¿Es Ud. Una Mujer Embarazada Que Vive Cerca De Portland?

May 012013
 

Una mujer que está embarazada

¿Sabía que dar a luz en casa es una opción que una mujer embarazada que vive en (Portland) Oregon tiene? La verdad es que tiene muchas opciones para su parto aquí en Portland. ¿Quisiera hablar con una comadre (una partera) que hable español para aprender más?

Aquí tengo tres recomendaciones de comadronas hispanohablantes:

Si está en busca de a una doula (dula) hispanohablante, estoy a su servicio.

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December Tea and a Topic: Prenatal and Postpartum Mood & Anxiety Disorders

Dec 052012
 

December Tea and a TopicWho: Portland Area Midwives and Doulas

When: December 19th, 2012 (12/19/12) at 10:00am

Where: 5528 SE Woodstock Blvd  (97206) [map]

This month, our speaker is Kathleen Kelly, PMHNP, from the Baby Blues Connection, who will present information about Prenatal and Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders.

There is no fee to attend, donations to support our MamaBaby Clinic are gratefully accepted.

Please RSVP by email: Kate@PortlandMamaBabyCenter.com

 

 

 

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Global Film Launch of “Freedom For Birth” Sparks a Mother’s Revolution

Sep 122012
 

One World Birth: Freedom for Birth

Freedom from Birth is a new 60 minute campaigning documentary featuring a Who’s Who of leading birth experts and international human rights lawyers all calling for radical change to the world’s maternity systems.

The Documentary Reframes Child Birth
As The Most Pressing Global Human Rights Issue Today

Internationally the film is launching with hundreds of premieres all over the world on the same day, Thursday, September 20th, 2012.

Here in Portland, Oregon we will be hosting a screening on September 20th, 2012 at 7pm on the east side of Portland in the Woodstock neighborhood at 5528 SE Woodstock Blvd., Portland, OR 97206. You also have the opportunity to watch the film (same time/date) in SW Portland at Andaluz Waterbirth Center where it is being sponsored by both Andaluz and the local Portland ICAN chapter.

Hermine Hayes-Klein, US lawyer and organizer of the recent Human Rights in Childbirth Conference at the Hague, the Netherlands says:

“The way that childbirth is being managed in many countries around the world is deeply problematic. Millions of pregnant women are pushed into hospitals, pushed onto their back and cut open. They are subject to unnecessary pharmaceutical and surgical interventions that their care providers openly admit to imposing on them for reasons of finance and convenience. Women around the world are waking up to the fact that childbirth doesn’t have to be like this and it shouldn’t. Disrespect and abuse are not the necessary price of safety”.

Made by British filmmakers Toni Harman and Alex Wakeford, Freedom For Birth film tells the story of an Hungarian midwife Agnes Gereb who has been jailed for supporting women giving birth at home. One of the home birth mothers supported by Ms Gereb decided to take a stand.

When pregnant with her second child, Anna Ternovsky took her country to the European Court of Human Rights and won a landmark case that has major implications for childbirth around the world.

Toni Harman, one of the filmmakers says,

“the Ternovsky vs Hungary ruling at the European Court of Human Rights in 2010 means that now in Europe, every birthing woman has the legal right to decide where and how she gives birth. And across the world, it means that if a woman feels like her Human Rights are being violated because her birth choices are not being fully supported, she could use the power of the law to protect those rights. With the release of Freedom For Birth, we hope millions of women become aware of their legal rights and so our film has the potential to spark a revolution in maternity care across the world. In fact, we are calling this the Mothers’ Revolution.”

Cathy Warwick, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), says,

“A safe childbirth should be a fundamental human right for women. Sadly, for many, many millions of women and their babies across the world this is not the case. The world is desperately short of the people who can help to ensure and deliver this human right; midwives. There is a real need for leaders of nations to invest in midwifery care in their countries. I hope that the making of this film which the RCM is supporting with a screening will go a long way to help make skilled maternity care a reality for those women who currently do not have access to it.”

Lesley Page, President of the Royal College of Midwives adds,

“Too many women across the world are dying or suffering terribly because of a lack of skilled maternity care. This is unacceptable and I call on all Governments across the world to give women the right and access to safe care in pregnancy and childbirth.”

Ms. Hayes-Klein concludes, Freedom For Birth holds the answer to changing the system.

“Birth will change when women realize they have a right to meaningful support for childbirth and claim that right. Birth will change when women stand up against the abuses that are currently suffered in such high numbers and say, No More.”

Ms. Hayes-Klein will be in attendance at the September 20th, 2012 (7:00pm) screening of the film at the Portland MamaBaby Center [map] where a discussion will follow the screening. There is no fee to attend and watch the film and nurslings are welcome to join you. For the viewing of others, we ask that you arrange childcare separately for your older children.

If you have any questions about the screening or you’d like to help or get involved in the Mother’s Revolution, please send us an email or get in touch. We’ll be organizing other events – this is just the kickoff.

