Dancing for Birth Classes

I just took my training to become a Dancing for Birth instructor. Not only is this a great prenatal class but it also a great postpartum class. It starts off with a circle time of affirmations for birth and mothering. It is far more than just an exercise class for your body. It also embraces the mind so that the mind body connection is embraced fully. We teach some belly dancing, some African and some Latin moves that help to open our hips for labor and jiggle the baby down into that nice open space! We teach about optimal fetal positioning within the class as well. I love the fun aspect of this class as we don't judge bodies or specific choreography but instead we embrace moving! ?New moms share with the pregnant moms. And babies are worn during the class so they get to enjoy it as much as they did when they were in utero.  I am excited about how this is a great teaching time but also a fun time! I am looking forward to scheduling my first class!

Thankful Parents Share Their Gratitude

This is the emails they said I could share:

Team Approach or Solo Doula

Recently I had a mom concerned about the lack of consistency in doulas if she chose the team approach we are now offering- this was my reply:

Wednesday morning I received a call from a mom who was two four days later or two days earlier from her due date depending on which due date you accepted from her two her doctor vs her ultrasound had given her. I went to her at 10am in the morning on Wednesday. I returned home on Thursday at 6:30am and crawled in bed. An hour later a mom who was a week early with her second called me to alert me something was up with her. She said she would call me after her 9:00am doctor appointment. The next call came at 9:30am that she was being told to head to the hospital. I got up after 3 hours of sleep and showered and headed back out. Thank goodness her labor was a brief one. She gave birth within two hours of arrival to the hospital- I got there only minutes after she did. And I was back in bed by 3pm. I happen to be on call for another mom whose due date is today. I am well rested now and ready to be with her whenever she calls.

2nd time Mom shares her thoughts about Teresa

Recently I received an email from a recent client who had a wonderful natural birth at Northside. She used a midwifery group there. This was her second baby. She birthed very quickly- having only been in labor for 3 hours when she gave birth. She was only at the hospital for less than an hour when she birthed. Sometimes folks think a fast labor would be ideal. But a fast labor is sometimes a bit traumatic because you hardly have time to wrap your mind around being in labor! I arrived only a few minutes behind her arrival. She was unsure she could do it without medication. She had had medication for her first birth and really wanted to have a natural birth this time. She got what she desired although she questioned whether she wanted it near the end when those around her knew she was going to be birthing again soon!

Home Birth Couple Loved Their Classes!

I had a couple recently who gave birth to their first child at home. They came to me for private classes due to so many scheduling conflicts with joining our regular series (we do have home birth students in our regular classes often.). This is the letter from them that they sent the day after the birth! (I did edit some personal information out of the email to protect their privacy.)- Teresa

"Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!!!  As you already know, baby boy was born on Monday.  Same birthday as daddy, YES, Matthew and Baby have the same birthday! :)  Baby is doing very well.  Quick update.  I had a 5.5 hour labor (labor started about 6:15am Monday morning, he was born 11:48am) .  Went very well, smooth and healthy for mommy and baby.  Baby weighed in at 8 lb.12oz. and was 21 and 1/8" long.    VERY healthy, with a great APGAR score and a good healthy newborn exam checkup.  Nothing could have gone more smoothly, and Matthew and I thank you SO MUCH for you labor classes and all you taught me, AND for the breastfeeding info. which I read through thoroughly all last week and it has helped so much.  Baby is sucking great already! and no soreness for me.  THANK YOU!!!  Another checkup to come for mommy and baby at home in 48 hours.  Can't wait for you to see the little guy when we come to pick up the body cast. {I did a bellycast for them as well.} I am sure it looks beautiful as you say!  :)  A has very good coloring and he is so VERY handsome!   Looks just like Matthew. ;)

Thank you again so much for your love and support Teresa.  You have been a God-send and a blessing in our lives!

Much love in Christ,
Jamie and Matt"

When I asked if I could share their story, she told me, "Yes, and as Matthew said when I asked him too. "you never hear the good stories, only the horror stories.....""

"thanks again....Charlotte said he and I should teach coaching classes one on one to other first time home birth couples. :)  You taught us well!  "

Intown Midwifery's One Year Anniversary!

A Mom Births Again, Shares Her Recommendation of Teresa

"I’ve been trying to find a minute to write to thank you, really thank you. I think that one of the most challenging parts of this birth (maybe THE most challenging part) was preparing for it mentally and spiritually.  The labor of love orientation was the second doula group we visited looking for a doula.  On our first visit to the group[....], David and I both left discouraged.  None of the doulas felt deep enough or truly connected enough to what we knew that birth could be.  Then we came to you guys.  I liked a number of your doulas, but it wasn’t until you spoke that I was sure.  You talked about women being warriors, even lions, I think.  What you said made me cry, and I turned to David and said, “that’s her.”

A recommendation letter from a nurse!

I have had the privilege to work with a wonderful nurse at AMC- Atlanta Medical Center. Although I have edited out parts that have information not relative to this recommendation, I have been given permission to share a bit of her letter with you here. Often folks ask how nurses feel about working with doulas. I think this letter tells the story of how some like working along side of us!

Vaccine Friendly Docs in Your Area

Did you know you could go to Dr Sear's website and there is a link to information about vaccines- schedules that may be more baby friendly and also a link to a page of pediatricians who will respect alternative schedules? Click Vaccine_Friendly_Doctors to find a care provider in your area!

Conscious Breathing

Holistic NYC Doula has a wonderful blog! We teach breath awareness in our childbirth classes. I think this video clip is a good one for understanding how breath enters into a relaxed preparation for birth.

conscious breathing-quick-easy-intro-to-yogic-breathing

Please consider that the he hes and he hahs of yesteryear breathing techniques work for some since it is the repetitive nature of the breathing or the "doing something" that kept your mind occupied. But this type of breathing is actually effective in calming down in most any situation.

We always think it is funny that partners stand over a woman and yell "breathe" to her. She is breathing! But he or she is trying to remind the mom to be aware of her breath. Staying on top of your breath- keeping your breath awareness so that you can keep air moving up and down- to your baby- to your body- to keep your muscles and organs full of power, is essential to staying calm and staying energized in labor.

Take time to watch this video. It may help you understand conscious breathing so that you can use this tool in your labor- and in your life!