New Year – New Bradley Classes!!

***Announcing New Bradley Class Dates! AND A NEW LOCATION!***

Saturday, March 10th, 4:00-7:00 pm, MindBodySoul Yoga in Washington Heights

Unless otherwise noted, these series dates will be the first foray teaching at MindBodySoul Yoga, an amazing community driven yoga studio founded and directed by a personal friend and past client of mine, Alyssa Snow. Class includes a binder of handouts, a copy of Susan McCutcheon’s Natural Birth the Bradley Way, and access to my ever growing library including Dr. Robert Bradley’s Husband Coached Childbirth. It runs consecutive Saturdays, and make-ups are included, at a separate location.

I feel The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth is by far the most comprehensive childbirth course available, covering a wide ranges of topics, including:

• Nutrition, Exercises / Positions, and Relaxation
• Anatomy & Physiology of Birth
• Father / Coaches Role: Obstacles, Challenges, & Techniques
• Massage
• First and Second Stage Labor Techniques: Labor Rehearsals / Coaching Keys & Tools
• Planning Your Birth
• Variations & Complications, including Cesarean Birth
• Postpartum Preparation (for mom and family)
• Immediate Post-Birth Discussion (includes newborn procedures, cord clamping, skin-to-skin, and breastfeeding)
• Newborn Care, including holds, colic tips, and early sleep tips.

As a Certified Lactation Counselor, my course also includes a session on Breastfeeding Basics and an introduction to Babywearing as a member of Urban Babywearing!

Couples unsure of the different philosophies of childbirth or not yet ready to commit their time to a full series are encouraged to come just to meet me and learn more about the Bradley classes in the first session, before making a commitment. I am also happy to recommend other independent childbirth courses as the more educated we are about our options the better choices we can make!

Please let me know if you have any questions or need any materials to pass along.

Here’s to Happy Birth-days!

*And look forward to future events by Alyssa and I!*

Birth Fair Uptown coolest Additions!!

MASSAGE / FREE CAKE /

Javier Rodriguez wil be giving chair massages from 1-4pm!! This is a great edition, but get in line because I’m going to want one too!

Make My Cake will be donating free cake samples for all of you future baby shower and birthday party planners!! FREE CAKE! But only while supplies last

Lanosinoh gave us enough full size lanolin oils for every grab bag to have one! Full size! This and olive oil are the ONLY things approved for your baby to ingest other than you (the food source) so it’s a great product to come grab for free. Remember: the 1st 50 people to come get a free grab bag!

You, Me & Dupri Children’s Boutique, Birth Focus, and Let’s Talk Schools have all generously donated to our raffle prizes! I am so excited to have these to give to you, and want to thank these groups immensely for continuing to make our event today amazing!

Hope to see you all soon!!

Exciting UPDATE for the 1st ever Birth Fair Uptown!

**These will be added to the main post as soon as possible**

But in the meantime, the past 24 hours have seen some great new additions to the Birth Fair Uptown!!

Alexandra Neuber, local, mom, and professional photographer has GENEROUSLY stepped up to be our photographer for the event – donating her time, equipment and talents to capture the Birth Fair! Look for her photos and more to advertise future events to come . . . .

Museum of Motherhood is sharing material with us, hoping to increase the awareness of the first EVER Museum just for Moms. (There’s a museum for asphalt, people. And this is the first in the world for Mothers – so go check them out.)

I just received 3 nice boxes of samples from Lansinoh, yet another corporation being very generous to our mommas!

Milkin’ Mamas is sending us breastmilk storage guideline magnets – just for the grab bags! Updated and guaranteed to explain the rules to your visiting family for a much needed date night.

Brazen is in!! There is no other store like this: lingerie, breastfeeding and babywearing classes, LLL and nursing tanks, even sexy nursing pajamas. And Anina, the owner, will fit you while teaching you about breastfeeeding and cloth diapering.

You, Me N Dupri is not only donating coupons for our grab bags but also raffling off some amazing items. Opened just this year, it’s a sweet children’s boutique in Harlem with an amazing mom of a two year old as the owner, so go say hi.

THE BIG ANNOUNCEMENT:

Make My Cake will be participating!!! Yes, I’m telling you that there will be free cake*!! We couldn’t be more excited. We’re salivating, actually.

