Judy Robson Fundraiser during Nurses Week
In honor of Nurse's Week, Madison Birth Center is proud to host a fund-raiser on Friday, May 6th from 5:30-7:30 pm for Judy Robson, who is not only a nurse but also the Wisconsin State Senate Minority Leader! Judy has been a long-time friend to nurses and nurse-midwives, and champion of greater access to healthcare for the under and un-insured. Judy's sponsorship and support of legislation allowing nurse-prescribers and nurse-midwives to work independently has made it possible for the Madison Birth Center to fulfill its mission of providing safe care with a wholistic midwifery-based approach. Light snacks and beverages will be served and birth center tours will occur throughout the evening. If you can't make it but wish to make a donation to Judy, you may send checks to: Friends of Judy Robson 2546 Shopiere Rd. Beloit, WI 53511 We appreciate any contributions you can make toward Judy's continued work in the Wisconsin Senate.
Welcome New Babies!
We are very pleased to announce the arrival of two new babies to birth center staff members. Many of you remember Vesla from her 1+ year at the front desk. Her daughter Audrey Hoeschen was born in the birth tub at the Madison Birth Center on March 20th- after only 6 hours of labor! Proud parents Vesla and Kenny are now busy parenting this sweet baby girl.
Nurse-midwife Hannah Copp, her husband Sam Poole and their three year-old daughter Annabelle welcomed baby Silas into the world on March 29th. This planned home birth was Madison Birth Center's first. We hope to attend many more home births in the coming years. Hannah facilitates the New Moms Group with Silas in tow.
National Accreditation Renewed
Madison Birth Center underwent the national birth center accreditation renewal process in February and just received word that we passed with flying colors! Freestanding birth centers are very distinct from hospital "birthing centers" and criteria for birth center accreditation is quite rigorous. Madison Birth Center is the only accredited birth center in Wisconsin, and one of only 50 in the nation to attain this recognition of quality. Congratulations to all Madison Birth Center staff on this wonderful achievement!
Baby-Wearing Seminar at Madison Birth Center
With the wide variety of baby carriers on the market, it's hard to know what will work best for you and your child. Madison Birth Center will offer a workshop on Sunday, May 15th from 2:00-4:00 pm on baby-wearing that will review the advantages of different types of carriers and describe what works best for different ages and stages. We will demonstrate several ties using a wrap style carrier and give tips for making both you and your baby most comfortable. You may bring a carrier to practice with, make your own carrier before the workshop, or try on assorted types we will have available to see what works for you. Happy Bambino will also have plenty of wraps and slings available for purchase.
The seminar will be run by Tazza Woditschka and Alison Dodge, co-owner of Happy Bambino. Alison runs the Art of Babywearing workshop every month at Happy Bambino and is a well-known expert on baby wearing. Tazza began researching babywearing before giving birth to her daughter, November. We discovered Tazza's babywearing expertise and talent for teaching when she helped us teach the postpartum doula students. Tazza is especially skilled with homemade wraps. If you're interested in making a wrap before the class, visit the Mamatoto websitefor step-by-step instructions.
Children of all ages are welcome. Free, no registration required. Please call Madison Birth Center at 608/821-0123 or Happy Bambino at 608/204-6147 with questions.
New Mom's Group Branches Out
The New Mom's Group has grown so large that there is now an offshoot group meeting every other week at Pinney Library, 204 Cottage Grove Road. The "Toddler Group" welcomes all mothers with babies, although most attendees have children six months and older. On the weeks they are not meeting at Pinney Library, Toddler Group moms often attend the "New Moms Group" held every Thursday from 11-12:30 am at the Madison Birth Center. The New Mom's group is facilitated by Hannah Copp, an MBC midwife and new mother of two (Aszani occasionally also facilitates). The Toddler Group is self-facilitated.
To find out more about either of these groups, you may call Madison Birth Center (821-0123) or join the Yahoo MBC New Parents discussion group. Just sign in at the top of the screen, request to join the group and you'll be issued an invitation. The link is www.groups.yahoo.com, then query "mbc-parents" and you'll find the on-line group and lots of wonderful moms.
Save the date!
August 6, 2005 is the date for the First Annual Madison Birth Center Reunion Picnic for all MBC clients, students and group members. We have reserved Mendota Park, which is right on Lake Mendota in Middleton, with a large shelter, grills, play structures, horseshoe rings, a sand volleyball court and bathrooms- in short, everything we need to have a great time. You'll get a formal invitation by the end of June, but be sure to mark your calendars now as the summer begins to get busy. We are very excited to see all of you!
