CHOICE - Birth Options in Columbus

CHOICE is an organization of parents and professionals supporting the rights of parents to choose more humane options in their birth experiences.

CHOICE offers a unique program to the community, not found in most midwifery practices. As a non-profit organization, CHOICE provides the following services:

• CHOICE Services:
  • Free one-hour consultation with midwives, regardless of whether or not you choose to use our services.
  • Free Lending Library (including books and videos and DVDs)
  • Childbirth Preparation Classes
  • Birth and Postpartum Doula Services
  • Parent Support Group with weekly meetings and an active e-list
  • Referrals to practitioners who can meet your needs
  • Public Speakers for community education
  • Supplies and Products:
    • Slings
    • Supplements
    • Herbal Products
    • Parent Resource Center (free maternity clothes, baby clothes and baby equipment)

• CHOICE Midwives:
  • Our midwives have over 30 years of experience and are committed to providing individualized midwifery model of care.
    • CHOICE believes that skilled and responsible midwives should be readily available to all families in our community.
    • CHIOCE believes midwives are the guardians of normal birth.
    • CHOICE believes that midwives provide compassionate, skilled, and woman-centered care.
    • CHOICE believes in a woman’s right to choose her birth attendants and place of birth and to involve those she identifies as her family in the bonding of the birth experience.
  • CHOICE requires all their midwives to be Certified Professional Midwives (CPM).
    • CPM certification validates entry-level knowledge, skills, and experience vital to responsible midwifery practice.
    • CPM certification preserves the unique, woman-centered forms of practice that are common to midwives attending out-of-hospital births.
    • The North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) guidelines for certification approval have been developed to meet national certifying standards formulated by the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA).
    • CPM certification assures our midwives:
      • will provide the skills and experience vital to responsible midwifery practice.
      • meet professional standards of accountability that support midwives to remain active lifelong learners, confirming the ideals of competent practice.
      • meet NARM’s continuing education requirements that provide consistent opportunities for current knowledge and growing professional awareness.
      • maintain confidentiality, current practice guidelines and CPR certification.
      • practice informed consent which provides flexibility for individualized care.
      • have the benefit of continued understanding and problem solving through weekly CHOICE Peer Review.
      • participate in NARM’s accountability process to address concerns regarding competent midwifery practice.

• CHOICE Policies
  • Unlike most midwifery practices,
    • CHOICE requires two CPMs to work with each client who desires a home birth.
    • CHOICE requires that at least one of these two CPMs must be an “experienced midwife”. CHOICE defines “experienced midwife” as a midwife who:
      • has attended at least 75 births AND
      • has been in practice at least 5 years.
      • This policy assures that:
        • at least one of the two midwives assigned to each birth will have skills and experience that exceed the national standards for competent entry-level midwifery practice.
        • even when more than one client is in labor at the same time, the client can be assured that she will have at least one of her assigned midwives present during her labor and birth.
        • two fully qualified midwives will be present at each birth to deal with complications that may develop with either the mother or the baby. Should complications develop with both the mother and the baby simultaneously, a fully qualified midwife will be available to handle each situation.

• CHOICE Home Birth Midwifery Services include:
  • Complete Prenatal, Labor/Birth and Postpartum Care
  • Support for:
    • Waterbirth
    • VBACs
    • Breastfeeding
    • Nutritional Counseling

• Area Served: Central Ohio (Franklin County and all adjacent counties)

CHOICE
5721 North High Street – Worthington, Ohio 43085 – 614-263-BABY (2229)

Mother's Touch Stimulates Child's Brain Development

UCI child neurologist and neuroscientist Dr. Tallie Z. Baram has found that caressing and other sensory input triggers activity in a baby’s developing brain that improves cognitive function and builds resilience to stress.




Baram has found that maternal care and other sensory input triggers activity in a baby's developing brain that improves cognitive function and builds resilience to stress. For an infant, a mother’s touch provides a feeling of security, comfort and love. But research at UC Irvine is showing that it does much more.

The finding contributes to growing knowledge about epigenetics, the study of how environmental factors can reprogram the expression of genes.

In a study published earlier this year in The Journal of Neuroscience, Baram and colleagues identified how sensory stimuli from maternal care can modify genes that control a key messenger of stress called corticotropin-releasing hormone.

In earlier work, Baram helped discover that excessive amounts of CRH in the brain’s primary learning and memory center led to the disintegration of dendritic spines, branchlike structures on neurons. Dendritic spines facilitate the sending and receiving of messages among brain cells and the collection and storage of memories.

