Bangalore Birth Network

Bangalore Birth Network (BBN), a Bangalore-based all India resource for evidence-based, respectful maternity care, was launched in 2007 in India to raise awareness and change the paradigm of obstetric care to one based on evidence, respect and compassion to improve outcomes and experiences. The core of this is based on a triangulation of hearing and understanding women experiences, medical and health evidence, and the concerns and needs of providers and hospitals. This in turn changes the relationship of care. Through social media platforms and phone-based counselling we have been guiding women and families on birth options and pregnancy/postpartum care for the last 3 years. BBN Objectives To provide information and education to women and their families in English and regional languages that enhance their understanding of birth as a normal life process and enable them to make informed decisions. To administer exchange forums about normal physiological birth and reproductive health through public events, educational seminars, online discussion groups, websites and meetings. To support providers in the private and public sectors, whose aims are to deliver evidence based care, as well as provide training opportunities for providers who wish to provide mother and baby-friendly services. To focus on providing women from lower socio-economic backgrounds access to the most up-to-date, evidence based and humane mother and baby-friendly care. To conduct research and programs related to humane, evidence-based prenatal, labor and delivery and postpartum related issues. To make data and findings available to the general public and policy makers to make informed decisions. To promote respectful, evidence based maternity care through any possible programs, or research and advocacy activities. The BBN is a registered non-profit society in Bangalore.