Dear AWHONN Colleagues,

As I begin my term as AWHONN Maine Section chair, I would like to begin by thanking Pat Morgan for her leadership and dedication to AWHONN Maine for the past four years. Thank you Pat, we appreciate all you have done. I would also like to thank Pam Rowell RN for taking on the role of Maine Section secretary and treasurer. Pam and I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to join AWHONN as a new member or to take a more active role.

The AWHONN Maine leadership team met last week to discuss our goals and plans for the upcoming year. We plan to continue our popular "Supper Clubs", and to use video conferencing technology to reach more nurses in the state. Please check our website for upcoming educational events around the state and New England. If you are interested in becoming a member of our leadership team, we would love to have you. Please email or call one of us.

Another goal for the year is to increase membership in Maine. If you are not an AWHONN member yet, we would like to invite you to join. A membership provides you with two professional nursing journals, the Journal of Obstetric and Neonatal Nursing (JOGNN) and Nursing for Women's Health. These publications provide up to date research and information which are relevant to your nursing practice. An AWHONN membership also offers discounted conference registrations and the opportunity to network with over 140 other AWHONN members in Maine.

As the new AWHONN Maine Section Chair, I would like to thank you for your dedication to the women, newborns and families you care for. I encourage you to join us as we continue to grow and bring the best evidenced based practice to our nurses.

Eileen Delaney RNC-OB
AWHONN Maine Section Chair
Nurse Director Maternity Mid Coast Hospital
edelaney@midcoasthealth.com 207-373-6527

"AWHONN urges all nurses to understand the risks of H1N1 influenza to the women and infants in their care. H1N1 influenza cases are expected to increase in the coming months as the flu season gets underway. Pregnant women are at an increased risk to develop complications from H1N1 influenza, especially severe respiratory infections. They have had four times the rate of hospitalizations for H1N1 flu as compared to the general U.S. population since the outbreak began. Deaths of otherwise healthy pregnant women from H1N1 influenza have also been reported. AWHONN urges nurses to educate pregnant women about H1N1and seasonal influenza, protect themselves through vaccination, and make plans for caring for patients, both healthy and ill, during the H1N1 outbreak. Stay updated on the latest information about the H1N1 outbreak on the AWHONN website. Your efforts to educate pregnant women about the risks of H1N1 influenza in pregnancy and the prevention and treatment of influenza will make a difference to the women and infants in your care and could save their lives."