Happy 2010! TBN eagerly anticipates all of the opportunities this year will bring to increase choices in childbirth in the triangle.
Dynamic, genius women have joined our board this year. We are cooking up ideas with fervor, and are positive that 2010 will be our most exciting year yet! We are thrilled to bring you more information sessions, movie screenings, mommy’s night out’s, and regular blog postings. Watch for updates on events on our website. Also, don’t forget to utilize our member lists for a directory of birth, breastfeeding, and postpartum resources in our area.
As we enter this year, we want to take a moment and celebrate 2009. TBN was quite active last year. Thank you to those who attended our events and gave us ideas for future ones. Thank you to our board members from last year. Your contributions to the families we serve is greatly appreciated. A few of our board members chime in to reflect…
One of our returning board members, Anne Hayes, has been a TBN board member for two years. She has a BA in political science and is a mother of two young girls. We welcome her back this year as the Co-Chair of the organization.
As we enter into 2010, I feel extremely grateful for all the wonderful events and experiences from 2009. From the Triangle Birth Network showing of Orgasmic Birth at the Rialto, I remember the wonderful panel discussion afterwards. A father-to-be asked the professional panel how to best support his wife during birth- how wonderful!
I also remember the thorough discussion of induction at our free public event: Induction: The Big Picture. In one afternoon I learned about all the different alternatives to induction from a midwife, chiropractor, acupuncturist, reiki practitioner, and doula. I loved seeing the collaboration of birth professionals come together to educate the public!
On a personal note, I am especially grateful for the birth of my second daughter, Violet, in 2009. The love and support of wonderful birth professionals allowed me to have an amazing water birth at home. Violet laid on my chest after she was born and looked up at me with calmness and peace. It was as if she was thanking me for her peaceful birth.
Looking forward to 2010, the Triangle Birth Network is going to be collaborating with other organizations in the area to reach out to underprivileged populations. We are also hosting movie showings and other free events throughout the Triangle. Stay tuned for more info!
Jessica Altemarra, a doula, La Leche League leader, parenting instructor, and IBCLC has been a TBN board member since it’s inception. We are thankful to have her continuing on the board in 2010!
I am grateful for the work that UNC is doing to become certified as Baby Friendly. I’m most excited that they’ve moved to parallel care in the postpartum period; a model of care that recognizes the nursing baby and mother as an interdependent dyad. I’m also thrilled with the model for cesarean birth that they are putting into place. This is a family centered, breastfeeding supportive way of recognizing the very human element of all birth methods. It makes a priority of keeping families together (instead of sending healthy babies to the nursery) and choosing medications that are least likely to interfere with bonding or breastfeeding. As someone who has seen how deeply the small details of birth can affect families, I’m unspeakably grateful to see such progressive practices being put into place in our own Triangle community.
I’ve seen TBN support these same ideals as we’ve had educational events to help families and professionals understand what they can do to have the best birth possible for themselves and their babies. I have to say, though, that I most enjoyed the Mom’s Night Out that we had. It’s important to nurture each other!
We welcome Karissa Binkley to the board this year as our Community Outreach Chair. Many of you may know her better as the “Diapering Doula” and owner of a diaper delivery service and natural baby boutique. Her life’s goal is to leave her space in the world a little cleaner and brighter.
2009 was amazing. I was privileged to attend a number of births and cultivate my passion into a business with opening the diaper shop. After nearly three years of living here I finally feel settled- this is home. I was pleased that in 2009 Doulas became eligible for receiving Provider Number which recognizes our valuable work within the medical and insurance arena. It is my hope that in the very near future our clients will be reimbursed by their insurance companies. In 2010, I look forward to becoming more active within the birthing community of the Triangle by hosting events and working with TBN to promote awareness of all of the choices families have here. Right now we’re planning movie nights, introduction to child birthing education classes, and some other creative and fun ways to provide educational materials to our local Mamas and Papas!
Below is a summary of some of the events hosted by TBN in 2009.
Our events included:
* January 25th: Orgasmic Birth showing at the Rialto. Birth and popcorn? It doesn’t get better than that…
* March 7th: Public Enrichment Meeting-How Skin to Skin Contact Affects Mothers and Babies
* September 19th: Free Public Meeting-Induction: The Big Picture
Panel presenters for "Induction: The Big Picture"
Dr. Debra Bell demonstrating the benefits of chiropractic care
* Oct 2nd: Mommy’s Night Out and presentation Nurturing the Mother at Peace Tree Village in Raleigh.
* Oct 10th: Carolina Parent Baby Fair booth.
Thank you to all of the families who have supported TBN in 2009. We look forward to seeing you this year! Happy Birthing and Happy Parenting!
One person has chimed in from the community.
Hi everyone! My name is Ashley, and I am a childbirth doula in Columbus Ohio. We will be relocating in a few months for my husbands’ job to Raleigh. I’m very active in our birth community here and hope to continue to do the same once we transition from our move. I would love to somehow be involved with your network. I’m corrently doulaing, hatha yoga certified, providing belly casting and placenta prints. I was hoping in the next few months to also receive my pre and post natal exercise certification, and childbirth educator fulfillment. I look forward to carrying on my birthworkers once we move and meeting all the people involved in supporting perinatal women in your community!! Ashley Morrow. http://www.asupportivebirth.com