Letter Writing Campaign for Gender Inclusion in the MMOC

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For a short while, MANA had updated their posting of the Midwifery Model of Care (MMOC) to be gender inclusive, and for that reason NMI linked MANA's gender inclusive version of the MMOC in the NMI student resources. However, it has recently gone back to gender exclusive language. I have written to them and a few other prominent midwifery organizations to update the MMOC with gender inclusive language. Will you join me?

For a short while MANA’s website read, (emphasis mine):

"Midwives Model of Care™ Is Client-Centered...

  • monitoring the physical, psychological and social well-being of the mother/birthing parent throughout the childbearing cycle

  • providing the mother/birthing parent with individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care, continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery, and postpartum support

  • minimizing technological interventions and

  • identifying and referring women/birthing people who require obstetrical attention.

  • The application of this model has been proven to reduce to incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section."

If you would like to join in a school wide effort to encourage these organizations to update their language, here is a sample letter, and below is a list of possible organizations to write.

Dear [X-Orgization]

I hope that [X Organization] would be open to edit the MMOC to add gender inclusive language on your website. Currently it exclusively represents women and mothers, but not all birthing people.  We understand the clinical significance of gender exclusion, the exclusion of marginalized groups in midwifery, and the impact it has on these populations, and resulting health outcomes and client experiences.

I hope that [X Organization] will be open to including representation of all pregnant and birthing people by including gender inclusive language in the MMOC you post on your website. Please let me know if your organization would be open to this change. 

Sincerely,
[Your Name, Title]

Consider writing to: 

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead