From the WBWC Blog:

Events & Workshops

Upcoming Events – October 2017

Click to view detailed calendar The Power of Menopause (Part 2 of Workshop) – Monday, October 2, 6-9 PM, $75 Breastfeeding Basics – Tuesday, October 3 & 17, 6:30-8:30 PM; Sunday, October 15, 4-6 PM, $30/couple Coping with Motherhood – Thursday, October 5 & 19, 10:30 AM-12 PM, FREE Sibling Class – Wednesday, October 4, 5:30-6:30, $15/one child, $20/2 children Babywearing Class – Saturday, October 7, 10 AM-12 PM, FREE La Leche League Meeting – Wednesday, October 11, 7-8:30 PM, FREE Breastfeeding Cafe – Friday, October 13 & 27, 10:30 AM-12 PM, FREE Meet the Doulas of Triangle Doula Collective – Saturday, October 14, 2-3 PM Meet the Doulas of Piedmont Community Doulas – Wednesday, October 18, 7-9 PM, FREE Cloth Diapering Class – Saturday, October 21, 10-11:30 AM, FREE Express Yourself, Pumping and Breastfeeding Class – Tuesday, October 24, 6:30-8:30 PM, $30/couple WBWC Birthday Party – Saturday, October 28, 2-4 PM Craniosacral Therapy Clinic – Saturday, October 28, 2-4 PM, FREE

The Power of Menopause

By Allison Koch, CNM How much do you know about the life transition we call Menopause? Menopause is what is known as a retrospective diagnosis. That means that women are defined as “in menopause” or “menopausal” when they have had no period for a full year. Women may go 10 or 11 months without a period, then have a period. We call that “peri-menopausal.” Once women have achieved Menopause, they are considered Post-Menopausal. In the USA, the average age of menopause is 51. Despite women’s shorter lifespan throughout history, age 51 has remained the average age of menopause for the past 300 years. Most women will experience some symptoms that make them aware that their bodies are changing, but few women that I have seen in my practice are aware that there are nearly 100 symptoms that may coincide with the menopausal transition. The hormones involved in the changes of menopause are likely to be estrogens and progesterone, but also could be DHEA, testosterone, or an imbalance in another body system brought on by changing hormones. Hormones are natural chemicals present in our bodies that interact with each other or with our cells and organs. Hormones exist primarily to regulate processes and keep our body in homeostasis, a state of natural balance. Menopause is a process, frequently taking 10 years or more, designed to change our bodies and prepare us for a lifetime beyond the fertile years! In perimenopause, most women experience some of the same hormonal symptoms that heralded menarche. Anxiety, emotionality, irregular periods are all normal in young girls approaching puberty. Worsening PMS is often the first symptom noted as we enter the perimenopausal period. Although our youth-oriented culture doesn’t generally approach the Elder “rites of passage” with as much anticipation as other milestones, there is still cause for celebration (raise a glass of red wine!). Beginning in September, the main focus of my practice at Women’s Birth & Wellness Center will be peri-menopause and menopausal care. I am here to guide and support you through the menopausal transition. I want to optimize your experience, your health and your adjustment to the power of a new way of life. Together we will explore the process and your options for managing challenges. Our mission: Your Life. Your Health. Our Commitment. This fall I will be hosting a recurring 2-part workshop titled, “The Power of Menopause.” Menopause is one of … Read More

Upcoming Events

Breastfeeding Basics – Tuesday, August 1 & 15, 6:30-8:30 PM, $30/couple Coping with Motherhood – Thursday, August 3 & 17, 10:30 AM-12 PM, FREE Babywearing Class – Saturday, August 5, 10 AM-12 PM, FREE Meet the Doulas of Triangle Doula Collective – Saturday, August 12, 2-3 PM La Leche League Meeting – Wednesday, August 9, 7-8:30 PM, FREE Breastfeeding Cafe – Friday, August 11 & 25, 10:30 AM-12 PM, FREE Weekend Breastfeeding Cafe – Saturday, August 12, 10:30 AM-12 PM, FREE Cloth Diapering Class – Saturday, August 19, 10-11:30 AM, FREE Meet the Doulas of Piedmont Community Doulas – Wednesday, August 16, 7-9 PM, FREE Craniosacral Therapy Clinic – Saturday, August 26, 2-4 PM, FREE Express Yourself, Pumping and Breastfeeding Class – Tuesday, August 22, 6:30-8:30 PM, $30/couple Car Seat Safety Class and Installation Checks – Wednesday, August 30, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, $10, preregistration required

