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Women’s Birth Network
“A network of selected independent
professionals offering resources for the childbearing year”
If you are a practitioner that offers alternative complementary services for
pregnant or postpartum women in the Southern Orange County area, Women’s Birth
Network wants to hear from you! E-mail to get details on how to advertise your
services here free:
or
If you are a childbearing woman who has had a rewarding experience with a
practitioner that offers alternative complementary services for pregnant
or postpartum women in the Southern Orange County area, Women’s Birth Network
wants to hear from you! E-mail:
 Women’s
Birth Network is a network of selected
independent childbirth professionals, not funded or directed by a hospital,
health maintenance organization or corporation. Resources for childbirth
classes, labor support and referrals for services such as prenatal counseling ,
prenatal yoga, prenatal massage and postpartum care are included.
Women’s Birth Network
also presents regular
events
to inform women about options available for the childbearing years.
Women’s Birth Network’s purpose
is to support childbearing women in making choices that will best suit their
individual experiences. Each pregnancy and birth is a unique event, and every
woman benefits from practitioners who make her feel safe and supported. A
benefit of working with independent practitioners is that they are able to
provide more personal care for this most personal of events.
This is a network of selected practitioners
in the Southern Orange County area who support the ideals of alternative
therapeutic modalities for the childbearing woman. These practices are meant
to complement not replace regular prenatal care by your obstetrical
provider. Being listed here
does not endorse the practices of any practitioner listed here. Please ask
questions and check references before deciding upon a practitioner. Your
health and the health of your baby is your responsibility.
Remember, when you feel healthy
in your body and mind, you will enjoy a more positive birth experience. Have
a happy and healthy pregnancy!
Much love and happiness to you, Maureen
Information
on Birth in the USA
The Safe
Motherhood Initiatives-USA
"Did you know…that the United
States ranks behind at least 20 other nations in maternal mortality rates
according to the World Health Organization. The Safe
Motherhood Initiatives-USA (SMI-USA) is a partnership of organizations
whose goal is to reduce maternal mortality in the United States. Learn more
at:
http://131.103.210.241/home.html
Safe Motherhood USA
The Safe
Motherhood Quilt Project
In fact,
since the 1930s there was a steady reduction in the maternal death rate each
year until 1982. The Safe Motherhood Quilt Project is a national effort
developed to honor those women who have died of pregnancy-related causes during
the past twenty years and to draw public attention to the unchanging maternal
death rate. To learn more about the quilt, visit the official web page at:
USA Quilt Project
Obstetrical
Evidence-based Research
COCHRANE
PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH GROUP:
Cochrane Reviews are abstracts of full text articles reviewing the effects of
obstetrical healthcare. The reviews are highly structured and systematic, with
evidence included or excluded on the basis of explicit quality criteria, to
minimize bias.
http://www.cochrane.org/cochrane/revabstr/g010index.htm
Mother-Friendly Childbirth
The Coalition
for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS--pronounced "kims")
is evidence-base and provides guidelines for
identifying and designating "mother-friendly" birth sites including hospitals,
birth centers and home-birth services. The initiative outlines ten steps for
mother-friendly care and includes a requirement for birth sites to also qualify
as "baby-friendly" according to the World Health Organization's guidelines. A
consumer version of the Initiative, "Having
a Baby? Ten Questions to Ask" is also available. To learn more about CIMS,
visit the official web page at:
http://www.motherfriendly.org
 What
Babies Want... An exploration of the consciousness of infants
To
find out more about this new documentary featuring Joseph Chilton Pearce,
Sobonfu Some and David Chamberlain, narrated by Noah Wyle, please visit our
website. www.whatbabieswant.com
800-893-507
Obstetrical
Health Care Providers
Be a change agent. Utilize evidence-based best
practice. There is a wide "practice gap" between "evidence-based practice"
and "the way we have always done it".
Looking for a Midwife?
Beach Cities Midwifery and
Women's Health Care
You CAN have a midwife for your
prenatal care and birth! Did you know that midwifery care is a very viable
option to you? The midwives at Beach Cities Midwifery and Women's Health
Care are covered under many insurance plans and they also accept Medical.
