Acupressure
- Acupressure
is the ancient Chinese art of applying finger pressure to treat disease,
relieve pain, and maintain health. In pregnancy, certain acupressure
points have been traditionally used to help induce labor in post-term
mothers as a non-drug alternative. Other pressure points have been known
to help ease labor pains, advance labor, stimulate lactation, reduce
morning sickness, and relieve stress and fatigue. Basic acupressure
is simple to practice and easy to learn.
Acupuncture
- is
the insertion of needles on the surface of the body to treat disease,
relieve pain, and maintain health. Based on traditional Chinese medicine,
acupuncture is used to help promote fertility, ease pregnancy discomfort,
turn a breech baby, induce labor, and provide postpartum support.
Many acupuncturists have additional training in Chinese herbology,
and may suggest the use of safe herbs to support fertility or address
postpartum depression. Acupuncture needles are very thin and do not
cause discomfort in most people. Acupuncture has limited coverage
by certain insurers in Rhode Island.
Babywearing
Workshops - Babywearing
workshops are an excellent way to learn how to wear your baby with confidence
using the baby caririer you already own or by trying different brands
and styles offered by the consultant. Feeling confident, being comfortable
and ease of use is key to happy babywearing.
Breathwork
- The healing breathwork experience supports emotional healing in preparation for childbirth and for the wholeness of human beings in general. Limbic imprint (see article below) is an area of special interest that can be effectively healed through the breathwork process. When you release the body memory of stress and trauma from your past NOW, you strengthen your emotional stamina (as well as physical stamina) to create a birth process of ease, grace and deepest connection.
Normally, a woman gives birth the way she herself was born, due to the mechanism of limbic imprint. Thatē“ all her body knows about "how-to" procreate. Unless she consciously alters that memory, she hands down her own birth trauma to her daughter, as she herself received it from her mother. Bloody and violent human history is created by very damaged people. But the simple truth is, it does not have to be this way.
We can make a conscious effort to heal our own birth trauma and embrace the opportunity of creating a masterpiece of our life. We can recognize that however rude the beginning was, we do have a choice as adults to reprogram our limbic imprint and transmute suffering and helplessness during the birth process into the original love and joy of being born on this planet. We can regain our authentic power, clear the pain of our ancestors from our system, and set the stage for our children to step into their lives as peaceful, empowered guardians of the earth.
From : Elana Torelli on the DVD "BIRTH INTO BEING"
Cesarean
Information/Support - "The
International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN), founded in 1982, is
a network of people concerned about the incidence of cesarean birth.
It aims to reduce the rate of cesarean deliveries, to provide a forum
for discussion, and to provide a support network for women recovering
from cesarean deliveries. ICAN provides current information on cesarean
prevention and vaginal birth after cesarean. Chapters are active across
the United States and overseas. ICAN has developed an educational program
on cesarean prevention and vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). ICAN
is supported by membership dues and contributions."
Childbirth
Education Instructors - Childbirth
education prepares the mother and usually her partner for labor and birth.
It may also include information on cesarian birth, breastfeeding, maternal
postpartum issues, and neonatal care. Special classes may be available
for adolescent mothers, vaginal birth after cesarian birth, siblings,
and grandparents. Classes may consist of lectures, slides, videos, demonstration,
and practice. Based on the goals of the facility or instructor, childbirth
education classes can vary considerably in terms of content. For example,
some classes may focus primarily on the childbirth process, while others
provide information on wellness behaviors during the different trimesters
of pregnancy. Classes offered by some facilities may not include information
on postpartum contraceptive choices. Some classes provide information
on fetal growth and development and maternal changes during pregnancy.
These classes are usually offered earlier in a woman's pregnancy while
classes that focus primarily on labor and delivery are offered later.
Craniopathy -
Area of medicine concerned with the bones that encase the brain.
The cranium (skull) may be distorted by birth trauma, accidents, postural stresses,
dental extractions and malocclusions, chronic physiological stresses, toxic exposure,
and other conditions. Craniopathy facilitates the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid and
the functioning of nerve tissue, helping to balance the muscles and bones of the face,
cranium, and neck. Cranial adjustments by a craniopath have produced profound and
dramatic results for many people. These patients return to work and recreational
activities that were long-abandoned and labeled painful.
