Blog

Homebirth Cesarean

April 7, 2012 | Filed under: Cesarean Birth, Homebirth Cesarean (HBC) | Comments Off

Homebirth Cesarean is a book I’m working on about homebirth mothers who transported to the hospital during labor and ended up with a Cesarean (called HBC). It’s also about how midwives can better care for mothers who do transport and help all women become more educated with the idea of transport to the hospital.

I’ve also started a facebook group called “Homebirth Cesarean” that is for these mamas and any birth worker.

If you know anyone who is a birth worker (midwife, doctor, doula, childbirth educator, lactation consultant, etc), please share the Homebirth Cesarean website with them and this post.

I am in the interview portion of the book and am interested in speaking with mothers about their HBC experience and any birth worker.

Thank you so much for your interest and support.

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My Birth and Postpartum Story

March 30, 2012 | Filed under: Cesarean Birth, Postpartum Depression, Videos | Tagged , , | Comments Off

This is a speech I gave at the Oregon Midwifery Council’s Spring Conference in March 2012. And this is why I’m working with my midwife to write a book about Homebirth Cesarean moms and the care midwives provide to them.

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Portland Birth, Breastfeeding, Cesarean Recovery & Parenting Community Resources

March 30, 2012 | Filed under: Cesarean Birth, Childbirth Class in Portland, Childbirth Education | Tagged | Comments Off

Labor and Postpartum Doulas
Individualized, labor and in-home support for you and your family during labor and the postpartum period.

Full Moon’s Daughter
fullmoonsdaughter.com
503.737.8834
Brooke Noli
portlandlabordoula.com
971.645.1180
Mothertree Birth Services
mothertreebirth.com
503.343.9911
Birthingway Student Doulas
Low cost/free doulas available through the school
birthingway.edu
503.762.1632

 

Breastfeeding Resources & Lactation Consultants
Nursing Mothers Council
Free breastfeeding support including prenatal breastfeeding classes, workplace lactation support and peer counselor phone line.
nursingmotherscounsel.org
Portland: 503.282.3338 and SW Wash:360.750.0656

Birthingway Breastfeeding Clinic
Free support provided by student Lactation Consultants.
birthingway.org
503.762.1632

La Leche League
Free breastfeeding support group and breastfeeding help
llli.org
See website for local phone numbers

 

Beyond Birth Lactation Services at Zenana Spa
Breastfeeding classes and consultations, as well as in-home support. Breast pump rentals.
503.238.6262
beyondbirthservices.com

WIC Breastfeeding Services
For those families qualifying for WIC, lactation consultants are available.
oregon.gov/DHS/ph/wic

Milk Sharing
If you have an extra supply of milk and are interested in donating it, or you have a low supply of milk and are interested in supplementing with another mother’s milk, these facebook pages are wonderful resources.
Modern Milksharing
Human Milk for Human Babies – Oregon
Eats on Feets – Oregon

 

Counseling Services & Postpartum Depression Support
Brooke Noli
portlandcounselor.net
971.645.1180

Gaby Donnell
motherrootscounseling.com
503.287.2295

Wendy Davis
babybluesconnection.org
503.246.0941

Baby Blues Connection
24/7 message line for postpartum depression support
866.616.3752
babybluesconnection.org

 

Pregnancy and Postpartum Massage Therapists
Meigra Simon
503.772.0084
meigrasimon.com

Bonnie McAnnis
503.380.4821

Cheryl Greathouse
503.944.9291

Kelley Burke
503.880.5201


Chiropractic Care
Clearwater Clinic – Dr. Bryan Baisinger
503.279.0205
clearh2o.org

Portland Chiropractic Group – Jenny Brocker
She works on both mom and baby
503.224.2100
portlandchiropracticgroup.com

 

Cranio Sacral Therapy
Clearwater Clinic – Dr. Bryan Baisinger
503.279.0205
clearh2o.org

Portland Chiropractic Group – Jenny Brocker
She works on both mom and baby
503.224.2100
portlandchiropracticgroup.com

Carol Gray
She offers free teaching clinics for babies
503.236.2999
cstdoula.com

Mayan Abdominal Massage
Lorca Wood
503-224-0292

Kwan Yin Healing Arts Center
503.701.8766
kwanyinhealingarts.com

 

Pelvic Floor Practitioners
Clearwater Clinic – Dr. Bryan Baisinger
503.279.0205
clearh2o.org

Tami Kent
503.232.0547

 

