From the WBWC Blog:

News

Latest news non-related to individual births.

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.  

New Arrivals

Harriet Willa Brandom – 7 lbs., 11 oz. – April 1 Savannah Emily Royal – 7 lbs., 11 oz. – April 2 Harrison James Tester – 7 lbs., 8 oz. – April 2 *Jamison River Osterhoudt – 8 lbs., 14 oz. – April 3 Alice Harriet Bertone – 8 lbs., 1 oz. – April 4 Tessa Lynn Faron – 8 lbs., 1 oz. – April 6 Jackson Bechtler Realon – 8 lbs., 2 oz. – April 9 Jonah James Pfrommer – 7 lbs., 7 oz. – April 10 Willow Grace Ash – 7 lbs., 8 oz. – April 11 Vincent James Porter – 8 lbs., 6 oz. – April 12 Abigail Grace Skinner – 8 lbs., 1 oz. – April 15 Luke Thomas Price – 5 lbs., 11 oz. – April 15 Eve Delia Lyall – 8 lbs., 4 oz. – April 16 Harrison Alexander Smirnov – 8 lbs., 8 oz. – April 16 Eliza Wynn Dennis – 7 lbs., 6 oz. – April 16 Rosemary Fern Shumaker – 8 lbs., 8 oz. – April 17 Joselyn Reese Kelly – 9 lbs., 3 oz. – April 19 Elijah Mack Kerr – 9 lbs., 8 oz. – April 19 Baby Girl Hefetz – 7 lbs., 6 oz. – April 20 Penelope Jantje Cottrell – 10 lbs., 3 oz. – April 20 Nicholas Matthew Brooks – 8 lbs., 12 oz. – April 22 Nehemiah Makhi Williamson – 6 lbs., 10 oz. – April 23 Sophie Grace Johnson – 5 lbs., 7 oz. – April 23 Ethan David Whitenack – 6 lbs., 1 oz. – April 25 Jonah Badi Sabet – 8 lbs., 9 oz. – April 25 Jones Weston Phillips – 10 lbs., 15 oz. – April 26 Denning Wells Edwards – 7 lbs., 14 oz. – April 27 Hugh Edgar Murtens – 9 lbs. – April 30 Willow Alexis Robbins – 7 lbs., 13 oz. – April 30 If you’d like your baby’s birth announced in the newsletter, send an email to missy_swanson@hotmail.com. Be sure to include baby’s name, weight, and birth date, and feel free to attach a picture. We’d like to hear from all WBWC moms, whether you delivered at the birth center or UNC!    

The Birth of Samuel David Cudd

by Kimberly Cudd      I woke up at 4 am, 11/5/12, knowing I was in labor, but not wanting to believe it just yet. After a false alarm at 38 weeks that resulted in 8 hours of contractions but no baby, I wanted to be certain before I made any calls. After an hour of increasingly strong contractions, I woke up my husband and told him to get ready. The contractions were about 5-7 minutes apart already and about 30-45 seconds each. At 6 am, we called my mother to come watch our 4-year-old, and then we called the Birth Center. They advised me to wait an hour and call back. I knew it was only a formality and that my baby would be born that day, so I breathed through a few more contractions and at 7 am, we called back, happy to report stronger contractions. We live an hour from the Birth Center, so they advised us to come on in.     One of my very best friends had agreed to be my doula, so she was the next call we made. I knew she’d set me straight when I looked at her and said “I can’t do this.” She also happens to be a great photographer, and I knew she’d capture the moments of my labor and delivery through the lens of her camera! At about 7:30am, we were on the road. I was nervous about handling contractions in the car, but the changing scenery offered a welcome distraction. I had approximately 15 contractions during the hour ride.      Sarah and Emily were both working that morning, and I remember feeling so relieved as I saw their faces because I knew they could handle whatever was about to happen and felt confident in their ability to guide me into my ‘dream birth.’ It was 8:30 am when we arrived, and Emily was happy to announce that I was 5 cm dilated. She was very reassuring and enthusiastic about how well I was doing, which was incredibly encouraging and gave me the extra confidence I needed. She suggested trying the shower to see if that helped. I sat on the birthing ball as my loving husband aimed the shower head at my belly. It was awful. The contractions were intense and close together, and I remember gripping the handrails and holding on for dear life just … Read More

News from the Board

by Kaaren Haldeman The board met in April and May to continue our work in strengthening the future of WBWC. As the next phase begins, we would like to thank Jane Brown and Yesenia Polanco Galdamez for their service to the board over the last year. Both Jane and Yesenia have resigned from board work, and we wish them both the best in their respective personal and professional lives. Additionally, Annie Lyerly will be stepping down as a board member but will continue to serve as a special advisor to the board and WBWC. We thank all of our members, past and present, for working passionately and diligently to ensure a strong future for our organization and our important work in serving women and their families in birth and beyond.

