tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34877315240431427982024-03-13T10:46:10.559-07:00Healing MidwiferyBirth. Healing. Midwifery. Doula. Love. Passion. Courage. Strength. Energy. Joy. Movement.
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I welcome you.Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993387964986527928noreply@blogger.comBlogger130125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487731524043142798.post-23131946813443305072009-06-08T11:30:00.000-07:002009-06-08T15:23:25.161-07:00THIS BLOG HAS MOVED<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Thsi blog has moved to my Doula and Childbirth Education site, Full Moon's Daughter:</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);"><a href="http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/blog/">http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/blog/</a><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">If you RSS to this site, please change locations.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">Thanks so much for all your support!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 0, 153);"><a href="http://FullMoonsDaughter.com">http://fullmoonsdaughter.com/</a></span><br /></div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993387964986527928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487731524043142798.post-53515857327617133452009-06-05T08:44:00.000-07:002009-06-05T08:44:00.798-07:00MotherBaby<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Calibri"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Always a good reminder for all involved with birth: Healthy babies do not need to cry at birth. Crying is a sign of disress and not a necessary part of birth. And, under normal circumstances, it should not be forced.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Calibri"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> I sometimes loose sight of that as I am with a family and a newborn at a hospital. I can always feel the room’s sigh of relief once the baby cries, usually after bulb-syringing babies’ nasal passages.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Calibri"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">As a Doula and aspiring midwife it is my responsibility to educate, as much as mom is willing to be open, about what to expect after birth and try to shift her expectations from a technical birth to one where motherbaby are respected as a single, solid unit of love and respect for each other. </span></span></p>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993387964986527928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487731524043142798.post-71714820599795345952009-06-04T08:56:00.000-07:002009-06-04T08:56:00.695-07:00Ultrasound - What Every Mom Needs to Know<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 13.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana">~ Conclusive scientific evidence that routine (and by routine I mean scanning to see baby's position at every prenatal in the last weeks of pregnancy, or 3-D ultrasounds to "meet your baby" in the womb) use of ultrasounds are safe does not exist. Its use is very familiar to the use of X-rays. 50 years went by assuming that X-rays were safe for pregnant women before hard lessons were learned. A textbook on prenatal care published in 1937 has this to say about X-rays: "It has been frequently asked whether there is any danger to the life of the child by the passage of X-rays through it; it can be said at once there is none if the examination is carried out by a competent radiologist or radiographer".<br /><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 13.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana">In 1978 that same textbook, after seeing the dangers of X-raying babies, revised its stance: "It is now known that the unrestricted use of X-rays through the fetus caused childhood cancer".<br />This mimics the current textbook view on ultrasounds: "One of the great virtues of diagnostic ultrasound has been its apparent safety. At present energy levels, diagnostic ultrasound appears to be without injurious effect ... all the available evidence suggests that it is a very <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>safe modality".<br /><br />~ Lancet, A current British medical journal, has this to say about Ultrasounds: "There have been no randomized controlled trials of adequate size to assess whether there are adverse effects on growth and development of children exposed in utero to ultrasound. Indeed, the necessary studies to ascertain safety may never be done, because of lack of interest in such research".<br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 13.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana">~ The output of ultrasound plays a huge part in the affects on baby, however there are no controls in place as to what is a safe amount even though low outputs have been shown to be just as effective as high outputs.</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 13.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana">~The skill of the technician performing the ultrasounds matters tremendously, yet there is no licensing or certification process for operators of the machines.</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 13.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana">~Training midwives and doctors in the skills of palpation - using their own hands to feel baby's position is just as effective as a machine. Not only is this low-tech and inexpensive, it also helps care giver and mom physically connect.</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 13.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana">As an aside: I had a friend tell me of someone she knows who has gone through 2 pregnancies and the first time a care giver ever even touched her belly was well into the 2 pregnancy! I haven't heard anything sadder since then in awhile.</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 13.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana">Ask Ask Ask your caregiver why they are requesting an ultrasound. Ask what are the risks of an ultrasound. Ask what research their answer is based on. And then ask what are the risks of not getting an ultrasound. You may be surprised at the answers.</p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 13.