Safe and Supported Birth: A Human Right
Birth India's Annual Natural Childbirth Conference
21 January 2012 – Bangalore, India
A big thank you to Babyoye.com for their sponsorship for BI's National Childbirth Conference 2012.
Please visit their website here: 
Conference Schedule
| Time | Programme | Duration |
| 8:30 – 9:00 | Registration | |
| 9:00 – 9:30 | Welcome and Introductions | |
| 9:30 – 9:55 | Screening of Film "Mera Haq" ("My Right") | |
| 9:55 – 10:25 | Keynote address – Premdas E.P. – Birth and Human Rights | |
| 10:30 – 10:45 | Tea | |
| 10:45 – 12:45 | Quality of Care | 120 mins |
| Women's experiences of Quality of Care - Asha Kilaru | 20 mins | |
| Performance Matters - Improving Capacity of ANMs to Provide Quality Skilled Attendance at Birth - Dr. Manju Shukla | 15 mins | |
| The Yashoda Initiative: Experiences in Providing Support to Mother and Newborn in Facilities Through Services of a Mother's Aide – Dr. Harish Kumar | 20 min | |
| Jayanti Sahu a woman to emulate - Dr. B. Dinesh Baliga | 15 mins | |
| Women's Stories from Andhra Pradesh - Aravinda Pillalamarri | 20 mins | |
| Discussion | 25 mins | |
| 13:00 – 13:45 | Lunch | 100 mins |
| 13:45 – 14:15 | Poster viewing | 20 mins |
| 2:20 – 4:00 | Biomedical and Traditional Approaches | 15 mins |
| Guest speaker – Dr. Hema Diwakar - Rise in interventions / evidence-based care | 15 mins | |
| Impact on Breastfeeding due to Medical Interventions - Zia Nath | 10 mins | |
| Labour Support – Divya Deswal | 15 mins | |
| Kinesiology and TENS - Dr.Jayashree Jayakrishnan, Dr.Arti Jayakumar | 20 mins | |
| Congruence Between Indian Traditions and Evidence-based Practice - Janet Chawla | ||
| Discussion | ||
| 4:00 – 4:25 | Tea | |
| 4:30 – 5:30 | Speaker Panel - Moving Toward Woman-Centered Care | 60 mins |
| Dr. Jayashree Ramakrishna - informed consent in the Indian context | 10 mins | |
| Lina Duncan - IMBCI Ten Steps and work as a midwife in Mumbai | 10 mins | |
| Vijaya Krishnan – setting up a birth center and the challenges and strategies involved | 10 mins | |
| Discussion | 30 mins | |
| 5:30 – 6:00 | Summary |
Venue and Accommodation
Ashirvad – Center for Continuing Education
No.30 B-1, St Marks Road
Opp. SBI Bank, Next To White House
Bangalore - 560001
+91-(80)-2221 0154
The conference will be held at Ashirwad, a learning centre located in the heart of Bangalore. The simple yet comfortable learning rooms, the garden and the discussion/meditation benches under lush green trees provide the perfect space for the Birth India Annual Conference.
Ashirwad also provides simple and clean accommodation facilities with food at the following rates:
| Type of Room | Room with Veg Food | Room with Non-Veg Food |
| Single (attached bath) | Rs. 600/night | Rs. 675/night |
| Double (attached bath) | Rs. 1000/night | Rs. 1150/night |
| Single (non-attached bath) | Rs. 450/night | Rs. 525/night |
| Double (non-attached bath) | Rs. 700/night | Rs. 850/night |
Room reservations at Ashirvad can be made through the Bangalore Birth Network. As per Ashirvad regulations, bookings cannot be made by individuals -only organizations. Payment can be made directly to Ashirvad at the time of check in. Bookings will be made on a first come, first serve basis. Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by Nov. 1 if you would like to book a room at the venue.
We will also be trying to organize some home stay options for a limited number of people. Please contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if this would be of interest to you.
Stalls and Exhibits
There will be an exhibition area on the day of the conference for you to display your work, sell relevant items and network with other Birth India members. If you would be interested in booking a stall for yourself or your mother-baby friendly business then please contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it no later than October 31, 2011. Since there are a limited number of stalls available, the organisers will have to allocate these on a first come first serve basis.