There are several ways to reach us:

1) [kate@PortlandMamaBabyCenter.com] or [hermine@bynkershoek.eu]

2) The Freedom For Birth Screening Event Page

3) Portland MamaBaby Center’s Facebook Page

And of course, there is additional information on the Freedom For Birth website, and also about the creators of the film, Toni Harman and Alex Wakeford, who are a filmmaking couple who have set up a cross-media global film project called One World Birth to provide educational videos featuring the world’s leading birth experts.

If you can’t be with us, please check to see if it is being shown near you. Unfortunately, not every screening is listed, but we hope you’ll find a place to join in and be a part of something that is moves you to feel the need to be involved, regardless of your own choices for childbirth. I see this as a women’s human rights issue – that’s something we all need to work together to change. Men will not do it for us. If we are to revolutionize our birthing system, then we (women, along with our allies) must do it ourselves!

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DONA Birth Doula Training at Portland Mama Baby Center

Aug 222012
 

DONA doula trainer, Debra Catlin, will be back again at the Portland Mama Baby Center in October, 2012 for a 4-day long DONA birth doula training.

October 11th, 2012 is the Introduction to Childbirth for Doulas class that is a DONA prerequisite to the birth doula workshop. This $100 class is one way to meet the DONA requirement to “Obtain basic knowledge about childbirth prior to the Birth Doula workshop.” There are other options on Debra’s web site that might be available to you to meet this requirement. If you have questions, be sure to ask Debra. Her contact info is below. Here’s a quick glance at what that class offers:

Introduction to Childbirth for Doulas

The DONA birth doula workshop is from October 12th-14th and includes 12 distinct sessions or units, making it an intense, but yet comprehensible and salient course that has a logical progression, leading student doulas step by step to the next lesson.

Day 1     8:00 AM-6:00 PM
    Session 1  Implications of a Woman’s Birth Experience
        I.    Introductions and Overview
        II.   The Heart of Doula Work-Emotional Support
        III.  Sharing Birth Stories: “What Women Remember about Birth”
        IV.  Listening for Needs
    Session 2  Influences on the Childbearing Experience
        I.   Beliefs and Messages About Childbirth
        II.  Shaping Human Development-Lessons from Perinatal Psychology
        III. Personal and Cultural Influences
        IV. Maternity Care Practices
        V. The Gentle Birth Movement- and “Ecstatic Birth”
    Session 3  The Role of the Birth Doula
        I.    The Doula’s Role: Meeting Labor Support Needs
        II.   Benefits, Qualities, and Realities of Doula Work
        III.  Working with the Partner
        IV.  Birth Doula Certification Requirements
    Session 4   Therapeutic Presence
        I.    Exploring Beliefs, Promoting Confidence
        II.   Setting Intentions
        III.  Mastering Fears
        IV.  Centering and Grounding
        V.   Connecting Through Entrainment
  Day 2   8:00 AM-6:00 PM
    Session 5    Early Labor Assistance
        I.   The Doula’s Bag of Tricks for Pain Management
        II.  Early Labor Care Plan
        III. Emotional Needs of Early Labor
        IV. Guidance with Relaxation and Breathing
        V.  Working as a Team with Mom and Partner
    Session 6     Active Labor Support
        I.   Emotional Needs and Responses of Active Labor
        II.  Assisting Breathing, Vocalization and Attention Focusing
        III. Incorporating Massage and Rhythm
        IV. Coping Strategy Assessment
        V.  Supporting the Mother and Partner in Active Labor
    Session 7    Challenging Labors
        I.  Fast Labors
        II. Promoting Labor Progress
                    A.Optimal Fetal Positioning
                    B. Characteristics of Prolonged Labors
                    C. More Positions and Movement
        III. Posterior and Asynclitic Variations
                    A. Positions for Rotation and Descent
                    B.Back Labor Pain Relief Measures
      Session 8     Supporting Second Stage
        I.   Transition-Emotional Needs and Support
        II.  Role Play of Pushing Guidance
        III. Second Stage Challenges
        IV. Birth Videos
  Day 3    8:00 AM-6:00 PM
    Session 9    Role of the Doula in Difficult Births
        I.   DONA Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics
        II.  Being a Maternity Care Team Member
        III. Challenges and Dilemmas in Doula Work
        IV. The Advocacy Role
        V.  ”What if, What next?” Exercise
    Session 10    Supporting Difficult Births
        I.    Emotional Challenges-The Take Charge Routine
        II.   Compassionate Care with Medications
        III.  Supporting Cesarean Birth
        IV.  Unexpected Outcomes
    Session 11    Prenatal Client Contact and Birth Attendance
        I.  Initial Contact and Prenatal Interviews
                     A.Your Birth Package and Fees
                     B.Letter of Agreement
                     C.Labor and Birth Preferences
                     D.Addressing Special Needs/VBAC
        II.  Values Clarification
        III. Getting Ready for the Birth
                     A. Arranging Back-up
                     B.Being on-call
                     C.     Taking Care of Yourself
    Session 12    Postpartum Care and Your Doula Business
        I.   Doula’s Role in Immediate Postpartum
        II.  Postnatal Contacts
                     A. Assessments of Well-being and Supporting Breastfeeding
                     B. Debriefing and Integrating the Birth
        III.  Starting Your Business
        IV.  Marketing and Promotion

Early bird registration ends on September 14th, 2012 (save $25 and register early for $400.00) and the final closing registration date is September 28th ($425.00). To save you the searching time, I did some research to compare prices for doula training in Portland: the labor doula training at Birthingway is $485 and the DONA birth doula training through MotherTree Birth Services is $450.00.

