Birth Ecology's topics - tribe.net

Co-Creative Birthing Circle Online

kara — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:45:42 GMT

Announcing the Co-Creative Birthing Circle: Online Natural Childbirth Education at the Maia Institute for Co-Creative Healing: http://www.MaiaInstitute.com!

The Co-Creative Birthing Circle features 7 extensive birth class modules, a special Birth Story Library, Birth Humor, and a Discussion Forum. The Birth Circle Deluxe also includes email and phone consultations, essential birth and parenting books, and more.

This is the culmination of 10 years of natural pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting research, study, writing, personal, and professional experience, and 2 months of website design. I am thrilled to be able to now offer conscious birthing education and consultation to parents all over the world with the help of 21st century social technology.

This is Birth Education 2.0!

The Birth Circle also has an Advisory Circle of expert midwives, doctors, childbirth educators, doulas, and mothers who are assisting to co-create exceptional childbirth education in alignment with the Mother-Friendly and Baby-Friendly Childbirth Initiatives by the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS) and the Lamaze Institute of Normal Births, 6 Care Practices that Support Normal Birth.

Coming this fall, the Co-Creative Birthing Circle Facilitator Training & Sage Femme: Women's Healing Arts Circle, also at the Maia Institute of Co-Creative Healing: http://www.maiainstitute.com

Thanks for checking it out! Please share this information with your pregnant friends and clients!

Why: Because Lamaze reports that attendance in childbirth education classes are dropping rapidly since 2000, and because taking natural childbirth classes significantly increases on chances of a normal birth and positive outcomes for mom and baby. Since more expectant families are looking to the internet for information, and so much of the information out there is innaccurate or hard to find, I have created a comprehensive, multi-media, class online with support from childbirth educators.

Blessings, Kara

posted in Birth Ecology - 0 replies

Hypnobirthing Childbirth Education Class in North Oakland

carrie — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 07:53:10 GMT

HypnoBirthing: The Mongan Method
A Celebration of Life
HypnoBirthing is a comprehensive childbirth education class focusing on pregnancy and birth that teaches mothers & their birth companions techniques for safe and satisfying birthing through guided imagery, visualization and special breathing. HypnoBirthing is taught in 5 two-and-a-half hour classes.

“My dream is that every woman, everywhere, will know the joy of a safe, satisfying birth for both her baby and herself—one she’ll not need to forget.”
-Marie F. Mongan, 1999

Terra’s Temple
654 Oakland Avenue, North Oakland
Tuesdays June 10th, 17th, 24th, July 1st & 8th
6:30-9:00 pm
With Carrie Flemming, M.A., H.B.C.E.
$250-300 sliding scale
Includes HypnoBirthing book & relaxation/visualization cd
510.907.0075
flemmica@gmail.com
(Private classes also available in your home)

About HypnoBirthing:
The HypnoBirthing Childbirth method is as much a philosophy of birth as it is a technique for achieving a satisfying, relaxing, and stress-free method of birthing. HypnoBirthing teaches you, along with your birthing companion, the Art and Joy of experiencing birth in a more comfortable manner. You will learn to call upon your body’s own natural relaxant and thus lessen or eliminate discomfort and the need for medication. When a woman is properly prepared for childbirth and when mind and body are in harmony, nature is free to function in the same will-designed manner that it does with all other creatures.

You will be fascinated as you view HypnoBirthing films showing laboring mothers, awake, alert and in good humor as they experience the kind of gentle birth that you, too, can know when you are free of the Fear-Tension-Pain Syndrome.

HypnoBirthing teaches you to release all prior programming about birth, how to trust your body and work with it, as well as how to free yourself of harmful emotions that lead to pain-causing fear and unyielding muscles.

HypnoBirthing will teach you the art of using your own natural birthing instincts. With HypnoBirthing, you will be aware and fully in control, but profoundly relaxed.

