New Location for Lamaze Family Center Blog!

We've updated our blog! You can find our new and improved blog at: http://annarborlamazefamilycenter.blogspot.com/
Thanks for visiting!

The Value of Childbirth Education

According to a recent New York Times article, childbirth is an expensive business. Even with insurance coverage, the cost of giving birth can run into the thousands of dollars. When confronted with all of these expenses, some families may choose to skip childbirth education classes. While it is true that childbirth education classes are an added expense, they can also give you great value for your money by increasing your chances of having a positive childbirth experience.

Some of the benefits of taking an evidence based childbirth education class at the Lamaze Family Center include:

• Learning things you never knew about labor, delivery, and postpartum care. You'll find out how to identify the signs of labor and what happens to your body as your baby makes his or her way into the world. Understanding the different stages of labor can demystify the birth process and increase your confidence.
• Connecting with your partner or labor coach. Childbirth education classes aren't just for moms to be. Childbirth classes provide your partner with education about the childbirth process and teach them how to support you during labor. Good labor support can make a world of difference in your experience of childbirth!
• Discuss options for handling pain. During your childbirth classes you will learn and practice various methods for coping with contractions, including breathing techniques, relaxation, massage, and visualization. You will also learn about the pros and cons of common medications such as epidurals. At the Lamaze Family Center no one will tell you that you should or should not have an epidural, but we will give you the information to make the best choice about pain medication for you and your family.
• Get information on common medical interventions. As the NYT article above outlines, medical interventions, such as labor induction, epidural anesthetics, and c-sections all increase the cost of childbirth itself. Of course, sometimes these interventions are necessary and even life-saving. During childbirth classes, you will learn more about common interventions and how they affect the birth process. This knowledge will give you the confidence to better advocate for yourself during labor, and to opt in or out of common interventions.
• Create a social network. During childbirth classes, you will meet other pregnant women and their families, and learn about their experiences. You can share your joys and your concerns with others in similar situations. 

Would you or someone you know benefit from a childbirth education class? Click here to learn more or to register for a class.

Lamaze Family Center Silent Auction Saturday September 28th--Save the Date!

WHAT?:Lamaze Family Center Ann Arbor Sweets, Treats and Silent Auction

WHEN?: Saturday September 28th, 2013 from 7pm-10pm

WHERE?: Lamaze Family Center Ann Arbor, 2855 Boardwalk, Ann Arbor 48104

WHY?: Lamaze Family Center Ann Arbor is a 501c3 nonprofit. In addition to our fee-based childbirth preparation, infant, and toddler classes, we also offer several free community programs.  These include:

• Two free support groups: the Postpartum Depression Support Group and the Miscarriage and Newborn Loss Support Group. 
• Free Teen Childbirth Preparation classes tailored to the unique needs of teen parents. Offered in conjunction with The Corner Health Center.
• A Scholarship Program for our Childbirth Preparation Classes. Lamaze Family Center believes that everyone should have access to childbirth preparation, regardless of ability to pay. 

The proceeds from the silent auction will help us fund these valuable community programs. If Lamaze Family Center has made an impact on your life, please consider attending our silent auction. Enjoy an evening of drinks, desserts, and bidding! We will have lots of great items to auction off. Past donors include the Toledo Zoo, the Ann Arbor Hands on Museum, Cheryl Hall Photography, Liberty Athletic Club and many more...

Stay tuned to the Lamaze Family Center Ann Arbor blog, twitter feed, and facebook page for more information!

Praise for Lamaze Family Center Ann Arbor!

The Lamaze Family Center was a winner in the 2012 "Family Favorites" contest put on by the Ann Arbor Family Press!

Lamaze Family Center was voted the "Best Support Group for Moms," an honor we have now received several years in a row.The Ann Arbor Family Press also recognized the Lamaze Family Center as a runner up in the "Best Place to Nurse a Baby" category.

To read more and see all the 2012 "Family Favorites" check out the Ann Arbor Family Press website.

Are you a new mom, or do you have friends or family who are? Experience our Mother's Groups for yourself! Our Mother's Groups are a great place for new moms to meet other moms, and to discuss the the joys and challenges of caring for a newborn. Each week the facilitator of the Mother's Group picks a topic for general discussion. Topics include : getting your baby to sleep, life with a newborn, how to survive the challenges of being a mom, places to go around town with your baby, and changes to your relationships. As a past participant of a Mother's Group, I cannot stress enough how important this group was to improving my over all well being in those first few months of motherhood. Where else can you go in wrinkled clothes, covered in baby spit-up, and nobody even blinks an eye?!

