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Sweet Pea ​Births
Sweet Pea ​Births
...celebrating every swee​t pea their birth
...celebrating every swee​t pea their birth
Blog
In Their Own Words: Erica ~ Part 1
| Posted on August 25, 2017 at 11:54 AM |
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PART 1: My
Breastfeeding Journey: The Greatest Gift of My Birth Experience  I’ve been breastfeeding my daughter,
Scarlett, for a little over a year now, and it continues to be a very important
part of our lives. I know many women in the United States choose to discontinue
breastfeeding at a year, or sooner, for a variety of reasons. I have no
judgment towards them. I can say I know that I won’t be one of them. I’m not
sure how long we will continue to nurse, but I don’t see us stopping any time
soon. I didn’t go into motherhood thinking I would be an “extended
breastfeeder.” For those of you who have seen the HBO show Game of Thrones
and saw the scene of Robin Arryn nursing well into childhood… that’s kind of
what I thought of as “extended breastfeeding.” I initially figured I’d
give it a year and see how and where it went. Now that we’ve made it to 13
months and it’s going so well, it seems silly to even consider stopping. It is
still a large part of her nourishment, an effective way to soothe and comfort
her, and our special bonding time, among many other benefits. Also, there is
this huge emotional component for me: I think of our breastfeeding relationship
as the greatest gift of my birth experience. I had a traumatic birth in July
2016. I planned a homebirth and ended up transferring to a hospital for an
excruciating 52-hour induction that ended in a Cesarean birth. My daughter was
10 days past her anticipated due date and didn’t move enough on an ultrasound,
which is what caused us to need the induction. After 2 more days of every
horrible step of the induction process, and trying to hold out for an
un-medicated birth, I became a statistic in the chain of interventions and one
of the 1 in 3 American women whose babies are surgically delivered. To
make matters worse, Scarlett aspirated meconium at some point in our labor, and
was whisked away to the NICU as soon as she was out. I didn’t get to hold her
for 18 hours. I didn’t get to attempt to breastfeed until her third day of
life. After having everything on my birth
plan derail to the horrific experience I endured, I was determined to feed my
child the way that I had planned to; determined not to have breastfeeding taken
from me as well. I couldn’t see her during those first 18 hours, but I pumped
every 2 hours like a fiend. I was told not to try to get her to latch initially
because of her difficulties breathing, but I brought her all of my colostrum,
requested donor milk instead of formula until my milk came in, and continued to
pump and pump and pump. Finally, on the third day of her life, I made milk, and
her breathing improved, and I got to learn how to nurse my baby. We needed help at first. We met with
a lactation consultant, we used a nipple shield, and we used the football hold…
I drank my weight in water and ate everything in sight for a while. On day 3
when I finally got to start nursing, the hospital had rules for me: I could
only nurse her for 15 minutes, then I had to go and pump and she was given a
bottle of expressed milk to finish her feed so they could determine exactly how
much she ate. They had their reasons I’m sure, but the effect to me was
oversupply. I was nursing a hungry baby, and then pumping directly after. When
we were finally released on day 5, I was sent home with about 7 bottles of
extra milk I had made. I didn’t know then that wasn’t typical. When we got home, my husband soon
grew tired of hearing, “Babe, I need my water bottle!” However, he and Scarlett
were troopers. He kept me fed and hydrated, propped up, etc. She had a good
latch and was always hungry. Within a few days we stopped using the nipple
shield. Within a few weeks I could move a little better after the surgery and
stopped doing the football hold. Things were going more smoothly, until I began
to put together the effects my oversupply was having on Scarlett. My milk came
spraying out with such force that she would sometimes gag and sputter. She
would occasionally throw up all over us during or directly after eating. It was
frustrating to feed her when she seemed overwhelmed by my milk. It was not fun
to get vomited on. Repeatedly. And feel like I was smothering my baby with my
giant, milk-tastic boobs. I asked the doctor about it. He said
spit up is normal. I said it’s a lot more than spit up… he said all kids throw
up and not to worry about it. He was useless. I asked my Bradley teacher and La
Leche League ladies and they gave me actual things to try: laid-back nursing,
let gravity work for you, put baby on top of you, side-lying nursing, block
nursing, burp her more frequently, stop pumping so much… all of which helped