Upcoming Events: May

Click to view detailed calendar Babywearing Class – Saturday, May 6, 10 AM-12 PM, FREE Breastfeeding Basics – Tuesday, May 2 & 16, 6:30-8:30pm, $30/couple Coping with Motherhood – Thursday, May 4 & 18, 10:30 AM-12 PM, FREE Babywearing Dance Class – Every Friday 9:15-10:15 AM, $10/adult or $40 for 5 classes Weekend Breastfeeding Cafe – Saturday, May 13, 10:30 AM-12 PM, FREE NEW Meet the Doulas of Triangle Doula Collective – Saturday, May 13, 2-3pm, FREE La Leche League Meeting – Wednesday, May 10, 7-8:30 PM, FREE Caring for Your Newborn– Thursday, May 11, 6:30-8:30 PM, $30/couple Breastfeeding Cafe – Friday, May 12 & 26, 10:30 AM-12PM, FREE Develomental FUNdamentals with Maryska – Friday, May 19, 1-3:30pm, $20/person Cloth Diapering Class – Saturday, May 20, 10-11:30 am, FREE Meet the Doulas of Piedmont Community Doulas – Wednesday, May 17, 7-9pm, FREE Craniosacral Therapy Clinic – Saturday, May 27, 2-4pm, FREE Express Yourself, Pumping and Breastfeeding Class – Tuesday, May 23, 6:30-8:30pm, $30/couple

Breastfeeding for Doulas and Birth Professionals

Are you a birth or postpartum doula? A childbirth educator or other birth professional? In this class, you’ll supercharge your breastfeeding support skills! Whether you’re starting from scratch or have helped hundreds of babies, you’ll get a grounding in the latest breastfeeding information and learn something new (and customized to the Triangle area!). We’ll be covering topics including: Preparing your clients for breastfeeding success The anatomy and physiology (making milk, letdown, suck) Baby reflexes, abilities, and cues Optimal latch and positioning, and helping parents get comfortable “Protecting the space” immediately postpartum and navigating local hospital protocols Helping parents catch early signs that something isn’t going right, and navigate to the help they need Breastfeeding gear: pumping, bottles, and milk storage Overcoming common obstacles including engorgement, sore nipples, and worries about weight loss and milk supply Hot topics: understanding tongue tie, and bodywork for breastfeeding challenges The class will be taught by Rebecca Costello IBCLC CD MPH. Rebecca sees patients full time at Women’s Birth and Wellness Center where she’s the Director of Lactation Services. Before coming to WBWC, she worked at UNC Women’s Hospital as an LC, and was a birth doula for many years prior. She knows the importance of doulas to breastfeeding success, and how helpful it was to have breastfeeding education in her doula role. Cost: $50 To register call (919)933-3301 http://ncbirthcenter.org/event/breastfeeding-for-doulas/

