Birth Doula film

Here's a cool preview I found for a film that's following three birth doulas. It's slated to come out Jone 2010.

International Doula Month Plans

A week or so ago, I emailed a list of area businesses to ask them if I could set up a table or have an event for International Doula Month in May. So far, the planning has been a success.

You'll be seeing me at:

North Area YMCA, May 11 & 13th
Barnes & Noble in Clay (Rt 31), May 15th
Baldwinsville Chiropractic, May 19th
Natur-tyme, May 22nd

The Barnes & Noble event is especially exciting because it is a Book Fair Fundraiser, with the proceeds likely going to benefit MILCC. MILCC is an organization that provides financial assistance to International Board Certified Lactation Consultant candidates.

MILCC's website

Possibly more dates and locations!

My New Business Facebook Page

Free Offer!

Free Birth Plan Writing appointment for pregnant mamas in or near Syracuse, NY. Email me at naturalparentingsupport@hotmail.com to set up a time!

 Here are some "Birth Plan" resources:

Writing a Meaningful Birth Plan 

Sample Birth Plans 

Tips from a naturally-minded L&D nurse 

 

Jack Newman - A Great Breastfeeding Resource

For my DONA reading list, I read The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers by Jack Newman. His writing style makes the book easy to like; there were chapters where it was hard for me to put it down. He writes with a refreshing perspective, very realistic but not without a sense of humor. I have to admit that when I bought the book, I was a little hesitant because the author is a guy (and obviously hasn't breastfed any children). After having read it, I can say that I don't think he is at all handicapped by his lack of personal experience in this situation. The man is extremely well-educated about all aspects of breastfeeding.

He is very supportive of breastfeeding, even in situations where I've heard "breastfeeding educators" sound hesitant to recommend breastfeeding.

Here are some great quotes from his website:

"The mother can take some alcohol and continue breastfeeding as she normally does. Prohibiting alcohol is another way we make life unnecessarily restrictive for breastfeeding mothers."

"It would be better if the mother not smoke, but if she cannot stop or cut down, it would be better to smoke and breastfeed than smoke and formula feed."

"Women who are trying to do the best for their babies should not be forced by other people's hang-ups or lack of understanding to stay home or feed their babies in public washrooms."


Tonight, when I was looking for information on how to tell when baby is getting enough milk, I came across his website, with lots of helpful video clips:

Newman's Breastfeeding videos

There are clips on what it looks like when the baby has a good latch, identifying a poor latch and how to tell when baby is suckling well.

Library Success!

I found Heart and Hands: A Midwife's Guide to Pregnancy and Birth at the library today. I'm really excited to start reading it tonight after the kids go to bed.

I also found out that the library has a copy of "The Business of Being Born." It wasn't in, so I put it on hold. When it comes in, my Syracuse friends should come over and watch it with me.

MidwiferyToday interview with Penny Simkin

You can listen to Penny Simkin talk about doulas. She's written several books, such as The Birth Partner.

"The Homeschooling Father" Contest

Alright. So, if you're like me, you will listen to my wife. She, in return, will give you this book. I am sure it is very good. I know because I pretended to read it once when she forced me to. It's written by a homeschooling father of many children. He's very fertile. Like me.

From what I'm told, and I'm very used to being told, you enter by commenting on this post. I never win anything by commenting on things my wife says. But you can.

You can also get an additional entry by becoming a follower of this blog and posting a second comment that you're now a follower.

So, good luck to you in my wife's contest.

-Husband Tim

Can't wait till tomorrow!

I've got an exciting day planned for tomorrow. We're going to Healthy Kids Day at the East Area YMCA. Then I'm dropping my kids off at my house with our babysitter and going to the Natur-tyme Health Expo at the fairgrounds.

East Area YMCA

Natur-tyme Health Expo

Childbirth Class Options

One thing I really recommend for expectant couples is to take a childbirth class series. I took the standard hospital class with my first child and noticed most how the class focused on hospital routines rather than getting through labor without interventions. It is my opinion that childbirth classes are best taken outside of the hospital, if you have access to independent teachers. Some hospitals do offer Lamaze classes, and those may be an exception.

Here are some options:

Lamaze Classes

Bradley Method

Birthing From Within

International Cesarean Awareness Network (may be able to provide referrals)

HypnoBirthing

Backup!

Today I had the pleasure of meeting the Starsiak women. They are doulas that live almost an hour from here, but are willing to provide backup for me if needed. We met for lunch at the Carousel Center food court.

The Starsiak's Website

I loved listening to them talk, about their experiences, births they've attended. I can't wait to get started helping families.

New Stuff

Ordered this cool doula button from cafepress yesterday:

http://www.cafepress.com/+doula_caring_button,17779312

I can't wait for it to come so that I can wear it everywhere. Am I a dork? Probably.

New news: I'll be running a contest on the blog soon, so look for it to be posted in the next week here coming up.

I'm a slacker

My big work accomplishment today was racking up a bunch of posts on MDC ( www.mothering.com/discussions ) that proudly display my new business signature. I'll probably read another chapter of "The Birth Partner" tonight though.

Then I added myself to the doula directory here:
http://www.drmoz.com/doulas.html

Oh, I also took the kids to the park for three hours and then took Patrick and James to meet their new doctor, who only asked me if I wanted them vaccinated three times, but didn't harass us about it.