Homebirth and Birth Center Family Potluck Picnic

Come meet other homebirth and birth center families and learn how you can be involved in preserving out-of-hospital birth in Oregon. All homebirth and birth center families and supporters are warmly invited to this potluck in the park.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

2:00pm - 5:00pm

Laurelhurst Park, Picnic site C

Near SE 37th and Oak

View Map

For more information call Lucina Armstong at (503) 886-9171 or e-mail Silke Akerson at silkeakerson@yahoo.com

If you can’t make the picnic but want to be involved in an on-going homebirth families group please contact Lucina or Silke (see above)

What is a Doula?

What is a doula? 

The word "doula" comes from the ancient Greek meaning "a woman who serves" and is now used to refer to a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth; or who provides emotional and practical support during the postpartum period.

Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily.

A Birth Doula

• Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life

• Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor

• Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth

• Stays with the woman throughout the labor

• Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get        the information she needs to make informed decision

• Facilitates communication between the laboring woman, her partner and her clinical care providers

• Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of the birth experience

• Allows the woman's partner to participate at his/her comfort level

Research evidence shows that the quality services of a postpartum doula can ease the transition that comes with the addition of a baby to a family, improve parental satisfaction and reduce the risk of mood disorders.

*This information taken from the DONA website.

Help Save Handmade Goods

HELP CUT THE RED TAPE THAT IS ABOUT TO CUT TIE THE HANDS OF CRAFTERS. VISIT MILAGROS BOUTIQUE'S BLOG FOR MORE DETAILS.

Mama Mantras

Karen, mother of twin boys, sent us this gentle and most effective mantra. Karen writes:

I hope this is one is not too obvious. It is the most helpful way for me to relax and find space to think when the boys are making a ruckus. Actually, I started using this mantra long before I had children when I was working at in a very stressful job with a not-so-helpful boss. My mama mantra is:

'breathe'

Thank you, Karen, for sharing this mantra. It is a timely reminder for me.

Breathe

Summer Reiki Classes with Molly Fitzpatrick

Molly is offering Reiki classes this summer:

Happy Summer! I am offering Reiki classes again.

You only need to attend one class if you are interested in learning.

The dates are:
Monday, July 6th from 3pm to 8pm
Tuesday, July 7th from 12pm to 5pm
Sunday, July 21st from 9am to 2pm
Shamballa Reiki Class at Nurture

1614 NE Alberta St. Portland, Oregon

Create a Sacred Space. Each participant is invited to bring an item to add at the opening circle (to be returned to owner at the end of class). This could be anything- pictures, crystals, artwork, jewelry, something from nature, etc. This is done in combination with setting an intention for the class.

Guided Meditations. Group meditation opens each individual up to higher levels of consciousness and creates a synergistic atmosphere of learning.

Questions and Answers . Each participant will receive a copy of the Shamballa Reiki handbook prior to the attunements. This is an opportunity to engage in a dynamic conversation that covers some of the material in the handbook, as well as other questions, concerns, wonderments, insights, etc.

Attunement. The Reiki and Shamballa attunements will be given to each participant. The attunement opens energy channels, and places healing symbols in one’s energy field. After receiving Shamballa Reiki attunements, each participant will have the capability to channel and transmit healing energy, through laying on of hands as well as long-distance healing.

Practice. Each person will get a chance to practice giving and receiving Shamballa Reiki.

Closing Circle. Each person can share his or her thoughts at this time.

Cost of class is $50, plus $10 for each handbook.
Members of PDXTimebank can pay partially with Timedollars.

Molly has been practicing Reiki since 2002 and received her Master/Teacher attunements in Shamballa and Reiki in 2004. She teaches classes, as well as offers individual treatments incorporating Shamballa Reiki with other holistic modalities for mind-body-spirit healing.

To Register For a Class:
Please contact Molly Fitzpatrick, L.Ac. at
http://us.mc526.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=molly@nurturepdx.com or 503-341-1372

Upcoming Workshop: So This is What it's Like to Be a Parent?

So This is What it’s Like to Be a Parent?

Integrating Emotional Wellness with the Realities of Day-to-Day Parenting

July 11, 2pm-5pm $35 (sliding scale)

The reality of parenting a child can be frustrating, chaotic, and overwhelming. We may be surprised by the intensity of feelings such as rage, grief, or resentment. Without learning to truly taking care of ourselves, it is difficult to move beyond these feelings toward emotional wellness as parents.

In this workshop, we will explore:·

• Artistic and body-mind tools for identifying and safely expressing difficult emotions
• Recognizing emotions as signals for change in our lives
• Examining ways we subconsciously limit our options for feeling better
• Finding what really works for our family

This workshop will be held at Nurture, Center for Growing Families, 1614 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211

For more information or to register, contact Sarah at 503.285.4906 or http://us.mc11.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=welcomewithlove@gmail.com; or Mychelle at 971.344.7527 or Mychelle@nurturepdx.com.

About the presenters
Sarah Nuxoll: After several years of feeling frustrated as a parent, I began working toward deeper body-mind clarity and emotional and spiritual healing. Now I feel excited about helping myself and others to engage life, move with our creativity, and allow ourselves to feel happy as parents. In these workshops, I share insights from my experience as a mother of two, spiritual practitioner, and former apprentice homebirth midwife. I look forward to meeting you! (http://www.welcomewithlovefamilycare.com/)

Mychelle Moritz: Having experienced the beautiful yet challenging transition to parenthood, I have developed a passion for helping women and their growing families. I am an artist, an art therapist, and a licensed professional counselor, as well as the co-founder of Nurture. My two active young children keep me very busy and I enjoy watching their creative antics. (http://www.nurturepdx.com/)

POSTPARTUM SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL: Free "Open Forum" Phone Sessions

POSTPARTUM SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL


Free “OPEN FORUM” Sessions
On Mondays and Wednesdays Via 800 bridgeline


PSI Phone forums are available on
Mondays for Dads and on
Wednesdays for all callers.

Imagine the benefits of being able to talk with a PSI PPD expert about resources, symptoms, options and general information about perinatal mood disorders from the privacy of your own home. No need to arrange child care or transportation. No need to pre-register or give your name.


Sessions are informational only and open to anyone with questions and concerns about themselves, a loved one, friend or family member. Limited to the first 15 callers,
sessions are held every Wednesday.


Visit http://www.postpartum.net/ for call schedule and access codes, or call 1-800-944-4773 for further information.


Take the first step, or the next step. Call us and remember: You are not alone, you are not to blame, and with help, you WILL be well.

Postpartum Support International

P.O. Box 60931
Santa Barbara CA 93160
Phone: 805 967-7636
Email: psioffice@postpartum.net
Website: www.postpartum.net