Acupuncturists
Mary Grabowska
503.236.6006

Nature Cures Clinic
503.287.4970
naturecuresclinic.com

 

Placenta Medicine
Kelley Burke
503.880.5201

New Parent Support Groups
Providence New Parents Group
You do not need have birthed at Providence or in a hospital to attend
503.574.6595

Zenana Spa and Wellness Center
zenana-spa.com
503.238.6262

New Seasons
Weekly parent groups at various New Seasons Markets throughout Portland
newseasonsmarket.com

Online Support – facebook pages
Portland Mamas
Parenting in Portland

 

Baby Activities
Getting out of the house is important for you and your baby.
Swim Classes
DolFun Academy
503.343.3004
dolfunswimacademy.com

Music Classes
Music Together
503.236.4304
musictogether.org

 

Multnomah County Libraries
Storytimes for children from birth to 6 years old.

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Dad’s Postpartum Depression

March 16, 2012 | Filed under: Postpartum Depression, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

Postpartum Depression (PPD) is an illness that affects the entire family. We know that PPD happens to moms, but we don’t hear a lot about how dads can get PPD as well. The latest research indicates this occurs in 10% of dads.

Clinical signs of PPD in dads, include sadness, loss of interest in everyday activities, unable to sleep or a desire to sleep in excess, withdrawal or anxiety.

What can dads do? Get help. Seek to talk to a therapist who specializes in parenting and postpartum depression. Talk to friends. Talk to your partner. Know that bringing a new baby into this world is an emotional challenge and that what you’re feeling is absolutely normal.

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Pregnancy Sleep

March 15, 2012 | Filed under: Pregnancy, Sleep, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Ahhh – pregnancy sleep. Rare is the woman who can say that she slept great during pregnancy.

For most women, sometime after the second trimester sleep gets really broken up, sometimes uncomfortable and rarely sound. The pregnant body is going through lots of changes and it’s not easy to lay in bed all night and get one good, solid sleep session in.

Pregnancy Pillow - Worth the Investment

If you’re having trouble sleeping, the first thing I would recommend is investing in a pregnancy pillow. This is a horseshoe shaped pillow that will support your head, breasts, stomach and knees in one go. The other advantage is that when you turn from side to side, you won’t have to be rearranging all the pillows to your new side. Everything will be waiting for you, all ready.

Another great trick to sleeping while pregnant is to try a new location. Does the couch allow you more solid sleep after the first half is spent in bed? What about the guest bed for half the night? For some reason, changing sleep locations part way through the night can really help.

Hops, valerian tincture and Calms Forte are two natural sleep aids that are safe for most women during pregnancy. Do they help at all?

When you wake up are you eating? You might be waking up because you’re hungry and you don’t even know it. Eat some cottage cheese or a handful of almonds and try falling back to sleep. That may be all you need.

There is the saying that pregnancy sleep is preparing you for parenting a new baby. While that is completely unhelpful to most women, it is partly true. You’re going to be waking up every 2 or so hours with a newborn, so this is practice in a sense.

The best thing you can do is honor your body and know that you are doing the best you can. If you aren’t able to get solid sleep, at least rest and nap as much as possible. And be kind to yourself.

 

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Homebirth Cesarians

March 8, 2012 | Filed under: Cesarean Birth, Homebirth | Tagged , , , | Comments Off

I’m working on a special book project about moms who tried to have a homebirth but were transported to the hospital and ended up with a Cesarian.

Being a Homebirth Cesarian can be an incredibly challenging experience and this book is meant to tell the story of what happens to a mom during transport and what her recovery is like. It also focuses on things homebirth midwives can do to help ease the transition.

If you, or anyone you know, is interested in being interviewed for this book, please send an email to: Courtney@FullMoonsDaughter.com. I’d be happy to answer any questions you have and work within your comfort level.

Please share this post with anyone who may be interested.

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C-Section Recovery

March 6, 2012 | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments Off

Full Moon’s Daughter: C-Section Recovery

Healing from a Cesarean is a huge undertaking, not to mention caring for a brand new baby. Your healing will take a significant amount of time and energy. Be kind to yourself and remember that you just had major abdominal surgery. Even 6 months down the road you may not feel like your old self yet, but eventually you will get there.

