BABI Learning Circles
Not just for doulas! These meetings are for
all birth related professionals and those interested in educating and supporting women and families through pregnancy, childbirth, and early parenting. These meetings are both educational and supportive. The first hour is generally about catching up and meeting new people. The last two hours of the meeting are used for keeping current on BABI and general birth related events and then a presentation/discussion session. The presentation/discussion session has a designated topic for that meeting and is open to anyone with expertise in that area to bring things to discuss such as research, experience and related education/support.
The locations rotate throughout the San Jose/Sunnyvale area and are TBA unless listed in the
calendar.
Upcoming Meetings
Meetings
usually fall on the 4th week of the month and alternate Wednesday and Saturday. Please check the
calendar for any date changes around holidays.
* Meetings are currently being revamped. Check back for the 2012 schedule.
Questions? Do you have a topic to suggest or would you like to speak at an upcoming meeting?
Contact BABI's Education Chairs - Patricia Madden & Rowen Holland
Past Meetings:
Prenatal & Postpartum Emotional Challenges
Saturday, June 25th - Kris Peterson
Kris Peterson will be talking about prenatal and postpartum emotional challenges, including postpartum depression and other perinatal mood disorders, and how to help women who are struggling with these issues. Kris is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and is coordinator of the Maternal Outreach Mood Services (MOMS) program at El Camino Hospital, which offers counseling and treatment of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
Working with Survivors
Wednesday, May 25th - Sharon Storton, MA, CCHT, LMFT
Research indicates that approximately 1/3 or more of the women you work with will have a history of inappropriate sexual harassment, rape, or even chronic sexual abuse. Some women define a previous birth as "birth rape." Assault of any kind can impact birth, mother/baby and couple attachment, and a woman's long-term health and well being.
Sharon Storton is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in private practice at Harmony Birth & Family in Campbell, the Counseling Coordinator and Supervisor at the YWCA-Silicon Valley Rape Crisis Center, a graduate student researching healing after traumatic birth, and a birth junkie for more than 2 decades.
Working with Moms with Low Milk Supply
Join Jeanna Lurie and Julie Martinez, two experienced moms who have walked a long journey to find the “cure” for their low-milk supply issues. Finding the answers was not easy- it was never totally clear what the problems were let alone the solutions. One thing was clear however- very few people- family, friends, and birth/ postpartum professionals alike, rarely knew how to approach the issue. Regardless of the level of their clinical knowledge, their ability to relate on an emotional level was often lacking (although, of course, well meaning). Jeanna and Julie will present their own personal journeys, what they wish their providers had known, and the best way to support a mom dealing with supply issues. They will include lists of resources as well, but the focus will be on the support piece as opposed to clinical knowledge. This is a great talk for all birthing professionals, and esp. those who work specifically with lactation.
Techniques to Help Labor Progress
Wednesday, March 23rd
Discussion about techniques to help the progress of labor and when to head to the hospital.
Homeopathy for the Childbearing Year
Saturday, February 26th
Masha Rosen, CCH will be speaking about using homeopathic remedies to support healthy pregnancy, homeopathy in labor and postpartum. Masha is a certified classical homeopath with a private practice in Burlingame and Palo Alto. Masha specializes in homeopathic pediatrics and women’s health, fertility, prenatal and postnatal.
Acupuncture for All Phases of Pregnancy and Postpartum
Wednesday, January 26th 11-2
Acupuncture and herbal treatments for all phases of pregnancy and postpartum. Case studies about mastitis, vbac support, labor preparation, labor support for SROM and PROM, etc.
BABI Holiday Social
December 4th - 5:30 pm - 9pm - BABI Holiday Social, hosted by Tiny Tots.
Join us for a much needed social outing - come meet other BABI members and enjoy great food and drink, provided by Tiny Tots!
The Use of TENS for Labor
Wednesday, November 17th 11-2 (Date moved due to Thanksgiving)
What is a TENS? How can it help a woman during labor? How can Doulas use this in their practice to add to their repertoire of coping strategies and options for her Mamas? Come to this SBBC to hear Diana Hurwitz explain the benefits of adding a TENS unit to your doula bag. We will all try it out during this meeting so you can experience the TENS for yourself and you will take home a handout about the TENS that you can keep or give to your clients.
Networking Meeting
Saturday, October 23th 10-1pm
Cranial Osteopathy in Pregnancy and Childbirth
Wednesday, September 22nd 11-2pm
Patricia Reber-Weltz, DO will speak about Cranial Osteopathy and it’s benefits in pregnancy and childbirth. Discussion will include how the birth process affects infants and when to refer for treatment.