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana"></p>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993387964986527928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487731524043142798.post-62005294095530495662009-06-03T06:09:00.000-07:002009-06-03T06:09:00.510-07:00Induction - Not so Hot<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Calibri"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I'm excited by this article! I’ve placed it in my Resource Notebook and plan to give to Doula clients whose doctors are talking induction. Gail Hart is one of my favorite midwife authors and I love reading anything by her. This article really gave me more foundation for what I have already been telling moms about induction. In addition, she provides ways women can help themselves prevent pre-term labor by cultivating a healthy vaginal floriculture. I think everyone should read this article:</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Calibri"></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; color:#000099;"><span style="text-decoration: underline ; letter-spacing: 0.0px"><a href="http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/timely.asp" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/timely.asp</span></a></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p color="#000099" style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></p><p></p>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993387964986527928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487731524043142798.post-66730893690087834742009-06-02T07:07:00.000-07:002009-06-02T07:07:00.421-07:00Maya Massage<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Ann Hirsch writes about her experiences with <a href="http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/ancientmaya.asp" target="_blank">Maya Massage in Midwifery Today</a> and provides client and personal examples of how it has worked remarkably well for pregnant moms. If you've not heard of this ancient, powerful massage for women, read on.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br />I have had numerous treatments and performed self-care with Maya Massage for several months and did not see any change in the dysmenorrhea I was trying to eliminate. Though I certainly enjoyed the massage and did feel adhesion breaking up, it just didn’t help with my specific issue at that specific time. I intuitively know that this is powerful stuff, it just wasn't all I needed at the time.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br />When it is applied to pregnant moms, I think it can make a difference very fast because of the open and receiving state that moms are in emotionally, not to mention the hormones that cause ligaments to relax later on in pregnancy.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br />I fully agree with Ann when she says that this technique allows a midwife to practice an alternative form of gynecological care for women. No longer do you have to tell moms, “Keep up the Kegels” when you visit them on that last postpartum visit. Maya Massage allows a midwife and mom to have physical contact, and the best part is that teaching a mom how to practice self-care is easy. Now mom has her own tools to help her uterus.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br />I would love to know more about the technical aspects of Maya Massage, so I’ll be checking out: <a href="http://arvigomassage.com/" target="_blank">www.arvigomassage.com</a> to find out more info. This article has also inspired me to look into being trained myself, so I can offer yet another healing modality to my clients.</span></div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993387964986527928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487731524043142798.post-47745152599012915632009-06-01T11:29:00.000-07:002009-06-01T11:32:32.133-07:00Stages of Labor Mirror Pregnancy and Motherhood<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Calibri"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Verena Schmid, an Italian Midwife, believes that pregnancy patterns have the same rhythm as stages of labor. That doesn’t mean if a mother’s first trimester was difficult, then the first stage of labor will be the same way. Instead, Verena speaks about the instinctual rhythms of women, pregnancy and birth.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Calibri"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">A woman’s first trimester and first stage of labor are very similar because at both times mom is learning to create inner space for her baby. Second trimester and second stage are both about learning to open up; opening in pregnancy as the baby is growing inside or opening during birth as baby moves to open the cervix. The third trimester and third stage of labor are about learning to let baby go and let her be born. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Calibri"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Verena continues with this theory, stating that once a baby is born the stages begin again. The baby adapts to mom and to life outside the womb, while mom adapts to baby and motherhood. Months 3 - 6 are often a time for mom and baby to live peacefully together with very little stresses. Finally, 6 - 9 months after baby is born, she starts to be more explorative and mom learns to let go.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Calibri"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I never looked at birth from this perspective and find it quite fascinating. Reading this short interview has definitely changed the way I look at birth and mothering.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Calibri"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The actual interview that Midwifery Today publisded in 2002 with forward-thinking Verena Schmid can be found here if you are interested in reading more than the summary above:</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Calibri"></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; color:#000099;"><span style="text-decoration: underline ; letter-spacing: 0.0px"><a href="http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/verena.asp" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/verena.asp</span></a></span></p><p></p>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993387964986527928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487731524043142798.post-26604574679753947482009-06-01T06:42:00.000-07:002009-06-01T06:42:00.732-07:00The Active Management of Labor<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Calibri"></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; color: #000099"><span style="text-decoration: underline ; letter-spacing: 0.0px"><a href="http://www.birthinternational.com/articles/wagner01.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">http://www.birthinternational.com/articles/wagner01.html</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Calibri"></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The above link takes you to an excellent article written by Marsden Wagner. He started out as a neonatologist and is now a consultant for WHO. He fully supports natural birth, midwives and midwifery and you may have seen him in birth movies - he's the over-educated elfin guy who is fun to listen to.