The Incision
Call your caregiver if the following things happen:
~ Warmth, redness or swelling at the incision site
~ Oozing from the incision
~ Worsening or sudden onset of pain
~ Any fever, even if the incision looks and feels fine

Acute pain at the incision can last up to 8 weeks. As your incision heals, it will turn white, then red again, itch, then not itch and sometimes be painful. Jeans and seams may rub the incision and cause discomfort.

Caring for Your Incision
~ Rest, rest, rest
~ For the first week or two, laying down to sleep is not possible. You will need to lay in a reclined position. Use lots of pillows to support your body.
~ Have someone help you lift the baby to breastfeed and change the baby.
~ Find a breastfeeding position (football hold or cradle with lots of pillows) that keeps weight off your incision.
~ Use lots of pillows to support your body in bed when awake.
~ When you need to get up from bed, use a rolled towel or pillow against your incision. Do this when you need to sneeze, cough or laugh.
~ Never lift anything heavier than your baby for 8 weeks.
~ Avoid stairs for at least a week after your surgery, longer if you can.
~ Ask for everything you need to be brought to you.

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Pain Medication
~Take it! Do not allow it to wear off completely. Once the pain catches up to you it os really hard  to get back on top of it again.

Recovery
~ After the first week, consider walking around the house more. After the second week, consider walking around the block.
~ The thing with healing from a C-Section and caring for a new baby is that the rug can be pulled out from under you very quickly. You may feel a sudden burst of energy and decide to go grocery shopping. Mid-way through the trip your energy may drop and you may have a very difficult time getting home again. Conserve your energy. You have the rest of your life to do those things, right now you need to heal.
~ 6 weeks after your surgery, if you still feel pulling at the incision or are still feeling pain when moving, ask your caregiver for a physical therapy referral.
~ Swimming is a great, low impact form of exercise that can help heal.

Bathing
~ Let warm water gently run over your incision.
~ When it’s time to remove your steri strips, do it in the shower with warm water.
~ Do not take a bath for 2 weeks after the surgery. Most likely you won’t be able to lay down in the tub anyway.
~ Avoid hot tubs for 6 weeks.

Driving
~ Do not drive for 3-6 weeks following surgery. You should be able to push on the brakes without hesitation due to abdominal pain.

~ You also need to be off your pain meds before getting behind the wheel.

Doing Too Much
~ Your body needs to heal. That is most important.
~ When women take on too much after a surgery they are more likely to get breast and uterine infections, have breastfeeding problems and long-term incision issues.

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Hospital Childbirth Classes – 4/14, 4/21, 4/28, 5/5

March 5, 2012 | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments Off

The next 4-week series begins Saturday, April 14 and ends Saturday, May 5. Class times are from 11-1 on the following dates: 4/14, 4/21, 4/28, 5/5.Accepting new mamas now.

Classes are held at T Michael Healing Arts Clinic at 422 SE 79th Ave. Portland, OR. Located on the corner of SE Stark on 79th above the Bi Partisan Cafe.

Cost of the class is $150 – $200 per mama/couple for 4, 2 hour sessions. The fee is based on what you can afford. Minimum of 3 mamas/couples, max of 6.

Call us at 503.737.8834 to be added to the class list.

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Childbirth Class for Homebirth Moms – 4/15, 4/29 and 5/6

March 4, 2012 | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments Off

The next 3-week series begins Sunday, April 15 and ends Sunday, May 6. Class times are from 11-1 on the following dates: 4/15, 4/29, 5/6 (please note there is no class on 4/22).  We are accepting new mamas now!!!!

Where: Classes are held at T Michael Healing Arts Clinic at 422 SE 79th Ave. Portland, OR. Located on the corner of SE Stark on 79th above the Bi Partisan Cafe.

Cost: $150 – 200 per mama/couple for 4, 2 hour sessions. Minimum of 3 mamas/couples, max of 6.

Call us at 503.737.8834 to be added to the class list or if you have questions.

The next 3-week series begins Sunday, April 15 and ends Sunday, May 6. Class times are from 11-1 on the following dates: 4/15, 4/29, 5/6 (please note there is no class on 4/22). Accepting new mamas now.
Where: Classes are held at T Michael Healing Arts Clinic at 422 SE 79th Ave. Portland, OR. Located on the corner of SE Stark on 79th above the Bi Partisan Cafe.
Cost: $150 – 200 per mama/couple for 4, 2 hour sessions. Minimum of 3 mamas/couples, max of 6.
Call us at 503.737.8834 to be added to the class list or if you have questions.
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Protein Pancakes – Pregnancy Eating

February 14, 2012 | Filed under: Recipes | Tagged | Comments (0)

Pregnant mamas need lots of protein to maintain their blood supply, help grown baby, sleep better, have more energy and be healthy. In the second and third trimesters women need about 80 – 100 grams of protein per day.