Placenta Encapsulation
Saturday, August 28th 10-1pm
Mendy Thijssen will speak about Placenta Encapsulation. Benefits for moms, politics of placentas and release from hospitals, tallking to the 'medical' community about an 'eastern' medicine with proven effects, and mainstreaming this idea to the general public.
Positive Birth Stories
Wednesday, July 28th 11-2pm
Saturday, June 26, 2010 - NO MEETING
How Birth Affects Breastfeeding
Sylvia Boyd, IBCLC & PT will be with us to talk about How Birth Affects Breastfeeding.
Saturday, April 24th, 2010 10-1
Come join us for an informal social and networking meeting at the home of Allana Moore.
Electronic Fetal Monitoring
Wednesday, March 31, 2010 11-2pm
Elizabeth Novelo, RN will be speaking to us about understanding EFM
Arrested Labors
Saturday, February 27th
Reasons for stalled or slowed labors. How do you help a labor that has stalled or slowed?
Tricks of the Trade
Wednesday, January 27th, 2010
Things that can make a difference and contents of your birth bag.
MANA Conference
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
After some socializing and getting to know some newer faces, those that attended the MANA conference presented an overview of the conference.
Viewing of Biological Nurturing Video
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Once again, our birth circle meeting was complete with good food, friends and information! The repeat showing of the DVD on Biological Nurturing - Laid Back Breastfeeding was, again, a big success and the handouts, very helpful. Patricia will keep the DVD - that will be available for loan to BABI members to view. So if you haven't seen it you can make arrangements, with her, to borrow it.
Jeannie brought some flyers on a new "green" breastpump that some of you might be interested in looking into. It is manufactured by Hygeia with some benefits that are not available with Medela or Ameda.
We missed those of you that couldn't make it and hope to see you next time.
Positive Birth Stories
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
We kept it light this month and discussed positive birth stories to help renew our trust in birth.
Birth Choices: How Birth Can Affect Breastfeeding Initiation and Outcomes
Saturday, June 25, 2009
Partly based on the presentation Why Johnny Can't Suck – Effects of Birth Medications, Effects of Birth Practices and Supportive Policies & Practices. This presentation focused on the baby who has sucking/latching problems associated with US childbirth management.
All of the attendees were seasoned doulas and CB teachers with such a wealth of experience and wisdom. We all thought how wonderful it would be for the new doulas, educators, etc. to be there to network, vent and learn. These meetings are rich with dialog that can be so helpful to the newbies - and they are free!!
Biological Nurturing
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
We had a terrific meeting. Jeannie presented a neurobehavioral approach to Breastfeeding (laid back breastfeeding). This workshop highlighted the work of Suzanne Colson, RN, CM, PhD. This was a great piece, especially for Doulas and Educators. It was small, but full of information and a nice time to reconnect with friends and new members as well. Jeannie, you were simply fabulous!
Handling Long, Tough Births
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Discussed strategies for handling long and/or tough births. What gets you through a long birth? How do you process a tough birth? What support do moms and partners need?
Positive Birth Stories
Sunday, December 14, 2008
This gathering was mostly social. We all get burned out and are tired of hearing all about how the maternity care system is failing, so we gathered to hear about the things that are going well.
Your Favorite Tools for Labor
Saturday October 4, 2008 from 11-2pm
We gathered and discussed everyone's favorite tools for labor.
The Birth Survey
Sat June 7, 2008
The topic was the CIMS Transparency in Maternity Care Project: The Birth Survey. This exciting project is launching nationwide in August. We are fortunate to have 2 members who are actively involved with this project who presented to the group. Allana Moore discussed the survey itself (takes 20 minutes to complete, can be completed in multiple sessions, feedback/stats compiled and not released until there is a valid sample, etc). Jeannie Batacan talked about getting the word out to as many people as possible. She has lots of great materials to put out in classes, resource areas, etc.
There was also a lively discussion about a doula's impact on the maternity care system and women's perception of that care.
Saturday November 3, 2007
There was no formal topic for this meeting. It was an opportunity for members to give feedback to BABI and discuss many of the upcoming projects BABI has planned for 2008.
Sat Aug 18, 2007
BABI members met and discussed Pre-term Labor.
Sat June 23, 2007
Pregnancy Loss/Postpartum Depression with Sharon Storton
April 18, 2007
Henci Goer and other local birth professionals got together to discuss induction. Attendees shared birth stories, client/patient induction questions and answers, and discussed the latest research on induction.
March 10, 2007
Gestational Diabetes
January 28, 2007
Breastfeeding with Jeanne and Bridget - they presented a lot of great info and tips as well as bringing great visual aids and resources.
December 9, 2006
Nutrition presented by Julie Matthews - she talked about nutrition in pregnancy included great info on fermented foods, raw foods and quality of food. She also brought in raw sauerkraut for us to sample and showed us how to make our own whey!
