what is the ihub?

Our Purpose

The Institute for Humane Birth (IHuB) is dedicated to the promotion and incorporation of maternity and childbirth practices that honor the humanity of women, newborns, and their families.

The term “humane” is often used to describe the respectful treatment of animals, but it is also a way of describing the ethical treatment of humans. Ironically, there is less awareness about humane childbirth practices for humans than there is about the humane treatment of animals. IHuB seeks to change this alarming situation around the world. 

How We Make Change

  • Educating midwives, obstetricians, and other maternity workers on the practice of humane maternity services.
 
  • Forming and deploying Humane Birth Attendants to countries with prevalent obstetric violence and high cesarean rates.
 
  • Conducting and publishing research that assesses humane birth practices around the world.
 
  • Evaluating and rating birth practices in healthcare settings and locations internationally.
 
  • Educating women on their rights and autonomy during birth.

Principles for Humane Birth

·       Pregnancy and birth should be left to unfold without intervention unless there’s clear and verifiable danger to the health of the mother or child.

·       The best place to give birth, for a woman with a low-risk pregnancy, is her home or another familiar place chosen by her.

·       The woman should have the choice to select who will attend and witness the birth of her child.

·       Birth attendants should find other ways to assess labor progress other than vaginal exams.

·       Vaginal exams should be used only as a last resort and always with consent from the mother.

·       Any intervention should be preceded by informed consent and offered without coercion.

·       Women should not be shamed, harassed, threatened, or scared when declining an intervention.

·       Mother and newborn are one and should not be separated unless medically necessary.  In case of separation, the mother should have unrestricted access to her newborn.

·       Every practice during pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and newborn care, should be based on current evidence, common sense, and respect for cultural and family traditions.