If you have been looking for prenatal care that is very personalized and caring,
then you NEED to call Beach Cities for a FREE consultation! They currently
have privileges at South Coast Medical Center in Laguna Beach. Beach
Cities can also take care of all of your well-woman visits too.
Lisa Sherwood, MSN, CNM, WHCNP
B.J. Snell, PhD, CNM, WHCNP
www.beachcitiesmidwifery.com
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South
Coast Midwifery
Women Helping Women
- South Coast Women's Health Care is home to South Orange
County's only free-standing
birth center. It is owned and directed by Lorri Walker, RNC,
NP, CNM, one of the Southern California's best known
midwives.
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Click here to
see an amazing
slide show
of one of HER home births!
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Lorri Walker, RNC, NP,
CNM,
www.southcoastmidwifery.com |
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Childbirth Education
You need to
prepare for birth. Make preparing for it special - these educational classes are
an excellent resource for you, or anyone who might be with you during the birth
process. Don't miss the opportunity to prepare for a positive birth experience.
Giving birth is something you do in your body, your heart, your soul, and in
your head. You already "know" a lot about giving birth (whether you realize it
or not). Childbirth education classes allow you to rediscover and validate your
own innate knowledge. You will learn the art of: pain reduction, stress
reduction, relaxation and breathing techniques and educate yourself to be a good
consumer, by knowing your options, and how to provide yourself with the best
possible birth experience. You will
also learn techniques to
physically and psychologically prepare you for childbirth.
These classes usually include information on exercise, nutrition,
breathing, position, movement and relaxation methods for use in labor and
delivery, information regarding hospital procedures, medications, anesthesia,
alternative complementary therapies, newborn care and the postpartum period.
Jody Jenson
CPSS, CE
http://www.dreamdeliveries.com
jody@dreamdeliveries.com
Wendy Spry BA, CPSS, CD
wendy@birthwisdom.com
http://www.birthwisdom.com/wendybio.htm
Vaginal Birth After Cesarean
VBAC Education
About 60-80% of
women ( depending on the hospital where they choose to give birth) who labor
after a prior cesarean with one low-horizontal uterine scar do have safe vaginal
births. Women who have had more than one cesarean birth may have a slightly
lower chance for a vaginal birth. The risk of a prior cesarean scar separating
enough to require an emergency cesarean is about 1%. This risk is not higher
than for any other woman who may experience an unforeseen complication
(umbilical cord prolapse, non-reassuring fetal heart tones, premature separation
of the placenta) during labor or birth. When caregivers are knowledgeable about
VBAC and respond quickly, studies show that mothers and babies usually do well
Read about ACOG's recognition
of a group of OB's that support VBAC options for women at
http://www.acog.org/from_home/publications/press_releases/nr05-02-04.cfm
www.vbac.com
Wendy Spry BA, CPSS, CD
wendy@birthwisdom.com
http://www.birthwisdom.com/wendybio.htm
International Cesarean Awareness Network
The
International Cesarean Awareness Network ICAN works to lower the rate of
unnecessary cesareans, supports vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), and
encourages positive birthing through education and advocacy.
http://www.ican-online.org
Wendy Spry BA, CPSS, CD
wendy@birthwisdom.com
http://www.birthwisdom.com/wendybio.htm
Prenatal
Exercise
The benefits of
exercise during pregnancy include improved physical conditioning, creating
strength, flexibility and stamina for prenatal period, endurance for labor and
delivery and a quicker postnatal recovery. Also, studies have shown that babies
whose mothers exercised during pregnancy had better apgar scores and decreased
meconium at birth. By exercising regularly, you can reduce common
discomforts such as backache, swelling and constipation. Psychological benefits
include the development of a positive body image, which helps you gain
confidence in your ability to handle the labor and delivery process.
