About Birth Forward

Education, support & advocacy

Who we are

Birth Forward stands as an ambassador for parents wishing to make autonomous choices about their own and their families welfare throughout the full cycle of creating a family. We aim to provide advocacy, support and education for families and professionals in regards to the various stages of planning, creating and growing a family in Cyprus.

RUNforFAmilyMarathon2018

What we do

Create

Create conditions that support women, men, families and professionals regarding conception, pregnancy, birth, parenting and health by raising respect, trust, knowledge and providing support.

Empower

Empower women in their innate ability to give birth, to empower chosen companions to be effective birth partners and to empower professionals in their efforts to provide well balanced services by offering knowledge and information alongside psychological and emotional preparation for labor, breastfeeding and parenthood.

Encourage trust

Encourage trust in the natural process of birth and avoid unnecessary medical interventions by providing relevant information and emotional support to women and their partners.

Remind

Remind women of their natural rights to experience a comfortable labor, to find comfortable labor positions, to protect their privacy and autonomy, and to assume a stance of an active partici.pant in the birthing process in a suitable environment

Assist

Assist couples in making informed and engaged choices regarding conception, pregnancy, and birth based on the latest research and conscious use of technology and obstetric procedures as well as personal inclination.

Support

Support families to achieve and maintain well-being physically, emotionally and spiritually constantly to learn about topics relating to our practice, providing a space to network and as well as promoting cooperation between the public and private sector in order to establish best practice.

Research

Research the current environment in order to identify where change is needed and to lobby for change to follow European Recommendations and Rights.

Why we do it

  • Cesarean rate biggest in Europe
  • Breastfeeding rate the lowest

  • Violation of human rights in birth

  • Negative health impacts on mother and child (physically and psychologically)

  • Updated practises to EU standards

  • Mothers/fathers/caretakers feel isolated and lack support


We implement our services by:

Provide education and support for parents (to be)

Raise awareness, research, lobby for change to follow EU recommendations

and rights

Education and networking for professionals

Our Board Members

Ioli Eteocleous | President

Ioli Eteocleous | President

Spokeswoman Greek Community, Greek Philology, PHD

Dimitra Tsagkaraki | Vice President

Dimitra Tsagkaraki | Vice President

BA (Hons) International Tourism Management

MSc International Marketing Management Birth Coach

Ekaterina Miroshnichenko | Board Member

Ekaterina Miroshnichenko | Board Member

Director of HR & Volunteer Management

Tanny Tran | Board Member

Tanny Tran | Board Member

Project Manager Support Groups

Midwife

Giota Doukanari | Secretary

Giota Doukanari | Secretary

BA Greek Philology

MA HR Management

Elina Kyriacou | Treasurer

Elina Kyriacou | Treasurer

Project Management 

Irene Sofroniou | Board Member

Irene Sofroniou | Board Member

Political Affairs Department 

Founding Members

Title Name Profession
Dr.Eline PedersenChiropractor
Stefanie NicolaouDoula, Embryologist
Veronika ChristodoulidesAdult Educator
Maria TheodorouProject Manager
Andriani SouriMidwife
Karolina EilonPsychologist
Viola EdwardsPersonal&Corporate Advisor
Idil SeytanogluCoach
Dr.Emily JosephPediatrician
Bettina PoetisPhysiotherapist
Stalo LestaNGO consultant and Gender Expert
Sappho HajistylianouMidwife
Tanny TranMidwife
Marianna VassiliouLawyer
Chrystalla StavrouAccountant
Nadja KarayianniNGO consultant
Dr.Andreas AnastasiouPsychologist
Dr.Irene Paphiti-DemetriouPediatrician
Dr.George SamoutisGP
Dr.Costas HadziconstantinouChiropractor

Gallery | Birth Forward in action