*while supplies last.

Baby Shower Cake . . . . . . . yuuuuuuummmmmmmmmm

Community Support for the Birth Fair!!

Just a quick shout out and word of appreciation for those sites posting and advertising our upcoming 1st ever Birth Fair Uptown!

Again and again I am thankful to live in area sof real community involvement:

Birth Focus – a great doula group I’m a part of that helps you meet several doulas in one quick setting!! Thanks Elizabeth!

Choices in Childbirth - a non-profit organization that helps women make informed decisions about where, how and with whom to birth and ensure that they have access to the full range of birth options through free events, education and outreach. (Of which I am more than excited to announce I’ll be joining their volunteer committee this year.)

Uptown Flavor - Articles and reviews about restaurants, businesses, and real estate in the rick culture of the Harlem area

Harlem One Stop – An initiative of the Hamilton Heights West Harlem Community Preservation Organization (CPO) which seeks to establish a one stop network for Upper Manhattan-Harlem-based tourism

The Misadventures of Mrs. Levin – Local mom blogger, mom-preneur, In The ‘Wood NYC & Neighborhood Bath! She’s ridonkulous!

And of course Land Yoga!

Bread and Yoga Fire Tragedy – Donations to be taken during Birth Fair Uptown!

We’re taking a small break announcing the Birth Fair to reflect on the sudden, unexpected loss of one of uptown’s greatest spots for yoga, culture and community events: Bread and Yoga.

Last night, a terrible fire destroyed this landmark as well as 9 other businesses. (The link connects to the DNAInfo story as well as listing the other businesses and the tweets that circulated the story in record time last night.)

If you are planning on attending the Birth Fair Uptown! please note we will be doing a small informal collection for Marcela Xavier, owner and operator of Bread and Yoga. Donations will be given directly to her to support her and her family during this time.

Please contact us separately for any questions.

Sadly,

Gillian Foreman – Uptown Birth

Lara Land – Land Yoga

***UPDATE: A facebook page, Inwood Community Group, has been started to support the businesses lost in this fire. Furry Fiends is among those also needing support. As part of the birth community, I know the owner and his expectant wife are already looking forward. Please help as you are able. Thank you again!!***

1st ever Birth Fair Uptown!!!

ANNOUNCING THE 1ST EVER BIRTH FAIR UPTOWN!!                 AND IT’S FREE!

**Latest Updates here**

Our Supportive, Participating Vendors:

Renew Physical Therapy Team, with owner/creator Isa Herrera

This is the big one – she’s selling her amazing book “Ending Female Pain” at a 30% discount just for us!! ONLY $20!! Also making an appearance herself for questions and book signing, her Renew Physical Therapy Team will be on site the entire event to educate, reassure, and do demonstrations.

Metromini’s, with Carolina Bianca, Koyuki Smith and Tiffany Johnson

Inwood Acupuncture, Kristin Carnahan

BirthFocus, represented by Elizabeth Mangum-Sarach, the operator/coordinator

MELT, Edya Kalev

Urban Body Fix, Larry Rogowsky

Pamela Korson, LCSW, who runs the Mom Support Groups at Land Yoga

NYC Doula Coop, represented by Nicole Ganzekaufer, the community outreach coordinator, as well as Maiysha Campbell & Annette Perel

Bev Solow, IBCLC

La Leche League, represented by leader Heather McFadden

Brazen Lingerie, Anina Young

Hypnobabies Instructor, Tamara Srdanovic

Nurse-Family Partnership, in association with Harlem Hospital, a mother-baby friendly certified hospital, represented by Andrea Albert

BABYlon, Ute Keyes

Karen Greene, Ph.D., a Clinical Psychologist who specializes in Postpartum Disorders and would love to start a new mom’s support group on the UWS

Make My Cake!! - This means free cake while supplies last. People. FREE CAKE. We win. Truly, take a moment to savor this completely donated gift from them just for our mommas.

And of course, a very special thank you to the women volunteering their time to help out Lara Land, Owner of Land Yoga, and myself:

Candice Taylor, & Ola of Know Thyself – yogi’s

Julia Mannes & Patty Moreno-Fletcher – birth and postpartum doulas, educators and more

Monique Chang - mompreneur of CitySage

Jeanine Persichini – A Ginger Snap professional photographer and Mother-in-Law extraordinare (She’s really here for the Golden Child.)

