Afterbirth: It's What's For Dinner

Today I sent an email to a woman in Calgary who encapsulates placentas. I have read many articles, and studies pertaining to the medicinal benefits of the placenta. I just haven't got the stomach for placenta steak. Which, in my opinion is another testament to the 'warrior women' among us. But..placenta pills? Hand over the prescription! I hope to learn the art of placenta encapsulation so I can add it to the list of services I provide. I'm so happy to continue to network with women who are persistently bringing more and more holistic options to this corner of our world. Check out the hilarious link in TIME of all places!

Afterbirth: It's What's For Dinner

Bossom Buddies

I have very strong opinions about breastfeeding. I also have very strong opinions about choices. Sometimes, these two opinions clash. I have breastfed both my sons...in fact I breastfed my youngest-23months old- three times last night. I do get frustrated when I hear mothers complain about how much time their infant needs to eat. How many times they woke up to nurse their baby last night. Admitting that they were not prepared for the night wakings, and that they had heard they 'only had to get through 8 weeks' and then it would get easier. I'm not frustrated with these mothers themselves...for I have had the same thoughts run through my own mind...I'm frustrated that somewhere along the way we've convinced mother's that breastfeeding is easy. Breastfeeding is NOT easy. Breastfeeding is best.
So back to supporting a woman's choice. What I have come to understand, is that I can only support a woman's choices if they are informed. That being said...if a woman struggles with breastfeeding for 3 to 4 months and is under the impression that her baby should be sleeping through the night, nursing on a schedule, and content at the breast by this time;then chooses to switch to formula because her and her baby are not 'meeting these standards' is that choice informed? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

On a more positive note...I received the most heart warming email from a participant of the Better Babies Pregnancy Outreach program I work with at the Fernie Women's Resource Centre. Another participant was having problems with milk supply, and I witnessed a breast milk exchange in front of my eyes. I am so proud to be a part of a program that facilitates this type of discussion, and works to break down the barriers of our breastfeeding past. We belong to a sisterhood of mother's who, in our past, would not think twice to put our sister's child to our own breast. We ourselves,woman, use to be the formula for infant feeding. In Fernie...we're bringing back our history!

Tanya,

I've been glowing with pride since offering my breast milk to her. Who would have thought these little boobs could do such good! My Husband thinks it's awesome but we both agree that I really am like a cow now. Hook me up mooooo. Anyway, I think this could be a blog topic for you. Make mom's aware that this is possible. I'm going to try to increase my supply since at the moment I can only give her 5oz a day. I'd love to get to 10oz. I hope to make it this afternoon. It's in the schedule!

See,Do,Teach

Wow...I'm emotional today. Have you ever held unrealistic expectations of yourself? I do that way too often!:) My history as a student is average. Until now I always associated this fact with not being very interested in the subjects I've studied. Then I picked up 'Spiritual Midwifery' by Ina May Gaskin...and I found my interest. Where I struggle is communicating the information I've read. Words I really hate saying because..The problem with that is...I'm a Childbirth Educator! So instead of focusing all my attention on reading the latest studies and then forgetting what I read...I think I'll start researching teaching techniques, study techniques, learning styles and found out how I can best share all the information with my classes. I really don't want to say PowerPoint, but I can see how useful this type of presentation would be when teaching a subject like let's say...ahem...Pain Medications Used in Childbirth...

Last night was the third week in my six week prenatal series. I have to admit, that I am nervous teaching about pain medications to begin with, so when you add the local anesthetist, and his expecting wife to my class, I'm borderline frantic! I ended up asking him a lot of questions..as did other parents. I am the first one to say "I don't know" if I don't know the answer to a question. So, on the whole I was okay with the way the class proceeded. I felt disappointed that all the preparation I had done, had vanished into thin air. I was definitely stuttering, trying to find my words, never mind whole sentences.

The doctor and his wife stayed after class and gave me some very important feedback, that I will definitely use in my future classes. Lucky for me, I've had the opportunity to befriend these individuals. In fact, at my first series he was a speaker, which gave me the opportunity to watch the specialist present on the subject. After class he said "In the medical world we have a saying 'See, Do, Teach' you skipped the DO and went straight to teaching." After thinking about what he said I figure the closest I'll ever get to "doing" an epidural, is demanding that I be able to stay by my clients side if they choose to have an epidural. In the past I have always been made to leave the room. Then of course I have to relate this new medical rule to natural childbirth...

See-other women give birth. Do-it with strength, trust, time, and support. Teach-our daughters the wisdom of their bodies.

Non Focused Awareness

Last week was my first class in my second 6 week childbirth education series. (That's a mouthful) I let myself into the local college, and upon opening the front door, the alarm was triggered. I did my best at attempting to crack the code, but...I was unsuccessful. I merely continued to set up my room, and hope the siren would resolve itself. As my class started arriving, i was being interrogated by RCMP. Great first impression! If only I had thought to assign them their first Non Focused Awareness exercise. It would have quite possibly sounded like this...


"I hear sirens, the room feels chilly, the cop is intimidating my teacher, i hear keys jingling, my teacher can't find her I.D. , pen scribbling on RCMP pad, my teacher is sweating, this room is cold! RCMP boots on floor, the cop is gone, ahhhh calming music. class starts."

Red Tent Reunion

The Title of today's post has many significances. In celebration of International Women's Day Womb To Grow Boutique & Support Centre in collaboration with B.O.L.D held The Red Tent Event. On March 7th, 2010 a diverse group of women in Fernie gathered to share birth stories and celebrate our womanhood. It was a memorable day that will stay close to my heart for years to come. I was reunited with my dear friend Tash, who came to Fernie from Penticton, to teach yoga, and guide a meditation. It was LOVE.
Today I am reunited with my blog! It has been almost 6 weeks since I've been here. If it had not been for the amazing energy I experienced in The Red Tent, I don't know if I would have found the inspiration to get back to this blog. Thank you***women of Fernie*** I'm back.
The most profound moment of The Red Tent, for me, was telling the story of my first birth. Going back seven years, yet I experienced all those emotions like it was yesterday. It was just enough emotion for me to understand the importance of my work as a Doula. It is not the outcome of the birth that resonates with mothers...it's the experience. The birth of my eldest son was when I embarked on this journey towards midwifery. It has led me to attend many beautiful warrior women through pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond. Having my son made me feel like I was good at something. I did it! The memory of that birth has given me much strength over the last seven years, but never more than telling it amongst the company of sympathetic women in The Red Tent. I'll raise a glass of red wine and say "Here's to many more generations of new moons, tribes of sisters, and of course...Red Tents"