YOU WILL LEARN:

Everything you need to know to achieve safer, easier and more comfortable birth

To explode the myth that pain is a necessary accompaniment to labor

What’s wrong with labor as it exists with most other childbirth methods

Techniques of deep relaxation to help you eliminate the Fear-Tension-Pain Syndrome

How your body is naturally designed to conceive, nurture and birth your baby with ease and comfort

To create your body’s own natural relaxant, the only safe labor enhancement

Natural ways to bring your body into labor without artificial chemical induction

How you and your birthing companion can create a birthing environment that is calm, serene and joyful, rather than tense and stressful

Gentle birthing techniques that allow you to breathe your baby into the world without the violence of hard physical pushing

To use your natural birthing instincts to birth your baby in a way that most mirrors the way that nature intended

Carrie Flemming is a Certified HypnoBirthing Childbirth Educator, birth doula & visual artist. She studied birth with Elizabeth Davis, Felicia Roche & Marie Mongan, and has supported families in various settings for 6 years. She holds master’s degrees in Counseling Psychology from John F. Kennedy University and Women’s Spirituality & Social Change from New College of California, and is affiliated with The HypnoBirthing Institute.
Her support is compassionate, creative & from the heart.

posted in Birth Ecology - 0 replies

informing without being pendantic?

tai — Thu, 22 May 2008 04:48:42 GMT

honestly, this is a skill i am in desperate need of honing! i get so frustrated sometimes, with wimmin who are uninformed about their own bodies and their abilities in pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood, and the phrases "the doctor wouldnt LET me" "the doctor said i COULDNT" really dishearten me. it has driven me to tears, literally, to read some birth stories of what these moms are subjected to, and see as normal. babies taken from mothers right after birth, drugs pumped into their bodies, treated as "patients" "the section in bed 3", their senses and sensibilities affronted, offended and ignored. so i guess i am getting at, how do i let my clients know their options and rights whatnot, without getting preachy? how do i accept these things without becoming so totally disheartened ? any suggestions from you all who have dealt with this too?

posted in Birth Ecology - 0 replies

Free Circumcision DVD

kara — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 10:27:13 GMT

The Boys Health Advisory and the National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Centers both recognize a significant need in the birthing community for more information on circumcision. We know that parents ask childbirth educators and other healthcare professionals for information. We hope that the DVD is helpful to you and your clients, and we are interested in hearing about your experience with showing it. If you have a moment, please let us know.

We regularly update our websites, citing current studies and providing other circumcision-related information. Please visit our websites and refer your clients to them for downloadable pamphlets and other information:

http://www.babyboy.info

http://www.nocirc.org

Feel free to pass along our offer of a free DVD to other childbirth and related professionals that may be interested in receiving it. Anyone wishing to receive a free educational circumcision DVD may contact us at dvd@babyboy.info.

The free DVD offer has been made available to over 35,000 childbirth educators and healthcare professionals. We are pleased by the response. Some recipients have asked about reimbursing for expenses, especially postage. We rely solely on donations for our educational outreach. If you would like to make a donation toward the DVD project, your tax-deductible donation is both welcomed and appreciated.

To make donating easy, you can go to www.nocirc.org and click on the PayPal donation button (please specify that your donation is for the DVD project), or you can make your check payable to NOCIRC NC and send to:

NOCIRC of NC
PO Box 5081
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

posted in Birth Ecology - 2 replies

Baby International Film Festival

Kris — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:59:52 GMT

In case you haven't heard of this - it looks amazing! It's a mobile film festival dedicated to the finest in birthing films.

Website: http://www.babyff.com/site/

From their website -

"The mission of BABY! International Film Festival is to offer film images that will deepen and expand our sense of trust about pregnancy, birth, and parenting. We believe many personal and social problems can be prevented or decreased by proper support of the family during pregnancy, birth and the first 5 years of the child's life. In addition, we hold the intention to use the film festival event as a focal point for organizations who provide services for families and children, encouraging them to network and giving them the opportunity to increase their public visibility. We place a particular emphasis on including young adults and people from all ethnic and racial origins, as we believe that it is through diversity and the voices of all ages that we may come into a state of deeper understanding of what it is means to be born."

posted in Birth Ecology - 0 replies

Support a Family Healing Arts Center!

kara — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 22:48:04 GMT

Hello, please vote for my hoopdancing video "Gemini Hoops" and help me to win $10,000 to fund the creation of a healing arts center!

PLEASE VOTE FOR "GEMINI HOOPS" on CLIPSTAR!

http://www.clipstar.com/videopage.jsf?video=9_7002_159

My intention is to win this contest in order to have the funds to create a Family Healing Arts Center in Eugene, OR with craniosacral therapy, chiropractic, midwifery, and classes for fertility, pregnancy, babies, children, and families. I already have the space and practitioners available. I just need the money to remodel the space, buy furniture, signs, insurance, and the start-up costs. Your vote can help make this family healing space into a beautiful community center!