Yogamammas at Yoga Place
Linda
Trumpfheller
http://www.yogaplace.com
http://www.yogamamas.com
Prenatal
Yoga
Since you
cannot think your way through labor, prenatal yoga is a perfect way to drop
beneath your thinking mind and into the body/mind to prepare for birth. Prenatal
Yoga teaches you to listen deeply to and trust in our body's innate birthing
wisdom. Prenatal yoga poses are taught with your pregnancy in mind and an
emphasis on mindfulness for increasing breath and body awareness, learning pain
management, prenatal bonding, and deep relaxation. Many of your common
discomforts experienced during pregnancy may be relieved through the regular
practice of yoga, keeping your body flexible and
relaxed and gently building your stamina for labor
and birth.
Yogamammas at Yoga Place
Linda
Trumpfheller
http://www.yogaplace.com
http://www.yogamamas.com
Prenatal
Counseling
Prenatal
counseling assists both pregnant clients and non-pregnant clients with emotional
barriers and concerns, which may affect successful parenting, bonding, or birth.
Most work with families in the prenatalperiod
to help them mentally prepare for childbirth and help parents adjust to their
new roles and provide information for additional services when necessary.
The
Harvard Mind/Body Approach Behavioral Management Infertility Program
This
program can benefit all women having difficulty conceiving, including those
currently enrolled in IVF, GIFT or other programs/procedures (e.g., IUI -
intrauterine insemination, ICSI), or hormone treatments (e.g., hCG, chorionic
gonadotropin) or other fertility drugs. You do not have to have undergone any
procedures to participate. Women in all stages of infertility are welcome,
including if your chances for conceiving a biological child are low, you have a
history of miscarriages, or are experiencing secondary infertility. All women
are invited regardless of marital status, sexual orientation, socioeconomic
status, and family history.
http://www.infertilityblues.com/
Resolve: The National
Infertility Association
Resolve: The National
Infertility Association, is dedicated to providing education, advocacy and
support for men and women facing the crisis of infertility. As the consumer
voice for Family Building issues, RESOLVE is the only nationwide patient
advocacy group mandated to promote reproductive health and to ensure equal
access to all family building options for men and women experiencing infertility
or other reproductive disorders. Both Nationally and on a local level, the
RESOLVE team works with organizations and government advocating on behalf of
couples going through infertility, adoption and the decision to live childfree.
http://www.resolve.org
RESOLVE of Orange County, CA
PO Box 50693
Irvine CA 92619-0693
949-451-8437
Certified Perinatal Support Specialists/Labor
Support
In order to
have a positive birth experience, most women need continuous labor support.
Although obstetrical nurses are experienced in dealing with a laboring woman's
emotional and physical needs, they can seldom guarantee the support they provide
will last throughout the labor - especially in hospital settings where shift
changes, heavy paperwork and busy nights regularly occur. Midwives may be able
to offer more labor support, but they too have clinical duties to which they
must attend. Your spouse/ partner may be better able to provide continuous
support but has little actual experience in dealing with the forces of labor.
Even spouses/partners who have had intensive preparation are often surprised at
the amount of work involved (more than enough for two people). Even more
important, many spouses/partners find it easier to experience the birth as an
emotional journey of their own when they have labor support.
Perinatal/Labor Support Interns
Research has shown that the
presence of female labor support makes an important contribution to the improved
physical outcomes and emotional well being of families and their newborn.
This is a list of the interns of The
BIRTH
WISDOM
Perinatal Support Specialist Network. The interns understand and
agree with the intention, concepts and ideals of BIRTH WISDOM. Interns
have varying levels of experience and are independent. Many interns offer
childbirth related services besides
labor
support, such as childbirth
education, hypno-birthing, prenatal yoga, massage, lactation consultation and
post partum doula/newborn services. Some interns are also certified doulas. Each
intern is unique. We suggest that you contact several interns to find the one
that best meets your needs. Fees are determined individually and are
usually based upon experience.
A study by the New
England Journal of Medicine, the British Medical Journal, the British Journal of
Obstetrics and Gynecology and The Journal of the American Medical Association
include the following obstetrical outcomes :
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Cesarean Section
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Down 50%
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Length of
Labor
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Down 25%
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Oxytocin Use
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Down 40%
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Pain Medication
(Narcotics)
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Down 30%
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Forceps
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Down 30%
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Epidurals
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Down 60%
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Summary obstetrical
outcomes/Chapter 3 of "Mothering the Mother", by Klaus, Kennell & Klaus.
