The family as a unit

In years passed I found at Parent Education Nights, there were usually a few fathers and a considerably larger number of mothers in attendance. More recently, however, I've been delighted to observe a trend where Parent Education events bring a more evenly distributed group - mothers and fathers are beginning to attend together, perhaps sharing the parenting role more equally. As a Childbirth Educator and Family Coach, the inclusion of mothers, fathers and children together is a primary focus for me. Rather than considering the child's development independent from the family, I like to consider the child a part of the family unit. I feel this perspective allows for a greater appreciation of each member's unique contributions, their value in the family unit, and the beautiful dynamic only they could bring to the home.

Infant Sign Language

Infants entering our world are equipped with communication tools (such as crying or cooing & reaching) that allow them to communicate messages such as "I'm hungry" or "I want to be held". Before we know it our little one is beginning to increase in mobility. Facial expressions begin to diversify and we begin to understand them in more and more ways each day. One way for us to challenge their motor skills and their communication skills is to teach baby sign language. When beginning using sign language, consider the infant's ability to reproduce the sign and the frequency with which they'll have the opportunity to practice. For example, "more" may be a good one to start with... the child brings all ten fingers together in the front of the body and touches them together a couple of times to signal "more".  At Healthy Beginnings Montessori House, classroom guides refer to a Sign with your Baby chart which can be found online for under $10.

Sharing my philosophy as a childbirth educator...

The birth of a baby represents, as well, the birth of a family. The woman giving birth and the persons significant and close to her are forming a new relationship, with new responsibilities to each other, to the baby, and to society as a whole. Family-centered reproductive care may be defined as care which recognizes the importance of these new relationships and responsibilities, and which has as its goal the best possible health outcome for all members of the family, both as individuals and as a group. Family-centered care consists of an attitude rather than a protocol. It recognizes a vital life event rather than a medical procedure. It appreciates the importance of that event to the woman and to the persons who are important to her. It respects the woman’s individuality and her sense of autonomy. It realizes that the decisions she may make are based on many influences of which the expertise of the professionals is only one. It requires that all relevant information be made available to the woman to help her achieve her own goals and that she be guided but not directed by the professionals she has chosen to share the responsibility for her care.
-In accordance with the International Childbirth Education Association, http://www.icea.org/

Prenatal & Postpartum Fitness by design

There are so many wonderful benefits of being fit and exercising regularly during your pregnancy! These research based benefits include easier, shorter labors and healthier babies due to increased oxygen and nutrition during their nine month gestation period.
Designing an individual fitness and exercise program, I take into consideration the overall history of health, current pregnancy health and the health of any prior pregnancies. I also consider whether or not the mother has been exercising regularly up to the pregnancy and we discuss her current fitness level.
Keeping these important factors in mind, we'll together assess fitness goals such as maintaining cardiovascular health, improving muscle tone, and returning to prepregnancy weight after giving birth. After the fitness program has been designed the mother will enjoy the benefit of guided exercise as well as my continued support, frequent reevaluation of fitness goals and the addition of new exercises as her abilities change through late pregnancy and after giving birth.

Interested? Here's how it works...

My Childbirth Education offers a range of services that can be tailored specifically to your needs and the needs of your family. If you’re still deciding how an individual Family Coach might be right for you, please call or email! We’ll set up a complimentary consultation where you’ll have an opportunity to review the full services framework. From there, you can pick and choose which areas you’d like to explore further and which areas you already feel confident and knowledgeable. Have you recently found out you’re pregnant?  Are you considering a fitness program during pregnancy? Is your due date just around the corner? Or are you seeking early childhood support? If so, My Childbirth Education offers services that fit your needs. I’m looking forward to meeting with you soon!

Welcome!

Welcome to my new blog!