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Verdana"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I've jotted some highlights from the article and added my own thoughts on it.</span></span></p><p></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Calibri"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">From my own personal experience, I agree that most health care providers no longer know what a non-medicalized birth is. Their training rarely covers natural hospital births and almost never brings the medical student into a free-standing birth center or home to observe birth.<br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Calibri"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">As a result of lack of exposure to natural birth, hospital staff often believe that labor is something that happens to women rather than something women do that can be empowering and a rite of passage. Because labor is involuntary and unpredictable, many doctors and nurses interpret that as birth being out of control.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Calibri"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It’s sad to read the example of a hospital considering birth normal even if it includes an amniotomy, induction, augmentation, epidural or episiotomy. I feel that the list can go on to include continuous fetal monitoring, IV, withholding of food, drink and privacy, numerous cervical checks and disregard to birth preferences. What is even sadder is that most women today have accepted those same standards and also believe that birth with serious intervention is normal.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Calibri"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I found it interesting to read how the clock has quickened. Marsden states that the definition of the normal upper limit to labor has been reduced from 36 hours in the 1950s to 24 hours in the 60s and now holds steady at 12 hours since 1972, when active management was introduced. He also mentions that these random times were based on clinical concerns and not scientific evidence. With this scenario on hand, women adjust to the hospital and not the other way around.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Calibri"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">My head was shaking when Marsden compared active management to inventing cars that can be driven too fast and then when the speed causes accidents, rather than change the cars, we invent speed bumps and as a result of the speed bumps people hit their heads on the car ceiling and we give them pain medication.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Calibri"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I think a better comparison would be the creation of entire task forces whose job is to monitor speeders and catch them in the act so they can then ticket them and make money from their speeding. That feels similar to hospitals making money from highly medicalized births.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Calibri"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Marsden concludes that hospital staff can never tell a woman that a certain procedure is safe because that person is not taking chances. A safety determination can only be made by the one accepting the procedure and that is the woman taking the chance.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Calibri; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993387964986527928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487731524043142798.post-47140711432735482482009-05-31T08:28:00.000-07:002009-05-31T08:28:00.283-07:00Patience<div>I read this somewhere about midwives patience when attending birth:</div><div><br /></div>Midwives have skilled hands and know how to sit on them.Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993387964986527928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487731524043142798.post-76518036580725333122009-05-30T20:13:00.000-07:002009-05-30T20:14:09.400-07:00Natural is Natural<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 13.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Many Western doctors hold the belief that we can improve everything, even natural childbirth in a healthy woman. This philosophy is the philosophy of people who think it deplorable that they were not consulted at the creation of Eve, because they would have done a better job. (Kloosterman 1994).</span></p>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993387964986527928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487731524043142798.post-41804995403029135222009-05-26T08:02:00.000-07:002009-05-26T08:02:00.400-07:00Rediscovering Midwifery<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial; color:#00107c;"><span style="font: 12.0px Lucida Grande; letter-spacing: 0.0px"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>“Unfortunately, the role of obstetrics has never been to help women give birth. There is a big difference between the medical discipline we call “obstetrics” and something completely different, the art of midwifery. If we want to find safe alternatives to obstetrics, we must rediscover midwifery. </i><b><i>To rediscover midwifery</i></b></span><span style="font: 12.0px Arial; letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><i> </i></b></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><i>is the same as giving back childbirth to women</i></b><i>.</i></span><span style="font: 12.0px Arial; letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i> </i></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>And imagine the future if surgical teams were at the service of the midwives and the women instead of controlling them.”</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 14.0px Arial; color:#00107c;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>-Michael Odent, MD</i></span></p>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993387964986527928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487731524043142798.post-64656326064889223062009-05-25T09:03:00.000-07:002009-05-25T09:03:01.029-07:00Ram Dass Quote<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Calibri"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Ram Dass has this to say about a garden and life and I'd like to tack Midwifery onto that quote: “Just as in a garden we do not ‘grow’ flowers, rather we create the conditions in which flowers can grow.”</span></span></span></p>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993387964986527928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487731524043142798.post-17030550905399275292009-05-24T07:16:00.000-07:002009-05-24T07:17:27.273-07:00Midwife WhalesMidwife whales are female whales that accompany a pregnant whale throughout her pregnancy, birth and three months postpartum. The midwife whale is present with the mom in a way that is nurturing, allowing mom to do exactly what she needs to do to have her baby in peace. The midwife whale looks on protectively and only intervenes when necessary.Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993387964986527928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487731524043142798.post-31680187350225677122009-05-23T12:13:00.000-07:002009-05-23T12:20:53.231-07:00they invite us in - Birth Poetrythey invite us in<div><br /></div><div>women</div><div>who trust us</div><div>inviting us in</div><div>to share their secret passage</div><div>we count their moons with them</div><div>waiting for a pause</div><div>and in that suspension</div><div>we wait with them</div><div>fingers granted privileged entry</div><div>into innermost recesses</div><div>secrets shared</div><div>stories heard</div><div>lessons learned</div><div>they invite us in</div><div>to help their babies out</div><div>we dance with them</div><div>slowly</div><div>as they grow and wait</div><div>each day a little larger</div><div>new life jostling their ribs</div><div>until its stretching</div><div>threatens to burst</div><div>her fleshen bubble</div><div>and</div><div>at last</div><div>she is ready</div><div>taking your hand</div><div>she flows in and out of</div><div>the deepest shadow places</div><div>love and terror</div><div>the waves grip her</div><div>and</div><div>release</div><div>until she is ready</div><div>also</div><div>to release</div><div>you sing to her</div><div>breathe, my dear</div><div>hold her close</div><div>relax now, it's over</div><div>help her see</div><div>she will not die</div><div>not today</div><div>at last</div><div>fire</div><div>then</div><div>water</div><div>and</div><div>for the first time ever</div><div>air</div><div>into tiny pink balloons</div><div>their love made</div><div>earth</div><div>elements</div><div>into a body</div><div>your hands felt it first</div><div>still one with her body</div><div>as it grew</div><div>ripened</div><div>and fell out</div><div>into</div><div>your waiting palms</div><div>you love this moment</div><div>this woman</div><div>this baby</div><div>then you entrust her back</div><div>into the arms of her mate</div><div>hoping he's learned</div><div>even more</div><div>how grand she is</div><div>this bearer of life</div><div><br /></div><div>-Judy Edmunds (1997)</div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993387964986527928noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487731524043142798.post-89493685391256906172009-05-12T20:18:00.000-07:002009-05-12T20:21:32.503-07:00Early Pregnancy Class - June 27 - 28<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Times New Roman';"><p class="western" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Angi Gunther, LCCE and Courtney Jarecki (that's me), Doula and Health Advocate, are presenting an Early Pregnancy Class to help couples navigate the maze of options surrounding pregnancy, birth and postpartum so that parents may choose the care and products that make the most sense for their lifestyle and pocketbook!<br /></p><p class="western" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p class="western" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">When a couple finds out they are expecting, they are faced with a multitude of options regarding prenatal care, birth and the care of their baby. The first decisions that parents must make, and probably the most important, are that of a care provider and place of birth. Birth planning begins when parents choose where and with whom they will birth their baby. The care provider and birthplace should share or at least respect the parent’s philosophies regarding pregnancy, birth and newborn care. OBs, Midwives, Hospital birth, Home birth, and Birth Centers will all be discussed.</p><p class="western" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p class="western" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">In addition, there are many types of prenatal classes and services available to women to help them through pregnancy or to prepare for birth. Couples will learn about prenatal exercise, childbirth education, Doulas and natural health care for pregnancy.</p><p class="western" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p class="western" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">When it comes to baby care, parents are often overwhelmed at the number of products available. The Early Pregnancy Class will cover breastfeeding accessories, baby carriers, and diapering choices. Cloth diapers and glass bottles used to be the only choices, now they are making a comeback. But parents can also choose flushable diapers and BPA free plastic bottles. And what is Elimination Communication anyway?</p><p class="western" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p class="western" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">The Early Pregnancy Class will feature guest speakers who specialize in pregnancy and newborn care, goody bags full of community resources, sling and cloth diapering demonstrations, a raffle, food and more!</p><p class="western" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-family:Cochin;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman, serif;"><b>When:</b> June 27 - 28 | 5 - 7:30pm</span></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-family:Cochin;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Where:</b> <a href="http://www.nurturepdx.com/">Nurture, a Family Wellness Collective</a></span></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-family:Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">1614 NE Alberta Street</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-family:Cochin;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Cost:</b> $75 per couple</span></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-family:Cochin;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Eats:</b> Catered by din din</span></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-family:Cochin;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Contact:</b> Angi Gunther, LCCE | </span></span><a href="mailto:confidentbirth@gmail.com"><u><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color:#000099;">confidentbirth@gmail.com</span></span></span></u></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman, serif;"> | 503.890.1361</span></span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-family:Cochin;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman, serif;">Courtney Jarecki | </span></span><a href="mailto:courtney@fullmoonsdaughter.com"><u><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color:#000099;">courtney@fullmoonsdaughter.com</span></span></span></u></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman, serif;"> | 