It is now widely recognized that having a female
labor
support
assisting the birthing woman or couple can decrease the length of
labor, decrease the severity of perceived pain, decrease the need for
anesthesia or analgesia, and can help prevent cesarean section. A good birth
experience will enhance the post-partum period by speeding recovery, easing
breastfeeding and securing the satisfaction of the mother and father with each
other and themselves. Whether you give birth completely naturally, or with the
use of drugs and unexpected interventions, or by cesarean section, if it is a
positive experience it will immeasurably increase your self-esteem as a woman
and a mother and have a positive effect in your relationship with your spouse,
and your child, for the rest of your life.
Prenatal
Massage
It is clear
that prenatal massage can be of great benefit during pregnancy, a profound
emotional, mental and spiritual process. During pregnancy and childbearing, the
enormous influx of hormones combined with weight gain, altered body shape, and
the normal biophysical and structural discomforts caused by increased blood
volume and a shifting center of gravity, all contribute to many pregnant women
feeling uncomfortable, emotionally and physically! Massage can provide an
excellent means not only for relieving your body's stress, but also for helping
you recognize deal with your emotional fears and concerns. When you feel
integrated and healthy in your body and mind, you will enjoy a more positive
birth experience.
Mikki Anderson, LMT
Stress Busters Body Therapy
http://www.stressbustersspa.com
Postpartum
Care/Support
After the baby
is born most new mothers and fathers appreciate the support of a postpartum
Doula. A postpartum doula is a non-judgmental woman who gives emotional and
breastfeeding support along with practical newborn care tips and some even take
care of necessary household tasks such as: grocery shopping; meal preparation;
doing the dishes, laundry or tending to your older children. Many mothers and
extended family members are not always available to help, and even if they are
available, some of our mothers do not have the breastfeeding experience to
support a nursing mother. Postpartum
doulas differ greatly from baby nurses as they are not there solely to tend to
your baby’s needs; but to encourage families to adapt to this life transition.
They are flexible to the needs of each family. They help mothers and fathers to
trust their instincts in meeting their baby’s needs. Motherhood is a major life
transition and the adjustment period feels less overwhelming when a postpartum
doula is available to address your questions and concerns and help ease your
transition into parenthood.
Sara
Schenker
www.makewomb.com
makewomb@yahoo.com
Linda Buhler, BA
lindabuhler@lifechange.com
Postpartum Counseling
If you have recently had a baby and are not
feeling yourself or think something is wrong... it is probably time to get help.
PPD can occur anytime within the first year after childbirth. Without proper
treatment, symptoms can linger or get worse. PPD is very real and very
treatable. You will feel better again. The following is a list of possible
referral sources. When you call, ask if they have the name of a therapist
who specializes in the treatment of women and depression. Expertise in
postpartum depression is not as essential as finding a good, qualified therapist
with whom you feel comfortable. (In some cases, you may need a
physician/psychiatrist for medication and/or a therapist)
Postpartum Yoga
This 75-minute yoga class
designed to get the postpartum mother back in shape while bonding with her
new baby is dedicated to achieving maternal fitness and to mothers sharing
quality time with their babies. We believe these experiences can take place
simultaneously— with the mother regaining flexibility and strength while helping
her baby develop body awareness, coordination and a confident response to
tactile stimuli. For the mother, the class addresses specific postpartum
challenges such as lost alignment, over-stretched abdomen and pelvic floor,
rounded shoulders and weakened lower back. Through Iyengar/Hatha-influenced
teaching, the class challenges the mother, giving her a sense of physical
fitness and well-being. The babies lie next to their mothers throughout the
class enjoying age appropriate stimulation exercises in addition to being
integrated into the breathing, chanting and asana practice. Mothers become
stronger and healthier, and delight in the positive effects of integrating baby
massage and yoga.
