Humboldt Childbirth

A series of six weekly classes which explore the physical, psychological, and emotional aspects of pregnancy, birth, and parenting. These in-depth classes provide the tools to help guide you through labor and birth, prepare you for breastfeeding, and approach early parenting with confidence. These classes are appropriate for couples planning either a home birth or a hospital birth. Topics covered include:

• Creating your Ideal Birth Experience
• Tools and Techniques for Working with Labor and Birth
• The Role of the Birth Partner
• Optimizing Communication in Birth
• Breastfeeding and Caring for Your Amazing Newborn

Instructor: Sommer Halligan is a Certified Professional Midwife with over ten years of experience attending births in hospitals, birth centers and at home. She is certified as a childbirth educator and as a breastfeeding counselor. She is also the mother of two children, whom she adores. For More Information, please call (707) 822-5814 or visit www.serenademidwifery.info

This relaxed and friendly class will focus on how to best prepare for conceiving and growing a baby. We will discuss fertility cycles and creating a positive environment for conception, nourishing nutrition, healthy lifestyle choices, and options for choosing a care provider. We will also have time to answer any additional questions you may have. We will meet on Tuesday, September 28, at Moonrise Herbs. The cost is $10 per person or couple. Snacks and handouts provided. Pre-registration required. Please email, sommer@humboldt1.com, or call 822-5814 for information.

Sommer Halligan is a Certified Professional Midwife with over ten years of experience attending births in hospitals, birth centers and at home. She is certified as a childbirth educator and as a breastfeeding counselor. She is also the mother of two children, whom she adores.

I was just asked for a list of homebirth midwives, I always just find the numbers and names I have on hand. So I just added a few links to the website to help everyone find a great midwife in our area.

Class Schedule Fall & Winter 2009/2010

Birth Preparation 5 week series
Nov 5 – Dec 10
Thursday evenings 6:30-9 pm
For women and partners due
Late December 09, January & early Feb 2010

Birth Preparation 5 week series
Jan 7- Feb 4
Thursday evenings 6:30-9 pm
For women and partners due late Feb and March 2010

Taught by Tina George, Certified Massage Therapist, Birth Doula and Birthing From Within Mentor. Space is limited to allow for individual attention. Please call to reserve your place in class 707-498-5952 www.heartoftherose.net and check out www.birthingfromwithin.com

Classes held at Mad River Community Hospital

Hypnobirthing Oct. 16th from 7-8 pm Community Yoga Center on the
Plaza in Arcata.

Class is $10 per couple and $5 for an extra person.

Call 825-0226 for questions.

Pregnant women might want to bring a couple of pillows to get extra
cozy. Others can just bring themselves!

Celebrate Midwives’ Day picnic, Saturday, May 2, 1-4 pm, Redwood Memorial Park in Arcata, grassy lawn area by the play gym. Bring a potluck dish to share, a blanket, water, and some sunscreen. Call Monika at: 502-7440 with questions.

Fortuna Tuesdays April 14th – 28th 4:00-5:30 Renner Room
Eureka Mondays April 20th – May 4th 4:00-5:30 Burre Room

This class teaches parents to safely & effectively massage their babies. Benefits include: relaxation, stress release, improved sleep,
improved digestion (helps with gas/colic), deeper bonding.
Class are free.
call to register or for more information: Kim Eubanks,Perinatal Education Coordinator
707/725-8788

So I was talking about how yummy these were at clinic and thought I would post the recipe. I am pretty sure you would need to eat a ton of them for lactation to increase but they are yummy and you could add them to your daily breastfeeding “needs”.
Housepoet’s Famous Lactation Boosting Oatmeal, Chocolate Chip & Flaxseed Cookies™

1 cup butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
4 tablespoon water
2 tablespoons flaxseed meal
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups floor
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups oats, thick cut if you can find them
1 cup or more chocolate chips
2 tablespoons of brewers yeast* (be generous)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Mix together 2 tablespoons of flax seed meal and water, set aside for 3-5 minutes. Cream butter/margarine and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, mix well. Stir in flaxseed mixture and add with vanilla to sugar mixture. Beat until blended. Sift together dry ingredients, except oats and chips. Add to sugar mixture stir in oats then chips. Scoop or drop onto baking sheet, preferably lined with parchment or silpat. The dough is a little crumbly, so it helps to use a scoop.

Bake 8-12 minutes, depending on size of cookies.

Preparation time 15 minutes.

(All items can be found at a health food store)
* Note* It must be brewers yeast, no substitutions.

April 7th, 7-9 pm
Preconception: Preparing for Pregnancy and Enhancing Fertility Naturally

· Fertility-promoting herbs, foods, and lifestyle.
· Factors affecting fertility.
· Stages of fertility.
· Body wisdom in timing of conception.
· Preparing spiritually, mentally, and physically to welcome a baby.
· From ovulation to conception and implantation.
· Maximizing donor/insemination success.
· Resources for fertility and pregnancy.

This class will enhance your skills and understanding of your body cycles in preparation for a new baby. It can be taken alone or in conjunction with the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) class on 4/14. Cost is $20 for one, $30 for both classes.

April 14th, 7-9 pm
Fertility Awareness Method (FAM): Natural Family Planning

· Chart your cycle accurately.
· Predict fertile times, ovulation, menstruation and non-fertile times.
· Enhance cooperation, communication, and connection in intimate relationships.
· Non-hormonal contraception during the fertile times.
· Gain greater awareness of your body and its marvelous design.
· Lactation Amenorrhea Method (LAM) as pregnancy prevention for new mamas.
· Based on scientific research that is up to 98-99% accurate in preventing pregnancy.

This class will give you all the tools to learn about your fertility and can be used to prevent or encourage pregnancy. This is not “The Rhythm Method,” based on the calendar but a comprehensive system. Class includes samples of fertility charts and hand-outs.

This class can be taken in conjunction with the Preconception class on 4/7. Both classes are very positive about human sexuality and respect all families and sexual orientations. Cost is $20 for one, $30 for both classes.

About the Instructor: Monika Rosicka is a licensed homebirth midwife in Humboldt County with an affinity for the human body. She has taught family planning classes since 2002 and teaches prenatal yoga, childbirth, and breastfeeding classes in the community. As a midwife, she feels incredibly blessed to witness everyday miracles in the human form.

Visit her website: TreeOfLifeMidwiferyServices.com for more information.

Just wanted to share a great local resource. I have heard wonderful things about this doctor. If your child has allergies this might be something to look into. 

Madeline Ramos 442-1200