503.737.8834</span></span></span></span></p><p class="western" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><br /></p><p class="western" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Classes will be held at Nurture, located at 1614 NE Alberta Street, Portland, OR 97211. Nurture is a cooperative of professionals specializing in growing healthy families. For more information on Nurture, or to learn more about Angi and Courtney, please visit <span style="color:#0000ff;"><u><a href="http://www.nurturepdx.com/" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139); ">http://www.nurturepdx.com</a></u></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div></span>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993387964986527928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487731524043142798.post-58393661412237734572009-05-07T10:27:00.000-07:002009-05-07T10:29:49.797-07:00Early Pregnancy Class - June 27 - 28<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Planning for pregnancy, birth or a new baby? This class will help you sort through your options and provide you with a wealth of community resources, coupons & samples. Oh, and we’ll feed you too!</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The Early Pregnancy Class is for any woman thinking about starting a family, any couple that thinks they might want to start a family and anyone who already has children and wants more education and information.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The Early Pregnancy Class is organic to what each person wants to learn. In addition to customizing the class to your needs, we will also cover the following topics:</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"></p><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:16px;">The difference between OB/GYN, Certified Nurse Midwives, Naturopathic Midwives, Direct Entry Midwives</span><br /></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:16px;">Hospital Birth Centers, Free-standing Birth Centers and Homebirth options</span><br /></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:16px;">What type of prenatal class best addresses your needs and lifestyle</span><br /></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:16px;">What are pregnancy, labor and postpartum doulas</span><br /></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:16px;">Healthcare support while pregnant and postpartum (Acupuncture, Reiki, Chiropractic, Massage)</span><br /></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:16px;">Nutrition and exercise</span><br /></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:16px;">Baby and new mom essentials</span><br /></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:16px;">Breastfeeding resources and accessories</span><br /></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:16px;">Sleeping options for baby</span><br /></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:16px;">Diapering options and cloth diaper demo</span><br /></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:16px;">Baby sling demos</span><br /></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:16px;">Guest presenters who specialize in pregnancy and newborn care</span><br /></li></ul><p></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Grab bags full of community resources, handouts. coupons, tea and much more will also be provided.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Date:</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> June 27 & 28 (Saturday & Sunday)</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Time: </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">5:00 - 7:30pm</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Where: </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Nurture - a Family Wellness Collective (</span><a href="http://www.nurturepdx.com/"><span style="text-decoration: underline ; letter-spacing: 0.0px color:#000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">http://www.nurturepdx.com</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">)</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 1614 NE Alberta St.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Portland, OR 97211</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cost: </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">$75 per couple</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Eats: </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Dinner will be catered by <a href="http://dindinportland.com/" target="_blank">din din</a>. When registering, please notify us of any dietary considerations</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Raffle: </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">At the end of the second day a raffle will be held and wonderful, community prizes will </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">be given</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Contact: </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Angi Gunther, LCCE</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; color:#000099;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px ;color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span><a href="mailto:confidentbirth@gmail.com"><span style="text-decoration: underline ; letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">confidentbirth@gmail.com</span></span></a></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 503.890.1361</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">or</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Courtney Jarecki</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; color:#000099;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px ;color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span><a href="mailto:courtney.jarecki@gmail.com"><span style="text-decoration: underline ; letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">courtney.jarecki@gmail.com</span></span></a></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> 503.737.8834</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Angi Gunther has been supporting new families in Portland since 2002. She is the mother of three children born in 2001, 2004 and 2008. Her children have inspired her work as a Doula, Breastfeeding Advocate & Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator. She believes parents need complete information about their options so they can make truly informed decisions. Angi currently teaches </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Confident Birthing</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Childbirth Education classes at Nurture. </span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Courtney Jarecki is owner of Full Moon’s Daughter, a professional doula and pregnancy education service. She tends to new moms and babies at a birth center and is a midwifery student. Courtney believes that every woman can have the birth that is perfect for her if she is aware of all her options. Courtney’s path in life is to guide woman toward motherhood.