Cloth
Diapering Consultation - Cloth
Diapering can seem daunting to any new mom, with so many styles, brands
and materials to choose from, never mind how to care for them. With
a cloth diapering consualtation you will have the opportunity to learn
about the pros and cons of each brand/style, see them in person and
practice with them to see which fit your needs best. Find out how easy
this economic and eco-friendly choice can be.
Chiropractors
- Chiropractic
is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal
system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general
health. Chiropractic care is used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal
complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in
the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches.
Doctors of Chiropractic – often referred to as chiropractors or chiropractic
physicians – practice a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care
that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. Chiropractors
have broad diagnostic skills and are also trained to recommend therapeutic
and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary
and lifestyle counseling.
The most common therapeutic procedure performed by doctors of chiropractic
is known as “spinal manipulation,” also called “chiropractic
adjustment.” The purpose of manipulation is to restore joint mobility
by manually applying a controlled force into joints that have become hypomobile
– or restricted in their movement – as a result of a tissue
injury. Tissue injury can be caused by a single traumatic event, such
as improper lifting of a heavy object, or through repetitive stresses,
such as sitting in an awkward position with poor spinal posture for an
extended period of time. In either case, injured tissues undergo physical
and chemical changes that can cause inflammation, pain, and diminished
function for the sufferer. Manipulation, or adjustment of the affected
joint and tissues, restores mobility, thereby alleviating pain and muscle
tightness, and allowing tissues to heal.
Chiropractic adjustment rarely causes discomfort. However, patients may
sometimes experience mild soreness or aching following treatment (as with
some forms of exercise) that usually resolves within 12 to 48 hours.
Doctors of chiropractic may assess patients through clinical examination,
laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging and other diagnostic interventions
to determine when chiropractic treatment is appropriate or when it is
not appropriate. Chiropractors will readily refer patients to the appropriate
health care provider when chiropractic care is not suitable for the patient’s
condition, or the condition warrants co-management in conjunction with
other members of the health care team.
Doulas
- Birth & Postpartum - Giving
birth to a baby is so much more than a physical phenomenon; it engages
parents-to-be in a transformational experience, a key life event full
of emotion and meaning. A doula who accompanies a woman in labor mothers
the mother, taking care of her emotional needs throughout childbirth.
A doula also provides support and suggestions for partners that can enhance
their experiences of birth. A postpartum doula continues that valuable
emotional support and guidance, helping a family make a smooth transition
into new family dynamics.
Herbalist -
An Herbalist is a person who is well versed in the art and science of herbal medicine. One who takes into account many different modalities of healing, looks at the whole body and uses specific plants or combinations of plants to bring and maintain balance to the whole person. Herbal medicine is very effective for healing a broad range of imbalances from acne to auto immune issues and beyond.
Holistic/Progressive
Pediatricians - Medical
doctor specializing in the care of babies and children who believes
in empowering parents with the information needed to be active participants
in their children's health.
Homeopathy
- The term
homeopathy comes from the Greek words homeo, meaning similar, and pathos,
meaning suffering or disease. Homeopathy is an alternative medical system.
Alternative medical systems are built upon complete systems of theory
and practice, and often have evolved apart from and earlier than the conventional
medical approach used in the United States.a Homeopathy takes a different
approach from conventional medicine in diagnosing, classifying, and treating
medical problems.
Key concepts of homeopathy include:
-
Homeopathy
seeks to stimulate the body's defense mechanisms and processes so
as to prevent or treat illness.
-
Treatment
involves giving very small doses of substances called remedies that,
according to homeopathy, would produce the same or similar symptoms
of illness in healthy people if they were given in larger doses.
- Treatment in homeopathy
is individualized (tailored to each person). Homeopathic practitioners
select remedies according to a total picture of the patient, including
not only symptoms but lifestyle, emotional and mental states, and other
factors.