To learn more about Mother's Groups or to register for an upcoming group (a new group starts in July!), visit our website.

Early Pregnancy Workshop

Are you pregnant or planning a pregnancy? Join Cara Genisio, Certified  Childbirth Educator & Certified Birth Doula to learn more about nutrition, exercise, physical and emotional changes during pregnancy, preparing for childbirth and much more on March 14, 2013!!! Check out the calendar for more details on joining this awesome event and other events and classes that Lamaze Family Center has to offer.

Plymouth District Library

223 South Main St.Plymouth, MI 48170

Sponsored by:
University of Michigan Health System
Women’s Health Program
and the Lamaze Family Center – Ann Arbor

To register go to the “Events” tab at http://www.plymouthlibrary.org/.

For more information please call Lamaze Family Center at 234-973-1014 or call the UMHS Women’s Health Program @ 734-936-8886.

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is a special experience that creates a bond between mother and baby that no one else can experience. It is a great way to save money on formula and there are health benefits for both baby and mother.  According to WebMD " Breast milk contains antibodies that help your baby fight off viruses and bacteria. Breastfeeding reduces your baby's risk of having asthma or allergies. Babies who are breastfed exclusively for the first six months, without any formula, have fewer ear infections, respiratory illnesses, and bouts of diarrhea. They also have fewer hospitalizations and trips to the doctor."

At Lamaze Family Center our two-hour class, to be taken before your baby arrives, covers the basics of breastfeeding plus information on life with a breastfeeding baby, nutrition, proper latch, how fathers/partners can help, and avoiding or managing problems. Each couple will have an opportunity to practice various breastfeeding positions. Have you registered for a class yet? 

Childbirth Preparation

Childbirth, especially if you are having your first child can be unexpected and scary. Even for those who have had children staying on top of changes in childbirth are excellent ideas. And the best way to counteract those fears and meet new changes head on is to prepare. How do you prepare? Our premier, comprehensive childbirth class is designed for pregnant women and their partners. This in-depth, interactive 12-hour series meets on weekday nights at three different locations throughout Ann Arbor. The series covers a wide range of topics in-depth based on Lamaze International's Six Healthy Birth Practices , including:

• the various stages of labor, birth, and early postpartum including early breastfeeding overview;
• relaxation and breathing techniques, comfort measures and positions for labor and delivery;
• partner's role with laboring mom; 
• pain management options and birth interventions; hospital procedures, and Cesarean birth.
• Class fee includes a free breastfeeding class.

All of our childbirth educators are highly trained, active in the birth community and are Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educators (LCCE). The University of Michigan endorses our prenatal classes and one of our class series is taught in the new University of Michigan Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital. Have you started studying the Six Healthy Birth Practices? Which one is your favorite?

To register for one of our premier classes visit our website at www.lamazefamilycenter.org or call 734-973-1014.

Swaddling

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Swaddling, the practice of tightly wrapping a baby in a light blanket, is an age-old technique that not only calms babies but makes them portable. The technique is growing in popularity in the United States.

In 2008, the medical journal Pediatrics has weighed in with a commentary, noting that there is a wrong way and a right way to swaddle. The right way has a seemingly wondrous effect. Fussy babies, with their arms wrapped tightly to mimic the effect of the mother’s womb, stop crying almost instantaneously. The technique has been popularized recently by pediatrician Dr. Harvey Karp, author of “The Happiest Baby on the Block.” But several medical studies, including one report in The Journal of Pediatrics, also show that swaddling can decrease crying time. Other studies show it prolongs sleep and even reduces a baby’s risk for sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS — but only if the baby is on its back. Swaddled babies placed on their stomachs are at higher risk for SIDS, as noted in a review article published in Pediatrics last October.

But there is a wrong way to swaddle. The wrong kind of wrapping can affect a baby’s hip development and increase risk for developmental dysplasia of the hip.  The key is to leave plenty of room for baby’s legs to move around. 

