Feb/Mar 2010
Living in a Time of Mythic Chage
Caroline Myss
The Value of Whole-Systems Design
Shaktari Belew
Playing for Keeps
Derrick Jensen
Motion to Amend
The Campaign to Legalize Democracy
Abolish Corporate Personhood
David Cobb
Ten Ways to Stop Corporate Dominance of Politics
Fran Korten
What's a Patriot to Do?
Riki Ott
The Transition Document
Reviewed by Dan Armstrong
Community Gardening in an Urban Garden Cooperative
Chuck Burr
On Planting Trees
Daniel Bish
A Cooperative Model for Community Supported Agriculture
Jude Wait
Move Your Money
Amy Goodman interviews Robert Johnson
The Mouth of Satisfaction
Peter Moore
Southern Oregon Birth Connections
Cosmic Calendar
Salina Rain
Movie Mystic
Stephen Simon
Southern Oregon Birth Connections
Building Bridges Between Practitioners and Families
While there are many birthing options, each family has their own set of circumstances and unique set of needs, and if informed can make their own unique decisions. How a family is cared for in pregnancy, how a mother prepares for birth, how she births, and how she bonds with and cares for her baby, will begin the unfolding of their unique relationship.
A family’s birthing choices are largely dependent upon options available from their local community. In the Rogue Valley of southern Oregon we are fortunate to have a range of resources and practitioners who offer wonderful, specialized care to our pregnant families. To help inform our soon-to-be birthing families about their options, a group of practitioners recently formed the Southern Oregon Birth Connections (SOBC) which offers once monthly, second-Sunday “Family Resource Fairs” at which families can get to know local practitioners, instructors and support groups, as well as local businesses that serve the needs of mothers, babies and their families.
Southern Oregon Birth Connections is founded on deeply felt ideals that can be summed up simply: healthy families and healthy babies. Evidence shows that an entire family’s involvement in birthing choices is a major factor in how empowered or how helpless a mother feels after childbirth. Informing families about ways to enhance their health can increase feelings of security and reduce feelings of anxiety during pregnancy, labor and birth. Research has also shown that families who are supported have less postpartum depression. Whatever families encounter, whatever challenges they face, and whatever choices they make, it is our intention that they know there are resources available to support them.
The SOBC Family Resource Fairs celebrate parents and children by providing an umbrella for local resources. Families are best served if they can make their choices freely, creating a support network that meets their indi-vidual needs. Through education and discussion, SOBC aims to break down barriers and assumptions. For in-stance, some might not know that mothers who birth in hospitals can use herbs and acupuncture to help restart a stalled birth, that mothers who birth at home may choose to vaccinate, or that doulas offer their support to families at both home, hospital and birth centers.
In creating open and engaging forums where every-one can be heard, we hope to see more mothers feeling informed and supported. Learning respect for differences while building bridges is the foundation for peace on earth, starting right here in our community. Each unique child born in confidence will one day participate in society in hopeful, healthful and healing ways.
One member of SOBC, naturopathic doctor Bonnie Nedrow, speaks for many as she sums up her hopes and goals for the new organization:
“I am excited to be a member of this group that holds the intent of building bridges and sharing our local wisdom with those who live in our community. There are so many health and wellness providers in our community that it is often confusing for the consumer to find a good fit for what they want and need at that time. In the era of information overload, they may be confused about their options and are craving a person-to-person conversation or an educational presentation that will help them make the best choice for their family. What they see in presentations and advertisements is generally from the point of view of the professional who is marketing themselves, hoping to find people who will choose them over another provider or another service. The members of SOBC are choosing to ask our families, what would serve you best? Here are your choices and indeed here is how we work together, rather than in competition.
“For me, the other important aspect is the educational part. As a naturopathic doctor, my favorite thing is teaching families how to care for themselves and providing them tools in the form of information that they can apply to future health challenges. This kind of information has historically been held by the elders in the community. Currently the bulk of this wisdom is held by professionals who then pass it to their clients. The problem with that type of information dissemination is that the audience is limited by financial ability and other access issues. I am excited to have a forum where professionals may gather together to share what we know with local people of all socioeconomic levels, and also with each other.”
Another SOBC member, Stella Lyn, who is a doula and herbalist, explains:
“To be involved with SOBC is to feel camaraderie and support from other local providers in the community, and to realize that no matter what different backgrounds we as practitioners may come from, we are united by our intention to empower families with choices and education. SOBC is a community creation which nourishes not only families, but the people who care for them, by providing a comprehensive networking system that puts faces to names, and hearts into action. We as a group wish to build bridges, to honor the concept that “it takes a village,” and to create an environment rich with options for people from all walks of life during the incredibly transformative time of pregnancy, childbirth, and, ultimately, the journey of parenthood.”
The umbrella of SOBC expands out to cover many aspects of healthy birthing. Glennie Feinsmith, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, focuses on the emotional health of the family and unborn child. The work she calls Birth Integration had its beginnings in the Peri- and Prenatal Psychology and Health Movement. She said:
“It is my belief that educating prospective Moms and Dads about the importance of the time before conception, showing them how to engage with their unborn child as if it was already a member of their family, helping Moms to heal their own birth issues so it doesn’t recapitulate in the birth of their little one as studies have shown it does, gives the baby the greatest chance for a joyful easy entry into the world. Compassionate, heartfelt connection that is playful and loving is the cornerstone of a healthy relationship with your baby.”
Southern Oregon Birth Connections’ first Family Resource Fair will take place on February 14, from 1–3pm at the Bellview Grange, 1050 Tolman Creek Road, Ashland. Meet doulas, midwives, doctors, nurses, therapists, practitioners and instructors. Include us in your Valentine’s Day Celebration and have an opportunity to participate in an event that will enhance your sense of choice and increase awareness of local community resources. If you are pregnant, a family member, or a practitioner who wants to become involved, please call (541) 482-6067 or visit www.southernoregonbirthconnections.com.