There are many labor and birth doula workshops and trainings regularly available in Portland, so why would I choose to host Debra Catlin’s workshop at the MamaBaby Center and register my own staff in her training? I love a weekend intensive – I’m just that kind of person. I want to do the hours, get them out of the way, and get to the births. I like other programs, but I ultimately think if you’re going to invest that much money into a certification, then you need to invest in a certification that offers a return on your investment quickly, and I believe that’s what you get with Debra Catlin’s DONA training workshop.

If there is enough interest from the doulas who attend this DONA training, I will plan to teach another 6-week session of The Business of Being a Doula that will begin at the beginning of November. Opportunities/requests for low cost births through the Portland MamaBaby Center are fulfilled by doulas who are working towards certification. This works out to be a win-win – we can serve more Mamas and provide guidance and mentoring to new doulas at the same time!

The full agenda for the labor and birth doula training

Prerequisites for the workshop

Register for this DONA birth doula workshop

Questions? Just ask Debra Catlin 
deb@side-by-sidedoulas.com
541-998-3380

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Join Us For Doula Tea and a Topic: Boundaries and Self Care for Doulas

Aug 132012
 

Our next doula tea is scheduled for Monday, August 27th, 2012 from 10am-11:30am. [calendar]

This month rather than just gathering to meet and support each other, we have a guest speaker and a topic.

Portland therapist and doula, Keely Helmick, will be joining us and the topic will be setting healthy doula-client boundaries to avoid vicarious traumatization along with some self-care strategies.

There is no fee to attend, but we would gratefully accept your $5-10 donation toward funding guest speakers and mini-workshops like this one (we can take your debit/credit card via Square, to make it extra convenient for you to be able to contribute if you don’t carry cash.)

Please plan on attending if you are a doula, doula in training, or a student doula in the Portland Metro area, and please plan to bring a friend. We would appreciate your help in spreading the word to reach all the doulas in our birth community!! Paraprofessionals are also invited to attend, though we will be speaking specifically to the topic as it relates to doulas, the information will be beneficial to others in related fields.

If you have any questions, please contact Kate@PortlandMamaBabyCenter.com.

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Midwifery Education: The New PEP (Pathways to Surviving Your Apprenticeship Paperwork)

Aug 092012
 

im not telling you it is going to be easy im telling you its going to be worth itAs of May 2012 The North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) created new guidelines for the Portfolio Evaluation Process (PEP) used to validate the education and skills of apprentice midwives as they prepare to take their NARM boards.  These changes are very welcome as the national midwifery community tries to ensure thorough training for Certified Professional Midwives (CPM).  The changes will be in full effect for anyone finishing their PEP paperwork after January 1, 2013.

Tia Rich CPM, LDM of Portland, Oregon is offering an educational class on how to best navigate the new steps/processes of the PEP, and how best to complete your NARM PEP paperwork during and after your apprenticeship with the least amount of problems and confusion.

This class can be very helpful in teaching you how to effectively keep track of the skills and work acquired, and how best to document that work.  The goal is for you to complete your PEP process without hitting any roadblocks such as an audit, which can add months of time on reworking and revising your PEP paperwork.  This added time can even end up delaying your NARM boards.

Students in non-MEAC study programs or choosing the self study process are best served in this class.

Course objectives:

  • Identify what the NARM PEP is and how it serves students choosing this route
  • How to look for, and choose an appropriate apprenticeship
  • Learn the guidelines of the PEP, including timelines for completion, and cost
  • Learn and receive tools for record keeping of your skills and births during your apprenticeship
  • Learn helpful hints of how to complete and document that will best avoid an audit

Included in the class price are handout copies of PEP paperwork that you will use in class as well as e-mailed downloads to all of the current NARM PEP paperwork that you need for your verification process.

Class Time and Date:  Saturday Sept 8th 2012,  10-3pm

Location:  Portland MamaBaby Center  5528 SE Woodstock Ave Portland, Or.

Price:  $60  ($10 discount for early registration before 8/28/12)

Class Minimum of 5 students enrolled and paid for the class to occur

Feel free to bring a lunch, we will break for half an hour to allow people to go grab something if needed

Please contact Kate [Kate@PortlandMamaBabyCenter.com] or Tia [Tia@PortlandMamaBabyCenter.com] to register.
You can also reach us at the center at (503) 206-7715 or use the contact form on our website to send email.

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Weekend Intensive: Doula Workshop for Your Doula Business

Aug 082012
 

Doula

What: Doula Workshop for your Doula Business (Weekend Intensive)

Where: Portland Mama Baby Center located at 5528 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland, OR 97206 [map]

When: Saturday, September 29 and Sunday, September 30th from 9am – 5pm (with an hour for lunch)

Your doula training is done and all the leads you got while working towards certification are gone or dwindling – now what? You have to very quickly get your practice up and running. Portland is a very competitive doula market. Learn how to set up your doula practice, get samples of forms that will save you hours of time, and pick up some tips and tools for being the most effective professional doula you can be and turn your calling into a career that you can sustain and grow in.