immensely. After a few months we finally got the hang of it. I’m glad I was
able to make some adaptations to help us, and had the willpower and resources
not to give up when it was hard. I honestly think my awful birth was
instrumental in my steadfastness when it came to breastfeeding. Click HERE for PART II of Erica and Scarlett’s story: Making It Work Disclaimer: The material
included in this video is for informational purposes only. It is not intended
nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader
should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the
appropriateness of the information for their own situation. Krystyna and
Bruss Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this
site, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the
information provided. This blog and related videos contain information
about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the
official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on our blog and
videos do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American
Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. Birthing From
Within and Bradley Method® natural childbirth classes offered in Arizona:
convenient to Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale |
Doula Services
| Posted on February 21, 2017 at 9:55 AM |
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 More and more people are thinking about using doulas or making space in their birth budget for doula care. Doulas are a great resource and can be a huge asset when it comes to preparing for the birth journey. My favorite analogy is that they are tour guides - they have been on the birth journey before and can point out the major landmarks and the subtle nuances. It's up to you to decide how to use that information to have your best possible birth given the circumstances.Here are some things we share with our students when they are thinking about hiring a doula: ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL Doulas comes in a huge variety - there is no one right way to be a good doula. Be sure to interview at least 2-3 so you can get a feel for their personality. Most are happy to do a preliminary phone interview. If that goes well, schedule an in-person meet and greet. We ask our students to consider if they can see themselves naked in front of the person they hire...because it may just happen and if it does, you don't want to have to think about it - you just want to be able to do whatever you need to do to birth your sweet pea. BASIC SERVICES Standard doula care typically includes 2-3 prenatal visits, assistance through your birth, and 1-2 postpartum visits. Prenatal visits last anywhere from 1-2 hours, give or take. They are intended to help you and your doula get on the same page about your birth wishes, offer some time for childbirth preparation, and also have time to talk through what your wishes are if things start to move away from your plan. Birth support typically includes being on call for you 24/7 from 2 weeks before to two weeks after your due date. Doulas will not typically take on clients if they have a vacation planned within that window - they want to be there for you and that four-week window is a commitment they make to be available when you need them. You will decide during your pre-natal visits when you will be calling them. Some families want support while they labor at home, others only want labor support at the birth place. If you are having a home birth, then you will want to talk to your doula about their communication with the rest of the birth team. Again, there is no right or wrong way to use a doula - you hire them to support you in the way that you want to be supported. A doula will be with you when you are ready for labor support and will stay with you until your baby is born. Typically they stay for 2-3 hours after the birth to make sure you are settled in your recovery space at home or at the hospital, to make sure you eat something and that breastfeeding is off to a good start. Doulas are not necessarily lactation consultants; most do have basic training to help a MotherBaby get a good latch for the first feeding. Postpartum visits typically happen within a day or two of your sweet pea's birth, and then maybe one more at a week or two weeks postpartum to review your birth story and answer any questions you may have about your birth. While birth doulas have a different scope of practice than postpartum doulas, some may offer to prepare food or do a load of laundry or clean a bathroom, etc., while they are there. ADD-ON SERVICES In this day and age, many doulas offer more than birth preparation and support. Here are some of the different services doulas may also offer: Prenatal massage Reiki Maternity photography Birth Photography Newborn Photography Placenta Encapsulation Belly Binding Postpartum Care Packages Herbal Teas + Tinctures IBCLC Lactation