Background: Parto do Princ ipio is a network of social activists created in December of 2005. 250 volunteers, spread over 16 Brazilian states, work together over the Internet through online forums. These women bring their expertise from areas such as Communication, Law, IT, Medicine, Graphic Arts, Administration and Nursing. The network presents itself through an official website www.partodoprincipio.com.br, a blog and the social network Orkut, providing information, creating awareness and supporting women who want to give birth actively and consciously, based on scientific evidence and the World Health Organization s recommendations. Actions: Through these channels, Parto do Princ ipio helps women find answers to their questions and doubts and allows them to discuss with other likeminded women. The network also endorses and spreads the Ten Steps of the Mother-Friendly Care issued by the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services - CIMS, as well as the Companion Law , in effect in Brazil since April 2005, which warrants laboring women the right to have an accompanying person of her choice during labor, childbirth and postpartum in any Brazilian public hospital. Parto do Princ ipio organizes annual photo exhibits in several Brazilian cities, following the yearly theme launched by the Alliance Francophone pour l Accouchement Respecte www.afar.info. Throughout Brazil, Parto do Princ ipio promotes GAPPs, an acronym for Parto do Princ ipio Childbirth Support Groups . This is the way the network spreads the word to a wider audience, reaching out to women who not necessarily have access to the internet and to those who would like to talk to a live person about everything concerning pregnancy and childbirth. The groups advertise their meetings, which are always free of charge, over PP s website and by word of mouth. What women attending these meetings usually look for, apart from basic information, is support, exchange of experiences and tips on how to prepare themselves for a positive birth experience. One of the main accomplishments of the network so far has been the denunciation of the scandalous C-section rates in private hospitals in Brazil to the Office of the Attorney General through a 35 page long detailed report, in September of 2007. Perspectives: In 2010, Parto do Princ ipio intends to start several actions creating awareness about the Companion Law , as it is still unknown to a majority of pregnant women and widely disrespected by doctors and hospitals. Parto do Princ ipio will also make sure the case about the abusive number of C-sections in the private sector about 85% shows some result.