Upcoming Events – April

Click to view detailed calendar Babywearing Class – Saturday, April 1, 10 AM-12 PM, FREE Breastfeeding Basics – Tuesday, April 4 & 18, 6:30-8:30pm, $30/couple Coping with Motherhood – Thursday, April 6 & 20, 10:30 AM-12 PM, FREE Babywearing Dance Class – Every Friday 9:15-10:15 AM, $10/adult or $40 for 5 classes Weekend Breastfeeding Cafe – Saturday, April 8, 10:30 AM-12 PM, FREE Breastfeeding for Doulas and Birth Professionals -Saturday, April 8, 1:30-4:30 PM, $50 La Leche League Meeting – Wednesday, April 12, 7-8:30 PM, FREE Young Moms Meetup – Thursday, April 13, 4:30-6 PM, FREE Breastfeeding Cafe – Friday, April 14 & 28, 10:30 AM-12PM, FREE Cloth Diapering Class – Saturday, April 15, 10-11:30 am, FREE Meet the Doulas – Wednesday, April 19, 7-9pm, FREE Craniosacral Therapy Clinic – Saturday, April 22, 2-4pm, FREE Express Yourself, Pumping and Breastfeeding Class – Tuesday, April 25, 6:30-8:30pm, $30/couple

Upcoming Events March 2017

Click to view detailed calendar Coping with Motherhood – Thursday, March 2 & 16, 10:30 am-12pm, FREE Babywearing Class – Saturday, March 4, 10am-12pm, FREE Babywearing Dance Class – Every Friday 9:15-10:15am, $10/adult or $40 for 5 classes Breastfeeding Basics – Tuesday, March 7 & 21, 6:30-8:30pm, $30/couple La Leche League Meeting – Wednesday, March 8, 7-8:30pm, FREE  Young Moms Meetup – Thursday, March 9, 4:30-6pm, FREE Breastfeeding Cafe – Friday, March 10 & 24, 10:30am-12pm, FREE Weekend Breastfeeding Cafe – Saturday, March 11, 10:30-12pm, FREE Meet the Doulas – Wednesday, March 15, 7-9pm, FREE Cloth Diapering Class – Saturday, March 18, 10-11:30 am, FREE Choosing Quality Childcare Seminar – Wednesday, March 20, 6:30-7:30 FREE Craniosacral Therapy Clinic – Saturday, March 25, 2-4pm, FREE Express Yourself, Pumping and Breastfeeding Class – Tuesday, March 28, 6:30-8:30pm

Coping With Motherhood Group

Have pregnancy and motherhood turned your world upside down?      Coping with Motherhood is a peer support group for pregnant and postpartum women who are struggling with mood changes during the childbearing years. Facilitated by Nancy Albrecht, RN, MA, IBCLC, the group provides a safe place to share concerns, strengths, and ways to prevent, cope with, and recover from perinatal depression and anxiety.      During a Coping with Motherhood meeting, moms are welcomed to a positive and private space where they can share feelings and support each other in the process of recovery. There are tears, but also laughter; talk about anxieties and fears, but also baby and breastfeeding advice; a chance to admit the pain, but also see the way to better days. Since the group began, almost two years ago, over 50 women have gotten support from the meetings and each other.     Nancy shares the philosophy of the group, “We believe that while all mothers desire to be the perfect mother, we all fall short. You are a good mom as you seek help, take care of yourself, and do the best you can every day!”   The group meets on the first and third Thursdays of each month, 10:30 am – 12:00 noon at WBWC, in the Living Room (Suite 304). Call Nancy at 919-933-3301, ext. 207 for more information. No need to RSVP, and the group is open to all women, not just WBWC clients.You are not alone. You are not to blame. With help, you will be well.Postpartum Support International

Babywearing Dance Class

Fridays  9:15-10:15am Starting January 27 Looking for something fun to do with baby? Come join this new dance class and wear your baby while you get your groove on! We’ll do some easy stretches and learn some simple, fun dance routines. It’s a great way to get fit and meet new moms. No dance experience necessary!!  Bring your favorite carrier and wear clothes you can move and groove in. Toddlers are welcome, as well as those who want to join in without a baby. The class will be held in the meeting room on the third floor. $10/adult or $40 for 5 classes. Cash or check only. ***This class is now ongoing and will meet every Friday!***