Services PRICING Doulas have a lot to consider when they set the fee for their service. They have spent hours and money on training. Some continue to take classes every year to stay sharp and hone their skills. If they have children, they have to arrange and sometimes pay for childcare. Some carry liability insurance and have fees associated with maintaining a personal website. If they also offer childbirth education there are yearly dues with their certifying organization. If they are an accredited doula, they also have their yearly dues with their doula organization. In other words, it isn't free to be a doula! Doula services start around $400 and in some areas of the country range up to $2000 for their basic packages (prenatal visits, birth support, postpartum visits). Fees may vary based on their experience and added services that can be factored into their fee for a "one-stop shop" experience. Even if you don't think you can afford a doula, think about what you can offer. They can work for trade, barter, or exchange of other services. Some do offer a sliding scale or scholarship when they can - it never hurts to ask. Those of us who love birth work and believe in supporting families so that all mothers and babies have the opportunity to birth peacefully will work with you. Do not ask a doula to work for free - as I outlined above, doulas really can't if they are working to support their family. Even if a doula is new and "training" she has already invested in her skills in order to better support you. THOUGHTS TO CONSIDER Hiring a doula is a personal decision. The person that your sister or best friend loved may be a lovely person. However, that does not necessarily make them the best person to help you along on your birth journey. Take a minute to think about what you think your ideal labor support person is going to be: hands-on, hands-off? In charge? More of a guide? Involve the husband as a partner? Keep in mind that although The Bradley Method® places the wife and husband as equal partners in the birth process, not all birth partners want that mantle of responsibility. If your birth partner is saying they are not sure or they absolutely do not want to be in the middle of the action, explore how that works for you. Your doula will help you create a space that welcomes your sweet pea. Trust your instinct about what is right for your family and make the best of the birth journey that you and your baby need. What do you look for in a doula? Disclaimer:
Birthing From Within and Bradley
Method® natural childbirth classes offered in Arizona: convenient to Chandler,
Tempe, Ahwatukee, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale
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Birth Centers in Phoenix
| Posted on September 30, 2016 at 1:37 PM |
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Did you know that there are six birth centers to choose from if you are a birthing family in the metro-Phoenix area in Arizona? Several of them offer Bradley Method classes on their calendar. We will be offering a series at Willow Midwife Center for Birth and Midwifery that starts in October. Please contact us if you would like to enroll. Here is a quick run-down of the options, listed in alphabetical order. Babymoon Inn 202 E. Morris Drive Phoenix, AZ 85012 (602) 314-7755
The Birth Haven
The Birth Nest at Caitlin Court 5622 W. Palmaire Ave Glendale, AZ 85301 623.748.7655
Blossom Birth and Wellness Center http://www.blossombirthcenter.com/ 2928 N. 18th Place Phoenix AZ 85016 (602) 256-7766 "Blossom Birth Center is a special place created to cultivate peace, love and healthy families. Blossom is an accredited birth center in Phoenix, Arizona where low risk, healthy pregnant women give birth naturally with midwives and a special Ob/Gyn with the heart of a midwife. Blossom is Licensed by the state of Arizona and accredited by the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers (CABC), as well as a member of the American Association of Birth Centers (AABC)." Willow Midwife Center for Birth andWellness
Women's Birth & Wellness Center http://www.yourazbirthcenter.com/ 504 W University Dr Mesa, AZ 85201 480-833-6582
Disclaimer: The material included in this blog post and on our website is for informational
purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice. The viewer should always consult her or his
healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for
their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss
Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site,
or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog and related videos contain information about
our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official
website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained in this video and on our
blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American
Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. Birthing From Within and Bradley Method® natural childbirth
classes offered in Arizona: convenient to Chandler, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Gilbert,
Mesa, Scottsdale, Payson |
UPDATE: Fundraising for Willow WIsh
| Posted on September 16, 2016 at 3:49 PM |
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 Please join us to celebrate the GRAND OPENING Willow Midwife Center for Birth+Wellness Saturday, September 17, 2016 10:30 am - 3:00 pm Suite 136 Mesa, AZ 85210 Here is a preview of the silent auction:  Little Boy Blue Basket: $300 Starting Bid: $50
 Sugar+Spice Basket: $300.00 Starting Bid: $75.00
 Modern Mommy Boutique Gift Basket - $150 Value Starting Bid: $40.00
 Postpartum Gift Basket – $150Starting Bid: $40 Offered by
Lindsay Lutes
 Birthing From Within Mentors Gift Basket -
$60.00 Starting Bid - $25.00
 The Bradley Method® Instructors of AZ Gift
Basket $65.00 Starting Bid - $25.00
 Babies R’Us Gift Basket - $65.00 Starting Bid - $25.00
 Sweet Pea Births Gift Basket– $80.00 Starting Bid - $25.00
 Golf Weekend - $500 Value Starting Bid: $125
Lactation Support Package - $180 Starting Bid: $45 Offered by Sarah Kankiewicz, CLE (Firefly Lactation Services)
Birth Journey Class - $200 Starting Bid: $50 Offered by Dianne Hamre (Doula Dianne) This
intensive one-day workshop will equip you with knowledge and skills that will
enhance your birth experience while making lasting memories. The ideal
time to take this workshop is in your 7th or 8th month of
pregnancy. CLASS
BENEFITS
Birth Doula Services - $500 Starting Bid: $125 Offered by Ashlee Witham (Essence Doula) Essence: the most significant element, quality or aspect of a
thing or a person. SUPPORT*RESPECT*EMPOWERMENT Ashlee Witham *Doula Services in PHX valley As your doula, I will support you during pregnancy and assist
you during childbirth and provide support to you and your family after birth of
your baby. Postpartum Doula Services - $240 Starting Bid: $60 8 Hours – Offered by Ashley Anders A postpartum doula provides evidenced based
information on things such as infant feeding, emotional and physical recovery
from birth, mother–baby bonding, infant soothing, and basic newborn care. A postpartum doula is there to help a new
family in those first days and weeks after bringing home a new baby. Research
shows that moms, dads and babies have an easier time with this transition if a
good support team is in place. In-Home Breastfeeding Consultation - $60 Starting Bid: $15 Offered by Sarah Kankiewicz, CLE (Firefly
Lactation Services) Labor+Birth Photography - $400
Starting Bid: $100 Offered by Rebecca Turrigiano (Loving Touch
Doulas) Being
passionate about all things birth related, I am excited to be able to
offer this service to both my doula clients and also families simply wanting to
capture this special time on film. I pride myself in knowing when to capture
these moments, and am happiest when my clients haven’t even realized that I was
even taking the shots I did! Having a background in fashion, film and T.V, I
bring a very unique prospective to your photos. The shots I capture also
respect the birthing Mom’s dignity and doesn’t feel intrusive during private
moments between partners. I am always honored to be invited into such a private
moment. Description
of Services
Naturopath Visit - $200 Starting Bid: $50 Offered by True Harmony Wellness Center Spa Gift Certificate - $80 Starting Bid: $20 Offered by True Harmony Wellness Center Mini Maternity Session - $175 Starting Bid: $45 Offered by Aimee Sugar Photography Essential Oil Introductory Kit - $35 Starting Bid: $10 Offered
by Aimee Sugar Starting Bid: $45 Offered by The
Pampered Belly Placenta
Encapsulation Placenta
Print Raw Belly Cast - $75 Starting Bid: $20 Offered by The
Pampered Belly  Magikarp Blanket - $75 Starting Bid: $20 Offered by
Hookin’ for Rent Some last minute additions - will have more info at tomorrow's event!! Photo Session – Starting Bid: Offered by
Rala Photography Nutrition Consultation – Starting Bid: Offered by
Baby Bloom Nutrition Therapy Session – Starting Bid: Offered by
OSS Physical Therapy I hope to see you at tomorrow's event. Come look for me upstairs - I will be at the silent auction sign-in table :) |
Inside Look: Babymoon Inn
| Posted on August 2, 2016 at 7:31 AM |
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It is our pleasure to introduce you to the Babymoon Inn, one
of the Phoenix area local birth centers. We have enjoyed getting to know the
director, Julia Hall, through her support of The Bradley Method® events, as
well as other local events where we have been vendors together. We have had students from our classes birth
there, as well as receive postpartum support through Babymoon’s various
breastfeeding and family support meetings offered throughout the week. The
support meetings are open to all families in the community, regardless of
whether or not they birthed at Babymoon Inn.