We have an official photographer!! Alexandra Neuber, a local mom and professional, will be there to take beautiful and candid shots of our event. Please take a moment to thank her for generously donating her time, equipment and talent.

RAFFLE ITEMS:

- Prenatal Yoga Series from Land Yoga ($95 value)

- Free 30 minute evaluation from Isa Herrera and the Renew Physical Therapy Team (as well as their own private table raffle!!)

- My Breast Friend pillow, from Uptown Birth

- a free Childbirth Education series, by Uptown Birth (a $350 value)

- “Best Birth Book Package” of Ina May’s Guide to Birth, Birth Partner, and Breastfeeding Made Simple, from Uptown Birth

- Beautiful new ring sling, from Uptown Birth

- Nursing Tank from Brazen Lingerie

- Hypnobabies CDs: “Eliminate Nausea Now!” & ” After Your Baby Comes” (value at $18+ each), from Tamara Srdanovic of HypnobabiesNYC

- A set of MELT balls, from Edya Kalev

- A gift certificate from You, Me N Dupri, a great new Harlem boutique children’s clothing shop

- Franz James Floral Boutique bouquet

- Indian Road Cafe gift certificate

- free private Infant/Child CPR session in home, by Anastasia Libovich, HeartWise CPR

- “Coach’s Pack” of a birthing ball and two books: Natural Hospital Birth and Becoming a Father by Dr. Sears, by Stephanie Powers-delPino

- Free consultation with RLKBirth (Risa Klein, hospital midwife)

- BabyFingers DVD/booklet combo & webinar, by Lora Heller, My Baby Fingers

- Music Together gift certificate, by City Kids Music

- Let’s Talk Schools, free admission to one event ($20 value)

- Kidberry donation (TBD)

- Hyland’s gift set, one of each of their products, generous donation from Company

GRAB BAGS:

Pregnancy teas by CitySage, Homemade soaps by Neighborhood Bath, Chapsticks from MaiDoula Maiysha Campbell, Stickers from NYCDoulaCoop, Young Living Thieves brochures & oil samples from Edya Kalev, You Me N Dupri coupons, Boudreaux’s Butt paste samples, Lansinoh brochures, breastpads and lanolin oil samples, magnets from OM Birth Midwifery services, Milkin’ Mamas breastfeeding storage magnets, as well as brochures from Upper Breast Side, API (Attachment Parenting International), NYS WIC program, Choices in Childbirth, Nurse-Family Partnership, DoulaCare a Postpartum Doula Service by Ruth Callahan, Tanya Wills Manhattan Doula NYC, Your Nurtured Birth via Sandi DeGeorge Birthing from With Instructor and Doula, Sakina O’Huru Midwife, Amanda Camerino a specialist in peri-natal personal training, AND last but not least, business and contact information for most of the vendors and donors listed above.

A special thank you to Franz James Floral Boutique for dressing the space in flowers, AND donating a raffle prize. It will be a full and beautiful event because of them! (And they’re just next door, so stop by and smell some roses!)

*Please note donations will are going to be accepted in honor of Bread and Yoga’s Fire Tragedy. Please help us support our community and the wonderful people that have created our best resources.*

UPDATE: Join Uptown Birth for prenatal yoga!

Land Yoga Opens Tonight!

UPDATE: NEW CLASSES ADDED & BEING TAUGHT BY CLARE FRIEDRICH AND JULIA MANNES!

Truly Great stuff being offered here guys – prenata; yoga, kids yoga, family yoga. I look forward to what all this new space will be offering our communities!!

Jennifer Link, a co-Inwood-mom-preneur and friend of mine recently invited me to introduce myself and answer questions at a night of prenatal yoga. Not only is she an amazing mom, baby planner, and yoga teacher, she recently became a prenatal yoga instructor! (Click on her name for a link about her and more on her services, she’s truly amazing.)

The class itself is a 4 part workshop, and runs each week from 12:15 – 1:45 pm. Drop-ins are welcome as well.