I’ve taken the Doula Business Workshops and condensed them and edited them down to fit into a weekend intensive.  The dates for the next session are September 29th-30th, 2012 (9am-5pm with an hour for lunch for a total of 14 contact hours) at the Portland Mama Baby Center.

Doula Workshops for Your Doula Business Topics will include:

  • How to set up your practice (a holistic view)
  • Defining your target client
  • Branding/logo
  • Basic marketing materials
  • Advertising vs. Marketing vs. Networking
  • Social Media and Birth Work
  • Creating a simple marketing plan that works
  • Contacting companies for samples
  • Client Forms
  • Charting/Record Keeping
  • Client educational materials
  • Preparing for the consult, prenatals, and postpartum visits
  • Being on call
  • Managing difficult clients
  • Boundaries and Self Care
  • Doula Tricks and Tips
  • Working with home birth midwives

Each participant will receive a binder with useful samples/resource lists/and examples, as well as typed notes covering each topic. . Lunch is not included, but Mezza is next door and offers a 10% discount to class participants. (YUM!) We will have snacks and drinks available to you.

There are 12 openings for this weekend intensive, so the time to register and reserve your spot is now. Doing this is very simple, just download the registration form, print it out, fill it in, include your $70.00 deposit, and return it via snail mail to the center or via email if you’re the techy kind. Once I have your deposit, I will forward some reading to you to get you started.

Cost: $140.00 [$70.00 deposit when registering is required, the remainder can be paid on or before September 29th, 2012]

To Register: Download this registration form, fill it out, and mail it to the above address with your deposit.  Checks should be made payable to Portland MamaBaby Center or you can opt to pay by debit/credit card. If you would like to pay via PayPal, please email me (Kate) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make it easier.

For more information or to ask questions: kate@portlandmamababycenter.com or you can always just submit your questions through our contact form.

 

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Monthly Doula Tea Meeting at Portland MamaBaby Center

Jun 062012
 

Doula Tea Meeting at Portland MamaBaby CenterI hesitate to name it a doula tea, because that limits us so much! Maybe one day we’ll decide to have a potluck, or like this month we’ll eat hummus (and you can still have tea if you want it!)

Just to clarify, this isn’t a BSN sponsored event, just a MamaBaby come and hang out tea and chat time.

So here’s the plan for June: We’ll have “Doula Hummus and Pita” from Mezza at the Portland MamaBaby Center [map] and you can still have a cup of tea or a coffee if you wish on Wednesday, June 20th at 1pm .

You’ll still find it as “Doula Tea” on the calendar. There is no cost or fee to attend, but we will gratefully take your donation towards the MamaBaby Clinic if you feel so inclined as to contribute to midwifery care for women regardless of their ability to pay.

All doulas are welcome

Certified doulas and uncertified doulas, doulas in training, and aspiring doulas, you are all welcome to attend!  I figure this will be a chance to just sit and enjoy the company of sister doulas without the pressure of a workshop or a presentation. This is your moment to capture the spirit of the sorority of the doula community that surrounds you. This is just some you time to refill your spirit tank.

You can also bring your questions about the DONA doula training that begins the next day and any questions you might have about the Business of Being a Doula workshop I’m teaching.

Please RSVP if you plan to attend by June 19th.
You can just RSVP to the Facebook Event
or by emailing me (Kate)
so that I know how much hummus to order:

[kate@portlandmamababycenter.com]
Or just use the contact form

Babes in arms and nurslings are welcome.
Please arrange for childcare for older children so that we can all relax
and enjoy the sacred sisterhood we are creating.

 

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Herbs for the Childbearing Year at Portland Mama Baby Center

May 302012
 

herbs for the childbearing year

Herbs for Women in Their Childbearing Years
With Jessica Elliott

  • Herbs every women should have in her life.
  • Fertility & conception.
  • Nourishing herbs during pregnancy.
  • Herbal solutions for common pregnancy complaints.
  • Postpartum herbs for the perineum.
  • Milk supply herbs.
  • Preventing & treating postpartum blues.

CLASS: Herbs for Women in their Childbearing Years
WHEN: August 18 from 10am to 4pm.
WHERE: Portland MamaBaby Center (map)
RECOMMENDED PREREQUISITE: Herbs for Everyone
COST: $75.00. 

To register, simply download our registration form and attach your payment.

Return your completed registration form and payment to Portland MamaBaby Center at 5528 SE Woodstock Blvd. Portland, OR 97206. We also accept Paypal and major credit card. If you wish to use PayPal or a credit card, please fill out the registration form and send it in and then contact Kate directly (kate@PortlandMamaBabyCenter.com) to make your payment.

For specific questions about the class, please email Jessica at Jessica@PortlandMamaBabyCenter.com

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Herbs for Everyone!

May 232012
 

Herbs for Everyone Class at Portland Mama Baby Center

Jessica Elliott has been studying herbs longer than I have been helping women have babies and beginning in August, she’s going to be teaching a weekend class called Herbs for Everyone!