“Communication among brain cells is the foundation of cognitive processes such as learning and memory,” says Baram, the Danette Shepard Chair in Neurological Sciences. “In several brain disorders where learning and similar thought processes are abnormal, dendritic spines have been found to be reduced in density or poorly developed.

“Because an infant’s brain is still building connections in these communication zones, large blasts or long-term amounts of stress can permanently limit full development, increasing the risk of anxiety, depression and dementia later in life.”

Her most recent study describes for the first time the cellular pathways of the epigenetic process by which maternal care reduces the expression of CRH in the hypothalamus. Detecting sensory input, DNA in brain cells in this stress-sensitive region activates a neuron-restrictive silencer factor, which limits CRH. Without the interference of excess stress-triggered CRH, neural dendrites in the hippocampus can fully develop, which leads to stress resilience.

“What’s noteworthy about this study is that it reveals that brain structure is influenced by the environment early in life, and especially by maternal care,” says Baram, whose research on early-life factors in neural development has fundamentally altered the understanding of disorders such as epilepsy.

“There has been a belief that the brain is hardwired ­ that once it’s established, it’s that way for life,” she says. “But we’re seeing that the brain is actually ‘softwired’ ­ that changes in stimuli alter the wiring ­ and that it’s not predestined to be a certain way. I find this fascinating.”

Provided by UC Irvine

photo: http://www.massagetableoutlet.com/images/blog_images/mother-child.jpg

Just Because...to be shared with any guy who ignores Mother's Day, birthdays, etc.

Mother’s Day, birthdays and anniversaries are about appreciation, gratitude and celebration. These days acknowledge accomplishments achieved and challenges met as we roll from year to year; they recognize and honor the large and small successes of daily life, obstacles overcome and joys shared.

Celebrations mark occasions and efforts that deserve honor and special attention, remind us of who and what are important and of our common goals and dreams. Special days weave us together and replenish our individual and joint wells of strength so we have emotional resources and deep relationships to draw upon when the rough times abound.

When these special days or events don’t receive their due, it becomes a slight of omission, which creates a scratch on the Heart and over time these scratches accumulate and become a wound. The wound gives purchase for other slights to land upon, that otherwise may well have just slid away. These slights accumulate and eek deeper into the heart and soul. A wound ignored can turn debilitating. If tended to begin with, it heals.

Last year, when I was managing a flower shop guys would come in and tell me they needed flowers because they’d screwed something up with the woman in their life. How much trouble I’d ask? Whether they said a little or a lot, I sent them out the door with something sincere and heartfelt rather than grand and verbose: one rose instead of the 2 dozen he came in thinking he needed.

As I wrapped their flower/s, I’d tell them that the best occasion for flowers is no occasion: the best occasion is just because. Then it’s spontaneous, it has come from the heart: it’s just because you wanted to do something to bring someone joy. That’s what we want, and need: sincere gestures of love and appreciation. They don’t have to be grand and opulent and over the top (those are saved for turning 50 or being together 25 years!) Go for a pot of tulips, lunch out in the middle of the week, a magazine, a hug in the grocery store - well, maybe Home Depot - that's a lot more likely!

All of us - mothers, dads, kids - need acknowledgment and gifts of appreciation, on the special days and the "just because" ones.

Another Warning Bell, from the President's Cancer Panel

Ironic that I'm listening to Barbara Kingsolver's excellent "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" as this report gets released.

This "new" news about the dangers of chemicals in our food, water and air isn't surprising. It is yet another confirmation about the importance of being vigilant about what we take into our bodies, especially for pregnant women and children.

And this time it comes from mainstream science and medical worlds: The President's Cancer Panel, the current members of which were appointed by President George W. Bush. So, we're not talking about alternative medicine , organic food eating, Prius driving ex-hippies extremists here!

Nicholas Kristoff of the NY Times says in an op-ed piece today that the report is a " warning that our lackadaisical approach to regulation may have far-reaching consequences for our health (and) calls on America to rethink the way we confront cancer, including much more rigorous regulation of chemicals. "

"In particular, the report warns about exposures to chemicals during pregnancy, when risk of damage seems to be greatest. Noting that 300 contaminants have been detected in umbilical cord blood of newborn babies, the study warns that: “to a disturbing extent, babies are born ‘pre-polluted.’ ”

The report blames weak laws, lax enforcement and fragmented authority, as well as the existing regulatory presumption that chemicals are safe unless strong evidence emerges to the contrary.

