Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Doulas Care and Lamaze Co-host Book Signing


Book Signing at Nicola's Books on Monday, October 4

Help celebrate the second edition of "The Official Lamaze Guide: Giving Birth with Confidence" with the authors at Nicola's Books in Westgate on Monday, October 4, from 7:30-9:00pm.

Authors Judith Lothian, RN, PhD, LCCE, FACCE and Ann Arbor's own Charlotte DeVries will be on hand to sign books, answer questions, and meet and greet attendees.

Looking for a great baby shower gift or know someone who is newly pregnant? The Official Lamaze Guide makes a fabulous gift! Filled with evidence-based research and great tips and advice for pregnancy, the book is accessible, down-to-earth and fun to read.

Come join us for this free reception and book signing!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Doula Dilemma: Laboring through hurdles

By Stephanie Schaldenbrand, Birth Doula

So often I am asked, “How are you going to support me through the labor hurdles?” “How are you going to keep me from making the decision to get the epidural?” First of all, let’s define what I mean by “labor hurdles.” Labor hurdles are those moments in a birth where everything comes to a crashing point, feelings of either you are going to “die from this labor” or with support, you find your inner warrior and persevere through the moment. Each labor has these moments.

For those of us who have been in labor, we remember these moments very well. It’s that precious moment when we need our support team to really focus us on what our hopes are for this birth. These are the moments that we were very subjective to being swayed into making a decision that we didn’t want. Before the birth, ask the pregnant mom, "How hard do you want me to push you in this moment? I can get you over this hurdle but do you want me to?” Could the higher epidural rate be a symptom of labor women finding themselves at the labor hurdle and no one telling her she has the strength to make it over? Is there no one willing to stand next to the laboring mom and say, “You can do this. You are doing this.”

Welcome to the Lamaze Family Center Blog!

We are excited to be able to communicate with you in a fun, fast and interactive way.

Our appeal is broad:
  • If you are pregnant and looking for a comprehensive, evidence-based childbirth class, look no further than our Lamaze classes, taught by certified Lamaze instructors.
  • We have two board-certified lactation consultants on staff who teach our monthly breastfeeding classes and we also offer a fun infant care workshop/bootcamp to get you ready to care for your new baby.
  • Recently had a baby and looking to connect with other new moms? Join one of our Mother's Groups.
  • Struggling with the overwhelming reality of being a new mom and can't kick the "baby blues?" We host a monthly Postpartum Depression group facilitated by therapists/social workers.
  • Is your child over 1 year old, but not old enough for preschool? We offer weekly parent-toddler playgroups, an interactive art class for 18months-3yr olds, an outdoor science camp perfect for your 2-3 yr old, and more.
We'll post articles and photos to keep you up to date on what is happening at Lamaze and the world of evidence-based childbirth education, as well as fun tips and ideas for your growing family.