A beta test version of the Blueprint, incorporating the Principles alongside each Action, was posted on website, made available as a download, and printed in small quantities for distribution at events.
Extensive feedback from 8 experts was carefully studied by Meryn and Pam who inserted their recommended changes in the existing document for circulation to board members.
Feedback brought to our attention the need to put in a note to the effect that while Principles are universal, the recommended Actions are culturally defined and will differ across different cultural groups. Many of the Actions in this initial version of the Blueprint are specific to Western cultures dominated by medicalized birthing practices and a preponderance of the nuclear family, etc.
Almost all of the actions recommended in Section C: Preparing for an Optimal Birthing Experience, for example, are necessarily solely to counter the norms set in hospital births.
For example:
Active involvement of the father as a vital partner during pregnancy and childbirth preparation.
Comment: OK, but each culture has its own take on this and paternal involvement at birth is not always positive. Fathers usually appear in the birth room only when birth has become medicalized and women are separated from the traditional support systems.
And: Innate needs are met by:
Caregiver constancy (i.e., one or two caregivers, ideally the parents) for at least the first three years--avoiding frequent or prolonged separation.
Comment: this caters only for the nuclear family arrangement, which is a historical aberration. Parenting is community, I think, the evolutionary ideal.
It's fascinating reading through the entire BP from this perspective, recognizing how many of the Actions would be irrelevant if we didn't live in such an "advanced and highly civilized" society.
Suzanne suggests that we produce a White Paper on this issue.
Upon obtaining consensus by the board for this version, two copy editors will be shown the document for suggestions in improving the grammar/style.