SAVE THE DATE!
“Exploring Possibilities in Parenting” is the title of our Second Annual Conference. This exciting day-long event will feature nationally acclaimed speakers Arial Gore, Dr. Robert Sears and Aviva Jill Romm, and will include breakout sessions for parents, children’s activities and a panel on immunizations. So mark your calendars for Saturday, September 18th, 2004. More details will follow soon!
DISCOVERY CHANNEL BIRTH SPECIAL TONIGHT
"Unconventional Births," a special prime-time program featuring three families who choose midwifery care and to have their babies at home or in birth centers, will air on the Discovery Health Channel beginning June 7th. Featured birth sites include home; the Community Birth and Family Center in Seattle and the Puget Sound Childbirth Center in Kirkland, Washington. The evidence regarding the safety of out-of-hospital birth, the values that affect the choices made by these families, and the decision-making process itself are revealed in interviews with each of the women, their partners, and their midwives. This show is scheduled to air on the Discovery Health Channel at the following times:
6/7/04 - 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm
6/12/04 - 9:00 pm
6/13/04 - 12:00 am and 11:00 am
MADISON BIRTH CENTER IN THE NEWS
The midwifery model of care provided by Madison Birth Center was featured in an article published in the May, 2004 issue of Nursing Matters. This issue of Nursing Matters was distributed as a special insert inside the local papers of most Wisconsin residents in honor of National Nurses Week, May 6-12. (Approximate circulation was 300,000.) If you missed it, you can still read it on our website at this link: madisonbirthcenter.com/news_05012004.asp
WATERBIRTH
Aszani attended the International Waterbirth Congress sponsored by Waterbirth International in Chicago last month. Midwives and physicians from England, Germany, Russia, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Canada, China, Israel, India, The Netherlands and all areas of the United States presented information and data on the thousands of waterbirths in which they have participated. Madison Birth Center offers deep tubs designed exclusively for the labor and birth process, and a waterbirth practice based on leading edge research and evidence. Roughly 20% of our clients choose to birth in our tubs.
The editors of the Waterbirth International website, in response to a negative position on waterbirth published in the medical journal Pediatrics (based on a review of four cases), are asking families who have had waterbirths to support this gentle, peaceful way to give birth by registering the name of their child on their website. Their goal is to send 10,000 names to the American Academy of Pediatrics by the end of the year. They have collected 1,800 names in the month they’ve been asking for input. To register, click on the “I Was Born in Water” link – www.waterbirth.org/spa/content/view/102/103/. (The entire Waterbirth International website is worth visiting. We encourage you to spend some time viewing their site.)
“BABIES WERE BORN TO BE BREASTFED” AD CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health and the Advertising Council just announced the launch of a new national campaign that encourages first-time mothers to breastfeed exclusively for six months. Although research shows that babies who are exclusively breastfed for six months are less likely to develop a variety of acute and chronic diseases, including diarrhea, ear infections, respiratory infections, diabetes and obesity, only 21% of Wisconsin mothers are breastfeeding by the time their infant is 6 months old. This is a far cry from the Healthy People 2010 goal of 50% of all babies breastfeeding at 6 months of age. The ads can be viewed at www.4women.gov and www.adcouncil.org beginning today.
Madison Birth Center is proud of the comprehensive lactation counseling and support we provide to our clients. Our staff includes two International Board-Certified Lactation Counselors (IBCLC) and four Certified Lactation Consultants (CLC). Our extensive education and support begins in our childbirth classes and extends through our postpartum home and office visits. Kudos to our clients, all of whom have chosen to breastfeed when their baby is born, with a full 98% persisting beyond 6 months! Our next Breastfeeding and Pumping Class, designed for women returning to work or school, will be held on June 19th from 9 – 11 am. More information about the class can be found at http://www.madisonbirthcenter.org/classdetail.asp?eventid=9
INFANT MASSAGE
We are offering a new class series on infant massage beginning July 3. The three class series is taught by Certified Massage Instructor Arlinda Michael. Infant massage is a wonderful way to stimulate the healthy growth and development of your baby, deepen your understanding of baby’s communication cues and learn effective strategies to soothe. Enjoy the rich benefits of touch, the essential nutrient, and experience a sense of community with other parents. Participants will receive:
* Individual and group massage instruction
* Vimala McClure’s book “Infant Massage: The Handbook for Loving Parents”
* Massage oil
If you are interested, please call the Madison Birth Center (821-0123) or visit our website http://www.madisonbirthcenter.org/classdetail.asp?eventid=27
NEW MOTHERS GROUP CHANGES DAY & TIME
The New Mothers Group has begun meeting on Thursday mornings from 9:30-11:00 am. The Family Potluck will continue to be held the last Wednesday evening of every month, from 6:30-8pm. All are welcome to these groups; you need not be a birth center client to participate!