We are so grateful to Julia’s commitment to create a community that
supports and enriches a family through pregnancy, birth, and into the
childbearing year. FYI: As of Spring
2016, one of our Bradley Method® colleagues is offering the Bradley™ 12-week
childbirth preparation series at Babymoon Inn.
I hope you enjoy this month’s exclusive INSIDE LOOK at the
Babymoon Inn. I want to offer huge
thanks to Julia for taking the time to give our readers a peek into the
beautiful birth center located in Central Phoenix.  Tell me about the Babymoon Inn.Babymoon Inn is a freestanding accredited birth center and full-scope midwifery practice, offering GYN and well-woman care in addition to prenatal care. Families who come to us can choose to birth in our birth center or at the hospital with a Babymoon Inn midwife. We also offer doula services, prenatal massage, in-house chiropractic care, and an original Lamaze childbirth preparation series. Who are the care providers at Babymoon Inn? Babymoon’s care providers are certified nurse-midwives. What kind of families does Babymoon Inn serve? Babymoon welcomes ALL families. We serve families from all areas and all backgrounds and all walks of life. The common element among all of our families is that they are well-researched, they are informed about their choices, and they want to be active participants in their care. What range of services does Babymoon Inn provide for the childbearing
year and beyond? Is there anything you do not provide for? Babymoon believes in holistic, patient-centered care and we aim to provide all of these services from the comfort of our office. We offer prenatal care with extended appointment times, chiropractic care, prenatal massage, doula support, Lamaze childbirth preparation classes, an orientation group led by our registered dietitian, and two group prenatal appointments. After baby arrives, we offer three weekly support groups for babies of various ages, lactation support, a postpartum group appointment complete with newborn photos, and two appointments with a midwife. We screen for postpartum depression twice within the first six weeks after birth and continue to follow up with our mamas through our weekly Inn Mommies support group. We offer a wide variety of community-building activities, such as weekly music classes, clothing swaps, crafting events for both moms and children, a monthly lecture series, and our famous annual cookie exchange every December! What makes Babymoon Inn unique? We are a team of healthcare consumers AND healthcare providers who are committed to listening to feedback from our clients to give the most well-rounded, patient-centered experience. We’ve grown our practice to offer a wide range of services based on what our families have requested, and we strive to meet each client wherever she is in her journey. What motivated you to start Babymoon Inn? My passion was ignited by my own experience as a mother receiving traditional obstetrical care in the medical model and then the stark contrast to the midwifery model of care, where I was an active participant in the process. Based on my own experiences and how I felt under each model of care, it became my life’s goal to make sure every woman who walks through our doors has a voice and leaves feeling empowered and supported. She will know her voice matters. Is there anything else our readers should know about Babymoon Inn or
the care providers? We don’t believe in one kind of birth experience. You can have your baby in the birth center, in the hospital, with an epidural, unmedicated, by yourself, or with your entire family present. We are not here to dictate your birth; we are here to facilitate it and be a partner in your care What inspires you? The families who allow us to be a part of their journey during such a beautiful and miraculous time of life inspire me every day. Would you like more information about a birth journey with
Babymoon Inn? You can also see the calendar of events available to the Phoenix community by visiting their website. Babymoon Inn PHONE: 602.314.7755 EMAIL: [email protected] Office (appointments and tours) 202 E. Morris Drive Phoenix, AZ 85012 The Nest (classes and activities) 220 E. Lexington Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85012 Disclaimer: The material included in this blog is for informational
purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice. The viewer should always consult her or his
healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for
their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss
Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site,
or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog and related videos contain information about
our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official
website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained in this video and on our
blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American
Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®.  |
Inside Look: SPB at the LLL Conference
| Posted on July 29, 2016 at 1:23 AM |
