Author: mindfuldoulaarts

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Classes

Pregnant Moms’ Support Group coming March 1st!

Congratulations you’re pregnant!  Now what?

Join other expectant moms as we talk about the roller coaster ride of pregnancy and the emergence of yourself into motherhood/parenthood.  We’ll explore the  phases of pregnancy, labor/birth, and the postpartum time.  Find tools and tips from other expecting moms and facilitator birth & postpartum doula, Beth Rees.

We’ll discuss:

Preparation for birth & baby

Changing bodies & hormones

Birth options in San Francisco

Relationships & Sex

Nutrition during pregnancy, labor/birth, & postpartum

Newborn care & parenting

Herbal medicine during pregnancy, birth & postpartum

Community Resources

Holistic and Western tools & interventions during pregnancy & birth

What you need in your birth & diaper bag- A product review

Planning your postpartum support team

And more…

Details:

When: Drop in on Tuesdays 1-2pm beginning March 1, 2011

Where: Natural Resources

Cost: $10 members/$15 non-members

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Uncategorized

Fall 2010 & Winter 2011 Immune System boosting tips for the whole family

We all have our different approaches to working with this season healthfully. These resources were selected because of their  informative, helpful and well-rounded nature; especially in regards to vaccination debates and working with the H1N1 flu virus.    While these tips reflect the needs of preggos, breastfeeding moms & babies and families, we could all follow these guidelines and enjoy the immune benefits.  Be well!

Reminders and Tips for a healthy Fall and Winter:

  • Dress appropriately for the weather, wear layers and a scarf.
  • Get plenty of rest, between 7-9 hours a night.  For new parents this may seem unrealistic.  Taking time to rest and nap really does count towards our daily sleep needs.  Rest & nap as much as possible if longer periods of sleep are not possible.
  • Drink room temperature or warm beverages.  Avoid cold or iced drinks as the weather turns cooler.  Soups and broths are simple meals for the whole family and ideal for the season.
  • Wash your hands frequently – after shaking hands, using public transportation, and before eating etc.
  • Incorporate culinary herbs like fresh garlic regularly into meals  – to soups, greens, or add to olive oil and eat with bread.  Garlic is highly antimicrobial.  Fresh ginger roots makes an excellent tea and aids in digestive health.  In Traditional Chinese Medicine, healthy digestion is the foundation of a well working immune system.  Both ginger and garlic work well for the pregnant and breastfeeding mom/families.   Ask your health care provider if you have questions. (Look for a ginger tea recipe at the end of this post).

Excerpt from Whole Child Wellness November  2009 Newsletter by Dr. Elisa Song (http://www.wholechildwellness.com/)

Apart from these measures, I also take and recommend the following supplements. The dosages that I mention are only intended as general guides, and may vary according to each child s unique needs. Please contact your pediatrician for specific dosage recommendations:

  • Fish oil.
  • Probiotics – I have been using Metagenics Ultra Flora Plus at a dosage of ¼ tsp or 1 capsule 2x/day. This particular probiotics blend was found to be effective in significantly reducing the rates of fever and upper respiratory symptoms when taken daily throughout the cold/flu season.
  • Vitamin C – I have been using Metagenics Ultra-Potent C because it has added ingredients such as lysine and glutathione which assist in fighting viruses. In general, I recommend Vitamin C 500mg 2x/day.
  • Vitamin D3 – there is speculation that the rates of illness increase over the winter because of the widespread deficiency of Vit D. In general, I recommend 1000IU daily for children, but some kids who are very deficient may require higher dosages.
  • Arabinogalactan – this is a natural sugar derived from the bark of the larch tree that enhances natural killer cell activity – these cells are part of our first line of defense against any invading organism. We carry the Vital Nutrients arabinogalactan powder, and generally recommend ½-1 tsp 2x/day.
  • Oscillococcinum and/or SyImmune – these are homeopathic medicines that may help to prevent influenza infection.
  • Xlear nasal spray – This is a saline nasal spray with xylitol and grapefruit seed extract, both of which have antimicrobial properties. You cannot overdo it, and will not get addicted to it. Other options for nasal irrigation are a regular saline spray or neti pot. Apart from regular hand washing, … daily and frequent nasal irrigation is one of the MOST important things that we can do to prevent influenza and other viral infections. This is because after exposure to a virus, the virus tries to invade and multiply in your nasal passages for at least 1-2 days before you develop any symptoms. Nasal irrigation can wash away viral particles before they have the opportunity to take hold, and thereby prevent many infections from happening in the first place! info@wholechildwellness.com

Picture attributed to creator [en:User:Greenmoss] A ceramic Neti pot image created by Kurt Yoder on December 29, 2004, Wikipedia Aug. 2007.

