From the WBWC Blog:

Month: May 2018

WBWC Earns “Triple Aim” Best Practice Recognition

The American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) has designated WBWC as a “Triple Aim” Best Practice. This means that we have met the goals set by the Institute for Health Improvement of 1) improving patient experiences; 2) reducing the cost of care; and 3) improving the health of populations. We demonstrated these three goals through our low rates of cesarean and preterm birth, high breastfeeding rates, and the affordability of our services. Out of 257 participating practices, only 97 received this designation. We are proud to continue to offer high-quality care to our families and improve the health of our community!

Ellery’s Birth Story

By Ashley Bullock I was 41 weeks and 3 days… It was about 1 AM on Thursday, March 8th when I started to feel what I thought were real contractions. I woke my husband, Nick, to let him know, and he told me to try to get some sleep! If we learned anything in our birthing class, it was to get as much rest as you can before active labor, because you are about to run a marathon! Truer words have never been spoken, and more energy has never been needed. I tried to go back to sleep, but it was a tough night of tossing and turning. I woke up around 6 AM and called my angel doula, Aubrey, to give her a heads up on how I was feeling. As a first-time mom, I wasn’t sure what labor was supposed to feel like. I asked all my friends about the beginning of labor and honestly, everyone had a different experience. The answer I generally got was, “you’ll know when you start to go into labor”, and that’s true, I did finally know. My contractions felt like cramping in my lower abdomen and an intense hardening of my stomach like Braxton Hicks. I continued laboring and resting until about 5 pm and that’s when my sweet friend Alicia, who is both a doula and massage therapist, arrived. Alicia gave me a massage and applied counter pressure during contractions. I labored this way for about an hour and a half. Once Alicia left, things got more intense, and I had to find other coping mechanisms. I leaned over my birthing ball and began really focused breathing. My doula, Aubrey, helped me breath through one contraction at a time. She told me when each contraction was at its peak and almost over. She breathed and moaned through every single contraction with me. She helped me keep a rhythm, and that was key as I hit each new level of intensity. My coping mechanisms were deep breaths in and out with a loud deep moan on the breath out, rocking back and forth from the waist, or hunched over a birthing ball. As I focused on each contraction, not the one before or the one after, I was able to stay peaceful and unafraid. It was all Jesus. His peace reigned so strongly in my heart during my laboring hours. His grace overwhelmed … Read More

Birth Announcements

Welcome to the world, sweet babies! Rowan Jewkes – April 2 – 8 lbs., 2oz. Luke Scott Bostik – April 5 – 7 lbs., 8.6 oz. Jackson Mercer – April 7 – 7 lbs., 15 oz. Emory Allen Hope – April 8 – 9 lbs., 11 oz. Harbour Breckyn Wilson-Houghtalen – April 9 – 7 lbs., 7.5 oz. O’Shae Baldwin – April 10 – 7 lbs., 13 oz. Livia Caroline Belnap – April 11 – 7 lbs., 13 oz. *Lillianne Marie Hepler – April 12 – 8 lbs., 7 oz. Winry Theresa Albrecht – April 17 – 6 lbs., 14.5 oz. Anthony Ephraim Pelikan – April 18 – 7 lbs., 6 oz. Shiloh Jamison McMillan – April 22 – 8 lbs., 2 oz. *Bailey Hope Farris – April 26 – 9 lbs., 12 oz. *Leona Aviva Sherman – April 28 – 5 lbs., 8 oz. Temperance Gloria Stephens – April 30 – 6 lbs., 13.5 oz. April stats Total babies born: 37 Biggest baby: 9 lbs., 12 oz. Smallest baby: 5 lbs., 8 oz. To be included in this celebratory list, please email Missy at missy@ncbirthcenter.org  with your baby’s birth announcement information that includes  their name, date of birth, and birth weight as well as a photo, if available. If you would like to send us your birth story along with photos, we are happy to include that in a future newsletter! Also, if you have a printed birth announcement to share, we’d love to have a copy to  add to our bulletin board in the clinic! 