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 August is shaping up to be an amazing month for a
celebration of breastfeeding in Arizona…culminating with the La Leche League of
Arizona’s Area Conference from August 26-28, 2016.I am honored that I was invited to submit an abstract, and then
selected, as conference presenter. My
talk will be on Saturday, August 27 at 8:30 am. It may be early…but it will be worth it!! Of
course, I can’t “teach” without offering a snack, so besides coming for the tea
and the yummy breakfast snacks, come chat with me about three topics near and
dear to my heart. My morning session is from 8:30 am – 10:00 am. Here is how we are going to spend our time
together. For each childbirth
preparation class, I will share a little about the core principles of the
series, and I will also offer you an opportunity to experience a portion of
what you would learn in a full series. 8:30 – 9:00 Exploring the Birthing From Within approach to
the childbirth journey
9:00 – 9:30 Exploring The Bradley Method®
9:30 – 10:00 Taking Care of Mom and Making Milk for Baby
even if the plan changes Thanks to the support of my amazing family, I get out and
spread the word about childbirth education several times a year. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard,
“I wanted a natural birth, but…” Or, “I tried for a natural birth, but…” Newsflash: however it happened, YOU GREW AND
BIRTHED A HUMAN BEING!!! That in and of itself is incredible. During our last half-hour together, we’ll take a look at
some of the things to consider if your birth plan twists and turns to help you
preserve the breastfeeding relationship, and what you can take away from every
birth experience, even if you think that you “failed”. We will leave some time to talk about this
perception of “succeeding” or “failing” at birth. You might be surprised at what you might discover
about the birth journey that prepared you to be the mother that you are today. I hope to see you at the conference for the whole weekend,
and of course I would be honored if you choose to spend some time with me on
Saturday morning! If you can RSVP and help me get a better idea of a head
count, I would be very grateful. As a
thank you for your help, I will bring you a special gift…so call or text me
today and let me know if I should save a seat for you! Conference Registration: RSVP for my presentation on Saturday, August 27
at 8:30 am 602.684.6567 CELL or TEXT [email protected] EMAIL ALSO...our upcoming classes   Other events for Breastfeeding Awareness Month:    Disclaimer: The material included in this blog post is for informational
purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his
healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for
their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss
Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site,
or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog and video contain information about
our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official
website of The Bradley Method® or Birthing From Within. The views contained in this video and on our
blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method®, the American
Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®, or Birthing From Within.  |
Hello from SPB
| Posted on July 26, 2016 at 6:18 PM |
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Hello, readers <3 Coming up!!  It has been a huge season of change for us at the Bowman House. A season of grief, a month of moving, and now we are back. We thank God for our good health and a happy family - there is much to be grateful for in spite of all the upheaval. Here is our first installment back on the VLOG, announcing all the events happening for Breastfeeding Awareness Month that starts next week! Thank you for sticking with us - we look forward to recording and writing regular installments back to the VLOG and blog now that we are settling into our new home. We appreciate all of you in our community <3 <3 <3 Submit your breastfeeding story to inspire, inform, and
encourage other breastfeeding mothers – send it to me here: [email protected] Links to explore here: Events BLO August 6, 2016 Milk Spot: https://www.facebook.com/events/273963726303479/ ABBP: https://www.facebook.com/events/149441345460569/ Global: http://biglatchon.org/ August 26-28, 2016 Arizona LLL Conference http://www.lllofaz.org/area-conference  Disclaimer:
The material included in this video is for informational
purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice. The viewer should always consult her or his
healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for
their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss
Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site,
or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog and video contain information about
our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official
website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained in this video and on our
blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American
Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®.