Thank you! Every vote counts! Feel free to pass this along!

Blessings, Kara

P.S. Voting continues until April 30th. You will need to register to vote, however when you register you can choose not to receive any other emails from this company or others, so your privacy is insured. THANK YOU!!!

posted in Birth Ecology - 2 replies

Pregnant/ Bipolar... St Johns Wart?

Freyaphrodite — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 04:32:03 GMT

Does anyone know anything about treating anxiety/depression durring pregnancy. I have a friend who is 7 + months prego. is diagnosed with Bipolar but can't take anything while she is pregnant. she was told to take atavan for anxiety but is not comfortable doing so... it makes her worry... so she asked me about St. Johns Wart.... I don't know much about this herb.... any information would be helpful!
Thanks Inanna

posted in Birth Ecology - 4 replies

Birth Arts Doula Workshop in Maui

kara — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 21:24:31 GMT

BIRTH ARTS INTERNATIONAL DOULA WORKSHOP
Kahului, Maui, Hawaii
February 8, 9, 10, 2007

http://www.maiahealingarts.com/birth-arts-doula-maui/

Join us for a weekend educational immersion into the science and spirit of labor support. Learn how to provide support for women and babies through pregnancy, labor, birth, and immediate postpartum.

The training includes an three days of class, extensive workbook, and on-going mentoring through didactic work to complete the program and receive certification as a Certified Birth Arts Doula.

Birth Arts offers a complete birth doula training integrating evidence-based maternity care research with traditional women’s wisdom and intuition.

The workshop includes hands-on experiential practice in bodywork, rebozo, labor support techniques, and non-pharmacological methods of pain relief. We will go into detail about the practice of supporting women at birth at home, birth center, and hospital environments.
with Kara Spencer, LMT, CD

Location:
The workshop will be held in the private residence of the workshop's Maui hostess in Kahului, Maui, Hawaii.

Individuals are responsible for their own lodging and transportation. The workshop location is 15 minutes from the airport, and close by to hostels and hotels.

Time and Dates:
Friday, February 8th, 1-6pm
Saturday, February 9th, 9am-6pm
Sunday, February 10th, 9am-6pm

For REGISTERATION & questions:
Contact: Kara Spencer, LMT, CD, CBE - kara@birtharts.com, 514-520-0681

For more information go to Birth Arts International ~ www.birtharts.com

posted in Birth Ecology - 1 reply

Waterbirth International Seeks Support

anne-mareefer — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 04:46:59 GMT

Fwd from Barbara Harper of Waterbirth International...
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I cannot yet imagine a world without the voice and work of
Waterbirth International - we get calls and emails every day from
women who need help convincing one hospital or another to let them
labor or birth in water. If we die - a big part of the movement
dies. Waterbirth has shown us all that women know how to give birth
and babies know how to be born. Waterbirth gave us "hands-off", sit
back and let the baby out. I see waterbirth mentioned on Blogs every
single day, not to mention Baby Story on the TV. I took Waterbirth
International to ACOG two years in a row - and was the ONLY booth
showing birth films to obstetricians and especially to student
physicians. There were tears, laughter and outrage - just the thing
to stir up those young crop of doctors. I am finally realizing a
life's dream.

But now I am faced with letting this dream go. Perhaps I have done
enough. Perhaps it is time to quit.

About 18 years ago, maybe it was longer, when Mothering Magazine was
facing bankruptcy Peggy did a heartfelt plea asking their readers to
consider ordering a Life-time subscription. I think the
subscriptions were $1000 or $1200, I can't remember now. I do
remember that I couldn't imagine not reading my Mothering. So, I
bought two and gave one to my obstetrician's office.

How can you help us stay open to take the next phone call? - to
convince the next obstetrician to incorporate waterbirth into
his/her practice - to work with the nurse midwives to install pools
in their facilities? To educate an entire hospital on the benefits
of allowing women freedom of movement in the water. How much is it
worth to see waterbirth become the norm in the US, like it is in the
UK? I think we only need a few more years to make that happen. Do
women really want waterbirth to be an available choice in every
hospital? I think so.

Can you help us by getting the word out on blogs and lists? I had to
let go of all of the staff except one person to process orders.
Miraculously, we made payroll today, but we can't hang on much
longer. We need a miracle.

