
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
AskDOJ@usdoj.gov (Include in subject line— ATTN: Lynn Rosenthal)
The White House

Attention: Michelle Obama
1600 Pennsylvania Av NW
Washington, DC 20500
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact (Include in the subject line – ATTN: Michelle Obama)

Dear Ms. Rosenthal/ Ms. Obama:
I am joining with the organization Solace for Mothers in writing to you to describe the injustice and abuse perpetuated on American women by health care providers during childbirth. I feel strongly that a woman has the right to give permission to which procedures and treatments are performed on her body during the birth of her child. I believe that some women are being subjected to institutional violence during maternity procedures. Most American hospitals claim in their Patients’ Bill of Rights that all patients who are capable of making decisions for themselves have the right to make decisions regarding their medical care, without fear of reprisal. A doctor is bound by ethics and federal regulations to uphold a patient’s choice on these matters. And yet, I know from experience that some doctors, midwives and nurses do not respect this right.

[Describe personal experience—either witnessed, or if a mother how this occurred to you.]

Trauma resulting from the denial of the right to consent to and refuse care can interfere with bonding, breastfeeding, other mothering and social duties. The impact can be so severe that the traumatic response can be diagnosed as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and can lead to depression, and even suicidality.

[Describe your or a client’s, patient’s or family member’s traumatic symptoms.]

I join with Solace for Mothers in pleading that The Department of Justice under the Obama administration address this form of violence against women. You have the unique opportunity to bring this issue to President Obama’s attention. We ask that the current Informed Consent regulations be amended to reflect the need for punitive measures for providers who fail to gain consent or who attempt to coerce a woman to consent. Health care and maternity care providers must suffer consequences for their illegal behavior. Self-regulatory systems are not working, and women and infants are suffering tremendous consequences as a result.

Sincerely,
[Your name here]