|
Nutrition: Snack Ideas
| Posted on June 10, 2015 at 12:55 PM |
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When it comes to pregnancy, we are passionate about helping families achieve a nutritious, whole food, balanced diet. We serve a snack at every class, adn try to use it as an opportunity to model healthy snack choices. Of course, you have to factor in pregnancy cravings, so we also try to include a little treat for the sweet tooth. We also try to avoid foods our students have aversions to by passing out an info sheet on the first or second class so we know what *not* to buy when we are doing our grocery shopping. Here is a visual sample of twelve weeks worth of nutrition samples. Each week is a different focus. My intention when I shop is to buy something in the nutrition focus; plus fruit, vegetable, protein, grain, salt and sweet. Week 1: Welcome to Bradley Class! Setting up the foundation for the rest of the classes - fruit, vegetable, grain and protein!  Week 2: Intro to the Brewer Diet We don't feature all the nutrition areas this week - we do set up the foundation for the rest of the series with a fruit, vegetable, protein and grain.  Week 3: Eggs Signature deviled eggs, plus other yummies.  Week 4: Dairy Field trip to Yogurtland down the way from the store where we teach!  Week 5: Whole Grains Fresh Bread from Great Harvest Bread Co.  Week 6: Greens Assortment of Kale Salads from Whole Foods  Week 7: Vitamin C High Vitamin-C foods - it's not just about the oranges :)  Week 8: Water High water content foods, plus soup this week!  Week 9: Protein This protein pack is 36g of protein - boiled egg, whole grain bread, serving of nut butter, a cheese stick, plus apples and grapes for the sweet treat. You can buy all the pieces and bag them up for a week's worth of snack prep for mom and coach!  Week 10: Salt to Taste Perfect excuse to serve salted caramel chocolates, plus pickles, olives and artichoke hearts...yummy, briny foods.  Week 11: Fats+Oils What better way to incorporate fats+oils than PESTO?!? This week we serve a great appetizer with cream cheese, sun-roasted tomates and pesto, plus pesto for dipping.  Week 12: Vitamin A Carrots for Vitamin A, the "anti-infection" vitamin  I hope you enjoyed this tour through 12 weeks of our Bradley Method snacks and the Brewer Diet! |
Prenatal Connections
| Posted on May 12, 2015 at 7:31 PM |
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 I never cease to be amazed at the way science catches up to what we know intuitively about mothers and children.We have a "mother's intuition". Mothers dream their children's dreams. They can feel emotions or sense danger across miles of separation. Why? Because their fetal cells literally reside in our bodies. THIS blog post outlines many of the different ways our children's cells remain in us after we give birth, and how our bodies benefit from being pregnant. I believe it is never too early to start connecting with our babes. One of our favorite things to share with our students on the first night of class is the reminder to connect with their children now, in-utero. We know that a baby’s sense of hearing develops at 24 weeks. It is such a neat phenomenon of pregnancy to know that your child(ren) can hear your voice and they will recognize it once they are born. An anecdote we share in class demonstrates how you can connect with your child before their due date. Puma was having a hard time accepting that Charger was going to be a boy, because she was really counting on having a baby sister. Knowing that he could hear her voice, and concerned that he would hear that she did not want a brother, every time she voiced that opinion I would reminder her that he was a gift to our family from God, and that I loved him already and she would learn to love him, too.  I also encouraged her to sing to him as often as she wanted to. The song she chose to sing to him was her
version of, “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.”
Although the words came out in all manner of variations, her tone and
melody were consistent. Wouldn’t you
know…she sang to him when we came home from the hospital and as a two-day old
baby, he turned to the sound of her voice!We found out that he really liked her song. There would be times when we were driving and he was crying, or maybe I was busy trying to prepare food (I do not feel comfortable babywearing in the kitchen), and Charger would be upset. The minute Puma started singing to him, he would settle down. Coincidence? No! He knew his sister’s voice and it soothed him. If a sister can have this effect on a child, imagine how much more a mother or father could connect. There are so many ways to connect if just talking to your child in-utero feels weird to you. (Did anyone else watch Modern Family on Wednesday night?) You can do any of things with intention and show your child now that they are loved. Here are some things you can do out loud with intention to connect with your child before they are born: **Read your favorite book **Read your favorite children’s book(s) **Sing your favorite song(s) **Pray **Chant
In these ways, a child can make a connection not just with the voice of the
mother who it hears all the time; (s)he can also connect with other family
members. Puma sang about once a day for
three minutes…imagine the connection with more time and intention put towards
the effort. I also believe that there is an emotional connection that mother’s can make
with their children. When I was pregnant
with Puma, I spent time doing yoga practice.
