Being a pregnant woman in the Boulder area is a good thing these days – you have many choices and options for your prenatal care, birth preparation, birth location, and postpartum support. If only all women were so lucky! With this good fortune, however, comes the burden of having to make decisions, important decisions, in all of those areas. It can be overwhelming to sift through so much information, all the while, hearing advice and getting input from friends, relatives, and folks in line at the grocery store. Of course, you want to make the best choices – the ones that will best serve you, your partner, and the baby. But how are you to know?

Coming from my experience as a mother of three (ranging in age from 6-14), as a doula and a mentor for hundreds of expectant couples in my Birthing From Within classes over the past decade… I suggest you start with this question (and really take some time to feel into it…) “What is it that I need to know in order to give birth to this baby?” That might sound obvious, but so often, newly pregnant women, especially those expecting their first child, get swamped with input about what OTHERS think she NEEDS to know in order to give birth to her baby. It can get muddied and difficult to separate out what she thinks she should do, or learn, or believe from what she instinctively or intuitively is seeking.

So, what is it that YOU need to know? For many newly pregnant women, the immediate thoughts that arise might be along the lines of “what do I need to do in order to have a ‘natural birth,’” or a “pain-free birth”, or “an intervention-free birth”. But the truth is, there is no magic answer to those questions, and it’s not something that one class or another could ever guarantee. Birth is unpredictable, and, even with the best laid plans and intentions, each birth unfolds in its own, unique way – with twists and turns, ups and down, and round abouts. Just ask Pam England, the author of Birthing From Within – she was a homebirth midwife, who “ate tofu and did yoga”, and planned to give birth in a tipi. In the end, she gave birth to her first child by cesarean. So, birth preparation is not about learning how to avoid a certain kind of birth or certain interventions, but truly, it is about asking: “What do I need to know and do so that I may be present for myself and for the birth of my child as it unfolds in its unique perfection and glory?”

Birthing From Within classes are unique in that they address what we call “The Three Types of Knowing”: Primordial, Modern, and Knowing Thyself. The first kind of knowing is primordial knowing: the innate maternal instinct. Women have this knowing in their bones! And they are in this knowing when they are not in their thinking mind. However, social conditioning has taught us not to trust or act on our gut knowing–until we have “thought it through,” researched it, second guessed it, or checked with others about what they think or would do. One task for newly pregnant women is to first learn to feel their gut instinct and to distinguish this feeling from fleeting fear (or the contagious fear of others). Another task for newly pregnant women is to awaken the fierce protective mother within and learn to boldly act on their gut instinct. Instead of trying to “get it right” (which is impossible!), mothers need to learn (or remember) to act from a place of love, doing what needs to be done in the moment, without attachment to outcome.

The second kind of knowing is modern knowing: which includes learning the nuts and bolts of labor, birth and postpartum. Modern knowing includes holistic preparation for all kinds of possibilities, including inductions and cesarean births. It also means preparing for how to navigate the postpartum journey. This kind of knowing helps parents make informed and empowered decisions as they arise along the way.

The third kind of knowing, knowing thyself, is the most important. Pregnant mothers need to take time during pregnancy to deeply dive into this kind of knowing as they prepare for birth as a rite of passage. Knowing thyself is a priority in my birth classes. Before a woman can know where she is going in birth and beyond, she needs to know from where she came and where she stands now. It is helpful for expectant parents to become aware of what is motivating them to learn more; to choose or to avoid certain things; to act or to freeze, so that they can shift old patterns that don’t serve them anymore and instead move from a place of inner knowing and guidance.

In a nutshell, my Birthing From Within classes are interactive and dynamic, and offer a safe and nurturing environment for pregnant mamas and their partners to explore the these three kinds of knowing and for their unique birth journey. In the class we explore the nuts and bolts about labor, birth and postpartum, learn pain-coping practices, prepare mentally and emotionally for birth using Birthing from Within processes, discover how to deepen relationships with birth partners, envision a space that will help you open in labor, and create community with other parents through lively discussion and sharing. Birthing From Within is an accessible birth preparation philosophy that meets the needs of a wide variety of parents – not just the ones for whom self-exploration comes naturally, or the ones preparing for a natural birth, or the ones with lots of complicated issues to work out… but all parents who are on this journey. So, what is that YOU need to know in order to give birth to this baby?

