From the WBWC Blog:

Month: July 2013

Former WBWC Board Member Publishes Book on Birth

We are delighted to share the news that one of our former board members and a current advisor to the WBWC, Dr. Anne Drapkin Lyerly, is publishing a new book on birth, available this week. A Good Birth: Finding the Positive and Profound in Your Childbirth Experience (published by the Penguin Group), will be out and available on August 1st. Drawing on her landmark study involving more than 100 childbearing women as well as maternity care providers, Dr. Lyerly describes what women say constitutes “a good birth.”  She has tapped the wisdom of women who have delivered in a variety of circumstances and locations, including the WBWC.  Publishers Weekly called her book “insightful” and her message “important.”  We agree!! You can meet the author this week — to celebrate the launch, she will be at two events local bookstores, for a short reading and signing: Thursday, August 1st, 7pm Flyleaf Books 752 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Chapel Hill Sunday, August 4th, 2pm McIntyre’s Books 220 Market Street, Fearrington Village, Pittsboro You don’t need to be pregnant to read this book — it’s about birth, something we’ve all interfaced with in one way or another.  Of course, it is a great book for expectant moms, but it has broad lessons for anyone who has been through it (as a mom, partner, loved one, friend), has helped someone give birth, or who is interested in this very special bookend of life. More about the author and the book can be found at:   www.annelyerly.com www.facebook.com/annedrapkinlyerly

New Arrivals

    Luke Harrison Setser – 9 lbs., 6 oz. – May 1Clark Alexander Driggers – 8 lbs., 9 oz. – May 1 Aylin Rayna Chiba – 8 lbs. – May 1 Ansley Nicet Parrish – 6 lbs., 4 oz. – May 3 Grady Royal Monk – 8 lbs., 11 oz. – May 6 Avi Myer Zellmer – 7 lbs., 2 oz. – May 7 McKenzie Camarena – 9 lbs., 4 oz. – May 8 Kree Everet Wells – 8 lbs., 8 oz. – May 10 Olyian Djzeelah Vann Huff – 7 lbs., 7 oz. – May 14 Holt Pace Simmons – 6 lbs., 10 oz. – May 14 *Lilah Hope Stevens – 6 lbs., 4 oz. – May 16 Eden Lynette Johnson – 7 lbs., 1 oz. – May 17 Dalia Isabel Fernandez-Rhodes – 8 lbs., 8 oz. – May 17 Madison Ann McShane – 7 lbs., 8 oz. – May 20 Calder Michael Petruney Pederson – 7 lbs., 7 oz. – May 21 Jack Thomas Reilly O’Dell – 6 lbs., 14 oz. – May 22 *Ruby Marlette Solow – 6 lbs., 11 oz. – May 22Truett Charles Glover – 9 lbs. – May 22 Leena Gray Bhakta – 6 lbs., 4 oz. – May 23 Vivian Rose Lindsay – 9 lbs., 9 oz. – May 25 Rachel Lindley Brownell – 7 lbs., 15 oz. – May 25 Jonah William Poe – 9 lbs., 11 oz. –May 26 Elenora Landreth Raines – 8 lbs., 10 oz. – May 27 Lillian Isabelle Bolesh – 7 lbs., 7 oz. – May 27 Avery Christine Edgerton – 6 lbs., 15 oz. – May 29 Avery Joye Ricks – 6 lbs., 4 oz. – May 29 Gabriel Oak Hanley – 9 lbs., 15 oz. – May 29 Baby Boy Lambe – 7 lbs., 11 oz. – May 30 Milo Alexander White – 8 lbs., 4 oz. – June 1, 2013 Marlon Dean Baber – 7 lbs., 4 oz. – June 1, 2013 Cecil Gabriel Curtis – 6 lbs., 12 oz. – June 2 Anna Butler Dentel – 7 lbs., 14 oz. – June 4 Jeremiah Singh Davis – 6 lbs., 6 oz. – June 4 Regan Leigh Wilkes – 7 lbs., 2 oz. – June 4 Inez Ramona Toney – 7 lbs., 1 oz. – June 7 Reece Jacqueline Macomber Weaver – 7 lbs., 4 oz. – June 8 Alex Michael Mahala – … Read More

Jamison’s Birth Story

by Lindsay Osterhoudt So it was Chandler’s 6th birthday.  I did not sleep very well the night before because my arms kept falling asleep, and I just couldn’t get comfortable.  I got up before 6 a.m. and decided to go get doughnuts for breakfast as a special treat.  I also went into Harris Teeter and bought 10 juices because they were on sale B2G3.  I also picked up some fruit.  Chandler didn’t have school that day, so after breakfast I packed lunches for everybody and we headed to the Durham L&S Museum.       Luckily we are members, and since we got there at 9 a.m., we were able to stay one step ahead of the crowds.  A few of my friends checked in with me throughout the day, and I kept telling them no signs of baby and that I didn’t think it would be today.   Fast forward to just after 4 p.m.   All of the boys (and I) were out playing in the yard.  I had been having contractions on and off this day, but had been for the last month, so this was not much different.  Some of them were stronger than previously, so I called Derek and asked if we could meet a little before 5 p.m. at Red Robin.  Chandler wanted to eat there for his birthday.  I loaded up the boys in the car, and we headed to Red Robin.  Derek met us there at 4:50, and we were about to be seated when I decided that I should use the bathroom first.  After using the bathroom and noting that these contractions were maintaining their intensity, I informed Derek that staying for dinner was probably not a good idea.  I really was looking forward to my burger though!  I said I thought we should head to the midwives.  Derek asked if I was going to drive (remember, both of our cars are at Red Robin).  I think I said, “Hell no,” and I guess that’s when Derek thought I was serious.     We all loaded into the van and proceeded to Chapel Hill.  Derek called the midwives, but it was after 5 p.m. by this point, so they had to page the on-call midwife.  By the time she was able to call us back (we think they transposed a digit of Derek’s phone number, tried our home phone, found my … Read More