“Only a few hundred of the more than 80,000 chemicals in use in the United States have been tested for safety,” the report says. It adds: “Many known or suspected carcinogens are completely unregulated.”

Kristoff continues: "Some 41 percent of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives, and they include Democrats and Republicans alike. Protecting ourselves and our children from toxins should be an effort that both parties can get behind — if enough members of Congress are willing to put the public interest ahead of corporate interests...One reason for concern is that some cancers are becoming more common, particularly in children. We don’t know why that is, but the proliferation of chemicals in water, foods, air and household products is widely suspected as a factor. I’m hoping the President’s Cancer Panel report will shine a stronger spotlight on environmental causes of health problems — not only cancer, but perhaps also diabetes, obesity and autism."

Watch to see how industry responds to this report with spin and counter-claims.

Some of the reports recommendations:

¶Particularly when pregnant and when children are small, choose foods, toys and garden products with fewer endocrine disruptors or other toxins. (Information about products is at www.cosmeticsdatabase.com or www.healthystuff.org.)

¶For those whose jobs may expose them to chemicals, remove shoes when entering the house and wash work clothes separately from the rest of the laundry.

¶Filter drinking water.

¶Store water in glass or stainless steel containers, or in plastics that don’t contain BPA or phthalates (chemicals used to soften plastics). Microwave food in ceramic or glass containers.

¶Give preference to food grown without pesticides, chemical fertilizers and growth hormones. Avoid meats that are cooked well-done.

¶Check radon levels in your home. Radon is a natural source of radiation linked to cancer.

And, I would add, read (or listen to it on CD) Kingsolver's "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" - it's an entertaining and educating book about her family's adventures in raising food and eating locally, and why such "radical" actions are important and not as hard as you think it might be.

Also, anything by Michael Pollan - who's food mantra is: "Eat food. Mostly plants. Not too much."

Read Kristoff here: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/06/opinion/06kristof.html?src=me&ref=homepage

Find the report here: http://deainfo.nci.nih.gov/advisory/pcp/pcp.htm

"Animal, Vegetables, Miracles - A Year of Food Life " by Barbara Kingsolver here:

http://www.animalvegetablemiracle.com/

Home Births on the Rise in Ohio and across Nation

There was a five percent increase in out-of-hospital births in 2005, says an analysis just out from the National Center for Health Statistics. Some of the states with big increase: Alabama, California, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin.

The proportion of births outside hospitals held steady in 2006. That year, more than 38,000 babies (of more than 4 million babies born) came into the world somewhere other than a hospital.

There was a five percent increase in out-of-hospital births in 2005, says an analysis just out from the National Center for Health Statistics. The proportion of births outside hospitals held steady in 2006. That year, more than 38,000 babies (of more than 4 million babies born) came into the world somewhere other than a hospital.

Sixty-one percent of non-hospital births are supervised by midwives, most often at home but also at birthing centers that aren't attached to a hospital.

Sixty-one percent of non-hospital births are supervised by midwives, most often at home but also at birthing centers that aren't attached to a hospital.

See the City Mommy Directory for midwives, doulas and lactation consultants in the Columbus area: http://columbus.citymommy.com/?q=place/view/term/17

source: http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2010/03/home_births_rise.html

Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week

A sad story with an important message from Kristine, a friend of Heather's, over @ http://thespohrsaremultiplying.com

The Spohrs are Multiplying. CHD occurs in 1 in 125 babies in the United States. After your baby's born, ask for the pulse oximetry test.

here's Kristine & Cora's story:

Leaving the hospital as a first-time mom, I felt scared, but confident.

My daughter, Cora, scored a nine on both her Apgar tests, breezed past the hearing test, wasn’t jaundiced, and I bragged to the nurses, had already had several wet and dirty diapers (always a good sign, I’m told).

After she was born, my husband stayed with her when she went to the nursery for her first checkup. He came back with a huge smile on his face. “A perfect report,” he said with triumph.

We breathed a deep, and relaxing, sigh of relief. Our baby was here, and she was healthy. And, oh yes, she already had a new nickname. Mega Cheeks. The physician’s assistant (who had quite pinchable cheeks herself) took one look at Cora and with a huge grin announced, “She’s got some MEGA cheeks.”

We called her that for the next five days. My little Mega Cheeks.

