NEWSLETTER/ CALENDAR July - September 2006


Note from the Director
I was blessed to be part of Mothering; The Monologues over Mother’s Day weekend. It was part of Mothering Magazine’s 30th anniversary celebration and a benefit for Many Mothers. I was so touched by the stories of mothering; the vast diversity of experience yet the common thread of the deep joy and pain that motherhood can bring. I remember, as I held my newborn son, feeling, “I’ve never been so important in my life!”. Motherhood is work that is by far more complex and challenging than any other work I’ve done. The various demands of patience, planning, changing plans, nurturing, guiding… and all skills required 24 hrs. a day, seven days a week. I’ve been caring for my sick daughter for the last five days and nights. It pains me to see her not feeling well although, desperate for sleep, night after night I feel less patient responding to her demands for “more water” and “hold me”. What is it that keeps us going? There is a special mommy reserve of patience and tenderness that kicks in. Again, I feel so important, as by simply holding her for hours seems to help her feel better; more comfortable, more secure. One day this week I cancelled everything to hold her and wait for her fever to break. I fought the urge to answer some calls or get on the computer. I sat, just sat, with her for hours. She’d drift to sleep, wake suddenly to look up at me, then, as if comforted knowing I was still there holding her, she’d close her eyes again. I’m so thankful I gave myself the opportunity to just simply be with her that day, feeling as though that was enough.
Many blessings for a happy and healthy summer! Find joy in the simple things: watching ants, smelling flowers, filling buckets with water, slow walks…. You know what I mean… Abby

New Programs

Group Prenatal Care: The Birthing Tree Cooperative is proud to announce its collaboration with Santa Fe Ob/Gyn, Dr. Lynore Martinez and Jennifer Stauss, NP to provide Group Prenatal Care to their pregnant patients. Group Prenatal Care is a community approach to prenatal care based on a nationwide model proven to improve pregnancy outcomes. Patients have a choice between traditional prenatal care or group prenatal care. In Group Prenatal Care a patient will receive quality medical care and pregnancy education in a group setting.

A patient who participates in Group Prenatal Care receives a private initial exam that includes a full medical history and physical. At her next visit she will be introduced into a group of six to eight women with similar due dates to initiate her Group Prenatal Care. At each monthly appointment the group participates in their medical check up as well as discusses questions and concerns with each other, Dr. Martinez, Jennifer Stauss, NP, an educator from The Birthing Tree Cooperative and a nurse. These discussions will provide a strong foundation of information and support during your pregnancy as well as an opportunity to spend more time with her doctor. These group appointments are scheduled for one and a half hours once a month and more frequently in the last two months of pregnancy. After 28 weeks in pregnancy her group appointments will be supplemented with private appointments.
Visit their website at SantaFeObGyn.com or call for an appointment 988-4922

Parenting Programs: The Birthing Tree Cooperative is excited to be launching parenting groups and workshops in the fall of 2006! We are planning a number of different presentations, groups, and videos related to our most challenging and favorite job; parenting! Visit the “Parenting Classes” page on our website thebirthingtree.com to see the workshops and groups we’re offering. All programs are available to private groups of six or more, school parent education programs, organizations that work with families and childcare workers, educators and social workers. Each workshop is contracted individually. Call or email for more details.

Calendar of Events:

Childbirth Preparation Classes New series begin monthly. Supportive, informative classes to prepare expectant parents for the tasks of labor, birth and parenting. Classes available in the Birthing From Within philosophy of childbirth preparation.
Refresher Classes Condensed series for parents who’ve given birth before.
St. Vincent Hospital Tour offered once a month.
Breastfeeding Class offered once a month.
Private Classes Conveniently scheduled private sessions for childbirth preparation, labor, birth and parenting.

Parenting Groups, Workshops, Classes (see New Programs in this newsletter)
Birthing From Within Classes are also offered on a regular basis. This is a longer series for in-depth birth preparation. Classes provide experiences, which speak directly to preparing the unconscious or primal part of the brain that directs the birth process, as well as information on the stages of labor, birth, postpartum preparation and
newborn care. Each series has a class for fathers to address their issues. One third of every class is spent learning effect pain-coping practices for both hospital and home birth. Call: Elizabeth Christine 310-7654


Used Baby Gear for Sale

Maya Wrap in blue, brand new condition and perfect weave for summer. Comes with instructional DVD. $25. Call 992-2778 if interested.
Peg-Perego Primo Viaggio infant car seat, with LATCH system. Used for short time and still in brand new condition (purchased earlier this year). This is the safest car seat available. Fits infant up to 20 pounds and 26 inches. Seat interchanges with multiple strollers. If interested, call 992-2778.
Arm's Reach Co-Sleeper infant bed for sale. Brand new, natural color with leg extensions. $75. Call 992-2778
Organic king size futon for sale! Great Deal! Purchased at Casa Natura for $1250 and will sell for $850. It is in excellent condition, only seven months old and has no stains, it is just too big for our bedroom. Call Michelle (505) 351-1864

Resources/ Announcements
Please contact Abby at TheBirthingTree@aol.com or 690-3492 if you want to post in the Community Resources/ Announcement section of the newsletter. This is a quarterly newsletter.

