Contact us today to schedule an appointment to tour the birth center and meet with a nurse midwife.
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PRENATAL YOGA NOW AVAILABLE IN FT MYERS!
Thursdays at 7pm
Fort Myers, FL 33919 1 class for $15, 5 for $60, 10 for $100 Favorite Informational Websites:
Birth Videos
Samantha's You Tube Channel
The best waterbirth videos from You Tube, educational and informative videos about choices in childbirth.
Birth Videos
Extensive collection of birth videos and pregnancy and birth information.
Pregnancy & Birth
Pushed Birth Blog
In Pushed: The Painful Truth About Childbirth and Modern Maternity Care (Da Capo, 2007), Jennifer Block reports on the current state of maternity care across the country.
Pushed is not a pregnancy guide, but rather a narrative investigation of modern American childbirth. The Blog is a companion to the book.
Do routine inductions, C-sections, and epidurals equal medical progress? Why are physicians and hospitals denying women vaginal births after cesarean? Can breech babies be born vaginally? How did episiotomies become routine? Is normal birth the next “woman’s right to choose”?
Pushed tackles all these questions and more.
CAPPA - Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association
The Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (CIMS)
Doulas of North America DONA.org
HypnoBirthing
Lamaze International
Maternity Center Association
WaterBirth
Waterbirth International
Barbara Harper, R.N., Author of Gentle Birth Choices
Why WaterBirth
Birth Centers
National Association of Childbearing Centers
England Journal of Medicine
The National Birth Center Study
Home Birth
British Medical Journal June 18, 2005
Outcomes of planned home births with certified professional midwives: large prospective study in North America
Medical Literature on Safety of Home Birth |
Parenting
www.askdrsears.com
Mothering Magazine - The Magazine of Natural Family Living
Permission to Mother
A lactation-certified pediatrician and mother of 3 blogs about everything from cloth diapers to unschooling.
Too bad she practices in St. Lucie, FL
Redirecting Childrens Behavior
Circumcision
Circumcision Resource Center
circumcision information
Breastfeeding
La Leche League International: Breastfeeding Information and Support
breastfeeding.com
Medela Breastpumps, Breastfeeding Accessories
Midwifery
The American College of Nurse-Midwives
Find a Midwife
Citizens for Midwifery -
Midwife Resource
Midwives Alliance of North America
Florida Friends of Midwives
ICAN - International Cesarean Awareness Network
The International Cesarean Awareness Network, Inc. (ICAN) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve maternal-child health by preventing unnecessary cesareans through education, providing support for cesarean recovery, and promoting Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC).
ICAN International Web Site
ICAN of Southwest Florida
Contact: Tomika Breese
Email: icanofswfl@gmail.com
Telephone: (239) 464-8740
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Breastfeeding Resources:
Highly Recommended books and videos:
  The Birth Book by Dr. William Sears
William (Dr. Bill) and Martha Sears are parents (of eight), professionals (pediatrician, registered nurse), and authors of the most helpful series of books you could ask for. Starting with The Pregnancy Book, the Sears use experience and science to explain and promote gentle parenting, natural birth, co-sleeping, breastfeeding. Their books are easy to read and use and are well-referenced.
  The Discipline Book
by Dr. William Sears
  The Pregnancy Book
by Dr. William Sears
  The Attachment Parenting Book by Dr. William Sears
  The Breastfeeding Book by Dr. William Sears
  Nighttime Parenting by Dr. William Sears
  The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision for Your Child by Dr. William Sears
  The Successful Child by Dr. William Sears
  Naturally Healthy Babies & Children by
Aviva Jill Romm
Fwd by: Dr. William Sears
  The Happiest Baby on the Block - The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Baby Sleep Longer (DVD) We love this method of infant calming. Instead of the (not) helpful suggestions to leave your newborns to cry themselves to sleep, this DVD describes how you can recreate the safety and comfort of the womb (the only home your baby has ever known) and turn on your baby's natural soothing ability.
Easy to follow steps, with an explanation of the underlying principles, and video of the author and parents performing the technique. After one viewing, anyone can use these techniques to create a calm and happy baby. |
  Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
The author of Spiritual Midwifery, a book that launched ten thousand (or more) women into midwifery, Ina May is a tireless advocate for women and babies and natural birth. The first half of the book is an antidote to the horrible birth stories we read and see on TV, and hear about from friends and strangers (what is it about our pregnant bellies that inspire other women to attempt to terrify us?). The second half is a guide to making choices in childbirth. Ina May explains everything you ever wanted to know about having a baby but were afraid to ask.