Two days later and the time to go home as a family was here. I sat with Cora in the back of our minivan (yes, we had already switched to the mom mobile in anticipation of a new family). The scene was lifted straight out of a cheesy movie. My husband drove about 10 miles under the speed limit.

The next three days brought extreme and absolute happiness as Cora and I spent our days listening to music and snuggling.

One early morning I was breastfeeding her. I looked down and she was dead. Just like that. Happily suckling one moment, a brief look up to tell my husband something, look back down, and Cora is covered in blood, limp, pale and not breathing. Dead.

Of course, I was extremely confused. All those nurses and doctors at the hospital had reassured me she was the picture of good health.

I learned from the coroner my daughter’s heart was seriously malformed. She had a congenital heart disease, or CHD.

After the battery of tests at the hospital, how could they have forgotten to check her heart? Why did we leave the hospital thinking she was a perfectly healthy baby? How could this have slipped through? Her heart. With all the tests run in the hospital, surely one of them closely examined her heart?

****

Cora and I save lives now. I learned a simple pulse oximetry (a non-invasive, simple, cheap, and quick) test performed at 24 to 48 hours successfully screens for some CHDs, especially the most lethal. But, they aren’t routinely conducted on newborns. I hope that changes soon. I also learned currently no test can catch all congenital heart diseases. I’m working frantically to find a way to change that.

I was a bit embarrassed. I had to look up congenital heart disease when I hung up the phone with the coroner. I’d never heard of it. Congenital heart disease is the most commonly occurring birth defect. The numbers vary a bit by country and organization, but according to the March of Dimes, CHD occurs in 1 in 125 babies in the United States. Others say that number is closer to 1 in 100. Not all CHDs are as severe as Cora’s. Thousands of adults and children live with a CHD every day.

Heather reached out to me shortly after Cora’s death and virtually took me under her wing to comfort me as I started on the sad path of mourning my baby. I’m in awe of her fearless work to save babies and help mommies and thank her for helping me spread Cora’s Story. I picture us hand and hand fighting to save these little lives. I think somewhere Maddie took Cora under her wing, too. Even if they only meet through my imagination, I picture them playing, laughing, and sparkling in the sunlight.

February 7 to 14 is Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week. Please spend a few minutes learning more about CHD. I wish every day that I had taken a few moments while I was pregnant.

http://thespohrsaremultiplying.com/2010/02/for-cora/

Fertility Massage

If you are preparing to conceive, having a challenge conceiving or using Assisted Reproductive Technology...

Fertility Massage is specifically designed to help cleanse, balance and relax a woman's body, helping her to create a harmonious emotional, spiritual and physical environment for conception. This bodywork includes massage (deep tissue, abdominal, Swedish), foot reflexology and CranialSacral work .*

Conception is a dance of hormones that must align just so in order for the production, release, fertilization and implantation of the egg to happen. Stress greatly affects this hormonal process and can cause changes in ovulation, cycle length and tubal spasms. Those stressors may be major life-changing events, the day to day challenges of living in a busy world or the process of trying to have a baby.Studies have shown that massage lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

Massage also improves circulation, lowers blood pressure, boosts the immune system, reduces depression and improves overall health. Improved circulation brings a more efficient flow of blood and lymph to carry away toxins, while bringing in oxygen and nutrients to all body tissues - including the reproductive organs. When all these bodily systems function at their optimum levels conception is more likely to occur.

Fertility Massage also focuses on releasing restrictions within the body such as adhesions or scar tissue. These adhesions often impinge on the fallopian tube's ability to function. Women who have had abdominal surgery, endometriosis, inflammatory disease or other abdominal/ reproductive health challneges are more likely to have adhesions. Abdominal massage and trigger point work can help release these restrictions. This brings improved blood flow to the pelvic basin and the reproductive organs.

Each massage session is tailored to a woman's specific needs and include a combination of massage, CranioSacral work*, foot reflexology, abdominal massage, Reiki and trigger point work.
The initial session includes a consultatioin/intake process and may run 90 - 120 minutes. Regular sessions run between 50 and 75 minutes. Fertility Massage is most effective when combined with a healthy diet and exercise.

For scheduling information, please go to mamas-body.com (don't miss the dash) or email me at
mamasbody@gmail.com


* see the June '09 post for info on CranioSacral Work for moms-to-be @
http://mamasbody.blogspot.com/2009_06_01_archive.html



photo: http://www.independent.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00230/sperm_230299t.jpg

Posted by Phoenix at 4:00 PM