I got the call a couple weeks ago that I passed my DONA birth doula certification! So now I get the spiffy Kristen Mead, Doula(DONA) behind my name.
To see what it takes to become a DONA certified doula, check out the requirements here.
Thanks again to all the families who let me helped me work on my certification with their births and all the great feedback they gave me!
***
I will also be at the MAC Customer Appreciation Day on October 14 from 4-8. My friend Lauren, of Mama Bear Childbirth Care, and I will share a table to talk about and share information about my doula business as well as Lauren's Birthing from Within courses she offers.
You can find out more about Birthing from Within here and on Lauren's website.
Please stop by!
Showing posts with label In the news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label In the news. Show all posts
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Updates
Hello there! The summer is wrapping up and I'm excited to take on new clients for the fall and winter!
I have added myself to the doula registry on the Birth, Baby and Beyond website for doulas in Eastern Iowa. Not only is BB&B a great place to find a doula, but your one-stop-shop for specialty baby items such as cloth diapers and accessories and baby slings and carriers. Please stop by and check them out!
Also - I should hear back from DONA any day now regarded my certification as a birth doula through their organization. This took two years for me to complete, with many components including a 3 day class, being the primary doula for at least 3 births, breastfeeding class, I took a one month Lamaze course as a non- pregnant mother (or so I thought, found out I was pregnant a few weeks after I finished the course!), as well as various essays and a large resource list. It was pretty intense! Once I pass, I will be officially: Kristen Mead, doula(DONA)
If you know of any pregnant friends, please pass along my card! I can't wait to hear from you!
I have added myself to the doula registry on the Birth, Baby and Beyond website for doulas in Eastern Iowa. Not only is BB&B a great place to find a doula, but your one-stop-shop for specialty baby items such as cloth diapers and accessories and baby slings and carriers. Please stop by and check them out!
Also - I should hear back from DONA any day now regarded my certification as a birth doula through their organization. This took two years for me to complete, with many components including a 3 day class, being the primary doula for at least 3 births, breastfeeding class, I took a one month Lamaze course as a non- pregnant mother (or so I thought, found out I was pregnant a few weeks after I finished the course!), as well as various essays and a large resource list. It was pretty intense! Once I pass, I will be officially: Kristen Mead, doula(DONA)
If you know of any pregnant friends, please pass along my card! I can't wait to hear from you!
Monday, November 2, 2009
H1N1
Here's a great article I found via Birthsource:
Today's Research: H1N1 & Pregnancy
Confusing and controversial...that is how one childbirth educator put it when trying to answer questions in class about the H1N1 virus and whether to vaccinate if pregnant.
"It (the question) puts us between a rock and a hard place," says this childbirth educator (who we'll call Sally) who wanted to remain nameless. "I work and teach for a hospital. And I know the "party line", but the actual research is not so clear!"
A recent article in the Orange County Register (California) highlight a part of the professional controversy. Dr. Bob Sears' opinion differs from others: "As a doctor, we swear an oath to 'First, do no harm.' So I have a hard time recommending a treatment that doesn't show it causes no harm," he said. "It's not just the H1N1 vaccine that's not been tested. The regular flu vaccine has not been tested in pregnant women, either, to show that it's safe in babies. That kind of boggles my mind, because the regular flu vaccine has been around for years, and there have been plenty of opportunities for the companies to do some safety testing on them so pregnant women can feel more comfortable about them."
Dr. Felice L. Gersh, an OB/GYN at Women's Medical Group of Irvine who has been practicing for 28 years, echoes the assessment of governmental health agencies, who say the vaccine is safe and are mounting a campaign to urge pregnant women to get the H1N1 and seasonal-flu vaccines. Gersh said Sears and other doctors skeptical of the H1N1 vaccine are "going against the weight of scientific evidence."
"Sometimes in medicine, as in life, you have to go with your best guess using available data," she said. "Everything can't be signed, sealed and guaranteed. This is a judgment call. And all the data is in favor of getting the vaccine."
The Center For Disease Control has an excellent website with answers to questions about the H1N1 and also the vaccine. While thimerosal may not be in the single dose vials or the nasal spray, it will be in the multi-dose vials. The vaccine may also contain formaldehyde and egg byproducts.
There are some key lifestyle modifications that could help expectant women with promoting a healthy immune system and thus minimizing or eliminating the H1N1: (1) hydrate yourself with at least 64 fl oz or more; (2) wash hands thoroughly with warm/hot water and bar soap (avoid antibacterial soaps). Dry on paper towels and throw them away. (3) increase the probiotics in the diet. 70% of our immune system is in the colon. Probiotics can be consumed via cultured dairy products such as yogurts and fermented foods such as sauerkraut. For more information, click to the article on Pregnancy and the H1N1 virus at Midwifery Today.