I had already been doing yoga for a few years before we conceived, so I
used that knowledge to create different practices with help from “The Prenatal
Yoga Deck”. Within the cards, there were several meditation cards with which to close the
practice, or to do individually for that matter when I did not have time or
energy for a full practice. I had not
really made the conscious thought to connect with the baby until I read these
cards. Each meditation card had a
different affirmation to read mindfully connect with the baby. What a gift that was! In meditation, I would intentionally “speak”
with the life growing inside me. It made
me realize that every action, every emotion, every thought was being felt be
the living being, the soul, that I was carrying. My time was never the same with subsequent pregnancies, so I did less and less
yoga as we added children. What I did
remember and apply from the first pregnancy was the connection with the life
inside me. I paid attention to what we
said and did when I was pregnant. I
tried to fill myself with as much positive and light energy as I could. Bruss enjoys telling people about prenatal connection. He feels like we got to know our babies
in-utero by paying attention to their actions before they were born. We actually changed our name list for Puma if
she was going to be a girl (we didn’t find out gender until her Birth-Day)
based on the personality we perceived from her.
We suspected our second child was going to be a Night Owl based on his
activity pattern (he is).
With our third and fourth children, we had Puma singing songs to the babies
and Night Owl liked to “listen” to their heartbeats with a stethoscope. The kiddos also helped with relaxation
practice and we involved them in making their own birth plan for their care
while Bruss and I were in labor.
The younger children have also been true to their inutero personalities. I got a laid-back vibe from Charger, and he
is pretty laid back and happy (unless you get his ire up). I wonder about his temper. While I was
ecstatic to be welcoming another child to the family, my “A” personality that
did not plan for the timing of his pregnancy may have given him an unintended
negative vibe. As far as Otter goes, her pregnancy was intentional and we were overjoyed to
learn that Puma’s prayer for a little sister had been answered. We all participated in her prenatal care once
we switched to midwifery care, Puma sang again; she got the benefit of hearing
all the read-aloud books we read to the older children. She seems to be very connected to Night Owl,
who was the first person to see her in our family when she was being born. He talked to her while I was pushing and he
was the first sibling voice she heard. I
have a hard time believing their connection is a coincidence. We also used flower essences in her last tri-mester. She, more than any of our other children, seems very charismatic. Family and strangers alike seemed to connect with her in her infancy in a way that I had not seen before. After hearing Katie Hess speak on the characteristics and benefits of the essences, I wonder if that is the difference.
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 Disclaimer: The material included on this site is for informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog contains information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on this blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. |
Wordless Wednesday: Cesarean Awareness Month
| Posted on April 8, 2015 at 6:10 PM |
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There are no mommy wars on this page. Every birth is acknowledged, as our tag line is, "Celebrating every Sweet Pea and their birth." However your child enters the world, it is the day of their birth, as well as the birth of a Mother and Father. If you need help processing your birth, please email me at krystyna{at}sweetpeabirths{dot}com and I would be happy to send you a resource list. Cesareans:   This Coach still got to cut the cord - you can preserve some elements of your birth plan, even if it plays out differently than you prepared for.   Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC):  SPB students working through VBAC labor  ICAN of Phoenix leader and baby*  ICAN of Phoenix leader, husband and VBAC baby* We celebrate ALL births at Sweet Pea Births - ALL Birth-Days are the first day of your family's life. That is not to say there is not grief or sorrow for a birth that doesn't go as expected - we hope and pray that with time, glimmers of joy can be gleaned from your birth experience. If you had a cesarean birth, we invite you to find an ICAN support group in your area, and then prepare for a VBAC if that is a choice that works for your family. Thank you to our students and friends who sent pictures to share today...there is so much to say about cesareans...we'll leave these pictures with you today and share words and thoughts throughout the month.
The material included on this site is for informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult her or his healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. Krystyna and Bruss Bowman and Bowman House, LLC accept no liability for the content of this site, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided. This blog contains information about our classes available in Chandler, AZ and Payson, AZ and is not the official website of The Bradley Method®. The views contained on this blog do not necessarily reflect those of The Bradley Method® or the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth®. |