Breakfast can sometimes be a hard place to get that protein, especially when you want pancakes! The recipe below is full of protein and takes about 10 minutes to prep and 10 minutes to cook. Enjoy!!!

3-4 egg whites

2 cups old fashioned oats

11 ounces of cottage cheese

1/2 cup of milk

1 tablespoon of citrus zest (lemon, orange) (don’t skip out on this ingredient)

1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

Option blueberries or other fruit to add to batter

  • In blender or food processor, combine egg whites, oats, cottage cheese, zest, vanilla and salt. Blend until smooth.
  • Pour batter into a greased skillet, sprinkle with fruit
  • Enjoy Mamas!
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Banana Beauties – For Pregnant Beauties

February 12, 2012 | Filed under: Recipes | Tagged | Comments (0)

I found this recipe online and can’t seem to re-find it so I can acknowledge the creator.

These are vegan, gluten-free, wheat-free and sugar-free (yet they still taste amazing). I named these cookies Banana Beauties and made some minor adjustments and big twists to the original recipe. They are absolutely lovely and fast to make.

3 ripe bananas

1 tsp of almond extract

1/4 cup or less of liquid coconut oil

1 1/5 cups rolled oats

1/2 cooked quinoa

2/3 cup almond meal

1/3 cup unsweet coconut flakes

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder


• Mash bananas and add everything to the bowl.

• Drop a tablespoon of dough onto greased cookie sheets and feel free to eat the yummy batter in the process.

• Bake 15 minutes at 350, until golden and delicious

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Childbirth Classes

February 11, 2012 | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments (0)

Interested in learning everything you can about your pregnancy, labor, birth and parenting?

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Hospital Childbirth Class – 4/14, 4/21, 4/28, 5/5

February 10, 2012 | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments (0)

We’re happy to announce our next hospital childbirth class is on the calendar.

The next 4-week series begins Saturday, April 14 and ends Saturday, May 5. Class times are from 11-1 on the following dates: 4/14, 4/21, 4/28, 5/5.

If you’d like to sign up, give us a call at 503.737.8834 or send an email to courtney@fullmoonsdaughter.com

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Why Take a Childbirth Class About Birthing in a Hospital with Full Moon’s Daughter?

February 9, 2012 | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments (0)

Ahhh, good question. Here are some reasons:

  • You learn the hospital’s perspective and protocols as well as your rights as a birthing mom.
  • You are taught by women who have professional and personal birthing experience in all of the Portland Metro hospitals.
  • We discuss hospital culture, terminology and culture.
  • Hospital interventions, risks and benefits and alternatives are reviewed and discussed.
  • Our hospital childbirth classes are interactive, informative and evidence-based.
  • Class size is small, so there is plenty of time for questions.

If you have any questions about taking a natural, hospital childbirth class, please give us a call at 503.737.8834

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Group Hospital Childbirth Class – 2/25, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17

January 29, 2012 | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments (0)

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Full Moon’s Daughter is happy to announce a second group childbirth class offered in the next few weeks. This 4 week series is open to hospital birthing mamas.

We’ll cover pregnancy, nutrition, early labor, when to go to the hospital, packing the bags, hospital interventions, recovery in hospital and at home, breastfeeding, adjusting to a new little one and much much more.

These classes are hands-on, interactive and cater to all learning styles.

To read the full class description, click here.

Classes are held at T Michael Healing Arts Clinic at 422 SE 79th Ave. Portland, OR. Located on the corner of SE Stark on 79th above the Bi Partisan Cafe.

Cost of the class is $150 – $175 per couple for 4, 2 hour sessions. The fee is based on what you can afford. Minimum of 2 couples, max of 6.

Call us at 503.737.8834 to be added to the class list.

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Scheduled for a C-Section? Consider Taking a Prep Class.

January 24, 2012 | Filed under: Cesarean Birth, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

While vaginal births are always the best way for a baby to be born, sometimes a situation requires mom to schedule an operation to have her baby. There are many reasons this may occur, some valid and some not.

C-Section incision

C-Section incision

It could be that baby is breech and mom is choosing to birth in the hospital. If this is the case, the majority of doctors will not deliver a breech baby vaginally (homebirth midwives are trained to handle this situation). Another positional reason why a mom may be required to schedule a cesarean is because the baby is laying transverse, which means across the uterus with head and feet pointing toward either side of the mom.