Below, you’ll see an outline for the two classes, taught in the first two consecutive Saturdays of August  [calendar](that makes it August 4th and 11th), from 11am-3pm. The cost to register for this series of classes with 8 contact hours is $160.00. There is an early bird registration discount of $20, making it $140 if you register before July 10th (so do that, and spend the $20 on a pedicure or something frivolous like that for yourself!!)

This class requires no fewer than 3 participants and no more than 10 participants to be its best! Early registration is recommended, because I think this is one of those classes that a lot of birth professionals (midwives and doulas) ::and:: Mamas and Papas are going to want to take.

Class 1 – Herbal Basics and Cooking with Herbs
  • How to learn your herbs, resources
  • Picking & choosing
  • Respecting the strength & power of herbal healing
  • Types of preparations
  • Full menu using herbs as the focus, including teas & infusions
  • Includes a tasting of everything, plus recipes
Class 2 – Topical Preparations and Tinctures and Elixirs**
  • Hands on creating tinctures with instructions how to measure, prepare, decant
  • Hands on making of salves & poultices. Take some home!
**You must be at least 21 years old to take this class or have an adult guardian taking the course with you.

Download the registration form here

Send questions to jessica@portlandmamababycenter.com

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Embracing the Miracle: The Science & Soul of Birth and the First Hour with Barbara Harper

May 152012
 

WaterbirthEmbracing the Miracle

As nurses, midwives, physicians, doulas and childbirth educators, we have the unique job of knowing the best way to protect the baby physically, but do we know what to do emotionally and spiritually for this new human?

If the focus of birth were on acknowledging the baby as a conscious participant and the one in charge of the birth process, would our birth practices be different?

Evidence is presented demonstrating the baby thinks, feels, and remembers everything about the birth experience and how this influences the development of brain structure, sense of self, consciousness, learning ability and spirituality. We will examine how common birth practices either enhance or deter the birth process and the effect on attachment. We will “rethink” birth from this biophysiologic perspective and examine core beliefs. Be ready to have an educational and enjoyable time with an open heart & mind.

The Science and Soul of Birth And the First Hour

Many women are choosing a more natural way of giving birth. Science and pre and perinatal psychology is catching up with our instinctive mothering.

Be prepared when women in your community request practices that reflect the new biology, epigenetics, energy medicine and learn keys to assist your clients to understand the importance of remaining in a calm bliss-filled environment during birth and immediately after. Skin to skin contact is more than bonding—it is a biological imperative which changes the psychology of the human being when it is not protected and promoted. Learn why.

Workshop Objectives

At the end of the workshops the participant will be able to:

  1. Explain how the brain processes repeated stress or trauma.
  2. Describe the ecstatic hormones and their impact on birth & bonding.
  3. Explain the four primitive birth reflexes expressed by the fetus.
  4. List four biological needs of the fetus & newborn and discuss which habitat is needed to activate the specific behaviors in each.
  5. Describe why it is the behavior of the baby that determines the behavior of the mother and not the other way around.
  6. Demonstrate the ability to center, ground, connect & expand energy.

Contact Hours

6 contact hours have been applied for through OMC. The course has had prior approval from midwifery associations in Florida and Canada. The certificates can be used by doulas and CBEs for DONA, CAPPA and other organizations.

This workshops is ideal for all mother baby professionals.

Experience why Barbara Harper is a renowned and sought after speaker, researcher, writer and clinician.

Barbara Harper’s personal mission is to change the way we welcome babies into the world. Barbara has been providing education, training programs, and consultations for parents and practitioners alike for the past three decades. She founded Waterbirth International in 1988 in order to make water birth an available option for all women. Her book and DVD, “Gentle Birth Choices” is required reading in doula and midwifery courses and has been translated into seven languages. She lives in Boca Raton, FL.

What people are saying about these workshops:

“This evidence based workshop was just what I needed to revive my CNM practice.”
Janice Taleff, CNM ~ Duke Maternal Fetal Medicine, NC

“Barbara is a charismatic and gifted teacher who has a wealth of knowledge, including tons of research….she does it all!”
Donna Walls, RN ~ L&D nurse, Dayton, Ohio

Registration

WHEN: Tue, June 12th, 2012
WHERE: The Portland MamaBaby Center [map]  

Waterbirth Childbirth WBACRegistration is available online through Barbara Harper’s webpage, Waterbirth.org or you can download the information and the registration form for the Portland Embracing the Miracle class here on Portland MamaBaby’s website.

Oh, and Mezza is just next door and the food is amazing, so don’t even worry about lunch, just plan to eat next door. The owner there is extra nice to us and they will be happy to have us there for lunch, I assure you! They have gluten free and vegetarian options, as well. There is also an excellent authentic Mexican restaurant just a few doors down the other direction, and you’re welcome to bring a bag lunch and stay at the center and eat and talk with each other, too!

…all I can say, after seeing how excited people are about this new class that Barbara is teaching in Portland at the MamaBaby Center is you better sign up early because space is limited and everyone I know is planning to go to this class (including our midwife, Tia Rich!)

