The year ahead
The beginning of a new year offers a time for reflection. 2013 was kind to me and offered me the chance to renew my DONA certification and my International Childbirth Education Certification. I began life as a student and apprenticing midwife, and starting working with some wonderful women to expand the scope of the work I do as a volunteer on behalf of La Leche League International . With all this going on I have had a chance to update my skills, be reviewed by peers in the childbirth community, and recommit to offering women on Nantucket options and education. It also means that as a doula and childbirth educator I have been certified and working on Nantucket for 5 years now. I have been a volunteer La Leche League Leader for 12 years. Experience has shown me that there is no one right way to give birth or to parent. Mothers and their babies have unique paths. I have really learned to listen to women and help them find their questions on birth and parenting, to support them in finding the answers, and to support parents in the vulnerable early days of birth and parenting.
New for 2014!
I am happy to be adding Newborn Care Classes. These classes are generously offered for free with the support of the Nantucket Community School. The feedback I had been getting from families that attended my childbirth education classes or came to La Leche League was that they wanted more. They wanted to know and prepare for what happens after birth. Thus was born the Newborn Care Class. I ran a couple of classes last year just to see what the interest was and was happily surprised by two large classes. The feedback was very positive. The classes were structured but relaxed, engaging, and really helped parents reduce their anxieties about parenting by preparing. This class focuses on many things from getting to know about your newborn’s senses, how they communicate in the early days, hunger cues, feeding your newborn, growth spurts, nighttime parenting, when to call the doctor, and the essential how to’s of caring for your newborn. There are two classes in the series.
Newborn Care Classes will be held from 6:30-8:30pm Monday March 3 and Monday March 10 and again Monday April 14 and Wednesday April 16. Please send me an email if you are interested in joining or check the Nantucket Community School’s website come February.
On going classes:
Childbirth Education Classes at Nantucket Cottage Hospital begin tonight and run once a week for 6 weeks. I then take a break and will begin the next series in March and run for six weeks. The last class before summer hits will begin in May. Please contact Ellen Coe at Nantucket Cottage Hospital to register or feel free to let me know and I will assist you in signing up.
Private Childbirth Education classes are always available to fit your schedule and your needs. Please let me know if you are interested. There is a full menu of childbirth education classes available here.
La Leche League
La Leche League is a mother to mother breastfeeding support group that runs once a month. We meet the third Friday at 9am in the Early Childhood Center at the High School. Just drop in! The group is free and open to all expectant and nursing moms and their children.
There’s also a surprise in the works.
I have been inspired to work towards offering a different kind of childbirth education class that focuses more on the heart and the woman’s path in preparation for birth and parenting. This class will be a compliment to the classes I already offer but work in an entirely new medium. This seedling is just taking root and I hope to be able to offer more information by the end of the month. Stay tuned!
Doula work
I am happy to say that I have been selected to work with 7 mamas so far this year, one of whom is a repeat customer! I can’t even express how happy I am to offer each and every one of you support. If you are interested in sharing your birth with me as your doula, I would be honored.
Also new this year is the ablity to charge any of my services to your credit card! As always we work together to find a fee structure that makes the most sense for you.
I wouldn’t be able to do what I love without the support of my island community.
I want to thank everyone that has committed to working with me, taken a class or two, come to La Leche League, donated towards the cost of my schooling, clicked on my website and read my blog, cheered me on, and especially Sybille Andersen who has been my preceptor, teacher, and guide during my time as a student midwife. Without the role each of you has played this year I wouldn’t be where I am now. Thank you all for sharing some of the most profound moments of your life with me. I strive to offer you confident care that is compassionate, honest, and just what you need. I look forward to seeing your babies grow and for some of you, working with you again in 2014.
Warmly-
Sunny