Erika Primozich, As Colorado’s first Certified Birthing From Within Mentor, I have taught BFW classes for over ten years, and I am also an Advisor for new BFW Mentors . As a mother of three children, I believe strongly in each woman’s innate ability to give birth and I enjoy guiding parents on their journey. I feel the power of birth and believe in the magic and miracle of it. I also have witnessed the incredible unpredictability in the way each birth manifests. Because of this, one of the main goals of my classes is to prepare parents not for the “perfect” birth, but instead, to be present for their particular birth experience as it emerges and unfolds in its own uniqueness and beauty (whatever that may look like!), one moment at a time.

info@diveintobirth.com; 303-746-0267; www.diveintobirth.com

Classes currently being offered at the BBCC taught by Erika Primozich:

Emerging Mothers: Early Pregnancy; A monthly gathering for newly pregnant mamas to learn, share and grow together. This class may be taken on its own, or as a part of the “Birthing From Within Bellies to Babies Circle” (which also includes the Birthing From Within birth preparation class and Mother’s Rising, a post-partum group); 1 2hr.class per month for three months.

Birthing From Within: Birth Preparation; The goal is to prepare parents to be mindfully present as their child’s birth unfolds, rather than holding on to ideas about how it should look/feel/progress etc… The class covers the nuts and bolts about labor, birth and postpartum; pain-coping practices, as well as deeper, holistic processes to expand parent’s emotional preparation and their relationships with birth partners. 7 week sessions

Birthing From Within: Birthing Again! ; A three-session class designed for parents experienced in birth who want to: reflect on and learn from their previous birth(s), dust off old pain-coping techniques that worked and learn new ones, prepare siblings for birth and the new baby, take time to enjoy this pregnancy and connect with this baby. 3 week sessions.

Checkout this article in the Boulder Daily Camera featuring the Boxing Workout Class For Moms at the Family Garden non-profit, resource center in Longmont.

http://www.dailycamera.com/lifestyles/ci_21093444/workout-week-boxing-workout-moms?IADID=Search-www.dailycamera.com-www.dailycamera.com

Is “cake” the first thing you think of when you hear the word placenta? Me neither. Cake is the Latin word for placenta, but envisioning a forkful of placenta cake after the birth of my little girl was the last thing on my mind. When our midwife asked me what I wanted to do with my placenta and suggested having it encapsulated, I shrugged and agreed. At the time, I had no idea what encapsulation was, or even what to do with it. A couple days later she showed up with a bottle of capsules, just like any other supplement, and gave me dosing instructions for an optimal transition and balanced postpartum period. I looked at her, looked at my partner, opened the bottle, and popped two pills like Flinstone vitamins as a child. I shrugged again and thought, “What could it hurt?”

At the time, I didn’t realize how much I benefited from the goodness of my placenta pills. Now as a professional of the birthing community, I can easily reflect on my speedy recovery. I only had to wear those goofy mesh panties for a few days, and my bleeding had completely stopped in less than two weeks; I had cantaloupe sized breasts with enough milk to feed a small village; The word “migraine” seemed to have gotten lost in translation; I became a master of the Scrabble board and didn’t need to sleep until I defeated those who were up for the challenge; And most importantly, with a history of depression and anxiety, I cherished ever moment of my new family without any trace of the “Baby Blues” or panic attacks. I was inspired to learn and share this profound discovery in hopes that all families would be blessed with a similar transition to what I experienced.

Just like every person, every birth is different, as well as every placenta. Even though there aren’t specific clinical statistics around the benefits of human Placentophagy (consuming placentas), clinical research teamed with theoretical studies offer much reassuring evidence. The placenta’s hormones have been known to release higher levels of bonding chemicals, increase milk supply and quality, boost the Mother’s immune system (and if she’s breastfeeding, immune boosters are also passed to the baby), help the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy state, and minimize pain from the labors of giving birth. Many of these hormones that are present in the placenta, when ingested, are naturally reintroduced without side effects for the Mother or risks to the tiny, vulnerable baby.

The process that I use to encapsulate placentas is based on practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). According to the Chinese, much of the body’s heat or “Chi” (our life force) is stripped during pregnancy and labors of birthing, and needs to be replenished in the postpartum period. To restore the “Chi” I use practices of TCM to gently clean, steam, dehydrate, and powder the placenta in preparation for consumption. In addition to these beliefs of restoring the “Chi”, the purpose of the mother ingesting supplement-like placenta is to reintroduce the beneficial vitamins, minerals, hormones, proteins, and other nutrients to her body following labor and birth. Each placenta produces approximately 70-150 capsules, which are taken 3 times a day for the first two weeks or until a feeling of balance is attained. Because it is dehydrated for preservation, it can be stored for many years and taken in times of transition, loss, imbalance, or even menopause. This medicine is created specifically for that mama only, and individual results may vary.

