Hi Everybody:
     In defense of ICEA's refusal to ratify the Coalition for Improving
Maternity Services (CIMS),  ICEA President Mae Shoemaker states in the
December ICEA Journal, that "the language was still too exclusive rather than
inclusive. International members expressed concerns that the document served
only the US members." When one reads the document's preamble, there does seem
to be more of a focus on birthing practices in the US than elsewhere in the
world. ICEA invites people to obtain the document and make an individual
decision. It can be obtained from CIMS, c/o ASPO/Lamaze, 1200 19th Street NW,
Suite #300, Washington DC 20036; enclose $3 to defray costs. Or visit the CIMS
website at http://www.healthy.net/cims. Because the success of breastfeeding
is so heavily impacted by what happens at birth, I urge all concerned to
become informed and get involved.
    However, ICEA was mentioned by name in BIRTH 24:3 1997 by the editor of
that journal as being absent from the Symposium on the Utilization of
Epidurals in the United States; also absent were the AAP, the Association of
Nurse Anesthetists, and the American Public Health Association. I find this
disappointing, and have written so to the ICEA president. Warmly, Nikki Lee
ICCE