Yogamammas at Yoga Place
Linda
Trumpfheller
http://www.yogaplace.com
http://www.yogamamas.com
Newborn Care
Baby nurses are
there solely to tend to your baby’s needs and to encourage and teach you
to care for your own newborn. They help you learn to trust your instincts in
meeting your baby’s needs. Motherhood is a major life transition and the
adjustment period feels less overwhelming when a baby nurse is available to
address your questions and concerns and help ease your transition into
motherhood.
The American Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP)
Browse or
search the full text of AAP
policy statements,
such as the
Recommendations for Preventive Pediatric Health Care.
You can also access
Current AAP
Clinical Practice
Guidelines and
Model Bills.
http://www.aap.org
Safety Issues
 
"Back to Sleep" Campaign -
Reduce the Risk of Sudden
Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) (National Institutes of Health Web site)
Product Recalls
(CPSC Web site)
Report on Unsafe Products
(CPSC Web site)
Child Passenger Safety
Car Safety Seats: A Guide for Families 2002
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding has many
benefits, providing passive immunity, various growth hormones, and a more
favorable nutritive content. Recently, some studies even suggested that
breastfed infants have an advantage in cognitive development and that
breastfeeding may actually reduce the risk of breast cancer.
Everyone knows breast is best, but
some mothers have difficulty in the first weeks. Breastfeeding/Lactation
Consultants emphasize proper technique in order to prevent problems. Individual
counseling and private assessments are available. Fathers and expectant
grandmothers are welcome. Don't forget the most invaluable resource available;
your local Le Leche League.
Wendy Spry BS, CPSS
wendy@birthwisdom.com
dial 1-800-LALECHE
breastfeeding information
La
Leche League of Orange County
Margie Deutsch
Lash, MSEd, IBCLC
Total
Care Breastfeeding Services
www.breastfeedingservices.net
A great website:
www.breastfeeding.com
Infant Massage
Infant massage is easy and fun
to do, and it has a wide range of positive effects. Massage improves
circulation, stimulates the digestive system, enhances neurological development,
tones muscles and stimulates baby's
immune system. In addition to the benefits massage gives your baby, it gives you
an enjoyable way to spend time with and learn more about your baby. Learning
to read the behavioral
cues that your infant gives from the moment of birth is an enjoyable way to
deepen the loving communication between the two of you and satisfy the needs of
your baby.
StressBusters Body Therapy Center’s Infant Massage Training for Parent's
Classes are held every 4-6 weeks
9:30-10:45 a.m.
Saddleback Hospital—Women’s Health Center.
http://www.stressbustersspa.com/7/index.asp?serviceID=1
Special Needs Infant Massage
This class is taught with
appropriate alterations to massage techniques for various special needs infants
so that none of the infant's newborn reflexes are overstimulated. Holding
techniques are taught and practiced initially and then, only when the infant is
ready the appropriate massage techniques are slowly introduced to achieve the
most positive results. Studies conducted with premature infants and massage are
showing extremely positive results. Findings of these studies show that due to
an increase in weight gain and alert states the massaged infants had
superior motor skills and mental development.
Emergency Preparedness for
Children with Special Health Care Needs
Family Voices
A website for families from
throughout the United States who have children with special health needs. Family
Voices believes that children with special health needs face common problems
caused by fundamental inadequacies in our health care system. Family Voices does
not support any specific health care reform plan. Instead, the role of Family
Voices is to advocate for the inclusion of a set of basic principles in every
health care reform proposal.
http://www.familyvoices.org
Services for Battered Women and Their
Children.
As many as four million women in the USA alone
suffer some kind of violence at the hands of their partners each year. You and
your children have the right to a safe, nurturing, and supportive home.
24 Hour Help
CA Resource Directory - Interval House Crisis Shelters Listing
What is Domestic Violence?
Learn how Domestic Violence effects all of us.
Orange County's four women's shelters:
Human Options
www.humanoptions.org
Laura's House
www.laurashouse.org
Women's Transitional Living Center
www.wtlc.org
Interval House
http://psych.fullerton.edu/clindquist/dv/interval.html
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Changing the world
one birth at a time 