 “Babies have an on and off switch for crying, but like any other reflex it requires very specific technique,” said Dr. Karp. “For the last 30 years pediatric books have talked about swaddling, and rocking and white noise and all that stuff, but they never taught parents how to do it. These techniques have to be taught very specifically.”

At Lamaze Family Center, in our Infant Care Class, we have a workshop going over each of these soothing techniques where we watch and practice.  Our experienced instructors will offer hands on assistance and answer any questions. Our goal is to have you leave the class, feeling confident and capable of soothing your newborn the day he or she is born.

To register for an Infant Care Class, go to our website at www.lamazefamilycenter.org or call us at (734) 973-1014.

Birthing Plan

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Pregnancy can be one of the most exciting experiences in life. It’s a time of change, excitement and new experiences. With so many changes occurring it’s always helpful to have a plan. During pregnancy creating a birth plan helps to reduce some anxiety from the unexpected and gives some focus when baby is ready to come. It also ensures that when the time comes your wants and needs during labor are expressed to everyone involved. There are several things to consider when creating your birth plan: such as a home birth vs. a birthing center, the use of a doula vs. a midwife and many other great things. It’s also a great way to bond with your significant other as you work together to create the plan. Have you created your birthing plan? Here's a sample you can start with or you can create your own! Care to share what you are most excited about?

 

Birth Plan

  

Name:

Partner’s Name:

Your Labor Support People:

Do you want visitors during labor? o Yes o No
Do you want to receive phone calls during labor? o Yes o No
What are your plans for pain relief during labor? (Please check all that apply)
o Non-medicated, natural childbirth with use of relaxation, massage, breathing techniques, shower
and/or Jacuzzi, birthing ball
o Use of pain medication
o Epidural
o Unsure at this time

How can our staff best support you?

Are there any special requests for your birth experience?

What are your expectations?

Baby Care Plan
Baby’s name if chosen:

Baby’s doctor:

Breast-feeding: o Yes o No
Do you have any previous experience breast-feeding? o Yes o No
Do you plan to return to work while breast-feeding? o Yes o No
Do you have concerns about breast-feeding? o Yes o No

Bottle-feeding? o Yes o No
Would you like your baby to have a pacifier? o Yes o No
Are there any siblings? o Yes o No
Names and ages:

Do you have any concerns or special requests about the care of your newborn? o Yes o No
If yes, please explain:

We encourage you to discuss your birth plan with your doctor, doula or midwife during your prenatal care. We understand that a birth plan must be flexible and that you may want to make changes or additions during your stay with us.

MD / CNM Review:

Admitting RN Review:

Free Car Seat Safety/Baby Carrier Workshop Tonight

Confounded by car seats? Baffled by baby carriers? Get the scoop in our informative and free workshop tonight, April 25, at Lamaze Family Center at 7:00pm.

Presented by The Little Seedling, Child Passenger Safety Technician Torey is ready to show you the basics of car seat safety and answer any questions you may have. This workshop  is great for first time and experienced parents alike. When you're done, you'll have a working knowledge of choosing, installing and using your child's car seat, as well as an opportunity to schedule a car seat check with a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.

Baby wearing is a safe, intimate way to transport your baby. Getting started can be a little overwhelming. This interactive class is designed to help you ease into baby wearing, with a hands on approach to getting started. The ladies from The Little Seedling will show you the many different carriers and explain how each works. There will also be a chance for you to try different types of carriers and get a feel for what you think works for you. 


Preregistration is encouraged, but not required, and we offer a workshop every month if you miss this one!

Lamaze Family Center's Grand Opening Celebrates New Space

Here's a great article posted on annarbor.com about our new space.

Special thanks to our Events Committee who planned the event, pictured at left: Beth Simon, Bonnie Kerber, Julie Lubeck-Hofer, Meredith Lovelace, Elizabeth Satterley and Jodie Hughes.

http://annarbor.com/business-review/ann-arbor-family-lamaze-center-opens-in-new-location-after-georgetown-malls-closure/

Car Seat Safety/Baby Wearing Workshop Premieres on Jan. 25

Don't miss Car Seat Safety/Baby Wearing Workshop, this free class specifically designed for expectant and new families! The first class is being held on Wednesday, January 25 from 7:00-8:30pm. Sponsored by The Little Seedling, Lamaze Family Center is pleased to offer this new 1.5 hour workshop, which compliments our Infant Care class, and is open to all families. This workshop is free, but advance registration is requested.