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NCNM Fundraiser Screening of “More Business of Being Born” at the Portland MamaBaby Center

May 142012
 

Fundraiser Showing for MamaBaby Haiti

The More Business of Being Born

“More Business of Being Born ”
Explore Your Options: Doulas, Birth Centers and C-Sections 

From Executive producer Rikki Lake

This event is brought to you by students of the Midwifery Club of National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM) and the Portland MamaBaby Center.  Watch the movie & stick around for a discussion group! Adults and mothers with babes in arms are welcome.

**Please feel free to bring snacks to share, and please plan to bring donations to MamaBaby Haiti and the Portland MamaBaby Clinic.**

This is one part of an almost 5 hour film:

Explore Your Options: Doulas, Birth Centers and C-Sections

WHEN: Sat. June 9th at 11am

WHERE: Portland MamaBaby Center [map]
5528 SE Woodstock Blvd. Portland, OR 97206 

Questions? Hilarybethmiller@gmail.com

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Doula Workshops for your Doula Business at the Portland MamaBaby Center

May 102012
 

the business of being a doula

If your doula training was like the typical 24 hour DONA Birth Doula Training, you spent 99% of your time talking about pregnancy, labor, childbirth, postpartum care, and practicing hands on comfort and relaxation measures and then approximately 1 hour talking about establishing and running a doula practice. It was probably something that you touched upon at the end of your training, when you were worn out and tired and ready to just start attending births. Maybe you did your training a long time ago and you just never really managed to attract clients and so your practice has just kind of sat stagnant?

This course is designed with this question in mind:
“I’m a doula – now what?”

In this six (6) week course that meets for 3 hours weekly (that’s 18 hours total, for people who are keeping track) at the MamaBaby Center, you will expand your doula education to become a certified and professional doula. You will also have the opportunity to create a doula collective with other doulas who are also registered for the course as you get to know each other over the six week period. The business part of doula work is the part I actually enjoy the most – it’s where my passion lies – in helping new doulas get started! Here’s how I’ve broken up the sessions:

Doula Workshops for your Doula Business

Session 1:

  • How to set up your practice (a holistic view)
  • Defining your target client
  • Branding/logo
  • Basic marketing materials

Session 2:

  • Advertising vs. Marketing vs. Networking
  • Social Media and Birth Work
  • Creating a simple marketing plan that works
  • Contacting companies for samples

Session 3:

  • Client paperwork
  • Doula charting
  • Client educational materials
  • Client goodie bags/gifts

Session 4:

  • The consult! Who is interviewing who here?
  • Prenatal appointments
  • Postpartum appointments
  • Being on call

Session 5:

  • Your First Official Client
  • Packing your doula birth bag and your own personal birth survival bag
  • Dealing with difficult situations/difficult clients
  • “Secret” Doula tips and recipes

Session 6:

  • Doula personal life and professionalism in an internet world
  • From doula to …? Options after life on call
  • working with home birth midwives (guest speaker)
  • wrap up and plan a 1 year reunion!

The cost for this 18 hour course is $360.00. I know that is nearly as much as you paid for your doula workshop, if you took one, but I think the practical nature of this course and the hands on workshops that will help you develop your practice are a smart investment in your new doula business.

You could be the best doula in the world, but without clients, you won’t ever make you any money, so you need to invest in both a doula training workshop and a doula business workshop if you really want to create a thriving practice. Preregistration is required by June 30th. If you have the resources and you’d like to save $60.00, register by June 10th [AMENDED DATE]  for an early bird discount! You can download the registration form for this class or email me and I’ll send it to you.

Recommended articles will be provided as .pdf files to registrants, and the lending library at the MamaBaby Center has the books that will support our curriculum. Participants will receive educational/client materials for their clients as well as develop their own. The first course begins on [AMENDED DATE] Tuesday, July 10 at 6pm [calendar]. Appetizers and refreshments will be served at each class, since it’s a 6-9 pm class!

Questions? Please send an email to
Kate@PortlandMamaBabyCenter.com

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DONA Birth Doula Workshop Training at the Portland MamaBaby Center

Apr 192012
 

Doulas Rock by Ravyn StadickRecently I met with independent DONA doula trainer, Debra Catlin, and we spoke for about an hour about her birth doula workshop happening June 21 through June 24th at the Portland MamaBaby Center [map].

I love that this is a weekend intensive workshop – you can just devote one weekend to completing all of the instructional hours (24) necessary for DONA certification and be on your way to your new career as a doula!

June 21st is the Introduction to Childbirth for Doulas class that is a DONA prerequisite to the birth doula workshop. This $100 class is one way to meet the DONA requirement to “Obtain basic knowledge about childbirth prior to the Birth Doula workshop.” There are other options on Debra’s web site that might be available to you to meet this requirement. If you have questions, be sure to ask Debra. Her contact info is below. Here’s a quick glance at what that class offers:

Introduction to Childbirth for Doulas

The DONA birth doula workshop is from June 22-24th and includes 12 distinct sessions or units, making it an intense, but yet comprehensible and salient course that has a logical progression, leading student doulas step by step to the next lesson.

