NACEF

Happy Holidays! from Childbirth Connection

northwestareachildbirtheducatorsforum — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:49:41 +0000

Happy Holidays! The staff at Childbirth Connection would like to wish you joy and peace as we look forward to the new year.

Talking About Maternity Care
Know your facts when you discuss maternity care in the US. We have compiled a brief, new resource document called “United States Maternity Care Facts and Figures.” It details current statistics including the number of births, proportion of hospital care that is devoted to the care of pregnant women and babies, maternity outcomes such as preterm birth and low birthweight rates, as well as statistics about paying for maternity care. Sadly, many of the numbers are sobering. The 2007 cesarean rate of 31.8% marked the 11th consecutive year of increase and a record-level national rate. The rate of vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) within childbirth related hospitalizations was 9.7% in 2006, a decline of 73% from 1997, when the VBAC rate was 35.3%. Learn more in United States Maternity Care Facts and Figures – December 2009.

NQF Expands their Board of Directors
Members of the National Quality Forum (NQF), a non-profit organization with diverse stakeholders from the public and private health sectors, elected nine new members to its Board of Directors. I’m pleased to have been elected and look forward to representing the needs and interests of consumers, children and childbearing women. Read the NQF board announcement press release.

Last year, NQF released important new tools for improving the quality of maternity care: a set of 17 national measures for assessing the quality of care around the time of birth. Several of the measures should, if widely implemented, improve care for a large proportion of childbearing women and newborns. Learn more about the NQF perinatal quality measures and their importance.Recent Research Findings
Four times a year, we write a column called “Current Resources for Evidence-Based Practice” for both Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing (JOGNN) and Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health (JMWH).

The September/October edition of our column featured a commentary on the systematic underfunding of research and development in maternal and perinatal health, and reviews on: obesity as an independent risk factor for elective and emergency cesarean delivery in nulliparous women; maternal overweight and obesity and the risk of congenital anomalies; and, the association between obesity and rates of screening for breast and cervical cancer.

Our July/August column featured a critical appraisal of an article (“Evidence-based Labor and Delivery Management” by Berghella, Baxter and Chauhan), as well as reviews on: risks related to external cephalic version and clinical factors predicting success; determinants and prevention of low birth weight; and, physical activity and osteoporotic fractures.

JOGNN September/October (PDF)
JMWH September/October (PDF)
JOGNN July/August (PDF)
JMWH July/August (PDF)
Click here for all columns, 2003-2009

Flu Facts for Families
The federal government’s flu web site – www.flu.gov – features useful government-wide information on seasonal, H1N1 (swine), H5N1 (bird) and pandemic influenza. Check out their Facts for Parents (& Expecting) page for information ranging from being pregnant with the flu to breastfeeding with the flu and vaccinating kids.

eNews Spotlight
Our website is a treasure trove of information. VBACs (vaginal birth after cesarean) have been in the news lately, so this month we’re spotlighting our resources on this subject. Learn about VBAC vs. Repeat C-Section here.

Wishing you health and happiness this season,

Maureen Corry
Executive Director
Childbirth Connection

Professional Education in Breastfeeding and Lactation

northwestareachildbirtheducatorsforum — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 23:30:54 +0000

Dear Friend,

Looking for ways to enhance your practice? We’d like you to know about upcoming education at Simkin Center.

Professional Education in Breastfeeding and Lactation

The six day course sets the standard for comprehensive instruction based on current research as it applies to best practice issues in the clinical setting. Visit this page for more information.

Join us in the Seattle area (click the date to register online now):

February 1-3 & 5-7, 2010
June 21-23 & 25-27, 2010

Faculty (click each name to read the faculty bio):
Molly Pessl BSN, IBCLC
Ginna Wall MN, RN, IBCLC
Marie Witherell RN, ICCE, IBCLC

Supporting Women through Perinatal Loss A Workshop for Childbirth Professionals with Miriam Maslin

northwestareachildbirtheducatorsforum — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:08:59 +0000

Supporting Women through Perinatal Loss
A Workshop for Childbirth Professionals
with Miriam Maslin
http://www.miriammaslin.com/workshops/perinatal.html

“Supporting Women through Perinatal Loss” is a six-hour workshop, limited to
a small group of 15 professionals, in which we will explore the challenge
through stories, meditations, sharing, and teachings.