If I need to call every single waterbirth parent personally, I will.
I don't want 25 years of work to end over a measly $200,000.

The work that we have done the last few years has been phenomenal.
How God arranged for me to teach in hospitals and medical schools
around the planet - Taiwan, Venezuela, Turkey, Mexico, Canada,
Holland, Portugal, China, Trinidad, Croatia - I'll never figure that
out. I laugh out loud sometimes when I get up in front of an
audience of physicians in a medical school overseas - who all want
to hear about waterbirth and the incorporation of Gentle Birth
practices and principles into their routines.

Think about what you can do and call me if you want to chat or if
you have some great ideas on how we can quickly move into the black
and keep waterbirth alive and thriving.

We need your help. Barbara Harper needs your help. The
waterbirth/gentle birth movement needs your help.

Blessings,
Barbara
Barbara Harper, RN, CLD, CCE
Founder/Director
Waterbirth International
www.waterbirth.org

posted in Birth Ecology - 0 replies

shaken Baby syndrome

Alastair — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 04:27:36 GMT

Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) usually occur from shaking or hitting the head of an infant or small child. The signs of shaken baby syndrome for a small child include retinal hemorrhage, fractures or soft tissue injuries and subdural hematoma. SBS occurs when an abuser violently shakes an infant to create whiplash that causes blindness, seizures, learning, physical disabilities and death. SBS usually goes together with smacking of the infant against a hard object, and in several cases, it is known as the shaken impact syndrome.

http://www.how2parent.com

posted in Birth Ecology - 0 replies

Birth Arts Doula Workshop at Harbin Hot Springs

kara — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 02:50:02 GMT

BIRTH ARTS INTERNATIONAL
DOULA WORKSHOP

at Harbin Hot Springs in Middletown, CA
October 19th-21st, 2007

To Register and for more info: www.maiahealingarts.com/harbin...oct-07/

Join us for a weekend educational immersion into the science and spirit of labor support. Learn how to provide support for women and babies through pregnancy, labor, birth, and immediate postpartum.

The training includes an three days of class, extensive workbook, and on-going mentoring through didactic work to complete the program and receive certification as a Certified Birth Arts Doula.

Birth Arts offers a complete birth doula training integrating evidence-based maternity care research with traditional women’s wisdom and intuition. The workshop includes hands-on experiential practice in bodywork, rebozo, labor support techniques, and non-pharmacological methods of pain relief. We will go into detail about the practice of supporting women at birth at home, birth center, and hospital environments.

with Kara Spencer, LMT, CD
Harbin Hot Springs, Middletown, CA
October 19-21, 2007

Kara Spencer - Maia Healing Arts: www.maiahealingarts.com
Birth Arts International ~ www.birtharts.com
Harbin Hot Springs Retreat Center - www.harbin.org

posted in Birth Ecology - 1 reply

Anyone looking to be a Doula? Labor Assist? Workshop here in San Diego, CA

Chelsea — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 17:16:48 GMT

I am helping to hosting a Labor/Birth Assistant Doula training workshop at the end of this month. ALACE (Association of Labor Assistant and Childbirth Educators) the oldest Labor Assistant/ Doula training program in America, and they are having a 3 day workshop for anyone who has interest in Labor Assisting/Doula. This is a great course for anyone who wants to learn more about Pregnancy and Birth and how to support women and their partners during labor. This has been an amazing career choice for me, and everyone I know that has been able to move into this line of work.

The workshop is November 30th-Decemer 2nd at the UCSD Women's Health Center on the UCSD campus in La Jolla. The trainer coming out for this workshop has been a CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife) and Doula for over 20 years, and she is awesome! If you want me to mail you a brochure, or email you one give me a call or email me at SDAlaceWorkshop@Gmail.com or (619) 849-8708. You can also message me here on Tribe.

"An ALACE Certified Labor Assistant/Birth Doula is a professional care provider who understands and trusts the process of birth, who respects its transcendent and sacred aspects as well as its physical and emotional aspects, and who facilitates the birth experience for parents, baby and primary care providers."- from the ALACE website.

For more information on what a Doula does please also feel free to visit the ALACE website at www.Alace.org

Thank you!

posted in Birth Ecology - 0 replies

Sacred Birthing Workshops on Maui in September

kara — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 07:28:00 GMT

Sacred Birthing: Co-creating Birth with Nature & Spirit

September 14-19, 2007 Maui, Hawaii

www.sacredbirthing.com

We are all to be “Baby Whisperers”. We are each intuitive already. What would it mean to your families if you could listen to the needs of the unborn, & understand what this fetus needs so it may be addressed and not manifest into emotional patterns? What if you could pacify the fears of this newborn, or know why this baby is not able to be comforted?

