When I look back at the families with whom I've worked, there are some stories that I still wonder how things could have unfolded differently. This happens after a "straightforward" labor makes a detour and birth happens in a surgical setting instead of the labor and delivery room. This happens after a home birth transfers to the hospital. This happens after a baby remains breech, in spite of the mother trying different techniques to help baby flip head down. This happens after the transition stage of labor stretches on, longer than anticipated, and it's many hours before she's fully dilated. 

It's not that I think these stories are any less sacred and special. It's not that I believe unmedicated vaginal births are the only way to birth. It's not that I see myself as the gatekeeper to "good" births. 

Not at all. 

Instead, there are simply times where the anticipated journey veers off course, and everyone on the birth team has to take a step back and figure out "now what?".

In response to these feelings, I was deeply curious about ways to better support these journeys. I wanted to bring more to the birthing setting, supporting the laboring mother with suggestions, information, encouragement. I was thrilled when the opportunity arose, and I started to learn more about the "bigger picture". 

Melissa Larimer, Certified Massage Therapist (along with many other trainings and certifications) offered the birth community the opportunity to expand our knowledge base in order to better support the families with whom we work. She spent hours in afternoon trainings, helping us understand the different ways birth unfolds and ways we can support the birth process. 

One of the resources she referenced was the work by Gail Tully, of Spinning Babies. Spinning Babies looks at the mother's anatomy, the baby's positioning, the mother's movements and positions during pregnancy and labor, and the birth process and provides techniques and information to support healthy birth. 

Talking with Melissa and learning from her gifted me more "tools" to use during births. And I'm thrilled Melissa will be joining Mothers' Circle on Sunday, November 8, 3:30-5pm to share her expertise. This Circle is appropriate for expectant moms, moms healing from birth in the last year (vaginal or cesarean), and moms thinking about another pregnancy, regardless of age of older child(ren). 

Did you have a birth that maybe didn't unfold as anticipated, one where Baby was posterior, a rim of cervix remained for many hours, or you had a cesarean birth? Are you healing from birth and interested in learning ways to support your pelvic health? Or maybe you're just a little uncertain about what pelvic health entails and want to learn more about your body? 

Maybe you're a mom and interested in community, and Mothers' Circle calls out to you? 

Whatever the reason, register today for Mothers' Circle with Melissa Larimer. We'll have snacks, you'll meet other women, and you will spend time in a comfortable, supportive environment as you journey along in pregnancy or motherhood. 

Call or email to register. You can see more details in the "Other Services" section of this site. 

Melissa Larimer with local birth workers Anna Weigand, RN & Linnea Mugford, CD

Expectant parents prepare for their baby through various ways- reading books, checking out pregnancy and parenting websites, joining Facebook groups, talking with friends and family. Another way expectant parents may prepare is by attending childbirth education classes, an interactive way to learn about the stages of labor and options available to parents, in terms of coping techniques and medical intervention. 

I'm excited for Olive Tree Birthing's upcoming Childbirth Education series, happening Thursdays, October 29-November 19, 6:30-8:30pm. Having taught with Bloomington Area Birth Services and certified as a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, I'm looking forward to teaching a 4-week series in my home, focusing on Lamaze International's Healthy Birth Practices. 

Not only will you be learning ways to support a healthy birth, but you'll also be learning about medical interventions, preparing for life with a baby, and breastfeeding. Learning and practicing ways to cope well and confidently during your baby's birth is helpful as you get ready to meet your baby. Considering using pain medications? You will find the classes helpful because pain medications are often times not available until active labor, so learning ways to relieve discomfort or pain prior to using pain medications may help you feel more comfortable and relaxed. 

You will also build your community as you meet other expectant parents here in Bloomington. Olive Tree Birthing offers a monthly Mothers' Circle, a perfect way to keep in touch with the other expectant women from your class. 

Make sure you call or email to register, as there's a limit of five registrants per class (each registrant may bring a support person). The deadline to register for the October 29th series is October 22nd. Cost for the series is $150, which covers materials, snacks, and support during the series and phone/email support throughout "the fourth trimester".