All of us have experienced loss within our own lives – illness,
relationships, disappointments, shattered dreams, deaths – as well as with
our clients– unexpected outcomes…shattered dreams. These are the dark
places that few of us wish to visit, and yet, once we discover our inner
wisdom and strength, we can help to bring light and healing to our clients,
the people we love, ourselves, and the universe.

Miriam is currently booking her Spring 2010 Speaking Tour. If you are
interested in either hosting or attending a workshop in your area, please
contact her for information at miriam@miriammaslin.com.

She has presented concurrent workshops at both DONA and Birthworks
International Conferences and has been hosted in close to 50 US and Canadian
cities.

The perinatal loss workshop has been approved for CEU’s by the following:

DONA, MEAC (Midwifery Education Accreditation Council), CAPPA, CAM and BRN
(California Association of Midwives and Board Registered Nurses),
FAM (Florida Association of Midwives), ATM (Assocation of Texas Midwives),
NMMA (New Mexico Midwifery Association), CAPPA Canada, and
CMTBC (College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia)

“I attended an enlightening and empowering workshop entitled, “Supporting
Women through Perinatal Loss” guided by Miriam Maslin, an amazing doula and
polarity therapist from Jerusalem. She didn’t teach the session but guided
us to the awareness and answers that were within by encouraging us to learn
from each other and to trust in ourselves.” ~ “The Neutral Fulcrum” by
MaryBeth Nance, CD(DONA), CLD(CAPPA), International Doula, Volume 16, Issue
2, Page 9

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~

Wife, mother, grandmother, and retired interior designer, Miriam Maslin has
been a source of inspiration to many: young and old, secular and religious,
long-time searchers and those who are just beginning their own “Interior
Design”. Her inner journey has taken her across the spectrum from the
beginning to the end of the life cycle — she is a doula and has served as a
hospice volunteer. She incorporates both Polarity Therapy (a system of
energy/holistic healing) and spiritual teachings into her work. Miriam
has facilitated workshops for women’s groups and professionals all over the
United States, Canada, and Israel.

Miriam Maslin
pregnancy loss support and counseling
polarity therapy and spiritual care
workshops and seminars
p.o.b. 8375, jerusalem 91083 israel
in israel: 02-566-2379
u.s. number in israel: 516-478-9657
miriam@miriammaslin.com
www.miriammaslin.com

Mark Your Calendar: Milagros Holiday Craft Bazaar is December 5th!

northwestareachildbirtheducatorsforum — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:26:24 +0000

Mark Your Calendar: Milagros Holiday Craft Bazaar is December 5th!

11 am – 3 pm Saturday December 5th. Local vendors will be selling a wide variety of great gifts for the little miracle and mamas in your life! Clothes, jewelry, toys and more! All unique locally made and unique. In addition there will be complimentary refreshments, a free RAFFLE for a 2010 Chinook Book!

A portion of all sales during at this fund-raising event will be provided to Mercy Corps! While you are our visiting us, go to Frock and Green Bean Books they are also donating a portion of all their sales on December 5th to Mercy Corps.

Can’t make the event but want to help? Make a donation to Mercy Corps today!

Need Great Gift Ideas? We Got You Covered!

Have you seen our selection of USA-Made Green Toys? Oh but you must!

These toys are fun, functional, open-ended and they are made from 100% curbside collected recycled plastic! No yucky stuff, of course. No phthalates, no BPA and so on. Check them out in the store or in our on-line shop.

How about fair-trade, unique gifts for less than $20? We have more than a few ideas!

Need to ship an item or have it gift wrapped? We offer both of these options in our on-line store as well as in the boutique for a nominal fee. Just ask!

Looking for a fun card for a gift or any occasion? Check out our selection of cards designed by the students of the Community Transitional School.

Selected Upcoming Milagros Events

View our full event calendar here.

Parent/Child Spanish Class - Saturday,11/21, 11am. Please pre-register with PELP for this class. Registration info is listed on our events page: http://milagrosboutique.com/events/

Cloth Diapering 101 at Milagros – Saturday, 12/26, 11am. Thinking about cloth diapers? Have questions? Join us for an introduction to cloth diapering on the fourth Saturday of every month at 11 am. Free.

