PRESS RELEASE - Ravenswood, WV - March 24, 2017 – Esali Birth to host 9th Annual Mother’s Day 5k in Belpre, OH on Mother’s Day Sunday, May 14th at the Civitan Park. The MD5k is a stroller-friendly beginner’s level course with walker and runner categories, along the Ohio River and is part of the River City Walkers and Runners club summer series. Registration, $15 per participant, is available Saturday, May 13th from 5pm-7pm at Shelter #1 at Belpre Civitan Park. T-shirts are limited. Race Day registration is $20 per participant, from 12:30-1:45 with the 5k beginning at 2:00 pm EST. Free kids races for ages 11 and under will follow, directed by the River City Kids organization.

Proceeds from the race support community education and support events as well as education and progress of healthy and happy births throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley and surrounding regions. Breastfeeding rates throughout West Virginia are some of the lowest in the country. Families do not know all of their options regarding birth, and are not fully supported to birth in all environments including at home where studies have shown, for healthy mothers, home birth is as safe as, often with less intervention, as hospital birth.

“This fundraiser is a crucial part of Esali Birth’s free workshops and outreach, such as the monthly MOV Breastfeeding Social, that provide educational and supportive opportunities for families of childbearing age. Adequate knowledge of breastfeeding and the support to do so is imperative for continued breastfeeding success. Likewise, healthier births and breastfeeding basics allow longer breastfeeding relationships which affect the continued health of the mother, baby, and community,” says Esali Birth owner and Perinatal Mentor, Danielle Bergum.

Esali Birth’s MD5k started as a World Breastfeeding Week celebration in 2009 supporting La Leche League. As LLL stopped their WBW celebrations, the race transitioned to fully supporting the Mid-Ohio Valley.  In previous years, proceeds have been utilized for WV RN continuing education opportunities to enhance knowledge of early tongue tie (ankyloglossia) influences on breastfeeding success, training for area birth professionals for advanced techniques in labor support, and enhancement of educational resources for expecting families. Esali Birth plans to utilize 2017 proceeds for similar opportunities in the coming year to enhance the well-being of childbearing families and increase support options throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley.

Esali Birth provides education, doula support, and full mentoring to families in the Mid-Ohio Valley and online. Esali Birth seeks to enhance the knowledge of options available to childbearing families as well as the human rights individuals have during birth and beyond. Empowering parents to make informed decisions about their health and well-being is our focus through confidence-building education, awareness and support.

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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Danielle Bergum at 304.482.4729 or email mdbergum@esalibirth.com.