HypnoBirthing
- HypnoBirthing®
- The Mongan Method is as much a philosophy as it is a technique. The
method teaches you that in the absence of fear and tension, severe pain
does not have to be an accompaniment of labor. You will gain an understanding
of how the birthing muscles work in perfect harmony--as they were designed
to--when your body is sufficiently relaxed. You will learn how to achieve
this kind of relaxation, free of the resistance that fear creates, and
you will learn to use your natural birthing instincts for a calm, serene
and comfortable birthing.
HypnoBirthing prepares couples for birthing through breathing and self-hypnosis
to promote relaxation and comfort for mother and baby. It is a complete
childbirth education course with specific instruction given to the physiological
aspects of labor and delivery. Additional information is provided on
visualization tools, positions for birthing, bonding exercises, preparing
a birth preference, communicating effectively with your physician, and
customizing your birth experience.
Infant
Massage - Mothers
have been practicing the art of infant massage for centuries. Based on
this historical fact, it is very clear that all babies should be massaged,
touched and loved to promote their social-emotional-cognitive and physical
development. As an early intervention strategy and therapeutic tool, infant
massage is becoming a specialty therapy in the United States. Infant massage
is being embraced by a wide variety of professionals who are incorporating
it into their practices to help families cope with children with special
needs as well as healthy full term newborns. Techniques are simple and
effective and are most likely performed by parents and primary caregivers
who have been taught by certified infant massage instructors. The approach
is empowering and improves the parent-infant attachment process. There
is a growing body of research that supports the therapeutic benefits.
Infant massage is a crucial and routine part of infant care around the
world and has the ability to create great benefits for both parents and
the newborn.
Labor
Support Classes for Birth Partners - Classes specially designed
to teach the birth partner how to support the laboring woman with various
techniques that are designed to offer a more rewarding birth experience.
Techniques can incude massage, shiatsu, pressure points, ice massage and
more.
Lactation Services - The
primary function of the lactation consultant is to gently guide the
mother's breastfeeding in a manner that involves the least intrusion
and generates a minimal amount of complications. The consultant's skills
are based on scientific information and familiarity with breastfeeding.
A useful approach for the consultant is to make suggestions to the mother
while explaining the rationale behind these recommendations. The mother
can then determine how to adapt these recommendations to best promote
her needs and the needs of her baby. Potential problems that a lactation
consultant would assist a client with are nipple soreness, breast engorgement,
and milk production. A lactation consultant should be knowledgeable
in the various components of science of lactation: milk production,
normal breastfeeding behaviors, and factors that may impact the breastfeeding
relationship.
Massage
Therapists - Pre/Postnatal - During
the major changes the body undergoes during pregnancy, a massage can be
helpful to assist with the discomfort associated to it. Offering relief
from lower back pain, shoulder tension, joint aches and even stretch marks.
Prenatal massage is useful during the 9 months of a low risk pregnancy
and can include specific light/deep tissue massage, acupressure, reflexology,
myofascial release and others. Practitioners need to be properly trained
in prenatal massage and patients should check in with their doctors before
seeking treatments.
Maternal Mental Health
-
Midwifery
- Midwives
are in a privileged position to be able to help a woman and her family
through the very special life transition when they have a baby. They
make a positive contribution to the health and wellbeing of the mother
and her unborn baby and have an important role acting as a woman's advocate,
carer, guide and friend. There is a common misconception that midwives
are only involved in delivering babies, but it goes much further than
that. Here is the World Health Organisation's definition of a Midwife:
"A midwife is a person who is qualified to practice midwifery.
A midwife is trained to give the necessary care and advice to women
during pregnancy, labour and the postnatal period, to conduct normal
deliveries on her own responsibility, and to care for the newly born
infant as well as having training in gynaecology and child care. At
all times a midwife must be able to recognise the warning signs of abnormal
or potentially abnormal conditions which necessitate referral to a doctor,
and to carry out emergency measures in the absence of medical help.
A midwife may practice in hospitals, health units or domiciliary services.
In any of these situations, a midwife has an important task in health
education with the family and community."