Cultural Competency Workshop for Parents/Caregivers – Sunday, 12/6, 2pm. This interactive session is designed to increase parental capacity to nurture in our children the way of honoring, valuing, respecting, hearing and empowering themselves and others to freely define, identify and represent their own cultural orientation. In this way, we can begin to create a society where peaceful and vibrant intercultural community is a norm. All members of the family are welcome to participate in this child-honoring environment. Space is limited to please RSVP to (360) 241-0967 or bradanddeeanna@gmail.com

Sound Roots Rookie Rock at Milagros – Wednesday, 12/9, 10am. Sound Roots’ Rookie Rock is a fun and upbeat musical environment for both parents and their babies or preschool age kids. We sing and play along with modern music of all genres that adults can enjoy and children can embrace. Space is limited, please come early to ensure a spot. For more info, contact Sound Roots - sundaymorning08@gmail.com, 503.282.9999 Free.

Intro to Baby Sign Language Play Class – Thursday 12/10, 11am. Bring your little one and we’ll sign, sing & play together while discussing the benefits of signing with your baby and tips for getting started on the basics. Pre-registration is required. By Phone: 503-284-0610 or online: www.portlandearlylearning.com/registerbabysignlanguage.html

Infant CPR Class for New and Expectant Parents – Thursday, 12/10, 6pm. Join Red Cross instructor Art Graves for this special CPR and first aid class that is designed for new parents. This class will provided hands-on instruction on what to do if your infant or child is choking, rescue breathing, basic CPR and First Aid. You are welcome to bring your baby with you to this class. Register online: http://www.oregonredcross.org/class_view.asp?nroClass=1630&SN=201&OP=2806&IDCapitulo=663B0ID44V&location=448

Naturopathic First Aid for Families – Saturday, 12/12, 10am. Join Padeen Quinn, ND of Naturokits for this free workshop on naturopathic first aid for families. Get your your own Naturokit at Milagros!

Please note, Milagros will be closed on Thanksgiving.

That’s all for now! We look forward to seeing you!

Jennifer, Tony, Mila and Gael Fuentes
Milagros, a Boutique for little Miracles and their Mamas
5433 NE 30th Avenue, Portland OR 97211
503-493-4141
http://milagrosboutique.com

OEC’s 2010 BPA-Free Baby Products Campaign

northwestareachildbirtheducatorsforum — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:21:58 +0000

OEC’s 2010 BPA-Free Baby Products Campaign

You’ve likely heard about the health dangers posed by bisphenol-A (BPA), the endocrine-disrupting chemical found in baby bottles, food can liners, and sippy cups. There are already hundreds of high-quality studies that link low doses of BPA exposure to birth anomalies, cancer, fertility problems, early puberty, learning disabilities and more.

Canada, Connecticut, Minnesota and the City of Chicago have recently banned the use of this gender-bending chemical from baby bottles and other products. At OEC we’re working to make sure that Oregon’s children aren’t getting exposed to BPA leaching from bottles and cans into food and drink by supporting a BPA ban in the 2010 legislative session. Stay tuned for ways that you can get involved!

Take action now
Join our Healthy Kids Network

Review of ICEA Conference from NACEF Board Member

northwestareachildbirtheducatorsforum — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 04:48:50 +0000

I recently attended the 2009 ICEA Conference in Okalahoma City, OK (yes, I really did go to OKC for this!) and I wanted to report to any educator wondering about what ICEA has been doing lately. I think the best word to describe their current work is: CHANGE!
ICEA has been busy reinventing themselves, and they are looking to their members to help them see new ideas, implement new processes, and reach out for new partnerships. I was amazed at the difference in ICEA, from the moment I wrote them an email of interest, to hugging all the board members and fellow educators goodbye at the end of the conference. This is a new ICEA than I have seen the past several years.
One of the biggest differences has been to employ a management company to handle the day to day affairs of membership, website, bookstore, etc. If you haven’t tried emailing ICEA lately, I urge you to give it a try. Ryan Couch, the membership coordinator, will likely answer you promptly, kindly, and will work with you to solve your issue. It is remarkable how different contacting the organization is now, and how pleasant it is to receive an answer within hours of having a concern!
ICEA is also reformatting some of their programs, as well as adding new programs additonally. They will be releasing a brand new postpartum doula certification program early 2010, and will be rereleasing the labor doula, professional childbirth educator, and perinatal fitness educator at some point in the near future.
ICEA is also planning a large conference next fall in collaboration with Lamaze. ‘Save the Date’ for Sept 30-Oct 3, 2010 in Milwaukee, WI, the birth place of both organizations 50 years ago. (Abstract proposals are due Jan 8 for all you potential presenters out there!)

