We have been the official apparel sponsor for Every Mother Counts since Fall 2012. You can read all about the birth of the partnership here. It’s been an incredibly rewarding and exhilarating partnership. We’ve not only created a collection that supports the Every Mother Counts mission, but also run and fundraised for the organization. Even teamed up to run Hood to Coast last summer.
To be honest, global maternal health wasn’t on my radar before this partnership. But the more I learned, it was so clear that I wanted to help. And now this year, pregnant with my first baby, it’s very close to my heart.
At my 20 week ultrasound it was discovered that I have marginal cord insertion. Essentially it means the cord implanted off center of the optimal area of the placenta. The risk is that as the pregnancy advances, my daughter might not receive all the nutrients she needs for growth and development.
As I Googled (not recommended) I stumbled upon all sorts of abnormalities a pregnancy could encounter just with the cord and placenta alone! As anxious as I am, I felt very lucky to be in a place where ultrasounds and other technology can uncover risks so that you and your doctor can make a thoughtful plan on how to best move forward with the knowledge of them.
I will now have monthly ultrasounds to measure my baby. Make sure she is growing and even make sure her brain is receiving the proper nutrients to thrive. I am anxious for my first of these appointments and hope to hear good news. In the meantime, I’m exercising regularly, doing prenatal yoga and eating as well as I possibly can.
In another area of the world, women don’t have access to the technology I’m describing. Or even the access to the nutrients they need to grow a healthy baby. Not to mention when it comes time to labor, they are often walking up to three miles to a clinic to deliver. If complications arise, they don’t have access to the medical support I will. And every 2 minutes, a mother dies in childbirth. Almost all of these deaths are preventable. That breaks my heart.
But there is so much we can do to change this picture. This Mother’s Day is a perfect time to focus on maternal health for everyone. Join us as we celebrate Mother’s Day with #Every2 for Every Mother Counts.
How to get involved:
1. Buy 2 Gifts
When you shop the EMC Collection (lots of time to ship in time for Mother’s Day) 40% of the proceeds are sent directly to Every Mother Counts. So it's one gift for your mama, and one gift for a mama helped by EMC.
2. Run 2 Miles
Make your long run count even more when you log the miles for EMC in the Charity Miles App. Every mile you run is $.25 for EMC. You can run, so that others don't have to walk. Sunday May 11, dedicate your long run to EMC with Oiselle.
3. Donate 2 Dollars
Just think if everyone that heard about this cause this just this. It all adds up.
4. Share 2 Facts
Spread the word, by mouth or on your social media channels.
5. Upload 2 Photos
Show us when you became a mother. Every time a child is born, so is a mother.
Let's join hands for mothers everywhere.
