Letter from the Tatia Oden French Memorial Foundation The Tatia Oden French Memorial Foundation was established to empower women around the issues of childbirth and pregnancy. Our main focus is on maternal mortality, the off label use of drugs and informed consent. According to a report released by the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) in 2009, the US ranks 41st in the world in maternal deaths. That means that 40 other countries in the world have FEWER women dying in childbirth and from pregnancy related issues than the United States. The Center for Disease Control (CDC), stated that appproximately 2/3 of all the maternal deaths in the United States GO UNREPORTED. This is unacceptable. Many of these deaths are preventable. The Tatia Oden French Memorial Foundation believes that many medical interventions (like inducing labor and C-Sections)are not always needed nor necessary and subject the women to many adverse side effects. We believe that women should be FULLY informed regarding all the risks, side effects and alternatives involved in the various procedures and interventions that are used in childbirth: many having permanent adverse outcomes. The objective of The Tatia Oden French Memorial Foundation and our web site is to inform and to educate. In this day and age we need to be proactive regarding our own health care. This web site is created for that purpose. Please join us in our efforts to reduce the maternal mortality rate in the United States. Read, question and stay informed by digging for information and then passing it on to others. Help us to save the lives of those giving life to others. Sincerely, The Tatia Oden French Memorial Foundation