Naturopathy
- Naturopathic
medicine is a system of healing based on the wisdom that the body will
heal itself if it is given the support it needs. Naturopaths are trained
to recognize and treat all common medical conditions, but focus on prevention
and use of alternative treatments. Therapies include detoxification,
nutritional supplements, diet and lifestyle modifications, allergy elimination
techniques (NAET), herbal medicine and homeopathy.
Osteopathy - American Osteopathic Association - Osteopathic medicine is dedicated to treating and healing the entire patient
as a whole, rather than focusing on one system or body part. An osteopathic
physician will often use a treatment method called manipulation -- a hands-on
approach to assure that the body is moving freely.
Reiki
- Reiki
is a non-invasive, non-manipulative therapy. Like Acupuncture, Reiki
works on the idea that energy flows freely in the body but in times
of stress, illness, or injury, can become blocked. Reiki practitioners
gently lay their hands on or just above the body and "run"
energy through the client, which will "unblock" channels,
leading to deep relaxation and stress reduction, thus enabling the body
to more effeciently heal. Used for emotional healing, pain reduction,
detoxification and immune support. The word Reiki (pronounced RAY kee)
is Japanese and means "universal light/healing energy."
Shiatsu
- Pre/Postnatal- Shiatsu
is Japanese for "finger pressure", and has been traditionally
used by midwives in Japan to support a healthy pregnancy and labor.
This Asian healing art is based on the same principles as acupuncture,
except no needles are used. Instead, the shiatsu practitioner applies
finger and palm pressure, stretches, and massage techniques that are
said to help balance and restore the body's life energy. Clients are
fully clothed. Therapists trained in pregnancy and postpartum shiatsu
commonly see clients suffering from back and hip pain, stress, exhaustion,
and morning sickness. Shiatsu is also useful in helping advance labor
and ease labor pains.
Sleep
Consultant- A
sleep consultant works with families to develop healthy sleep habits
that are age and developmentally appropriate for babies and children
and are based on the their natural circadian rhythm. The preferred age
to start this is around 3 months, as it is much less difficult for the
family and gets things off to a good start. When done later, the same
results can be accomplish, it just might be more challenging. Gradual
incremental change promotes a well rested and happy family and will
work within the family’s comfort level to achieve the results they
seek.
Supportive
OBGYN's- OBGYN's
listed under this heading are typically, but not limited to, being traditional
in practice while also being flexible with patients wishes and open
minded to alternative and complimentary birthing practices.
Pilates
- Pre/Postnatal - Pilates
is a method of exercise developed by German-born Joseph Pilates. In 1926,
Joseph and Clara Pilates brought their exercise system, originally called
“Contrology”, to New York City. The Pilates method is a physical
movement program designed to stretch, strengthen, and balance the body.
Pilates exercise focuses on postural symmetry, breath control, abdominal
strength, spine, pelvis and shoulder stabilization, muscular flexibility,
joint mobility and strengthening through the complete range of motion
of all joints. Instead of isolating muscle groups, the whole body is trained,
integrating the upper and lower extremities with the trunk.
VBAC
Information/Support -"The
International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN), founded in 1982, is
a network of people concerned about the incidence of cesarean birth.
It aims to reduce the rate of cesarean deliveries, to provide a forum
for discussion, and to provide a support network for women recovering
from cesarean deliveries. ICAN provides current information on cesarean
prevention and vaginal birth after cesarean. Chapters are active across
the United States and overseas. ICAN has developed an educational program
on cesarean prevention and vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). ICAN
is supported by membership dues and contributions."
Yoga
- Pre/Postnatal - Yoga
is a Sanskrit word derived from the Sanskrit root "yuj" which
means to connect, join or balance.
Prenatal
yoga is a yoga practice for the specific population of expectant mothers.
Regular practice can help maintain wellness during pregnancy, promote
relaxation and alleviate common ailments such as low back pain. A general
population yoga class is not recommended as many yoga postures are contraindicated
to pregnancy.
The
practice can foster deep bonding with the baby while in utero, and will
increase a woman's sensitivity and awareness to the subtle movements
and sensations within her body.