I invite you to celebrate the new ICEA and all their potential partnerships forming in the near future. I for one am so glad to be a part of this trusted organization, and thrilled they they are not only embracing their members, but they are vowing to embrace technology and the future of perinatal education. (The mission has not changed. “Freedom of choice based on knowledge of alternatives in family centered maternity care” is still the moving force behind ICEA.)

I am proud to see an organization be able to grow and change as needed with the tremendous changes in our world. I look forward to seeing us grow as educators as well, and I am grateful to have certifications from an organization that stands behind me as a member, trainer, and educator.
Kimberly Bepler, ICPE, IAT (ICEA)

NACEF Expo a Great Success

northwestareachildbirtheducatorsforum — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:11:40 +0000

The NACEF Expo this year, held at Providence St. Vincent’s Hospital, was considered to be a great success this year. It all began with the rock-n-roll version of the unveiling of our new NACEF Logo – our heartfelt thanks to Jerry Schumacker for producing the video. The process of deciding on a new logo that would serve us for at least as long as our old one had yet do a great job of telling the world who we are was a very lengthy and thoughtful one for the NACEF Board of Directors. We are really grateful to Kate Miller Design for their professionalism and extraordinary talent that helped us to realize this vision. The new design has strong roots to show our foundation, and branches that showcase all of the valuable ways we work to benefit pregnant women and families.

The opening session for the Expo was titled Collaborative Practice and Professionalism, and we had the opportunity to have two presenters, Denise Beaudoin and Lani Doser share their expertise on this particular subject with all of us. Denise provided us with an overview of working collaboratively with all members of a pregnant woman’s maternity care team and encouraged us to maintain perspective and check on our own biases as we try to administer “family centered” maternity care. Lani did a great job showing us exactly, in minute detail, ALL of the things that a Labor & Delivery nurse must be aware of when her patient has to undergo a Cesarean Birth. It was very illuminating and most attendees were very impressed by the level of detail that helped to show how very different the roles of nurse, doula, doctor/midwife can be and how very important it is for all of us to try and work together as professionals.

Classroom 2.0 Social Networking was Session II for the day and our presenters, Anna Heinrich and Stephanie Horace walked us through step-by-step on how to set up an account with one popular social networking site, Facebook. In fact, one of the attendees created an account on-site during the actual session. Both Anna and Stephanie are very web-savvy and they are able to see the potential of these social networking sites as a great way for the students in our classes to enhance their learning experience with us as well as stay connected with one another once the class has ended. I think many of the comments on the evaluations would like to have gone even deeper into the application of this social networking tool for their individual classes.

Session III, Using Humor in Your Presentations, was set to happen after lunch to try and keep everyone awake and laughing! The presenter, Barb Buckner Suarez, tried to do just that by involving the attendees in the actual presentation. She wanted people to understand that everyone can use humor to enhance their presentations without trying to be a comedian. She had us all try and tell one of our “go-to-stories” that most people find pretty funny and are usually very easy for us to tell because we’ve been telling them for years! There was a lot of laughing and animation throughout the group during this section of her presentation. She also identified a particular “dread” subject from her classes and showed in full detail how she teaches this subject using some humor to make it less scary for the students in her classes. Then she encouraged us all to brainstorm some other “dread” subjects and had attendees share what they do in their own classes to keep it a little bit lighter in tone. She said that we should try and keep the humor we use in our classes COMICAL: C – Composed, O – Original, M – Mild,

I – Intuitive, C – Connected, A – Anecdotal and L – Laughable.

Our Keynote Speaker, Barbara Kite, is a local Executive Speaking Coach and actor. In her two sessions, The Preparation: vocal work, presence, fear and authenticity and The Performance: inspiring the audience, Barbara encouraged us as educators to remember to be authentic and to tell detailed stories that are full of emotion and sensations. These are the stories that our audiences will remember over time. They were very experiential sessions. Barbara had us up and focused on our breathing and articulation and encouraged us to silence any self-doubt we might have as educators and remember that each one of us is amazing!