Day 1     8:00 AM-6:00 PM
    Session 1  Implications of a Woman’s Birth Experience
        I.    Introductions and Overview
        II.   The Heart of Doula Work-Emotional Support
        III.  Sharing Birth Stories: “What Women Remember about Birth”
        IV.  Listening for Needs

    Session 2  Influences on the Childbearing Experience
        I.   Beliefs and Messages About Childbirth
        II.  Shaping Human Development-Lessons from Perinatal Psychology
        III. Personal and Cultural Influences
        IV. Maternity Care Practices
        V. The Gentle Birth Movement- and “Ecstatic Birth”

    Session 3  The Role of the Birth Doula
        I.    The Doula’s Role: Meeting Labor Support Needs
        II.   Benefits, Qualities, and Realities of Doula Work
        III.  Working with the Partner
        IV.  Birth Doula Certification Requirements

    Session 4   Therapeutic Presence
        I.    Exploring Beliefs, Promoting Confidence
        II.   Setting Intentions
        III.  Mastering Fears
        IV.  Centering and Grounding
        V.   Connecting Through Entrainment

  Day 2   8:00 AM-6:00 PM
    Session 5    Early Labor Assistance
        I.   The Doula’s Bag of Tricks for Pain Management
        II.  Early Labor Care Plan
        III. Emotional Needs of Early Labor
        IV. Guidance with Relaxation and Breathing
        V.  Working as a Team with Mom and Partner

    Session 6     Active Labor Support
        I.   Emotional Needs and Responses of Active Labor
        II.  Assisting Breathing, Vocalization and Attention Focusing
        III. Incorporating Massage and Rhythm
        IV. Coping Strategy Assessment
        V.  Supporting the Mother and Partner in Active Labor

    Session 7    Challenging Labors
        I.  Fast Labors
        II. Promoting Labor Progress
                    A.Optimal Fetal Positioning
                    B. Characteristics of Prolonged Labors
                    C. More Positions and Movement
        III. Posterior and Asynclitic Variations
                    A. Positions for Rotation and Descent
                    B.Back Labor Pain Relief Measures

      Session 8     Supporting Second Stage
        I.   Transition-Emotional Needs and Support
        II.  Role Play of Pushing Guidance
        III. Second Stage Challenges
        IV. Birth Videos

  Day 3    8:00 AM-6:00 PM
    Session 9    Role of the Doula in Difficult Births
        I.   DONA Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics
        II.  Being a Maternity Care Team Member
        III. Challenges and Dilemmas in Doula Work
        IV. The Advocacy Role
        V.  ”What if, What next?” Exercise

    Session 10    Supporting Difficult Births
        I.    Emotional Challenges-The Take Charge Routine
        II.   Compassionate Care with Medications
        III.  Supporting Cesarean Birth
        IV.  Unexpected Outcomes

    Session 11    Prenatal Client Contact and Birth Attendance
        I.  Initial Contact and Prenatal Interviews
                     A.Your Birth Package and Fees
                     B.Letter of Agreement
                     C.Labor and Birth Preferences
                     D.Addressing Special Needs/VBAC
        II.  Values Clarification
        III. Getting Ready for the Birth
                     A. Arranging Back-up
                     B.Being on-call
                     C.     Taking Care of Yourself

    Session 12    Postpartum Care and Your Doula Business
        I.   Doula’s Role in Immediate Postpartum
        II.  Postnatal Contacts
                     A. Assessments of Well-being and Supporting Breastfeeding
                     B. Debriefing and Integrating the Birth
        III.  Starting Your Business
        IV.  Marketing and Promotion

Early bird registration ends on May 18th, 2012 (save $25 and register early for $400.00) and the final closing registration date is June 8th ($425.00). To save you the searching time, I did some research to compare prices for doula training in Portland: the labor doula training at Birthingway is $485 and the DONA birth doula training through MotherTree Birth Services is $450.00.

There are many labor and birth doula workshops and trainings regularly available in Portland, so why would I choose to host Debra Catlin’s workshop at the MamaBaby Center and register my own staff in her training? I love a weekend intensive – I’m just that kind of person. I want to do the hours, get them out of the way, and get to the births. I like other programs, but I ultimately think if you’re going to invest that much money into a certification, then you need to invest in a certification that offers a return on your investment quickly, and I believe that’s what you get with Debra Catlin’s DONA training workshop.

The full agenda for the labor and birth doula training

Prerequisites for the workshop

Register for this DONA birth doula workshop

Questions? Just ask Debra Catlin 
deb@side-by-sidedoulas.com
541-998-3380

Photo credit for the Doulas Rock photo above goes to our center’s birth photographer, Ravyn Stadick. She’s pretty awesome and I really appreciate all the photos she provides for these blog posts, for this web page, and for our marketing materials!!

