Ricki Lake in support of Natural Resources from Alice Light on Vimeo.
I’m Ricki Lake and I’m excited to share my support of a non-for-profit parenting resource center in San Francisco, Natural Resources.
Education and empowerment around birth remains as important today as it was when I first had the idea for my documentary, The Business of Being Born, where we examined the medicalization of pregnancy in the United States. When I gave birth to my first child Milo in a hospital, I was shocked by how little control I had over the process. The experience had a major impact on me and the course of my life. I needed to know more and understand why the system was the way it was. I had to know if there was another way.
I found out there is another way, and it is rooted in information, community and connection.
Outcomes for birthing parents and babies improve when families know they have options and are empowered to make informed decisions about their pregnancy and birth.
I personally believe it is essential that we have trusted places like Natural Resources where families can be educated, informed and build community. Where they can ask questions and seek answers. Where they can discover what’s right for them, and can understand what one decision might lead to. Access to resources and support during pregnancy and early parenting is important beyond measure.
Natural Resources has been around for over 30 years, and has touched close to a hundred thousand lives. And in that time the team has included doulas, midwives, lactation consultants, educators, experts and professionals who provide foundational pregnancy, birth, lactation, and early parenting education and resources to families of all shapes and sizes.
Please join me in supporting Natural Resources today. Supporting pregnant people and new families is an act of hope and service - let’s support Natural Resources’ essential work into the future.
Actress and Activist Ricki Lake