New Arrivals

*Ryan “Decklan” Mitchell – 8 lbs., 5 oz. – December 17, 2012 Benjamin MacNeill Massengale – 9 lbs., 1 oz. – January 17   Corinne Alexandria Daniels – 6 lbs., 12 oz. – February 1 Seth Stillman Page – 10 lbs., 4 oz. – March 1 Evelyn Sperry Totz – 6 lbs., 4 oz. – March 2 Leo Walker Johnson – 7 lbs., 11 oz. – March 3 Ruth Grace Manetti – 8 lbs., 14 oz. – March 3 Sophie Caete Ingle – 6 lbs., 12 oz. – March 4 Brody Charles Wilk – 8 lbs., 13 oz. – March 4 Hannah Rose Forrest – 8 lbs., 4 oz. – March 5 Jayden James Janoff – 6 lbs., 11 oz. – March 6 Eleanor Howell – 7 lbs., 10 oz. – March 6 Norah Ellen Tomlin– 7 lbs., 13 oz. – March 7 Desmond Maxwell Champagne – March 8 Zoe June Johnson White – 8 lbs., 10 oz. – March 9 Rose St. John Torrey – 8 lbs. – March 11 Victoria Grace Alexander – 7 lbs., 10 oz. – March 13 Jessminda Rose Saxon – 8 lbs. – March 14 Christian – 8 lbs., 4 oz. – March 14 *Lydia Elizabeth Capps – 6 lbs., 12 oz. – March 17 Ella Katelyn Hilton – 6 lbs., 9 oz. – March 17th Azalea Viviane Trimpi Seltman – 7 lbs., 2 oz. – March 19 Jacob Matthew Shilling – 9 lbs., 2 oz. – March 20 Adeline Mae Garrett – 7 lbs., 12 oz. – March 23 Slayden Lee Martinez – 7 lbs., 7 oz. – March 26 Evelynne Noelle Smith – March 27 Gaige Evan Earhart – 8 lbs., 6 oz. – March 25 Raina Willow Velazquez – 7 lbs., 13 oz. – March 27 Miriam JoAnn Keaton – 8 lbs., 3 oz. – March 29 Alyssa Grace Rodriguez – 8 lbs., 13 oz. – March 30 Molly Jean Amero – 7 lbs., 14 oz. – March 30 *pictured above Welcome to the world, little ones! If you would like your baby’s birth announced in the newsletter, send an email to missy_swanson@hotmail.com with baby’s name, date of birth, and weight. Feel free to include a picture!  We’d like to hear from all WBWC moms, whether you delivered at the birth center or UNC.

A Few Spots Left for September Group Prenatal Care!

Moms with babies due in September: Are you interested in Group Prenatal Care? Good news!  There are still a few spaces available. The deadline to sign up is May 8th.  If we don’t have enough interest by that date, we will have to cancel the group.  If you’d like to join, call us at (919) 933-3301 or let your midwife know at your next appointment.

Participate in a Study About Midwifery Care

Seeking current and former Birth Center clients to participate in a qualitative study on expectations and experiences of midwifery care. Focus groups will be held on Tuesday, April 30th at 7pm and/or Friday, May 3rd at 7pm at the Birth Center. Refreshments will be served. One-on-one interviews will be scheduled on an individual basis. If you are interested in participating, please email Dr. Aunchalee Palmquist at apalmquist@elon.edu with the following information:          – Name          – Phone number          – Date available (April 30th, May 3rd or both)          – When did you first become a Birth Center client?

“Graduates” from WBWC are invited to participate in our New Parent Education Program

     As you know, WBWC is committed to a providing safe and informed birth, as well as preparing young families for the adventure (and challenges) of being a new parent!  To enhance the services we now offer, we have collaborated with Jan Tedder, a nurse practitioner and lactation consultant at UNC Family Medicine Center, to bring us her HUG Your Baby program.  This award-winning program, used in over 100 countries around the world, helps parents understand their baby and prevent and solve problems around a baby’s breastfeeding, sleeping, crying and attachment. (For more information about HUG Your Baby, CLICK HERE.) In order to provide effective parent education materials, we need to know more about your experiences and needs as new parents. If you have been a patient at the WBWC and delivered between 9/1/2012 and 3/1/2013 (or there abouts), please CLICK HERE to complete a 10-minute online questionnaire. As a “Thank You,” we will send you at no cost The Growing Child E-Newsletter (value: $30).  This nationally acclaimed, monthly e-newsletter helps parents understand the normal growth and development of their child (from birth to age five).  Based on the specific age of your child, you receive tips for handling common parenting challenges, games that enhance baby’s learning, and a description of expected changes in the lives of new parents. Thank you for sharing your feedback so that we can continue to improve the support we offer young families!