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VBAC and VBAMC Policies in Portland Area Hospitals

Apr 182012
 

Portland Area VBAC Policies Provided by ICAN

VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) and VBAMC (Vaginal Birth After Multiple Cesarean) policy data provided and used with permission by Portland ICAN. All women are invited to ICAN meetings – I recently had a conversation with a leader at ICAN about encouraging more first-time Mamas to go to the ICAN meetings to learn how to prevent that first cesarean in to begin with. I think that’s a goal I can get behind! Don’t wait until you’ve been cut to learn about ICAN (International Cesarean Awareness Network). Learn everything you can because knowledge is power in birth!

[NB: I did read today that St. Vincent's has agreed to do VBA2C under certain circumstances, so their De Facto Ban may be changing soon]

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Just Delicious: Sugar-Free Bakery in Portland, Oregon

Mar 272012
 

Months ago I originally published this post on Portland Doula Care’s website about the Just Delicious Sugar Free Bakery and Candy Shop. I was out and about at the Clackamas Planned Parenthood office and I came across the Just Delicious Sugar-Free Bakery and thought, “Wow, I bet pregnant women with gestational diabetes would sure appreciate knowing about this place.”

So back then, I took a picture to remember to share it. And then I posted it and it was (according to my stats) one of the most popular posts on the site! When I moved my website, the photo got lost in WordPresslandia and so as I am updating this post today [3-27-12], I updated the original iPhone photo I took of their window sign with me reflected in it with their logo and phone number which is even more dandy! (dandier?)

If you live anywhere near Portland, Oregon and have (gestational) diabetes, you will be so happy to learn about the Just Delicious (Sugar-Free!!) Bakery located just SE of Portland, OR off I-205.

And, if you are just trying to avoid sugar as part of a special diet, you will probably be pretty happy to learn that you can still have something delicious while staying within your dietary restrictions.

Women who are trying to lose extra baby weight will probably also be excited to learn about the Just Delicious bakery – I saw a post about the bakery that calls the place “the Mecca of Desserts for people on Weight Watchers”!

It also occurred to me today that if you are planning a baby shower or a blessing way for a Mama with diabetes, you should plan ahead to have a special cake made. I was looking through their dessert gallery and it looks like you could have a really elaborate and beautiful cake that would also be yummy and nobody would even guess that it’s sugar-free.

I hope my little ‘find’ last August 20th (when I originally published this post) helps you out!

PS: You can order online and have it shipped to you – so if you live too far away to visit the bakery personally, you could still take advantage of the sugarfree yum!

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PDX: Why Portland, Oregon Is The Best City To Have A Baby

Apr 062011
 

Portland, Oregon, is the #1 city to have a baby*:

word cloud map of the state of oregon portland

I love Portland. It is truly the single best place in the United States to work as an advocate for Mamas and Babies. We’re not without fault, our cesarean rate is still high and consistent with the national average. We could be doing better, but I think the fact that so many women and men in Portland are actively working to improve our maternal health system and protect our right to birth where we want and with the provider we choose is ultimately our greatest strength. Portland women, especially, seem to agree that women have the right to birth in a way that even they themselves may not themselves choose. The right of other women to VBAC or birth at home with or without a midwife if they choose to seems to be something that most women who I come into contact with agree should be the individual woman’s right, not the government’s decision to impose upon them.

  • According to data from the CDC, infant and maternal mortality in Oregon is especially low.
  • Portland babies are 24% less likely than average to be born with low birth weight.
  • Babies here are 21% less likely than average to be born prematurely.
  • 88% of Portland mothers attempt breastfeeding. That’s the 3rd highest percentage of any city in our report. The average for cities in our survey is 75%.
  • By six months of age, 56% of Portland babies are still being breastfed. That’s the 6th highest percentage of any city in our report. The average for cities in our survey is 43%.
  • 19.% of Portland mothers breastfeed their babies exclusively (meaning no solids, formula or other liquids) for 6 months or longer as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, making it the 2nd highest scoring city in this category. The average for cities in our survey is 12%.
  • Once Portland mothers begin breastfeeding, they are 14% more likely than average to continue through 6 months. That’s the 8th highest level of follow-through of any city in our report.
  • Oregon has particularly progressive laws guaranteeing a nursing mother the right to breastfeed in public.
  • 14.3% of births statewide are attended by midwives, compared to a national average of 7.3%.
  • Portland has one doula for every 146 live births, the 4th highest ratio in our survey. The national average is one doula per 649 live births.
  • Portland has 116 midwives for every 1,000 births, the highest in our survey. The national average is 37 midwives for every 1,000 births.
  • Portland has 61 lactation consultants for every 10,000 live births, the 2nd highest ratio in our survey. The average city in our survey has 23 lactation consultants per 10,000 live births.
  • Portland has plenty of high-risk pediatricians, 69% more than average per capita and the 9th highest in our survey.
  • Portland has more OB-GYNs than average, the 5th highest in our survey.

*According to a 2008 study conducted by FitPregnancy.com

As a birth worker, I appreciate my sister doulas, the birth support network, and the network of midwives that I have available to guide me. As a Mama, I appreciate knowing that even if my family is ‘weird’ that there are other families just as ‘weird’ as ours is and I can find a playmate for Little. As a women I am grateful for the activists who work to preserve my daughters’ birthing options. After our 7 year adventure around the United States, I can say that there is no better place to have a baby and raise a family than in Portland, Oregon.

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