Flu Season Resource links:

Midwifery Today re: the H1N1 flu virus

http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/preg_h1n1fluvirus.as

CDC re: H1N1 flu virus

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/update.htm

Dr. Sears re: H1N1 flu vaccine

http://www.askdrsears.com/thevaccinebook/2009/07/h1n1-flu-vaccine-is-on-its-way-what.asp

CBS clip re: H1N1 vaccination debate
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5237185n

CDC re: infant feeding and the H1N1 virus
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/infantfeeding.htm

Sleep and our immunity
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/22/health/22real.html?_r=1&em

Elderberry and prevention of  H1N1 infection.

http://www.herbs.org/herbnews/2009/08/28/elderberry-flavonoids-bind-to-and-prevent-h1n1-infection-in-vitro/

Fresh Ginger Tea

A fresh ginger tea works very well to help prevent colds/flus by supporting your digestion. It also helps warm up your muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments for birth and postpartum healing.

Just take a thumb (length & wide) size amount of fresh ginger root and cut into slivers.  Add water (6-8 cups) and ginger to sauce pan on medium heat.  Simmer for 15 minutes, strain, then drink and enjoy!  Therapeutic dose is ~3 cups a day.
Take care and be well!

Categories
Statistics

SF Gate Article: C-section rates higher at for-profit hospitals

Click for entire SF Gate article

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Classes Events Health

Celebrate World Breastfeeding Week August 1-7, 2010

Check out these wonderful events at Natural Resources.  Come by and say hello.

World Breastfeeding Week (Aug 1-7)

We’re celebrating everything breastfeeding-related this week at NR. Check out our FREE events;

FREE Breastfeeding Consultations!
Monday, Aug 2 (11.00am – 12.30pm)

Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to meet our board certified lactation consultants (Tracy Massillon and Melitta Holder). Tracy and Melitta will be in the store, offering short consults to Mamas on all things breastfeeding-related.

Breastfeeding Film Fest
Tuesday, Aug 3 (11am – 3pm)

We’ll be running a series of gorgeous and informative breastfeeding films, so pop in at any point from 11am-3pm. Pregnant/new/veteran Mamas/Dadas all welcome.

FREE Bra Fitting all day + 10% off any bra!
Wednesday, Aug 4

Come in and find the perfect fitting bra for your growing girls!

Nurse-in with the Bay Area Breast Milk Cooperative
Thursday, Aug 5 (3.00pm – 5.00pm)

Bring your breasts and your baby and nurse for solidarity! Meet the lovely ladies from the BABMC who are working hard to collect much-needed breast milk. You can also talk to the mothers who need breast milk in your area. We’ll have endless pots of nursing tea and snacks. No milk or money donations on the day please – just connect with Beth Rago in-store.

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Classes

Class: What’s Up with the Placenta?

Saturday, June 19th 4PM-5PM

Free class at Natural Resources – 1367 Valencia St. (btw 24th &25th) Mission District, San Francisco, CA 94110

After the birth of a baby comes the birth of the placenta, an organ that supports life throughout the gestational period of a developing fetus. It supplies the proper hormones, oxygen, fluids, & food to nourish the fetus and sustain the pregnancy. The placenta is also responsible for a woman’s ability to breastfeed.

In this class you will learn:

– Anatomy and physiology of the placenta

– Ideas to help you have an uncomplicated 3rd stage of labor

– Why there is no need to throw that placenta away and how it may be useful to you in your postpartum healing and more

– What can be done with the placenta after it is birthed

– How to make placenta prints, tinctures, capsules, meals, teething rings, keepsakes and more

– Cultural traditions around the world and throughout history

About the Instructors

Laura M. Perez is an apprentice midwife and breastfeeding educator living in SF and working in the East Bay. She has been in awe of placentas for as long as she can remember. Over the last three years, Laura has had the honor of transforming over 110 placentas into capsules and tinctures.

