European Network of Childbirth Associations (ENCA)

Website (in construction): http://www.enca.eu

The European Network of Childbirth Associations was launched 1993 in Frankfurt/Germany on the initiative of the German partners “GfG” which stands for “Society for childbirth education”. ENCA is a network of organisations campaigning for improvements in perinatal care for mothers and babies. The consumer activists, parents and childbirth educators who join ENCA, recognise the necessity of developing strategies to improve conditions in pregnancy, birth and for the postpartum period throughout Europe. In all countries ENCA supports:

Empowerment of women
Family oriented birth
Breastfeeding
Midwife-centered care

In 1986 the World Health Organisation (WHO) published a list of recommendations on the appropriate use of technology for birth. Despite this, there has been a standardisation of obstetric and midwifery care in Europe based exclusively on the medical viewpoint. Women-centered care and midwifery practice has been marginalised at the disadvantage of mothers and babies.

ENCA national representatives meet regularly and stay in close contact for developing action, share concerns and support each other for urgent campaigns. They help collect and circulate information, organise conferences. Each country representative is responsible for passing on information to interested childbirth and parents’ organisations in her own country.

National representatives

Austria: Enca.Austria ?
Belgium: Enca.Belgium ?
Bosnia: Enca.Bosnia ?
Czech Republic: Fundacja Rodzić po Ludzku
France: Collectif interassociatif autour de la naissance (CIANE)
Germany: Enca.Germany ?
Greece: ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟ ΔΙΚΤΥΟ ΓΙΑ ΤΟ ΣΕΒΑΣΜΟ ΣΤΗ ΓΕΝΝΑ - ENCA Hellas
- ENCA Hellas Network - Respecting Childbirth
Hungary: http://www.birth.hu
Italy: Enca.Italy ?
Lithuania: Enca.Lithuania ?
Luxemburg: Enca.Luxemburg ?
TheNetherlands: Enca.TheNetherlands
Poland: Enca.Poland ?
Portugal: Enca.Portugal ?
Romania (pending): Mame pentru Mame
Slovakia: Enca.Slovakia ?
Spain: El Parto Es Nuestro
Switzerland: Forum Geburt enforces women in their selfconfidence
United Kingdom: Enca.UnitedKingdom ?

Events

15th ENCA Meeting. May 16th-18th, 2008, Warsaw (Poland) => read agenda
May 2009, Spain
28–30 May 2010, Sofia, Bulgaria with a Conference “Birth with Love and Wisdom”, Sofia:

* Presentation by Beverly Beech “Is Normal Birth Possible in an Hospital?”

* Presentation by Thea Van Tuyl and Hannie Oor “The Reality of Giving Birth in the Netherlands”

* Presentation by Elisabeth Geisel “Birth Houses in Germany”

* Presentation by Madeleine Akrich & Bernard Bel “Supporting or Questioning the Health Care System: Which Role Is Legitimate for a 21st century Citizen?”