Land Yoga, owned by Lara Land, is hosting these amazing workshops, and they have invited different speakers to each class on topics ranging from a reflexologist to a holistic health coach. This represents part of their community outreach and coincides with their ultimate goal of providing a “peri-natal community center”!

Hope to see you there. Namaste.

Karen Strange is Coming Back to NYC!!

Uptown Birth and Laure Sinnhuber-Giles (co-Doula & CBE) are pleased to sponsor:

Neonatal Resuscitation Workshop with Karen Strange of www.newbornbreath.com

Saturday, May 7th

After having Karen come last Fall to an overbooked class, still turning people away at the last second, it was clear to all of us she meets a need that has been unfulfilled.

Not only is Karen Strange a Certified Professional Midwife and AAP/NRP Instructor, she is a true advocate for pre and perinatal information. Her workshop is full to the brim with amazing information and a new way to see birth, as well as lifesaving measures in the midwifery model – which is most applicable to any birth professional that may find themselves in a moment without medical equipment.

NOW, with the support of the members of Birth Day Presence, I am proud to present a full day workshop for childbirth professionals.

When:

Saturday, May 7th, 2011

Regular Workshop from 8:00 am – 6:00 pm

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Where:

Birth Day Presence – their Soho Location!

580 Broadway, Suite 304, New York, NY 10012, between Houston & Prince

near the B, D, F, M, N, R, 4 & 6 trains

What:

Fulfills AAP/AHA NRP course of completion (i.e. you get the card)

Evidenced based updates, out of hospital considerations, and more (Including pre-workshop required reading)

Fee:

$220 for 1st timer / $210 if renewing, Plus $15 location fee

$100 due by April 15th for Pre-registration, balance of fee due the day of the workshop

More:

Follow the links for the brochure, required reading and the registration form.

As always, contact me with any questions – and in the meantime, if you’ve had a chance to take a workshop with Karen give us a review in the comments below!

NYC: Neonatal Resuscitation Workshop with Karen Strange

*UPDATE: $15 LOCATION FEE HAS BEEN ADDED TO THE COST, MAKING THE TOTAL $235*

Uptown Birth is pleased to sponsor:

Neonatal Resuscitation Workshop with Karen Strange of www.newbornbreath.com

NYC – November 1st!

As a Birth Doula in Training, I truly feel it is every birth professional’s responsibility to have an NRP card. Neonatal Resuscitation not only saves lives, but helps caregivers know how to assist in the transition of a baby after a long labor, or post-intervention.

For me, it is a topic that is very near and dear to my heart, as my own son needed resuscitation immediately after being born.

My sweet boy after being deep suctioned and resuscitated, i.e. angry at us all

One name continued to pop up as I asked around for my own training: Karen Strange. Not only a Certified Professional Midwife and AAP/NRP Instructor, she is a true advocate for pre and perinatal information.

NOW, with the support of the members of the Metropolitan Doula Group and Birth Day Presence, I am proud to present a full day workshop for childbirth professionals.

When:

Monday, November 1st, 2010 Regular Workshop from 8:00 am – 6:00 pm

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Where:

Birth Day Presence – their new Soho Location!

580 Broadway, Suite 304, New York, NY 10012, between Houston & Prince

near the B, D, F, M, N, R, 4 & 6 trains

What:

Fulfills AAP/AHA NRP course of completion (i.e. you get the card)

Evidenced based updates, out of hospital considerations, and more (Including pre-workshop required reading)

Fee:

$220 for 1st timer / $210 if renewing

$100 due by October 11th for Pre-registration, balance of fee due the day of the workshop

More:

Follow the links for the brochure, required reading and the registration form.

*IF YOU NEED TO BORROW THE REQUIRED READING, PLEASE CONTACT ME*

As always, contact me with any questions – and in the meantime, if you’ve had a chance to take a workshop with Karen give us a review in the comments below!

Miles for Midwives!

Help support Choices in Childbirth and the American College of Nurse-Midwives at the

8th Annual Miles for Midwives 5K Walk/Run & Community Wellness Fair

Oct. 2nd, starting at 10:00 am, in Brooklyn, at Prospect Park’s Bartel-Pritchard Square

(Hurry! September 30th is the last day to register!!)

Further, this event kicks off National Midwifery Week, Oct. 3-9, by ACNM! (More to come . . . )