Our teacher is nature herself, for when we are asking birth to be our teacher, we interface with nature, the only one who holds birth's wholeness. Nature is our bridge to birth. We will build on what was learned in the last birthshop, and learn to merge with nature in order to see and hear subtle layers.

In this Birthshop, you will be shown that what you are getting is absolutely trustworthy. Knowing you are receiving your own right answers allows you to stop doubting, and accelerates your inner hearing, sight and intuition to your next level. It reveals your own symbology, and gives you enough fun practice with these tools to be proficient by the end of the week. Please join in this co-creation with us.

It is preferable that you have completed the Awareness in Sacred Birthing or Foundations in Sacred Birthing workshop prior to undertaking this workshop. This is the second Birthshop in the series toward Certification for teaching Sacred Birthing.

There will be a pre-workshop from September 12-14 for those who have not attended a level one birthshop and would like to get into the level two birthshop from September 14-19.

* Tuition cost Pre-workshop 2 days : us $150
* Tuition cost Birthshop 5 days : us $400
* Food & Lodging ~ 5 days $600 / 7days $740)

** please note these prices are an indication only as cost dependant upon type of accommodation required. For venue information

Location: Hale Akua Shangri-la www.halehakuashangri-la.com
Registration

To reserve your space in this birthshop either please send a non-refundable $150 deposit made payable to Sacred Birthing Foundation P.O. Box 790298 Paia, Hawaii 96779 USA

All Birthshop fees to be received in full please by the 5th September 2007.

Please click on the hotlink below the picture for a full description. You will need to come back to this page to register for the seminar by using the " PayPal Payments" button below. Please click for more information on rooms, locality and amenities.

For more information regarding the birthshop please contact:Anastacia

Email healingbirth@juno.com ot telPacific Coast Time: 425-228-8555

www.sacredbirthing.com

posted in Birth Ecology - 0 replies

intersting: sofiological book on >menstrual industry"

Judith — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 22:32:20 GMT

just breezed through this at the public library and think it's worth looking at...

"Capitalizing on the Curse: The Business of menstruation" by Elizabeth Arveda Kissling.

chapters include "marketing menstruation", "pills, profits, PMS, and Pmdd", "manipulation menstruation for fun and profit" (a lot here on chemical "menstrual supression!", "tampon safety debates and product alternatives". also suggestions for action and reflection, "how to rbeak a curse."

the chapter on "the menstrual counterculture" was a little disappointing to me, as I hoped there would be more on the reclaiming-outr bleeding celebrations that Tamara, jeannine, olara owen, and many others have pioneered...probably too much for one small-ish scholarly book, and not an anthology.

recommended reading, a lot of good information and generally body-supportive outlook, including lots of stuff on products, diagnoses and procedures that this Luddite-ish gal who tears up old flannel sheets for menstrual rags has never heard of.

enjoy!

Judith

posted in Birth Ecology - 1 reply

Birth Arts Doula Training at Lost Valley, Oregon - Aug 24-26

kara — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 08:28:42 GMT

Birth Arts International Doula Training
at Lost Valley Educational Center, Dexter, OR (near Eugene)
August 24-26, 2007
www.birtharts.com

For more information see: http://www.maiahealingarts.com/lost-valley-oregon-august/
or contact Kara at 541-520-0681

Join us at Lost Valley for a weekend educational immersion into the science and spirit of labor support. Learn how to provide support for women and babies through pregnancy, labor, birth, and immediate postpartum.

The training includes a weekend workshop, lodging (dorm or camping), meals, an extensive workbook, and on-going mentoring through didactic work to complete the program and receive certification as a Certified Birth Arts Doula.

Birth Arts offers a complete birth doula training integrating evidence-based maternity care research with traditional women’s wisdom and intuition. The workshop includes hands-on experiential practice in bodywork, rebozo, labor support techniques, and non-pharmacological methods of pain relief. We will go into detail about the practice of supporting women at birth at home, birth center, and hospital environments.