Babywearing 101

New to Babywearing or have a baby carrier that is uncomfortable to use with your child? The Well Carried Child (TWCC) offers a Basic Babywearing small group class or private consultations to up your game!  The Basic Babywearing class demonstrates proper comfort and support using four types of baby carriers for the caregiver and child, ages infant through preschooler. Carriers are available to try on. Participants are welcome to bring their own carriers. This class is family- and child-friendly. Private Babywearing Consultations are a one-on-one conversation about your babywearing needs with hands on help to perfect your technique with your child(ren) and your carriers. Choose one or a combination package to receive a discount. Registration will take place through TWCC (via Square or email thewellcarriedchild@gmail.com). June 25, 6:30-7:30 PM at WBWC $15 per individual or couple Alex Sparrow, Certified Babywearing Consultant Alex discovered her passion for babywearing five years ago with the birth of her first child.  It continues to be an invaluable tool used in her family’s daily life through attachment parenting and outdoor activites like hiking with her three children. She also volunteers with Babywearing International of the Triangle as an Advanced Babywearing Educator, and loves seeing caregivers find the perfect carrier for their child and their lifestyle.  She received her certification as a independent Babywearing Consultant through the Center for Babywearing Studies in June 2017.  

Climb Out of the Darkness

Women’s Birth & Wellness Center is proud to co-sponsor Climb Out of the Darkness® 2018 events in both Chapel Hill/Carrboro and Durham. Postpartum Support International (PSI) took over management of this event in 2017.  Climb Out of the Darkness® is the world’s largest event raising awareness of maternal mental illnesses like postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety and OCD, postpartum post-traumatic stress, postpartum psychosis, perinatal bipolar mood disorders, and pregnancy depression and anxiety.   Climb Out of the Darkness® is held on or near the longest day of the year annually to help shine the most light on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD). The event features mothers and others across the globe joining together to climb mountains and hike trails to represent their symbolic rise out of the darkness of maternal mental illness and into the light of hope and recovery.  The Climb will be held in Chapel Hill/Carrboro on Sunday, June 24, 9:00 am at Briar Chapel Clubhouse, 1600 Briar Chapel Parkway, Chapel Hill. The Durham Climb will take place on Saturday, June 30, 9:00 am at Emerald Doulas, 5317 Highgate Dr., Suite 115, Durham.   Many Climbers and sponsors choose to fundraise, but it is not a requirement to participate. However, for those choosing to raise money or donate to a team, please know that all of the funds will remain with the NC chapter of PSI. WBWC and PSI-NC are glad to have this opportunity to raise awareness and funds.  Funds will be used by PSI-NC to continue several initiatives throughout the state, including: Continuing to grow a state-wide PMAD resource list Using this resource list to help increase screening by medical providers Increased access to PMAD training for professionals (especially in under-served areas) Increased support for PMAD professionals Continued partnerships with existing public health initiatives like Community Care of North Carolina and the Office or Rural Health Join us for a day of celebration for the many survivors in our community. Join us to shine light on the need for better information and better treatment for families with perinatal mood disorders. Join WBWC as a Climber or donate to our team at https://climb-out-2018.causevox.com/WBWC-team

Summer Lentil Salad

Lentils are a great source of fiber, protein, folate, and iron, in addition to other vitamins and minerals. And now that lentils can be found in canned form, you can even skip cooking them and whip up this super-healthy salad in no time.   2 cans lentils (or 2-3 cups cooked lentils or green lentils) 1 diced red, yellow, or orange bell pepper ¼ cup diced red onion ½ cup diced carrot ½ cup diced celery ½ cup chopped walnuts ½ cup diced pasteurized, packaged mozzarella 3 tblspns chopped fresh parsley, basil, and/or oregano ¼ cup olive oil ¼ cup red wine vinegar Salt and pepper to taste   Mix and eat! This recipe makes about 6 cups and can be made in advance and kept in the fridge for several hours or overnight, which will help the flavors meld. Omit any veggies you don’t like and add in diced tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, etc. If you are NOT pregnant, and do not need to avoid soft cheeses due to the possibility of listeria, you can use feta instead of mozzarella.   [Claire Caprioli is a mom, writer, and avid cook.]  

WBWC’s First Ever Podcast

This year we were honored to work with a talented group of students from The Gillings School of Global Public Health at UNC, who put together our first ever podcast. Thanks to Maire Amlicke, Andrea Fitzgerald, Nupur Jain, Alexis Millan and Jordan Wise for your hard work this year!