Kate Dow, PhD., LPCC Sacred Transitions, Inc. Therapy and groups for new parent stresses, mother moods and marital struggles. Group for pregnant and postpartum moms with anxiety and depression Fridays at 10:30am. Insurance/ Medicaid accepted. Call 982-9375

BABY CARRIER CLASS Modern carriers based on centuries old concepts allow you to
comfortably carry an infant or toddler. Pouch slings, rings slings, mei tais, soft back carriers and wraps. Classes will be held approximately every 3 weeks. For more information contact M'Liss at 424-0619 or mstelzer@healthcaremail.com


In search of parents of newborns willing to participate in a baby carrier study. Simple test that involves placing the newborn in a sling and testing oxygen levels using a lighted sensor placed on baby's foot. Participating parents will receive a baby carrier, gift certificate, or babywearing consultation as compensation. Please contact M'Liss Stelzer at mastelzer@earthlink.net for more information.

Introducing… a new baby product by Santa Fe-based company OOTS! The BBIB (pronounced “buh-bib”): a hip and handy baby bib with sleeves. A BBIB covers baby’s arms and belly. These sophisticated, 100 percent cotton terrycloth bibs are unique, fashionable, and above all, practical. Nothing much has really changed about the traditional baby bib in decades. It’s about time something better came along! Buy them online at: www.bbib-baby.com

Dr. Paulette Marin, DOM A family centered practice providing comprehensive, compassionate health care offering gentle acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and Tuina (bodywork and massage). Treating women's health issues, including PMS, menopause, infertility as well as pediatric health, cosmetic facial acupuncture, and a wide variety of health conditions. Peacock Clinic of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (505) 699-4482 dr.paulettemarin@earthlink.net 1494 St. Francis Dr.

Fleece baby gear made by local mom. Sling fits across shoulder and comfortably carries baby hands free and as close as possible to you. This simple sling is easy to put on, there are no buttons, snaps or rings to adjust. It is compact, enabling you to slip it into even the smallest diaper bag. Slings are durable, made from no pill fleece, are machine washable and come in a variety of colors. One size fits most, smaller and larger sizes available on request. Custom tailored fleece sleepsacs and outerwear for winter months also available. Slings $30, sleepsacs and outerwear $45. Contact Holly Call at 820-0272.

Prenatal and Postpartum Yoga Classes: Linda Spackman teaches yoga classes for expectant and new mothers every Monday 10:45- 12:15 and Wednesday 2:00 - 3:30 at Yoga Source, 901 W. San Mateo. Classes feature appropriate poses to support the multitude of changes during pregnancy and postpartum. Classes are lively, upbeat and embracing. A great place to get to know other moms. Babies up to 6 mos. welcome. Info 989-9846 or 982-0990

New babysitting cooperative forming. If you are looking to share some hours babysitting in return for the same, please contact Carol Tyroler at 466-4465 or ctyroler@netzero.net for more information.

Santa Fe-based Mothering Magazine is a national bimonthly magazine that reports on natural family living. Articles cover pregnancy, childbirth options, breastfeeding, educational alternatives and family health issues. Come visit our office at 1807 Second Street, Ste. 100. Check out our lending library and local resource section and ask about Holistic Moms Network meetings. Pick up our latest issue and see for yourself why families all over the world trust Mothering.

Positive Expectancy: A creative resource to assist midwives and doulas in supporting their clients' success. During one session or several, your pregnant clients can be sure to gain clarity, create satisfying options, access insight, and act from powerful positive intent. My passion is to help expectant women deliberately create the birth they want. Laurie J. English, Instinctual Birth Coach. 505-490-0591.

Laurie J. English, Positive Expectancy. I am an instinctual birth coach championing inner knowing and positive creative choices for expectant women (pregnant, creative, new moms) wanting to birth their dreams. I offer monthly telecoaching focused on clarifying and achieving your heartfelt goals. To hear about receiving a complimentary session, call 641-297-7230 and enter code 999#. For appointments, please call me at 505-490-0591.

Southwestern College Counseling Center: Individual, couples and family counseling and art therapy at low cost. 471-8575

Mom’s Groups
Career Mom’s Group contact barbachano@earthlink.net Christina 424-9465
Single Mom’s Group contact Carol 466-4465 ctyroler@netzero.net
Circle of Mothers Group (celebration and ritual) contact harmonyrosewest@earthlink.net or 473-2780