Car Seat Safety Basics

The most dangerous thing our children do is ride in a car, and they do it every day. Learn how to protect your most precious cargo from birth through adulthood during every car ride. Child Passenger Safety Technicians Torey and Susan are ready to show you the basics of car seat safety and answer any questions you may have. This workshop  is great for first time and experienced parents alike. When you're done, you'll have a working knowledge of choosing, installing and using your child's car seat, as well as an opportunity to schedule a car seat check with a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.

Britax is sponsoring our January and February workshops and will be giving away a free B-Safe Infant Safe to a lucky family in attendance.

Introduction to Baby Wearing

Baby wearing is a safe, intimate way to transport your baby. Getting started can be a little overwhelming. This interactive class is designed to help you ease into baby wearing, with a hands on approach to getting started. The ladies from The Little Seedling will show you the many different carriers and explain how each works. There will also be a chance for you to try different types of carriers and get a feel for what you think works for you.

Our sponsor Sakura Bloom will also be giving away one free Sakura Bloom Sling per class.

Pregnant families, as well as ones with babies in arms, are encouraged to attend this free workshop.

Advanced registration is requested, but not required.

LivingSocial Deal: Grab It and Save at Lamaze!

We're rather pleased with ourselves at Lamaze, as we have entered into a new age of social media: we have a LivingSocial deal on now! Save $30 off any class at Lamaze Family Center Ann Arbor by purchasing a $15 voucher. That's a 50% savings! Current customers can use this deal, and the credit is good until May 23, 2012.

Check it out:
http://www.livingsocial.com/cities/94/deals/228708-30-to-spend-on-prenatal-baby-or-family-classes

Lamaze to Teach Childbirth Classes at new UofM Hospital

Lamaze Family Center Ann Arbor will begin teaching their premier, comprehensive childbirth classes at the new University of Michigan Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital in January.

“We look forward to continuing our strong ties with Lamaze,” says Dr. Timothy RB Johnson, Bates Professor of the Diseases of Women and Children & Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of Michigan.

Pregnant women and their partners will enjoy this in-depth, interactive 12-hour series held at the new hospital on Tuesday nights beginning January 17, 2012, and offered thereafter monthly. The series covers a wide range of topics based on Lamaze International's Six Healthy Birth Practices, including:

• the various stages of labor, birth, and early postpartum including early breastfeeding overview;
• relaxation and breathing techniques, comfort measures and positions for labor and delivery;
• partner's role with laboring mom; 
• pain management options and birth interventions; hospital procedures, and Cesarean birth.
• The class fee also includes a separate free breastfeeding class, offered at Lamaze Family Center Ann Arbor, 2855 Boardwalk, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.

“We are proud and appreciative of our strong support from the University of Michigan and its care providers around the area,” says Stephanie Schaldenbrand, Executive Director of Lamaze Family Center Ann Arbor. “Teaching at the new hospital, as well as at our new center, will help us continue to offer evidence-based childbirth education to a greater number of growing families.”

All of the childbirth educators are highly trained, active in the birth community and are Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educators (LCCE).

Classes run for four weeks, and meet Tuesdays from 6:00-9:00pm in the Family Resource Center in the Von Voiglander Women's Hospital. Class series are offered monthly, and pregnant moms and their partners are encouraged to register for a class that is completed 3-4 weeks before their due date.

Other offerings at Lamaze Family Center Ann Arbor include:

• Childbirth classes on Monday and Thursday evenings, as well as on Saturdays and Sundays at Lamaze Family Center;
• Breastfeeding;
• Infant Care;
• American Red Cross Infant CPR;
• Support groups for new moms; and
• Toddler playgroups and art classes.
• Free monthly Miscarriage and Newborn Loss support group on the second Tuesday evening of the month;
• Postpartum Depression Support Group of Greater Ann Arbor twice-monthly meetings;
• Doulas Care orientation sessions.

Lamaze Family Center Ann Arbor empowers, educates, and supports families from pregnancy to preschool.  To learn more about us and our classes and programs, call 734.973.1014 or visit www.lamazefamilycenter.org

LFC Seeking New Board Members for 2012

Lamaze has a few openings on its Board of Directors in the new year. Do you have a passion for Lamaze, and some time each month to volunteer in a leadership position and attend the monthly Board meeting? Does it intrigue you to help Lamaze move forward in 2012? Email Stephanie at info@lamazefamilycenter.org to learn more!