Instructors:

Kara Maia Spencer, LMT , CD, CBE

Tuition: $350

Food & Lodging: $130 - dormitory lodging, $70 - camping in your own tent
includes delicious vegetarian meals from Friday dinner through Sunday lunch

For registration or inquiries contact:

Kara at 541-520-0681 or email kara@birtharts.com

Mail your registration form and tuition to: Kara Spencer, 2833 Willamette St, Suite B, Eugene, OR 97405

About Lost Valley Educational Center:

Lost Valley, www.lostvalley.org, is a permaculture school, intentional community, and workshop retreat center. Situated just 25 minutes east of Eugene, OR on a beautiful reserve of land, there are hiking trails, a creek with a swimming hole in the summer, and guided nature trails.

posted in Birth Ecology - 0 replies

Birth Arts International Doula Workshops

kara — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 08:28:23 GMT

Upcoming Birth Arts Workshops in Vermont, Oregon, Texas, and California!
www.birtharts.com

Birth, Postpartum, and Advanced Doula Trainings integrating wise women traditions with evidence-based research.

Birth Arts Postpartum Workshop
Bennington, VT - July 28th-29th
contact: Helena Wu at helena@birtharts.com / 802-235-1512

Birth Arts Advanced Workshop - Vibrational Medicine for Birth
Chester, VT - August 25th-26th
contact: Helena Wu at helena@birtharts.com / 802-235-1512

Birth Arts Labor Doula Workshop
Lost Valley Center, Dexter, OR - August 24th-26th
contact: Kara Spencer at kara@birtharts.com / 541-520-0681
http://www.maiahealingarts.com/doula-training/

Birth Arts Labor Doula Workshop
Alma De Mujer, Austin, TX - August 24th-26th
contact: Patricia Couch at patricia@birtharts.com / 541-556-8415
http://www.pattycakebirthingservices.com/birth-arts-doula-training-tx/

Birth Arts Labor Doula Workshop
Harbin Hot Springs, Middletown, CA - October 19th-21st
contact: Kara Spencer at kara@birtharts.com / 541-520-0681
http://www.maiahealingarts.com/harbin-hot-springs-ca-oct-07/

More dates coming soon. Contact demetria@birtharts.com if you are interested in hosting a class in your area or for interest in distance learning programs.

Birth Arts International
www.birtharts.com

posted in Birth Ecology - 0 replies

10 sterps to be a mother friendly provider

Gamo — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 12:22:56 GMT

go to http://www.ingentac onnect.com/ content/lamaze/ jpe and download the booklet...give it to your midwife, ob doulas nurse etc...

posted in Birth Ecology - 0 replies

Sacred Birthing Workshop in Seattle

kara — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 22:09:52 GMT

Empowering the Sacred Vision

We all know deep inside how sacred and empowering birth is. Our
highest knowing originally pulled us to serve in birth and our heart
sings when birth happens in this way. But many births have not
matched our vision and over time we compromise our practice and
ourselves, become discouraged, loose our passion and wonder why we
burn out.

This 5-day `birthshop' is a profound renewal of The Sacred Vision,
and the steps
to make it a reality for your practice. How do we step fully into
this ancient wisdom, that on some level we know so well? To best
support this Great Mystery we will open to a partnership with
birth's unseen helpers. Tools of sacred midwifery will be taught to
reseed our trust in the supreme nature of birth, and help retain the
innate and vast consciousness of the newborn. Tools for inner
balance will also be taught, since our own clearing is fundamental
to our work in birth. Then we allow and support each baby and each
birth's uniqueness.

This birthshop is for all lovers of birth. It encourages us to
remember and reawaken our own sacred paradigm of birth. To restore
birth's integrity and your passion in your practice, please join
us. This is the first of 3 birthshops toward certification for
teaching Sacred Birthing.

When: July 25 - 29, 2007.

Where: Talaris Center, Seattle

Price: $690. $150. deposit

Contact: Anastacia -(425) 228-8555

For on-line registration: www.sacredbirthing.com

Sunni Karll is a home birth midwife, and the author of Sacred
Birthing,Birthing A New Humanity. Following her Sacred Vision, she
inspires change in birth by helping others step into their true
vision. A birth therapist since 1988, Sunni guides international
birthshops to help heal birth. She has an intimate understanding of
birth trauma and the impact of birth on an entire life. She is a
grandmother of three and lives in Maui,Hawaii.

posted in Birth Ecology - 0 replies

Birth Ecology Mamafesto

kara — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 01:30:46 GMT

#1 Natural Birth. Birth is a normal part of a healthy lifecycle. Pregnancy and birth are normal healthy experiences, not pathological diseases, and should be treated as such. Low-risk healthy pregnancies and births are not medical events, and should not be intervened with unless there is appropriate medical reason. The US has one of the highest cesarean birth rates, spends the most on maternal and infant health, and has a high infant mortality rate. Also, most women in America give birth in hospitals with obstetricians. In Holland, the majority of women birth at home with midwives, their infant mortality rate is correspondingly low, and natural birth is the norm.