The vast majority of attendees marked this year’s Expo as outstanding and we are all very proud of the amazing local talent we have here in Portland, Oregon. You can look forward to another fantastic program, and another local option for your all-important CEUs to happen in the NACEF Teacher Training Program to be happening in Spring of 2010, and yet another Expo to follow in 2011. Don’t miss out!!!

The Million Baby Crawl

northwestareachildbirtheducatorsforum — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:47:18 +0000

Millions of babies are crawling to Washington D.C. Why? To demand reform of the Toxic Chemical Substances Act (TCSA). Current law does not require that companies list all ingredients on the labels of common cleaning and baby products. And only 250 of the 80,000 chemicals on the market have been tested by the EPA.

Seventh Generation and Safer Chemicals Healthy Families are teaming up to educate parents about the dangers of using these products and to introduce stronger regulations on the chemical industry. The TCSA has not been updated in over 30 years! Just think of all the things we’ve learned about plastics in the last three years!

This is an important cause since the use of these chemicals affect the health of our families and our environment. You can help protect your family and future generations by supporting this campaign.

Please go to http://www.millionbabycrawl.com to create your own virtual crawler to crawl to Washington and say no to toxins. You can share your crawler with friends and family who can cheer you on or create their own virtual baby. The crawler with the most supporters will win a trip for four to Washington D.C.

Portland is one of six cities nationwide participating in this campaign. Let’s show Congress that Portland wants stronger regulations on toxic chemicals! We will have a Million Baby Crawl event at Washington Square Mall on November 18th from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. There will be family friendly entertainment, activities and free Seventh Generation product.

Read more about the cause at http://www.seventhgeneration.com and http://www.saferchemicals.org

If you have questions or would like to learn how to obtain information and free Seventh Generation samples for your business or group, please email Angi Gunther at confidentbirth@gmail.com

Free Article On Social-Emotional Relationships

northwestareachildbirtheducatorsforum — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:00:59 +0000

Relationships are the way babies come to know the world and their place in it. They provide the loving context necessary to comfort, protect, encourage, and offer a buffer against stressful times. It is through relationships that young children develop social-emotional wellness, which includes the ability to form satisfying relationships with others, play, communicate, learn, face challenges, and experience emotions. Click here, for tips on nurturing babies’ social-emotional relationships.

Subscribe to the Journal for insight into early childhood
When you subscribe to the Zero to Three journal, you’ll get more expert insights on early childhood development and infant mental health and how both can impact your support of families and their children.

All Babies Cry: Funny Crying Baby Stories

northwestareachildbirtheducatorsforum — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:54:38 +0000

Vida, in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Health, is currently filming for “All Babies Cry”! This DVD program will attempt to help reduce incidents of infant child abuse by showing new parents strategies they may use to soothe a crying infant as well as strategies to monitor their own stress levels and seek help when needed. This program will to be distributed to all new parents in MA hospitals.

Vida has been receiving feedback on this very important project from pediatricians, parents and interested parties. We are hoping that this continues. Please visit our Crying Baby Stories website (www.cryingbabystories.com) to share calming tips and stories. Your story or tip could be featured in the program!

If you are interested in learning more about this project, production or lending your expertise click here or call Brittany Peats, project manager at Vida, at (800) 550-7047 ext.11 or email Brittany.peats@vida-health.com

NACEF

Happy Holidays! from Childbirth Connection

Professional Education in Breastfeeding and Lactation

Supporting Women through Perinatal Loss A Workshop for Childbirth Professionals with Miriam Maslin

Mark Your Calendar: Milagros Holiday Craft Bazaar is December 5th!

Parent/Child Spanish Class - Saturday,11/21, 11am. Please pre-register with PELP for this class. Registration info is listed on our events page: http://milagrosboutique.com/events/

OEC’s 2010 BPA-Free Baby Products Campaign

OEC’s 2010 BPA-Free Baby Products Campaign

Review of ICEA Conference from NACEF Board Member

NACEF Expo a Great Success

The Million Baby Crawl

Free Article On Social-Emotional Relationships

All Babies Cry: Funny Crying Baby Stories