September 9, 2006
VBAC's presented by Yelena Kolodji - she talked about the safety and efficacy of VBAC, causes of the increase in cesareans and ways to reduce the rise of cesareans, and finally what is the true cost of this rise in cesareans to mothers, babies and society.
July 16, 2006
Working with Teens presented by Kari Seligman, Sandy Caldwell and Michelle Germain. They helped everyone become more comfortable and competent at working with teens during pregnancy.
April 2, 2006
This meeting included presenters Henci Goer (author of The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth and more), Sharon Storton, MFT, and Allana Moore.
Henci Goer and Sharon Storton shared the latest from the CIMS (Coalition for Improving Maternity Services) conference in D.C. from the prior month and gave us an update on the status of maternity care in the United States. Henci also gave us an overview of the NIH (National Institute of Health) conference which was on c-section, specifically maternal requested. Allana Moore also talked about social change and how BABI fits into the long term goal of improving maternity care.
February 18, 2006
Our speaker was called to a birth last minute so we had an open discussion on what was happening in the birth community.
January 8, 2006
Acupuncture presented by Claudia Wolfe (we were sad that Tatyana Teeuwisse was unable to make it as a presenter but excited because it was due to her going into labor with Casper, her son). This was an opportunity to learn what Oriental medicine can do from getting pregnant to post natal care.
December 3, 2005
Jennifer Pennick of Inner Reflection presented on the benefits of pre and post-natal yoga. She also gave all in attendance a short yoga workout so we could all experience it for ourselves!
October 23, 2005
Andrea Slosarik presented Rebozo techniques.
September 17, 2005
Prodromal and Long Labor presented by Rosanna Davis, CPM, LM and Sharon Storton, LMFT. Prodromal and even a productive but longer-than-average labor may be normal for a given mother and her baby. More than likely, this point is uncontested within the doula community. We learned from the experts how to decipher signs a mothers body and birth situation may be giving us during labor.
If labor heads into an "stall", psychological components can be addressed, even during the labor itself. Several rather simple but effective techniques can be used to address the emotional road blocks to birth. They also covered techniques to be used by a doula to center and ground herself that can assist in introducing an oasis of calm and peace to a stressful situation. These are applicable to any birth and even everyday life!
May 14, 2005
Marina Rose, DC presented on preventing or managing some common pregnancy related symptoms and disorders/diseases through natural, nutritional and herbal means.
April 2, 2005
Allana Moore and Jeanna Lurie presented on their experience at the CIMS and Birthing the Future conferences. They talked about what they learned and we became inspired!
February 20, 2005
Chiropractic Care and Pregnancy presented by Kate Fox, DC including Webster technique and nutrition.
January 8, 2005
Sharon Storton, LMFT presenting on differentiating perinatal depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Click for her handout.
November 14, 2004
Rosanna Davis, LM, CPM led a discussion on growing a successful birth-related business and one that particularly matches our individual strengths and desires. It's not just about getting clients or filling classes, but also about which clients and which students are best suited to benefit from your style of class or service, so everyone benefits.
She will include information and tips she has gathered from many sources including: growing her own quite successful doula career, going into business (that is already taking off!) as a new midwife, working with and learning from other birth professionals, personal reading, trainings, and classes from the Small Business Association, and invites us all to bring our wisdom and experience to share in the discussion.
October 2, 2004
Neri Choma will present recent findings on 2nd stage, how to help support women through the pushing stage, and the Epi-No, a device for helping women prepare in advance for opening preventing the need for tearing or episiotomy.
August 22, 2004
Shelley Ewing, CMT, CAT will do a session with us on Acupressure and Massage for pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. Even if you've done a training on these topics before, this will give you a chance to check your technique and hone your skills!
May 23, 2004
Donna Driscoll one of our fabulous local midwives, will talk with us about: Pre-natal care & testing, what she, as a midwife, would like for a doula to know/do, and what we should know in case a baby is born when no other care-provider is present.
April 17th, 2004
Discussion with Suzanne Arms - $15 per person
"I started a non-profit organization called Birthing The Future (in August last year) whose mission is: to gather and communicate the finest world wisdom - from ancient tribal beliefs and practices to modern scientific evidence and models from around the world - about how best to care for mothers and babies during the primal period (from pre-conception to age one). We do this in order to further their optimal development - physically, psychologically & spiritually - individually and as a biological whole system. In this way individuals and organizations can make wise choices that will further health, happiness and peace on earth.
I am a founding member of CIMS, the Coalition to Improve Maternity Services and a TLC, the Alliance for Transforming the Lives of Children.
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