#2 Organic Food. Nutrition is prenatal care. Eating appropriately and wisely during pregnancy and breastfeeding is the number one factor in infant health, maternal health, birth outcome, and continued lifelong health for the baby. Women who eat poorly during pregnancy are more likely to have babies who are sickly, premature, and need resuscitation and neonatal care after they are born. Poor nutrition also can contribute to postpartum depression, fatigue, and increased susceptibility to disease. The best food for pregnant and nursing mothers is fresh, organic food. Avoid eating genetically modified foods, foods with preservatives, artificial colors and flavors, and excess processing. Whether you are an omnivore, vegetarian, vegan, or raw, you can eat a healthy diet for your growing baby with careful planning and awareness of the health of your food.

#3 Clean Water. Water is essential to life on Earth. During pregnancy and lactation, drinking ample amounts of pure filtered water is critical to optimal health of the fetus. The fetus lives in a watery environment, the primal maternal ocean. The amniotic fluid is made up of the fluid the mother drinks. Tap water in America may contain residues of pharmaceuticals as well as industrial toxins. These toxins may be able to cross the placental barrier. Access to pure drinking water should be the right of all pregnant women and parents.

#4 Midwifery Care All women deserve access to midwifery care. Midwives are the global experts in normal healthy birth. The history of midwifery reaches back across the globe, through traditional cultures for thousands of years. Modern midwives may be LM – licensed midwives, CPM – certified professional midwives, CNM – certified nurse-midwives, or DEM – direct-entry midwives (empirically trained) and may provide services at home, birth centers, or at hospitals if a nurse-midwife. Midwives provide women-centered care, spend more time with their patients than obstetricians, and understand the woman’s physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs. Midwives support the natural physiological process of undisturbed birth and are trained in emergency procedures. Midwives have drastically lower rates of clients with cesareans, inductions, forced deliveries, episiotomies, postpartum depression, epidurals, narcotics – they support the natural cycles of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

# 5 Doulas Labor support doulas and postpartum doulas are women who are trained and experienced in offering emotional support and comfort measures to women during the childbearing year. The doula provides education, resources, and advocacy when the mother is seeking information. During labor the doula provides continuous labor support offering support in relaxation measures, positioning, massage, and comfort. The doula focused on how the mother is feeling, helping her to surf through her contractions, and stay connected to her partner, baby, and birth. The doula can help the mother to have a natural birth experience and can provide advocacy and conscious presence during challenging or high-risk births. Postpartum doulas provide breastfeeding information, newborn care assistance, babywearing support, massage, food preparation, and gentle household support so new moms and babies can bond, rest, and heal.

#6 Breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is best for babies, mothers, and the Earth. It’s perfectly packaged, optimally balanced, and free. Babies love it best, and it provides them with the nutrients that they need as well as powerful immunities to the environment they are in. Breastfeeding saves money and planetary resources, is portable, and fast. Formula uses energy, packaging, highly processed foods, water, and time to prepare. Breastfeeding promotes maternal-infant bonding and communication, as well as reduces the mother’s risks of later developing breast cancer.

#7 Natural Health. Natural healing modalities have been used by mothers, parents, and midwives for thousands of years to gently support the health of the pregnant women, infant, and child. Touch therapies, such as massage therapy, acupressure, reflexology, and vibrational healing enhance the body’s immune function, decrease stress, and promote bonding between mother and baby. Herbs, homeopathy, and flower essences can support the mother and infant through many ailments and transitions. Acupuncture, chiropractic, and naturopathy offer solutions for situations in pregnancy and postpartum that allopathic medicine can only offer pharmaceuticals and surgery to treat. Natural therapies offer safe, time-honored methods of supporting health for pregnant women, lactating women, and infants.