Spotlight: Carey Jefferson, CNM

WBWC is excited to announce that Carey Jefferson, CNM, has completed midwifery school and is making the transition from nurse to midwife!  Carey has been with WBWC since 2010 as a labor and delivery nurse and, for the past few months, a midwifery student.  She is now our newest full-time midwife. Currently, she is orienting with the other midwives on staff.  In the next few months, she will be seeing patients in the clinic and attending births independently and receiving hospital privileges. Carey earned a BS in psychology from UNC Chapel Hill, and then went on to receive a BSN from Western Carolina. She has a wide range of experience as a labor and delivery nurse: in addition to the birth center, she’s worked in a small hospital in western North Carolina, and large hospitals in Northern Virginia and Raleigh.    Pregnancy and birth have long fascinated Carey . “I was amazed by the changes, both physical and emotional, I observed in my friends as they started having babies, and I felt drawn to be a part of that process with women.   I love that midwifery allows me to help women find their own path on the journey to motherhood.”   This interest led her to pursue a midwifery degree at Eastern Carolina University, where she was awarded the Betty Berryhill Nurse Midwifery Scholarship.  She continued working as a labor and delivery nurse throughout most of her schooling.  Carey and her husband, Stephen, have an 11-year-old daughter, Madeline, and a dog, Jix. When she’s not catching babies, Carey enjoys cooking, birdwatching, following the Tarheels, and having family game nights. She sees the birth center as an inspiring place to begin her midwifery career.  “I see a true midwifery model of care in action at WBWC.  The midwives here are amazing women who deeply invested in providing excellent care to women and families.  I am honored to be able to work with and learn from them.”                                                                                                          

Show Off Your Baby Pictures!

Don’t forget to bring a photo of your new baby and family for our bulletin board when you come in for your postpartum check-up!  We love displaying pictures of all our beautiful birth center families.

Spaces Available for November and December Group Prenatal Care

There are still a few openings left in our Group for moms with November and December due dates!  If you’d like to be an active participant in your prenatal care and meet other birth center mamas, sign up today! Group size is limited to eight couples.  Call the front desk at 919-933-3301 to sign up or for more information.

Quinoa, Lentil, and Tomato Salad

by Brianna Honea I recently served this yummy quinoa dish at a family reunion and a baby shower and everyone seemed to enjoy it so I wanted to pass it along.   You can easily double the recipe. Feel free to change it up and add other garden favorites like squash or cucumbers.  It is also good with pine nuts or chopped walnuts.  Enjoy!     Ingredients ·         1/2 cup red quinoa ·         1 ¼ cups water, plus 1 ¾ cups water ·         1/2 cup lentils ·         1 teaspoon Dijon mustard.  (Dill mustard is a tasty substitute) ·         2 tablespoons red wine vinegar ·         1/4 cup olive oil ·         1/2 teaspoon of dill ·         1 teaspoon garlic powder ·         1/2 teaspoon of cumin ·         Juice of 1 lime and ½ Tbsp of lime zest ·         Juice of 1 lemon and ½ Tbsp of lemon zest ·         Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.  (fine Himalayan Sea Salt is great.  I use 2 tsp) ·         1 cup of sliced fresh tomatoes           ·         2 Tbsp fresh chopped herbs.  Use cilantro, parsley or basil leaves, whichever is your favorite.  Directions Put the quinoa in a sieve and rinse in cold water. Bring quinoa  and 1 1/4 cups water to a boil for a couple minutes then reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 15-20 minutes.  Remove from heat and fluff with a fork. Put the lentils in a sieve and rinse in cold water. In a saucepan, bring lentils to a boil with the 1 ¾ cups of water then simmer the lentils (low/med) until the lentils are tender, but not mushy, about 30 minutes. Drain and cool. In a small bowl, whisk the mustard, and vinegar together, and drizzle in the olive oil to make an emulsion. Then add and whisk in the garlic powder, cumin, dill, lemon/lime zest, and salt, and pepper, to taste. Assembly: In a medium bowl, mix the quinoa, lentils, tomatoes, and chopped herbs. Top the salad with the dressing, toss and serve. Serve cold or warm.  Optional:  If you have time, let in chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.     

