my resources

I've had a few people ask about what resources I use in my childbirth classes. I use a combination of:

the Bible!

Childbirth International resources
some of Transition to Parenthood's pages

and many books, such as:
Henci Goer's The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth
Penny Simkins "Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn" and "The Birth Partner"
Ina May Gaskins "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth"
Myles "Textbook for Midwives"
Elizabeth Davis' "Heart and Hands"
Dr. Sears "The Pregnancy Book" and "The Birth Book" and "The Breastfeeding Book"
Mary Renfrews "Bestfeeding"
Nilsson's "A Child is Born"
and many many more I can't think of right now.

Some of my other resources come from direct conversations or online forums with other midwives, doulas, and childbirth educators.

I thought Isaiah would NEVER...

... exclusively breastfeed for a year! But we did it!

Isaiah turned 1 years old yesterday!!! My how the time has flown.

For the entire year, his only source of nourishment was breastmilk. That is a huge feat to accomplish in society today. "But he's 6mo old and NEEDS solids." Nope. Look at those chunky thighs. "But he's 9mo old and is ANEMIC." Nope. Did that blood test just to prove the pediatrician wrong. "But he won't like solids because he missed that developmental window." Nope. Look at him chow down on that cucumber today.

Why is there such a rush to add solids, when breastmilk alone gives all of the nutrients and calories a baby needs for at least the 1st year of life? I have 2 theories. The first: there is no education and support for new mothers. The second: awful, money-hungry, infant formula poisoning companies, such as Mead Johnson and Nestle to name a couple.

So what can we nursing moms do? Nurse in public and show breastfeeding as something normal and natural and easy to do. Kindly educate those pregnant mothers we see. Destroy all copies of Babywise (and similar schedule feeding books) that we can find. Petition formula companies to put a label (similar to cigarettes) that says formula feeding can be hazardous to babies health. Teach a breastfeeding class.

I think at this time last year I thought that I would NEVER feel as strongly about breastfeeding as I do now. Thank you to my little son for all of the wonderful hours we've spent together.

It's official!

Introducing:

Pregnancy, Childbirth, and a New Life

A childbirth and parenting preparation class



Location: Calvary Baptist Church
Time: Sundays, from 1pm to 4pm
Dates: 6 weeks of classes, from September 10th – October 15th
Cost: 500 B donation to cover expenses for handouts and materials



What you will learn:

Week One (Sep. 10th): Pregnancy & the Pelvis
Week Two (Sep. 17th): Understanding Labor
Week Three (Sep. 24th): Labor Toolkit
Week Four (Oct. 1st): Interventions & Making Decisions
Week Five (Oct. 8th): Birthing in Bangkok & After the Birth
Week Six (Oct. 15th): Breastfeeding & Parenting



Other information: Please come to these classes prepared to learn, participate, and have fun! You will learn information and skills to assist you at this very important time in your lives. If you cannot afford 500 B, please let me know.

Questions? Call or e-mail.

(edited out a few things since this is public)