posted in Birth Ecology - 1 reply

New here

Edana — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 21:38:42 GMT

Hi! I’m Edana and I’m new to this tribe. Our first son was born via (non-elective) C-Section 2 ½ years ago. We’re wanting another baby now but the “birthing process” (c-section and post partum) was a physical and emotional nightmare last time around. Anyone with experience with VBAC or positive (non-elective) C-Section?

posted in Birth Ecology - 0 replies

Birth Affirmations

kara — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 06:55:06 GMT

You can create the birth you want! Using affirmations during your pregnancy, labor, and postpartum can help you to manifest the birth experience you desire, build positive thinking, balance your emotions, and inspire you to celebrate every day. Watch this Birth Affirmation slideshow, whenever you want to celebrate your trust in birth.

ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPivpCtKXi0

posted in Birth Ecology - 0 replies

CIMS Forum March 07

Gamo — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 13:44:37 GMT

CIMS proudly invites the national and international community to participate in this dynamic event.

The 2007 CIMS Mother-Friendly Childbirth Forum will feature the debut of Coalition for Improving Maternity Services: Evidence Basis for the Ten Steps of Mother-Friendly Care. The result of a precedent-setting research project, the review and guidelines summarize the findings of 15 years of international evidence on all aspects of Mother-Friendly care and provides professionals, advocacy groups, policy makers, and families alike with a powerful, new resource for improving the care of mothers and babies.

The CIMS Forum brings together research experts, professionals, advocates, and consumers of maternity care from the U.S. and abroad to learn and work side by side for three energizing days of collaborative education, networking, problem solving and sharing. Attendees will benefit both from formal presentations by leaders in the field, and from participation in workgroups of their choice addressing issues facing childbearing women and their families today. Attendees will gather a wealth of information, to bring home to their own practices, workplaces and communities while gaining inspiration and making and renewing connections with those who share a common interest in the health and well-being of mothers and babies.

visit the site to register and know their work

http://www.motherfriendly.org/

posted in Birth Ecology - 0 replies

Birth Arts Doula Training

kara — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 00:24:58 GMT

Birth Arts Doula Training
Dexter, OR
March 31-April 1st, 2007
www.birtharts.com

Birth Arts Doula Education Programs presents the Birth Arts Doula Training at Lost Valley Education Center, in Dexter, OR (near Eugene) March 30th - April 1st, 2007. Kara Spencer, LMT, CD, CBE and Patricia Couch, DEM, CD, CBE will be co-teaching this comprehensive holistic doula training.

Join us at Lost Valley for a weekend educational immersion into the science and spirit of labor support. Learn how to provide support for women and babies through pregnancy, labor, birth, and immediate postpartum. The training includes a weekend workshop, two nights dormitory lodging, three vegetarian meals a day, an extensive workshop, and on-going mentoring through didactic work to complete the program and receive recognition as a Certified Birth Arts Doula.

Birth Arts offers a complete birth doula training integrating evidence-based maternity care research with traditional women's wisdom and intuition. The workshop includes hands-on experiential practice in bodywork, rebozo, labor support techniques, and non-pharmacological methods of pain relief. We will go into detail about the practice of supporting women at birth at home, birth center, and hospital environments.

For registration or inquiries contact Kara at 541-520-0681 or kara@birtharts.com and click the link below for more info and to download a flyer, registration form, or to pay via Paypal.

Birth Arts Doula Training - Dexter, OR

www.birtharts.com
www.lostvalley.org
www.maiahealingarts.com

Birth Arts is also offering doula trainings in 2007 in Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, and more! See the website for updated information. Potential training locations for 2007 also include BC, WA, and CA, if you are interested let me know!

posted in Birth Ecology - 0 replies

Welcome!

kara — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 00:18:31 GMT

Hi there!

I started this tribe as a satellite of the Birth Ecology Project website at www.birthecology.org

Birth Ecology is the nexus of sustainable living, midwifery, and parenting. Through the website we have an active online journal with articles, stories, and more about gentle birth, conscious parenting, midwifery, doulas, breastfeeding, homebirth, sustainable living, organics, and more.

We are also connected to regional and national birth organizations to increase education and resources on ecologically intelligent birth and parentings.

Check out the website, and welcome to the tribe!

Be well, Kara

posted in Birth Ecology - 0 replies

Time for a Change

kara — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 00:15:21 GMT

Check out this little video on the ecological implications of diapering: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kw0exbJUdxs&eurl=

posted in Birth Ecology - 0 replies