Not Every Birth Story is Funny, And Every Mother Counts

May 4, 2011
by • 8 Comments

There are few things funnier than a really well told pregnancy, labor, and delivery story.

The hemorrhoids. The weird food cravings. The waddling and water breaking and swearing that you will do anything for anyone if they will JUST GET THIS THING OUT OF YOU ALREADY. It’s really easy to turn the miracle of life into the greatest story ever told.

But every 90 seconds, one of those stories doesn’t end with a punchline or a beautiful moment between mother and child.

Every 90 seconds, a woman dies from complications of pregnancy.

In 2011, half a million women a year are dying from pregnancy and childbirth.

That’s CRAZY, right?

Right. It’s even more crazy because 90% of those deaths are preventable. That is way too many women dying needlessly. Way. too. many.

We learned about these statistics through an initiative called Every Mother Counts. It’s spearheaded by Christy Turlington, who has directed a documentary about at-risk pregnant women all over the world. As you have probably surmised, this month’s Aiming Low Does Good focus will be on maternal health and the Every Mother Counts campaign.

Today what we’re asking you to do is simple:

Mark your calendars.

This weekend, the documentary film No Woman, No Cry will premiere on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).

Saturday, May 7:
9:30pm Eastern & West Coast / 8:30pm Central
12:30am Eastern & West Coast / 11:30pm Central

Sunday May 8:
1pm Eastern & West Coast / 12n Central

Make plans to watch this film. Ask your friends to watch it with you. Ask your family to watch it with you.

Learn more about these women who are facing death every 90 seconds.

Because every mother counts.

Filed Under: AL Does Good, All Posts Tagged With: , , ,
About Aiming Low Does Good

Aiming Low Does Good shines a spotlight each month on causes that deserve attention and people who need help. We’ll give you some ideas of how you can help, either with your money, time or talents. We’ll also show you how to get involved in your own communities and how to spread the word.

Comments

  1. Britt Reints says:
    May 4, 2011 at 10:37 am

    Also? I posted that picture of my puffy faced and crying FOR A GOOD CAUSE!

    Y’all better tune into this movie to make it worth it! :-P

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  2. Ann Imig says:
    May 4, 2011 at 12:00 pm

    Words aren’t apt at this exact moment.

    Thank you.

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  3. britni says:
    May 4, 2011 at 12:35 pm

    Ya know, I really want to watch this. What do I do if I don’t have TV?

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  4. Penbleth says:
    May 4, 2011 at 12:53 pm

    How can this still be happening. Such an important cause, thank you for telling us about it.

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  5. The Estrogen Files says:
    May 4, 2011 at 3:05 pm

    I so so so want to see this but we don’t have tv! Any ideas on where else it may be seen?

    Reply
  6. The Estrogen Files says:
    May 4, 2011 at 3:07 pm

    Netflix will have it, eventually. No date set for it yet.

    Reply
  7. Selena says:
    May 4, 2011 at 11:40 pm

    I’m so glad I read your post.. I had heard about Christy Turlington doing this and definitely want to watch. Thanks! Now off to set the DVR.

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Trackbacks

  1. Pregnancy Complications: Not Your Fault | Aiming Low says:
    May 18, 2011 at 9:01 am

    [...] the month of May, we’re talking about maternal health and the staggering amount of women who die from complications of pregnancy or child birth. We want you to know how you can [...]

    Reply

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