And these helpful tips for the general public from Donna Walls RN, IBCLC, Certified Aromatherapist/Herbalist of Mother Earth Sundries:
1) wash hands frequently- PLEASE use soap. avoid the hand sanitizers- many contain Triclosan which is linked to breast and other reproductive cancers. If you need a "travel" container, purchase a small 1 ounce bottle or jar and put 1 oz of water with 30 drops of lavender essential oil for a safe, effective hand cleaner when there is no water close by!
2) boost you immune system. Try and herbal immune booster- astragalus is a great one. Taken as teas, capsules or tinctures this herb has proven to boost you body's ability to fight off all kinds of infections. Do not use echinacea regularly- it do not prevent colds or flu, although if taken at the onset of symptoms, it will reduce the length and severity of the symptoms. Both these herbs are safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
3) try a steam of eucalyptus essential oil. Place a pan of water (about 1" of water) on the stove and bring to a simmer. Add 10-12 drops of pure eucalyptus essential oil and inhale the steam for 1-2 minutes. Repeat 2-3 times a day as needed. You might also look into a nasal rinse with the Neti Pot. it's a great way to flush germs out of the nose.
As with all controversies, an educator gives to her clients the research or shows access to the research. This paves the way to the client(s) making the best choice based on the knowledge available. Sally agreed, "It is difficult to give an answer when all of the data is not available. And with the media, it makes it even harder."
Today's Research: H1N1 & Pregnancy
Confusing and controversial...that is how one childbirth educator put it when trying to answer questions in class about the H1N1 virus and whether to vaccinate if pregnant.
"It (the question) puts us between a rock and a hard place," says this childbirth educator (who we'll call Sally) who wanted to remain nameless. "I work and teach for a hospital. And I know the "party line", but the actual research is not so clear!"
A recent article in the Orange County Register (California) highlight a part of the professional controversy. Dr. Bob Sears' opinion differs from others: "As a doctor, we swear an oath to 'First, do no harm.' So I have a hard time recommending a treatment that doesn't show it causes no harm," he said. "It's not just the H1N1 vaccine that's not been tested. The regular flu vaccine has not been tested in pregnant women, either, to show that it's safe in babies. That kind of boggles my mind, because the regular flu vaccine has been around for years, and there have been plenty of opportunities for the companies to do some safety testing on them so pregnant women can feel more comfortable about them."
Dr. Felice L. Gersh, an OB/GYN at Women's Medical Group of Irvine who has been practicing for 28 years, echoes the assessment of governmental health agencies, who say the vaccine is safe and are mounting a campaign to urge pregnant women to get the H1N1 and seasonal-flu vaccines. Gersh said Sears and other doctors skeptical of the H1N1 vaccine are "going against the weight of scientific evidence."
"Sometimes in medicine, as in life, you have to go with your best guess using available data," she said. "Everything can't be signed, sealed and guaranteed. This is a judgment call. And all the data is in favor of getting the vaccine."
The Center For Disease Control has an excellent website with answers to questions about the H1N1 and also the vaccine. While thimerosal may not be in the single dose vials or the nasal spray, it will be in the multi-dose vials. The vaccine may also contain formaldehyde and egg byproducts.
There are some key lifestyle modifications that could help expectant women with promoting a healthy immune system and thus minimizing or eliminating the H1N1: (1) hydrate yourself with at least 64 fl oz or more; (2) wash hands thoroughly with warm/hot water and bar soap (avoid antibacterial soaps). Dry on paper towels and throw them away. (3) increase the probiotics in the diet. 70% of our immune system is in the colon. Probiotics can be consumed via cultured dairy products such as yogurts and fermented foods such as sauerkraut. For more information, click to the article on Pregnancy and the H1N1 virus at Midwifery Today.
And these helpful tips for the general public from Donna Walls RN, IBCLC, Certified Aromatherapist/Herbalist of Mother Earth Sundries:
1) wash hands frequently- PLEASE use soap. avoid the hand sanitizers- many contain Triclosan which is linked to breast and other reproductive cancers. If you need a "travel" container, purchase a small 1 ounce bottle or jar and put 1 oz of water with 30 drops of lavender essential oil for a safe, effective hand cleaner when there is no water close by!
2) boost you immune system. Try and herbal immune booster- astragalus is a great one. Taken as teas, capsules or tinctures this herb has proven to boost you body's ability to fight off all kinds of infections. Do not use echinacea regularly- it do not prevent colds or flu, although if taken at the onset of symptoms, it will reduce the length and severity of the symptoms. Both these herbs are safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
3) try a steam of eucalyptus essential oil. Place a pan of water (about 1" of water) on the stove and bring to a simmer. Add 10-12 drops of pure eucalyptus essential oil and inhale the steam for 1-2 minutes. Repeat 2-3 times a day as needed. You might also look into a nasal rinse with the Neti Pot. it's a great way to flush germs out of the nose.
As with all controversies, an educator gives to her clients the research or shows access to the research. This paves the way to the client(s) making the best choice based on the knowledge available. Sally agreed, "It is difficult to give an answer when all of the data is not available. And with the media, it makes it even harder."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