Spring Childers is an apprentice midwife, massage therapist, and new mama. Placentas were just another part of life growing up on a goat farm near the central coast of California. She has witnessed with amazement the benefits of placenta consumption by animals as well as many postpartum mamas. Spring has been making placenta into art and herbal medicine for postpartum mamas since 2007. You can find out more about Spring at http://www.thebirthdoula.com

Categories
Classes Herbal Medicine

Class: Herbal Remedies for the Postpartum Mom & Family

Herbal Remedies for the Postpartum Mom & Family

Wednesday,  May 19 * 11:30-12:30pm*  at Natural Resources (1367 Valencia St btw 24th & 25 th Ave).  All are welcome to join this FREE class.

Enroll at http://store.naturalresources-sf.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=7391

Welcoming a new baby brings joy, amazement, and new challenges. Herbal remedies can support the physical and emotional transitions that the new mom and family encounters. The class will cover herbs and medicinal food for the new mom and family; remedies to support lactation and breast health; herbs to avoid during breastfeeding; and mind-body comfort measures for the new mom and partner.

About the Instructor

Beth Rees, B.A. is a birth & postpartum doula serving the San Francisco and greater Bay Area. She has been working with women and families for 15 years as a women’s and children’s health advocate, educator and event coordinator. Beth studied and worked with the American School of Herbalism in Western and Traditional Chinese herbal medicine. To this day, Beth works with www.fiveflavorsherbs.com, helping craft herbal remedies and teaches perinatal herbal medicine classes with the www.sylvanbotanical.com. Beyond being a birth enthusiast, Beth enjoys cooking, crafting fiber arts, coordinating life celebrations and parties, auto restoration, and spending time with loved ones, in and out of the City. For more information about Beth, please visit www.mindfuldoulaarts.wordpress.com or email beth.rhys@gmail.com.

Categories
Health Herbal Medicine Tools

Moxa for a breech baby: a demo

Beginning at 35 weeks,  stimulation of acupressure point Zhiyin Bladder 67 with moxa is shown to help turn a baby presenting breech into a vertex position .   Moxa is the dried plant material of mugwart (Artemisia vulgarus) that is pearled into a stick or used loose, and then lit to bring warmth, invigorate the qi and stimulate blood flow to the treated area.    Moxibustion  is most effective when done daily for  5-7 days , twice a day for 15-20 minute intervals.

Check out this video for all the details on how to moxa at home.

http://www.acubalance.ca/moxa-moxibustion-breech-baby

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Classes

Herbal Remedies during Pregnancy & Birth class

** All are welcome.  FREE @ Natural Resources**April 3, 2010 from 1PM-2pm**

http://store.naturalresources-sf.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=7390

This class explores the ways herbal medicine can be used effectively and confidently during pregnancy, labor and birth. New parents will learn about herbs, their uses, and how to easily and safely include herbal remedies into their daily lives. The class will touch upon common herb allies during pregnancy and birth; herbs to avoid during pregnancy; tips on using herbs to support common discomforts of pregnancy; and resources in finding a professional herbalist.

About the Instructor

Beth Rees, B.A. is a birth & postpartum doula serving the San Francisco and greater Bay Area. She has been working with women and families for 15 years as a women’s and children’s health advocate, educator and event coordinator. Beth studied and worked with the American School of Herbalism in Western and Traditional Chinese herbal medicine. To this day, Beth works with www.fiveflavorsherbs.com, helping craft herbal remedies and teaches perinatal herbal medicine classes with the www.sylvanbotanical.com. Beyond being a birth enthusiast, Beth enjoys cooking, crafting fiber arts, coordinating life celebrations and parties, auto restoration, and spending time with loved ones, in and out of the City. For more information email beth.rhys@gmail.com.

Categories
Classes Health Herbal Medicine

Spring 2010 herbal medicine classes with Sylvan School of Botanical Medicine

Classes offered by SSBM give a foundational and exploratory context to engage plants and their therapeutic properties.   Field trips are very family and child friendly.  More information can be found at http://www.sylvanbotanical.com/ .