</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; line-height: 48.0px; font: 12.0px Times; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993387964986527928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487731524043142798.post-1863266353898780842009-05-05T00:05:00.000-07:002009-05-05T00:05:00.514-07:00International Day of the Midwife - May 5<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i-teQjhn2es/Sf88el7VbmI/AAAAAAAAAF8/nt7x3C09cKc/s1600-h/n70843570059_6556-1-1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 283px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i-teQjhn2es/Sf88el7VbmI/AAAAAAAAAF8/nt7x3C09cKc/s400/n70843570059_6556-1-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332046980104679010" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande'; font-size: 11px; ">The below info is from the Midwives Alliance of North America (MANA), which was established in 1982 as a professional organization for all midwives. The group recognizes and honors the diversity of educational backgrounds and practice styles within the profession. MANA's goal is yo unify and strengthen the profession of midwifery, therby improving the quality of health care for women, babies and communities.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande'; font-size: 11px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande'; font-size: 11px;">Today is International Midwifery Day! Hug your midwife today and enjoy the following read from MANA!!!<br /></span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande'; font-size: 11px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande'; font-size: 11px; ">Midwife numbers must be expanded to achieve Millennium Development Goals 4, 5 and 6 by 2015 350,000 more midwives are needed!<br /><br />The UN Millennium Development Goals Report 2008 states: The high risk of dying in pregnancy or childbirth continues unabated in sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia … little progress has been made in saving mothers’ lives. Over 60% of women in these areas of the world still do not have skilled care during childbirth.<br /><br />This report notes better progress for all of the MDG goals, apart from MDG5!2 Yet all the goals are linked: until<br />poverty and hunger are reduced, until diseases such as HIV and malaria are controlled, until there is more<br />equality between men and women, until every child completes primary education, until all women have access<br />to reproductive healthcare - then mothers and babies will continue to die.<br /><br />Midwives are key healthcare providers in achieving MDG!5: Improving Maternal Health. That is the clear message coming from the WHO, UNFPA, UNICEF and the World Bank: the four UN agencies that have recently united to pledge increased support to countries with the highest maternal mortality rates.<br /><br />They identified mortality in pregnancy and childbirth as the “highest health inequity in the world with over 99% of<br />deaths occurring in the developing world”. They committed to work with governments and civil society organizations to address the “urgent need for skilled health workers, particularly midwives”.<br /><br />Midwives provide skilled newborn care to achieve MDG 4: Reduce Child Mortality Every year in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia more than 1 million infants die within their first 24 hours of life due to lack of adequate health services, including midwifery care. The midwives of the world understand that every childbearing woman deserves to give birth within a safe and supported environment for herself and her baby. Skilled midwifery care includes emergency care for both mothers and their newborns.<br /><br />Midwives are essential to achieve MDG 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Other Diseases Thousands of pregnant women and hundreds of thousands of newborns die each year due to preventable disease. Throughout sub-Saharan Africa governments have recognized the primary role of midwives inreducing these devastating deaths. As essential frontline workers, midwives provide vaccines to newborns and children; they identify, counsel and treat pregnant women with HIV and AIDS, thus preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV; they also provide anti-malarial drugs and bed nets to vulnerable pregnant women and their children, saving lives and promoting health.<br /><br />The achievement of MDGs 4, 5 and 6 requires a global commitment to grow a strong, well educated midwifery workforce within functioning health service delivery systems.<br /><br />The sense of urgency to achieve MDGs 4, 5 and 6 in the next six years is increasing daily. The ICM and the<br />midwives of the world are committed to working with global partners to achieve these goals. The Confederation<br />has grown to 91 member associations with 250,000 midwives in over 80 countries and has recently partnered<br />with the UNFPA to strengthen midwifery education, regulation and associations in 40 low income countries. The ICM has also joined the White Ribbon Alliance (WRA) and Sarah Brown’s Maternal Mortality Campaign to<br />increase public awareness and apply political pressure on the G8 and G20 to make maternal and newborn<br />health a global priority. The ICM recognizes that health delivery systems must be strengthened and the<br />midwifery workforce must be increased to stop the needless deaths of millions of women and their newborns<br />who will die in the next six years if immediate action is not taken now.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">The world needs midwives now more than ever!</span><br /><br />For more information contact ICM President Bridget Lynch or ICM Secretary General Agneta Bridges at +31 70<br />3060520 or e-mail a.bridges@internationalmidwives.org.<br />1. The World Health Report: Make every mother and child count. World Health Organization, 2005.<br />2. The Millennium Development Goals Report 2008. New York, USA: UN, 2008<br />3. MDG 5 Target: Reduce by three quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio. UN, 2000.<br />4. Accelerating efforts to save the lives of women and newborns. WHO/UNFPA/UNICEF/World Bank. Joint statement: Sept. 2008.<br />5. MDG 4 Target: Reduce by two thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate. UN.</span><br /></div></div></div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993387964986527928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487731524043142798.post-45431607211708921822009-05-03T14:55:00.000-07:002009-05-03T14:59:20.280-07:00Flower EssencesI'm starting to realize that a lot of my day-to-day living is actually studying to become a Midwife. I also just realized that the college career I spent learning about plants and botanicals is finally starting to pay off.