March – The Quickening
What a long, cold, and busy winter it has been! With the first day of March now here, I am being to feel as though we are really one step closer to spring. Spring brings renewed energy, growth, strength, and warmth. I have been working all winter to add to my skills and have an exciting new service to offer beginning in several weeks.
Newborn Care Classes
First up, beginning on Monday and with the generous support of the Nantucket Community School, I will be offering Newborn Care Classes for free. This is a great way to learn about breastfeeding, sleeping, caring for your new baby, nighttime parenting, preparing to go back to work, and soothing techniques. This class will be offered for two nights in March and again in April. If you are expecting or have a little one already, feel free to join us. The class is free of charge but registration is required. Sign up by calling 508-228-7285 x1166 . For more information on all the great classes available for free through the Nantucket Community School. Please note, in the brochure attached to this link, the incorrect dates are listed. Class will be held Monday March 3 and 10 and the second session will be offered April 14 and 16.
Childbirth Education Classes
Prepare for your new arrival with knowledge! Beginning this Wednesday Childbirth Education Classes at the Hospital start for the months of March and April. This class is filled with information! This series engages your mind and educates you on the birth process, options for natural pain relief, navigating medical options, and preparing for the first few days as a parent. Classes are held every other month so if you are headed into your last trimester, the time to sign up is now. More information can be found here The Birthplace at Nantucket Cottage Hospital.
La Leche League
Mother to mother support for expectant and breastfeeding mothers. This group is like no other! In addition to information it offers support right from the mothers who are currently nursing and guided by an experienced and trained breastfeeding mother. The group meets once a month on the third Friday of the month in the ECC at the High School. This month we will be talking about overcoming common difficulties. This is a great meeting to come to if you are expecting so you know how to avoid, treat, and overcome so of the common difficulties of breastfeeding. No sign up is needed, just join us Friday March 21 at 9am in the ECC.
Midwifery School
Thanks to the amazing support of Sybille Andersen I have completed my first trimester through the National College of Midwifery . I have learned so much already and really look forward to working my way through Microbiology, Anatomy and Physiology, and Community Health in the next trimester. I cannot thank you enough for all the words of support, you donations to help offset the cost of my schooling, and your ongoing support. This has been a dream of mine for over 15 years and to be actually taking steps towards becoming a certified midwife is so exciting! I even had my first paper published this year. Check out this paper I wrote about the history of midwifery and breech deliveries. I am a little be proud of the work I have done and really hope to be able to write more about what I am learning and thinking about as a student midwife. If you are still interested in supporting my work as a student midwife, my daughter has sent up a way to donate online. Check out the link provided on my home page. Thank you so very much!
And coming soon…
Now for the teaser. I have been working to complete another certification this winter. This one is really special. I have been looking for a way to offer something really special to women. Something that really takes a moment to honor the right of passage that women experience through pregnancy. A chance to engage your heart in preparation for birth and a chance to gather as women. In the next month I will be launching my next offering on Nantucket. Sacred Pregnancy. This class is like no other and will really serve to honor the women I am fortunate to know and serve on Nantucket. I will even offer a special postpartum circle for women. If you are interested in a sneak peak of what these classes look like, check out Sacred Pregnancy, the movement. I will have more on this great new class during the month of April. If you are interested in learning more or participating in my first class late this spring, please let me know!