Lamaze Tree of Wishes Posted In Lobby

So many generous supporters of Lamaze have helped us this year, and we sincerely thank you. We've gotten many inquiries from families that come here every week about how they can help Lamaze, so here is our Lamaze Tree of Wishes, posted on our wall in the lobby today through the holiday season. To help, you can take an ornament when you are at Lamaze, or post on our Facebook page what you would like to donate and bring to Lamaze by Thursday, January 5, 2012.

Thanks for keeping Lamaze Family Center in mind while you do your holiday shopping and giving! We couldn't do it without you!

-ipod speakers/player for toddler classroom
-AA batteries
-toilet paper
-bean bag chairs for the toddler classroom
-Kroger or grocery store gift cards (for toddler group snacks)
-Home Depot/Lowe’s gift card (for paint in classrooms//reinforcement materials for changing table for babies in bathroom)
-gift cards to Office Max
-reams of white copy paper
-paper towels
-IKEA gift card (for chairs in childbirth classroom)
-$20 donation for toddler group art supplies
-$75 sponsors a low-income family in a childbirth class
-$50 sponsors a teen family in a childbirth class

New UM Hospital Open Today

Check out the latest logistical feat in Ann Arbor: moving a hospital while babies are being born!

http://annarbor.com/business-review/a-massive-logistical-feat-university-of-michigan-moves-patients-staff-equipment-to-new-mott-children/

And on a fun Lamaze-related note: baby Emma Matz's parents took their childbirth prep classes at Lamaze Family Center Ann Arbor. Photo of Emma halfway through the article.

Lamaze Family Center is moving to a new location today!

Lamaze Family Center is expanding and moving into a larger space with two classrooms today, November 1, 2011 at 2855 Boardwalk, Ann Arbor, MI 48104. We are so excited to show off our new space and welcome you to the new Lamaze Family Center!

Another big announcement for our organization: beginning in January, we will also be offering childbirth classes at the new University of Michigan Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital. We're thrilled to be partnering with the University of Michigan. 

We will still be teaching our evidence-based, high-quality childbirth classes on weeknights and on weekends at our new location. Other classes taught at Lamaze include:

• Breastfeeding,
• Infant Care,
• American Red Cross Infant CPR,
• Support groups for new moms, and
• Toddler playgroups and art classes.

We will continue to offer our free monthly Miscarriage and Newborn Loss support group on the second Tuesday evening of the month, and host the Postpartum Depression Support Group of Ann Arbor twice-monthly meetings and Doulas Care orientation sessions.

Please save the date for our Grand Opening Event on
Saturday, February 4, 2012! More details to come soon.

As always, our goal is to educate and empower women and their families in cooperation with your care. Thank you for your continued support of Lamaze Family Center Ann Arbor.

For more information, go to our website at www.lamazefamilycenter.org.

Five Tips on Choosing a Childbirth Class

From Lamaze International: A recent report from the World Health Organization set off alarm bells for many expectant parents. The report showed that newborns in 40 countries, including Cuba, South Korea and Poland, have a lower risk of death than newborns in the United States.

For expectant moms, one of the best, and often overlooked, ways of improving the odds of a safe and healthy birth is to take a good childbirth education class. But how do moms know whether they are choosing a class that will make a difference?

“A good childbirth education class can make the difference between feeling out of control and overwhelmed, and being able to handle the expected and unexpected on the day of your baby’s birth,” said Marilyn Curl, President of Lamaze International. “A really good class will also help moms-to-be avoid routine interventions like inductions and being confined to bed, which can actually increase the risks around birth.”

Read the full article and get the tips, click here.

Feedback needed from childbearing women

Childbirth Connection is requesting feedback from childbearing women for a small online survey designed to help guide their maternity care decision aid partnership with the Foundation for Informed Medical Decision Making. The survey will gather information about how women use the Internet to find pregnancy and birth information and will support decision-making.

Women who are planning a pregnancy, are currently pregnant or who have been pregnant in the past two years are being asked to complete the brief, confidential online survey. Participants are eligible to win a $50 Target gift card. The survey closes on August 31. To take the survey, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/birthdecisions.

For more about Childbirth Connection, go to http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10674.