Perhaps mom is experiencing an initial Herpes outbreak and is close to her due date. The risk of the baby contracting Herpes is high during a vaginal birth, so a C-Section may be required.

Those are just some of the reasons why a schedule cesarean may be required.

Each mom and baby is as unique as each birthing situation. That’s why Full Moon’s Daughter offers a 2 hour session (in person or online if outside the Portland, Oregon area) about how to prepare physically, mentally and emotionally, for this change of flow.

There is absolutely nothing easy about have a cesarean. This is major abdominal surgery that a mom has to recover from, in addition to caring for a new baby. This is a very difficult situation and being prepared is the best thing a mom can do.

During Full Moon’s Daughter 2 hour workshop, we’ll help all moms get ready for this operation. If applicable, we’ll discuss the validity why a C-Section is being required. We will review, with as much detail as mom wants, the surgical process and immediate experience in the recovery room. And most importantly, we’ll design a recovery plan for mom and baby.

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Special Childbirth Class for Homebirth Mamas

January 15, 2012 | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments (0)

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This special series is designed especially for mamas preparing to birth at home with midwives.      Topics include, but are not limited to:

Each participant in this class will receive handouts, specialized midwifery knowledge, community resource information and potential friendships with other homebirthing families. Please feel free to bring snacks for yourself or to share.

This series begins Sunday, February 26 and ends Sunday, March 18. Class times are from 11-1 on the following dates: 2/26, 3/4, 3/11, 3/18.

Homebirth Classes are held at Nurture in NE Portland on Alberta St. This class is offered at a discounted rate for homebirthing families: $100 – 150 per couple for 4, 2 hour sessions. Minimum of 3 couples, max of 6.

Midwife Maura Jansen will be co-teaching with Full Moon’s Daughter.

Call us at 503.737.8834 to be added to the class list.

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Preparing for a C-Section

January 1, 2012 | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments Off

Has your caregiver recommended you schedule a C-Section?
Do you have questions about what that means, what will happen and what your recovery will be like?
Do you wonder if a vaginal birth is still an option for you?

Full Moon’s Daughter specializes in preparing mom for a C-Section with evidence-based information, knowledge and practical advice. A session includes:

  • Your hospital admission
  • Common tests and drugs given prior to the surgery
  • Explain how the surgery is performed
  • Discuss what most hospitals will allow you to do in the operating room
  • Talk about how a C-Section affects your baby
  • Talk about your recovery in the hospital
  • Offer supportive advice for your home recovery (much different than in the hospital)
  • Discuss being a mom after surgery
  • Design postpartum support
  • Plan for long-term recovery
  • Provide up to date information about future pregnancies after a C-Section
  • Offer community resources

We would love to answer your questions and address your concerns about having a C-section.

Call us at 503.737.8834 and we would be happy schedule a time, in your home, to provide education and answer all your questions. A two hour session costs between $75 – $100, based on what you can afford.

This class can also be offered online if you are outside the Portland area.

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Back From Maternity Leave

December 31, 2011 | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments Off

My wonderful and amazing daughter was born on April 1st after 64 hours of labor. Our birth was difficult, traumatic and forever life-changing.

I can’t even begin to list what I learned from that experience and I’m starting to get excited about what is to come from my birth. After 9 months of recovery and learning to be a mama, I’m ready to begin sharing my knowledge with birthing mamas again.

Please take a look at our Current Workshop and Classes page to see what’s brewing.

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Colostrum – Liquid Gold

December 7, 2010 | Filed under: Breastfeeding | Tagged , | Comments (0)

Colostrum is your first milk & baby’s first food. Some pregnant mamas can produce colostrum as early as in their second trimester, others not until after baby is born. Colostrum is thicker & stickier than regular milk and is often yellow-ish in color.

Colostrum is liquid gold. Most women don’t produce a lot of it, and baby only needs what each mama produces. Every drop is precious and your baby can never have enough. A newborn baby has a stomach the size of their palm.

Colostrum helps prevent Jaundice but helping baby poop. It contains living cells, antibodies, enzymes, probiotics and anything else a particular baby may need at the time of birth. Until mom’s milk comes in, around days 3 – 5, colostrum will be baby’s first source of food.

Hand Expression of Colostrum

Hand Expression of Colostrum

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