Mindful Birth Workshop

February 12th 1:30-4:30pm WBWC, Suite 304 Cultivating Mindfulness Techniques for Pregnancy, Birth and Parenting  Mindfulness is about being fully awake, in the present moment. When we practice mindfulness we can become more focused, relaxed and calm. Life slows down and we begin to experience the vividness of each moment. Learn and cultivate the Mindfulness Techniques as developed by Jon Kabat Zinn at the Center for Mindfulness, University of Mass. Not only will these techniques assist you in pregnancy and birth but will offer you a set of skills to use as a parent and throughout all areas of your life. This introductory workshop will include techniques for taming the stress response, mindful breathing, body scan (mind/body connection), and introduction to seated meditation. All of which will be useful tools for the labor process. A short mindful movement (yoga) session will also be incorporated into this time. You will learn simple yoga postures that will help ease pregnancy and be useful as labor positions. *pre-registration recommended, class size will be limited $60.00  Early Bird by Jan 22nd is $50.00 Register with info@carolinawellnessintitute.com Led by Paula Huffman BS,RN,ERYT, Mindfulness Instructor Paula is a perinatal educator and has been working with pregnant women and couples in the area for 25 years in both a medical and educational capacity. She is holds specialty certifications in prenatal yoga, restorative yoga, childbirth education. Paula also provides Doula services on a limited basis. She studied through the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Mass, and teaches Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and Pain Management Classes at the UNC School of Medicine’s Program on Integrative Medicine. All of these services are offered by Paula through both group and private sessions. (919) 260-0255

Upcoming Events – February 2017

Coping with Motherhood – Thursday, February 2 & 16, 10:30 am-12pm, FREE Babywearing Class – Saturday, February 4, 10am-12pm, FREE Babywearing Dance Class – Every Friday 9:15-10:15am, $10/adult or $40 for 5 classes Breastfeeding Basics – Tuesday, February 7 & 21, 6:30-8:30pm, $30/couple La Leche League Meeting – Wednesday, February 8, 7-8:30pm, FREE  Young Moms Meetup – Thursday, February 9, 4:30-6pm, FREE Breastfeeding Cafe – Friday, February 10 & 24, 10:30am-12pm, FREE Weekend Breastfeeding Cafe – Saturday, February 11, 10:30-12pm, FREE Meet the Doula – Wednesday, February 15, 7-9pm, FREE Cloth Diapering Class – Saturday, February 18, 10-11:30 am, FREE Pass the Puree? Introducing Solids Class – Saturday, February 18, 10:30am-12:30pm, $30/couple Craniosacral Therapy Clinic – Saturday, February 25, 2-4pm, FREE Express Yourself, Pumping and Breastfeeding Class – Tuesday, February 28, 6:30-8:30pm

Free Reiki Clinic at WBWC with Reiki Master and Intuitive Life Coach Kezia Renee Lechner

     Reiki is a gentle yet powerful hands-on healing modality that originated in Japan and is now being widely practiced in the West. The word Reiki (pronounced ray – key) means Universal Life Energy in Japanese.           All humans have innate healing abilities and radiate healing energy from their hands. A Reiki practitioner is someone who has learned to magnify and amplify this healing energy. During a Reiki session a practitioner places their hands upon the client’s fully clothed body, bathing the client in  soothing stream of healing energy, bringing balance and harmony to all levels of body, mind and spirit.      Because of it’s numerous benefits, Reiki, along with acupuncture and massage, is now being offered by a number of hospitals in the US as a complimentary and alternative form of treatment.            For prenatal and postpartum women, Reiki can help to relieve stress and anxiety, and can ease physical symptoms associated with pregnancy, such as back ache, restless sleep patterns,sciatica, nausea, etc. It can also help a woman prepare for the birthing experience, speed post partum recovery, ameliorate postpartum depression and strengthen the mother/child bond.            The next Reiki Clinic will be held on Monday, Dec.12 from 4:30 – 6:30 pm. It will be held in the Living Room on the the 3rd floor. No need to reserve a spot – just come!Kezia also provides longer, private sessions and has an office next to WBWC. For more information contact Kezia at keziarenee@gmail.com – her website is www.HeartofaHealer.com