  HypnoBirthing: The Mongan Method: A natural approach to a safe, easier, more comfortable birthing by Marie F. Mongan
  Birthing from Within: An Extra-Ordinary Guide to Childbirth Preparation by CNM, MA, Pam England
  Spiritual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin
  The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth
Henci Goer, the author of the extensively researched Obstetrical Myths versus Research Realities, puts the information you need at your fingertips in easy to understand language. She explains the risks and dangers of "common" medical practices, such as epidurals and cesarean section. Tips and strategies to avoid unnecessary procedures are included, as well as resources for further information.
  What Babies Want by Noah Wyle
A Documentary narrated by Noah Wyle (natural parent and actor on "E.R."). We all cried when we watched it the first time. Basically, it shows why loving and nurturing your child is the right thing to do. It is a powerful and moving statement about why we do what we do at the birth center. Using modern psychological science and real life experiences, this video shows us that our children are people, right from the beginning and that they deserve our love and respect. We haven't looked at babies the same way since viewing this film.
  Pushed: The Painful Truth About Childbirth and Modern Maternity Care by Jennifer Block
  Meditations and Positive Thoughts for Pregnancy & Birth by Gilli Moorhawk |
Information about routine vaccinations:
It seems many of our parents are concerned, curious, or suspicious about routine childhood vaccinations.
We don't claim to have the answer to this challenging question, but we do have some resources for you:
Samantha's take on vaccines:
Vaccine Skepticism - Adverse Effects and Alternatives.
Includes an up-to-date listing of web sites, books, and other sources of reliable information. Written by Samantha McCormick, CNM.
Dr. Bob Sears has finally published his take on vaccinations, complete with details on the pros and cons and dangers and an alternative vaccine schedule.
There is a companion web site, with a referral page to find a vaccine friendly doctor (meaning a pediatrician who will work with alternatives to routine vaccinations).
Dr Bob Sears Vaccine Book Web Site |
Products we like:
gDiapers - Flushable Diapers!
Save the planet and free yourself of the diaper pail!
An innovation developed in Australia, gDiapers allows you to take your baby's soiled diaper and simply flush it down the toilet. No more smell. No more diaper pail. You’re putting waste right where it belongs, in the toilet. Not in a landfill. That’s exactly how gDiapers work. gDiapers are almost exactly like cloth diapers, with a washable, waterproof liner and inserts that absorb the baby's output.
We applaud this new technology that solves the dilemma of cloth vs. disposable diapers, because analysis of the two shows that cloth diapers are not actually significantly better for the environment than disposables.
gDiapers are a two-part system. The flushable inner refill fits into a pair of colorful ‘little g’ pants. When the flushable becomes soiled, simply flush it down the toilet. It's that easy.
The Ultimate Baby Wrap
A strange looking contraption at first, our birth assistant, Heather says it's the most comfortable baby carrier she has ever used, and really easy to nurse while using (difficult to say about other carriers). We were turned on to it one day when a client accidentally left hers behind. We had several tiny ones with us in the office and we all tried it.
Words of Advice: Read the Directions! It is comfortable for both mom and baby and you can do virtually anything and the baby stays safely by your side. It is also great for nursing without taking baby out of the wrap.
Ordering from the creator's suggested web sites will take weeks and weeks, therefore we suggest purchasing from http://www.parentsofinvention.com/.
  Prenatal Cradle V2 Supporter from Prenatal Cradle |
The "Mirena" IUD
Think IUDs are dangerous, outdated contraptions? Think again! How about five years of practically fool-proof birth control? With none of the danger or difficulties of the pill? And shorter, lighter periods? Still sounds strange? Just go check it out - Mirena® Webpage.
NuvaRing
While we are on the topic of cool advances in birth control (especially for busy moms), what about a monthly method that requires no daily maintenance and gives you an incredibly low dose of hormones? NuvaRing®: Once-A-Month Birth Control for Women.
  Taking Charge of Your Fertility
Natural Family Planning - FAM (fertility awareness method).
FAM is based upon the charting and analysis of certain simple body signs that change with changes in a woman's menstrual cycle.
Specifically, waking temperature (also referred to as basal body temperature) and cervical fluid (sometimes referred to as cervical mucus) change predictably and identifiably with changes in the hormonal cycle that accompanies ovulation and menstruation.
This book and web site are full of easy to use information and you can even download software to chart your cycle: Taking Charge of Your Fertility | 
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