<div><br /></div><div>I spent the day making a flower essences kit that I can use during birth and everyday healing. The Latin names are familiar to me and I can almost evoke a picture of each plant I am working with. Where my education is paying off is allowing me to be comfortable with plants and confident in my abilities to work with these spirits.</div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993387964986527928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487731524043142798.post-12150793509257234932009-05-01T18:22:00.000-07:002009-05-01T18:26:45.341-07:00Where Am II've been distant from this blog. A lot of it has to do with me being busy as a Postpartum Doula - spending nights with a new family in their home. Missing sleep for me requires days of recovery. And by recovery I mean doing as little as possible.<div><br /></div><div>I've also not been posting very often because I'm hoping to have an official Full Moon's Daughter website up. Though I am not even close to even finalizing a design, I feel like I don't want to blog too often until that is a reality.</div><div><br /></div><div>Full Moon's Daughter, by the way, is that name of my Doula practice, which will transition into my Midwifery practice. The name is powerful to me for a lot of reasons, two of them being that I am, for the first time in my life, identifying myself as a daughter and claiming who my mother is.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993387964986527928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487731524043142798.post-61595124456237119582009-04-22T09:55:00.001-07:002009-04-22T09:55:44.029-07:00Life PathEducation is a journey, not a destination.Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993387964986527928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487731524043142798.post-21429871334118810032009-04-16T15:22:00.000-07:002009-04-16T15:24:38.185-07:00Looking for Childbirth Education Classes?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(41, 48, 59); font-family:Arial;font-size:11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Choosing Confident Birth means you are choosing to trust your body and your baby during your labor and birth. And this leads to confident parenting!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://www.nurturepdx.com/" target="_blank">Nurture</a> is offering a 5-week series of Confident Birthing classes beginning May 2 through June 6 (no class held on May 16) from 10 - 12 on Saturdays. Cost is $125 per couple and snacks are provided. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">What will you learn at Confident Birth classes?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><li style="line-height: 1.5em; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; background-image: url(http://www.blogblog.com/scribe/list_icon.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.6em; padding-left: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; background-position: 0% 0.3em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Pregnancy education<br /></span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5em; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; background-image: url(http://www.blogblog.com/scribe/list_icon.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.6em; padding-left: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; background-position: 0% 0.3em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Labor and Birth preparation</span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5em; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; background-image: url(http://www.blogblog.com/scribe/list_icon.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.6em; padding-left: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; background-position: 0% 0.3em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Partner's role in birth</span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5em; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; background-image: url(http://www.blogblog.com/scribe/list_icon.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.6em; padding-left: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; background-position: 0% 0.3em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Coping techniques</span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5em; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; background-image: url(http://www.blogblog.com/scribe/list_icon.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.6em; padding-left: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; background-position: 0% 0.3em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Medical interventions</span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5em; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; background-image: url(http://www.blogblog.com/scribe/list_icon.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.6em; padding-left: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; background-position: 0% 0.3em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Postpartum care</span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5em; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; background-image: url(http://www.blogblog.com/scribe/list_icon.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.6em; padding-left: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; background-position: 0% 0.3em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Breastfeeding education</span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Why should you take Confident Birth classes?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div><ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><li style="line-height: 1.5em; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; background-image: url(http://www.blogblog.com/scribe/list_icon.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.6em; padding-left: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; background-position: 0% 0.3em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Those interested in learning how to use their intuition during pregnancy, labor and parenting</span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5em; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; background-image: url(http://www.blogblog.com/scribe/list_icon.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.6em; padding-left: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; background-position: 0% 0.3em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Women interested in relaying on their own body's signals during the childbearing year</span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5em; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; background-image: url(http://www.blogblog.com/scribe/list_icon.