News from the Board

by Kaaren Haldeman Happy Summer, WBWC! We hope you’re enjoying the unusually cool June and July. Last month, members of the Board met with Maureen and Brianna and an outside consultant who spent time at WBWC to help us understand more fully our mission and identity as an organization. Her insights have been helpful in Board discussions and have guided our current work with Maureen as Executive Director. The full Board met June 27th to recap the experience with our consultant and to begin work on some of the objectives she laid out for our organization. Finally, we are looking forward to discussing the qualitative research that has been ongoing at WBWC with Dr. Palmquist and team. It has been great to have some extra insights into our organization and how to maintain its health and sustainability well into the future. Thank you for all you do to make the WBWC who we are!

Restoring Balance Placenta Encapsulation

  Offering placenta encapsulation, tinctures and salves Serving Chapel Hill and the Triangle area   Placenta Encapsulation Benefits   ♀    Decrease in baby blues and postpartum depression ♀    Increase and enrich breastmilk ♀    Increase in energy ♀    Decrease in postpartum bleeding ♀    Decrease iron deficiency ♀    Decrease insomnia or sleep disorders ♀    Decreases postpartum “night sweats”     Please contact Nicole (919) 699-0980  info@restoringbalanceplacenta.com   Services performed by qualified professionals: Nicole Splenda, RN, LMBT Mariah Velazquez, CNM  Kathy Parry, MPH, LMBT, IBCLC

A Nursing Session: From Your Baby Piranha’s Point of View

By Claire C. McKiernan Here I am, seven months old, resting comfortably in Mommy’s arms. We sway back and forth in the rocker together, and I look into her eyes as I nurse contentedly. We do this every evening. She smiles lovingly down at me and I feel safe. But something isn’t right… My gums are sore and they hurt. Mommy says I am getting teeth. She loves me so, so much. Her breast feels so soft…so warm… and just right…so I think I will… CHOMP!! Why did Mommy screech like that? Why has Mommy taken away her breast? Doesn’t she know it felt good on my sore gums? Ahh, she is returning me to her breast. That’s better. Mmmm, warm sweet milk. That yelp was interesting, though. She has never done THAT before. I wonder if she will do it again? CHOMP!! Yep, same reaction. I smile and laugh. What fun! I can make Mommy yelp! Those must be tears of joy in her eyes. She is always proud of me when I learn something new. Her voice doesn’t sound proud, though. She says she will give me one more try. She moves me to the other breast. I’m happy again. I grin at her. Hey!  She took me off the breast! She says I had a gleam in my eye. She says she’s onto my little game. She repeats her new saying for the night: “No bite! That hurts Mommy!” and then slowly, slowly, with her lips pursed and her eyes squinting accusingly down on me, she allows me to latch back on. What funny faces she makes! I giggle, with her nipple still in my mouth. Milk runs down my chin. She lets down her guard and smiles again as she wipes my chin. We’re happy together. We love each other. This new power I have over Mommy really should be tested again. My belly is filling up but my gums still hurt. I look up at her slowly, trying to act real casual. But I blow it and start to grin. “Noooo bite,” she warns, but it’s too irresistible…I start to press down slowly but firmly…maybe she won’t notice. I grind my gums back and forth. What’s this? She is pulling me closer to her instead of unlatching me! Surprised, I open my mouth and she quickly takes me off the breast. “No bite,” she says, … Read More

Now Offering Massage and Acupuncture at Women’s Birth and Wellness Center

Come relax and renew your spirit! Nicole Splenda RN, LMBT and Kim Calandra L.AC Massage is a wonderful way to ease discomforts of pregnancy. It has been used for centuries to improve overall health, reduce stress, and relieve muscle tension. Studies indicate that massage therapy performed during pregnancy can reduce anxiety, decrease symptoms of depression, relieve muscle aches and joint pains, and improve labor outcomes and newborn health. Nicole specializes in Pre- and Postnatal massage, Aromatherapy, Reflexology and Labor Stimulation Massage.  And although she loves to work on pregnant women, she is happy to work on non-pregnant family members too.   Prenatal – massage is a natural touch treatment aimed at alleviating many pregnancy related symptoms Postnatal – Massage for physical and emotional health after childbirth Lymphatic Drainage for Edema (pre and postnatal) Aromatherapy- Inhalation of essential oils stimulate the limbic system and affect heart rate, stress level, blood pressure, breathing, memory, digestion and the immune system. Warm towel wrap and relaxation- When combined with massage, moist heat towels will produce general relaxation, which helps to reduce muscle spasm and joint stiffness Labor Preparation  * AFTER 40 weeks and with consent from midwife*-Treatment with massage of acupressure points, herbs, herbal tea and aromatherapy     Kim Calandra L.Ac is our new Acupuncturist at WBWC. Acupuncture is a holistic health care system that can treat many conditions, including gynecologic, intrapartum- such as breech presentation – morning sickness and other common pregnancy related conditions. During your postpartum period, Acupuncture can be helpful for depression, mastitis, insufficient or excessive lactation.  Acupuncture is also a great tool for induction of labor. Gift Certificates Available Call Nicole 919-699-0980 or Kim 919-971-3934 Or by stop by the boutique to pick one up.