In addition to making medicine, time is taken to honor the allure of this organ by creating one-of-a-kind keepsakes that go along with it. Placenta prints are a way for families to see the size and shape of the placenta, and why it is often referred to as the “Tree of Life”, and the umbilical cord keepsake is another unique complement. They are all presented as a gift of health, courage, and beauty.

There varying thoughts and opinions around the purpose of the placenta after a birth – whether it be considered infectious waste by medical practitioners, or the Tree of Life by earth loving hippies, it is still capable of providing many benefits to Mothers and babies after the birth. This all leads me to ask one question – Who wouldn’t want a “piece of cake” transition into parenthood?

For more information visit: www.yourearthbirth.com or contact Nichole Johnson at info@yourearthbirth.com.

When planning ones birth, many questions have to be considered.  Expectant mothers and fathers often come up with a “birth plan” anticipating questions that may arise during the birthing process.  One question that has recently emerged is how long to wait before clamping the umbilical cord.  Currently there is not one well-accepted standard for when to clamp the umbilical cord.  In most labor and delivery wards, once the baby is delivered, the cord is immediately clamped, stopping the blood supply from the placenta to the baby, and then cut, separating the baby from the mother.  This process is usually done quickly allowing either necessary medical intervention, or immediate bonding between baby and mother.  Delayed cord clamping, an alternative to this standard process, is when the delivering caregiver waits more than 30 seconds before clamping and cutting the umbilical cord.  This way, the baby remains connected to the placenta for a longer time, and more blood is allowed to flow towards the baby increasing its reserve.  The suggested time for delayed cord clamping is between 1 to 3 minutes, but up to 10 minutes has been shown to be safe.

Current literature about delayed umbilical cord clamping suggests that it is safe and beneficial for some births.  One such benefit is the prevention of anemia (low red blood cell count) in the first six months of life.  It has also been shown to be beneficial for premature infants.  Reducing the rates of two common complications of pre-maturity, intra-ventricular Hemorrhages (brain bleeds) and severe life threatening infections.

There are also some concerns discussed in the literature regarding delayed umbilical cord clamping.  One of these concerns is that the baby may develop polycythemia a condition where the blood is too thick and can clot inappropriately.  Polycythemia can be very dangerous, causing breathing difficulties and even stroke in newborns.  There are several medical circumstances where delayed cord clamping in not suggested.  These include maternal bleeding or fetal distress including slow heart rate, meconium staining, or breathing difficulties.  In addition, if you are thinking of banking your cord blood for stem cells, early clamping can increase the yield for a better sample.

Currently there is not enough definitive information to suggest delayed cord clamping for all births. If as a parent you do decide to delay umbilical cord claming, here are a couple of suggestions.  Ask the delivering caregiver to keep the baby at the level of your belly prior to clamping the umbilical cord.  This will allow blood to flow from the placenta to the baby naturally.  Another suggestion is to not delay clamping for more than 10 minutes.

A little info on the practice :

Mindful Pediatrics is the general pediatric office of Roy Steinbock MD, a board certified pediatrician, seeing children from birth through adolescence for all their wellness care, sicknesses and general health guidance.

“At Mindful Pediatrics, I have created a practice that promotes the highest quality of care in a supportive and nurturing environment. I practice evidence-based western medicine with a holistic approach.  I believe that each child is unique and has to be understood from a biological, psychological, spiritual and social perspective. Using my knowledge of general Pediatrics, nutrition, mindfulness, and holistic medicine, I guide my patients and their families in both well care and illness.  From nutrition to exercise, mind-body, homeopathy, herbs and pharmaceutical drugs, I use the most appropriate and mildest combination to achieve the best outcome. Taking the time to gain this greater understanding, I believe is the key to an accurate diagnosis and treatment.”

“Wellness is our ability to respond to challenges and stressors effectively, and return to a state of balance.  I focus on the root cause of a problem, and aim to support my patient’s natural resources for healing.”

-Roy Steinbock M.D.