Herbal Materia Medica (12 weeks – 36 hours)*

Wednesdays February 24 – May 12                  6:30 – 9:30 pm

This course will feature a discussion of individual medicinal plants from a wide variety of healing traditions and perspectives. This is a great class for someone wanting an introduction to herbal medicine or for a seasoned practitioner looking to expand their repertoire of plants.

Herbs for the Mind, Mood, and Emotions (4 weeks – 12 hours) *

Tuesdays April 6 – 27                                    6 – 9 pm

This course will offer a survey of herbal practices for influencing mental states. We will look at perspectives from Western and Chinese herbal traditions and explore the existing evidence base for the application of herbs for treating psychiatric conditions. This is an excellent course for therapists and psychiatrists who want to gain a better understanding of how to use botanical medicine to support their clients.

Weekend Intensives (Held in Oakland, CA)

Medicine Making (12 hours)*

Saturday and Sunday March 13 & 14               9:30 am – 4:30 pm

Learn the basics of making effective herbal remedies from harvesting to finished
product. In this hands-on weekend we will make teas, tinctures, syrups, oils, salves,and other topical preparations. Participants will go home with a variety of medicines they’ve made in class.

Herbal First Aid (12 hours)*

Saturday and Sunday April 24 & 25                 9:30 am – 4:30 pm

This fun and practical class will teach how to respond to commonly encountered first aid and emergency situations with Western and Chinese herbal medicine and other therapeutic strategies. Participants will develop an herbal first aid kit for treatment of wounds, trauma, infections, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and emotional emergencies. Basic assessment skills will be developed or refreshed and attention will be paid to when a higher level of medical intervention may be necessary.

Cooking with Herbs (12 hours)

Saturday and Sunday Dates TBA                  9:30 am – 4:30pm

Learn to incorporate healthful herbs and medicinal foods into your diet during this delicious weekend. We will discuss, prepare, and taste examples of traditional Chinese dietary therapies, dishes that highlight wild and garden-grown herbs and seasonal vegetables, and the medicinal uses of common culinary herbs.

Field Trips

Herbs of the Southern California Desert – Location TBA (10 hours)*

Saturday and Sunday March 27 & 28              9:30 am – 4:30 pm

This trip presents an opportunity to explore Southern California’s stunning desert flora and landscape. Participants will develop the skills of field identification, wild-crafting, and herbal preparation. The folkloric and clinical uses of plants will be discussed as well as the application of these native plants in the context of Chinese medicine.

Botanical Field Study – Los Padres National Forest (10 hours)*

Saturday and Sunday April 10 & 11                 9:30 am – 4:30 pm

Learn about the medicinal uses of California native plants during wildflower season in the beautiful Central Coast hills.

Bay Area Herb Walks (Locations TBA)

Sunday March 7                                          1 – 5 pm

Friday April 2                                              3 – 6 pm

Friday April 23                                             3 – 6 pm

Sunday May 16   (with special guests)            all day

Categories
Statistics

San Francisco Birth Statistics

This is a re-posting of information shared by midwife, Michelle Welborn.

“This data is from the SF Department of Vital Statistics and is collected from the birth certificate. This is mandatory reporting. It covers the 2008 calendar year.

A VBAC RATE OF 1.3% means 1.3% of all the births at that institution were VBACs. they do not track successful VBAC rates vs attempted VBAC rates. “

CPMC (California Pacific Medical Center)
6110 births
30.9% total cesarean rate
1.8% forceps
7.6% vacuum
1.3% VBAC
58.5% spontaneous vaginal births

Kaiser SF
2648 births
31.7% total cesarean rate
no forceps
2.7% vacuum
.9% VBAC
64.7% spontaneous vaginal births

SFGH (SF General Hospital)
1318 births
20.67% total cesarean rate
1.1% forceps
3.6% vacuum
72.8 spontaneous vaginal births
1.9% VBAC

St. Luke’s
916 births
20.5% total cesarean rate
.4% forceps
3.4% vacuum
75.7% spontaneous vaginal births
.1% VBAC

UCSF
1919 births
27.0% total cesarean rate
4.3% forceps
3.1% vacuum
64% spontaneous vaginal births
1.7% VBAC

Homebirths – Nearly all of these are low risk so we are not exactly comparing apples to apples but this is fascinating none the less.
168 total births (A little over 1% of the total births in SF)
3% cesarean rate
97% spontaneous vaginal births
2.4% VBAC