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.6em; padding-left: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; background-position: 0% 0.3em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Families wanting to understand the technology and science used in the labor and delivery rooms of hospitals</span></li><li style="line-height: 1.5em; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; background-image: url(http://www.blogblog.com/scribe/list_icon.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; vertical-align: top; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0.6em; padding-left: 17px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; background-position: 0% 0.3em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Women seeking confidence in their ability to birth and raise a healthy baby</span></li></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">If you have questions or are interested in attending, please contact confidentbirth@gmail.com or call Angela Gunther at 503.890.1361.</span></div></div></div></span>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993387964986527928noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487731524043142798.post-13597297271188338582009-04-08T19:18:00.000-07:002009-04-08T19:22:02.991-07:00Why Birth MattersHow we birth matters!<div>What our babies experience shape who they are.</div><div>What a mother experiences at the very transition</div><div>from maiden to mother changes her.</div><div>Gentle, natural birth unlocks something primal at our very core</div><div>and makes mothering easier and families stronger.</div><div>If parents would only realize that every single decision they make</div><div>from conception onward influences the outcome of their birth,</div><div>they would reclaim what they didn't even know was lost.</div><div><br /></div><div>-Kim Wildner, Mother's Intention</div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993387964986527928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487731524043142798.post-45341367211015571982009-04-01T16:16:00.000-07:002009-04-01T16:22:12.975-07:00Rapid-Rise Gluten Free French BreadCrusty on the outside and super soft on the inside, this Gluten Free bread is sure to please any pregnant mom's craving. And it's fast and easy - takes about an hour.<div><br /></div><div>2 c white rice flour</div><div>1 c tapioca flour</div><div>3 t xantham gum</div><div>1 1/2 t salt</div><div>Squeeze of honey</div><div>1 1/2 c lukewarm water</div><div>2 T rapid-rise yeast</div><div>2 T butter, melted</div><div>3 egg whites, beaten slightly</div><div>1 t vinegar</div><div><br /></div><div>In mixer, place flours through salt and blend on low.</div><div>Dissolve honey in water and add yeast, waiting until it foams a bit, then blend into dry ingredients.</div><div>Add butter, egg whites and vinegar into dry ingredients and beat on high for 3 minutes.</div><div><br /></div><div>To form loaves, spoon dough onto greased and cornmeal-dusted cookie sheets in 2 long French-loaf shapes. Slash diagonally a few times.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cover loaves and let rise in warm place until doubled, about 25 minutes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Bake for 40 - 25 minutes at 400.</div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993387964986527928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487731524043142798.post-33467993437583328912009-03-31T06:44:00.000-07:002009-03-31T06:44:00.270-07:00Pain During ChildbirthThere are native cultures in the world that don't associate pain with childbirth and therefore these women don't feel pain during childbirth. What amount and degree of pain is our society responsible for?<div><br /></div><div>Does birth have to hurt? Sometimes women need to experience that deep and unique connection to their bodies in order to give birth. Would women feel short changed somehow if they didn't experience the deepening of their bodies during labor?</div><div><br /></div><div>I know that when I ran my first marathon I was expecting lots of pain. Through that pain I wanted to discover a new part of myself and grow from it. When the 26.2 miles was finished and it was easy for me, it took me weeks to recover from my disappointment of not having felt that edge. Are some women looking for that during birth?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993387964986527928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487731524043142798.post-48980062786215002142009-03-30T05:37:00.000-07:002009-03-30T05:37:00.664-07:00Was There a Midwife in the Manager?Over breakfast with my husband this morning he made a comment about the birth of Jesus and I wondered why Mary would want all those men, the Magi, coming to see her after her labor. It seems odd that back then men would come to greet her and she would be the only woman. Labor was a woman's place and men rarely gathered after a birth to spend time with mom.<div><br /></div><div>Then I thought that Mary's birth was the most famous unassisted birth around, but was it really unassisted? Does it make sense that, even though they were poor, there wouldn't have been a midwife around to help her? It seems odd to me.</div><div><br /></div><div>And what if the story did include a midwife? How would that have changed the fate of midwives if one helped deliver Jesus? Would the church have still hunted and burned these women if they were responsible for his birth? Would we have lost ancient healing knowledge about women and children if the bible had penciled in a midwife?</div><div><br /></div><div>Did the original story have a midwife, but was it edited out by the church to erase any 'guilt' they might have felt during their killing spree?</div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993387964986527928noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487731524043142798.post-80087811989468634502009-03-29T05:59:00.000-07:002009-03-29T05:59:00.348-07:00Experience with Bipolar Moms?I have a Labor Doula client who is bipolar and having a hospital birth for the first time. She and her husband are amazing people and I feel so honored to be working with them.<div><br /></div><div>I'm wondering if anyone has any experience working with a bipolar mom during labor and postpartum that they would like to share with me. Anything you share that is confidential will not be published on this site. If you know of any good resources I can access about how hormones affect bipolarity, things I should be aware of, etc would be awesome.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks so much.</div>Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01993387964986527928noreply@blogger.com0