2015 Pre/Postnatal Local Resource Guide

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2015 | NY Capital District Edition | AlbanyAwakenings.com

Pre/PostnatalLocal Resource Guide

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contentsNatural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.

4 newsbriefs

6 healthbriefs

1 1 community spotlight

12 healthykids

15 greenliving

19 inspiration

20 community profiles

26 wisewords

29 pre/postnatal guide

1 1 HEARTSPACE MIDWIFERY Birthing the Future Generation by Martin Miron

12 SWEET SLUMBER Co-Sleeping in the Family Bed by Mark Sisson

14 BABYSAFE PROJECT Reduces Exposure to Wireless Radiation by Doug Wood

15 BABIES REST EASIER ON AN ORGANIC MATTRESS by Lee Walker

16 A RENAISSANCE IN NATURAL CHILDBIRTH

by Linda Sechrist

19 THE FATHERHOOD FACTOR How Raising Children Changes Men by Armin Brott

25 CALMING THE FEARS OF PREGNANCY, LABOR AND DELIVERY by Melinda Lippert

26 HAPPY PARENTS HAPPY KIDS Renée Peterson Trudeau Explores Soulful Parenting

by Meredith Montgomery

28 MOVEMENT AND TOUCH ARE VITAL TO DEVELOPING INFANTS by Buffy Owens

29 PRE/POSTNATAL GUIDE

12

25

19

16

BABIES REST EASIER ON AN ORGANIC MATTRESS

14

9

6


newsbriefs

Classes for Moms and Babies at Heartspace

Heartspace Yoga and Heal-ing Arts, with locations in

Albany and Troy, offers prenatal classes at both studios. These are both drop-in classes, so expect-ant mothers can come when they’re ready, rather than prereg-istering for a series. There are also two different Baby and Me classes for babies from 6 weeks to 6 months and for 6 months to 1 year. These are great classes to have fun with an

infant, rebuild Mom’s strength and flexibility and connect with other new par-ents. Heartspace plans to add kids yoga in the near future Heartspace has more than 20 instructors offering yoga and Pilates, yoga, work-shops, teacher training and massage therapy, with a broad range of classes for all levels and ages.

Location: 747 Madison Ave., Albany, and 10 Second St., Troy. For questions, email [email protected], call 518-512-3390 or visit HeartspaceAlbany.com. See ad, page 7.

Pregnancy Project Provides Valuable Capital District Resources

The Pregnancy Project is a constel-lation of providers based in New

York’s Capital District, offering a wide variety of services to pre-pregnant, pregnant and postpartum women, their babies and families. They com-prise devoted individuals that have a sincere interest in educating families on the many local services available to them. Many of the professionals offer a variety of services, including ongoing classes, workshops, support groups and more. Their website promotes the awareness and availability of mother-friendly maternity care and holistic birth and baby services in the Capital Region and to locate birth profes-sionals that believe in the normalcy of the birthing process, as well as practitioners and business that sup-port natural preconception, fertility care and family living. Membership is free for all birth or baby professionals with values and practices that are in alignment with the group’s standards of practice.

To view the directory and calendar of events, visit PregnancyProject-NY.org. See ad, page 9.

Special Ceremonies for Special Times

Ordained interfaith minister Rev. LisaJo Kay creates custom ceremonies that incorporate personal, religious, spiritual,

cultural and/or family traditions, if desired. There are many spe-cial moments associated with the birth of a child, and traditional church-based rituals are not the only option for observing such rites of passage. United Hearts Ceremonies, founded in 2010, will of-ficiate at weddings, baby namings, blessings, welcoming ceremonies, new home blessings, ceremonies and rituals for all life events. Kay is also a certified thanatologist (specialist in death, dying and bereavement).

For more information, call 518-212-7385 or visit UnitedHeartsCeremonies.com.

Rev. LisaJo Kay

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Easy Planning for a Green Nursery

During their earliest years, babies are

exceptionally vulner-able to toxins in the environment, so making healthy choices early on is critical. Custom-ers can now register for healthy cribs, mat-tresses, floors, carpets, paints and cleaning products to keep babies sleeping peacefully in a non-toxic environment at Green Con-science Home & Gar-den, in Saratoga. Once considered a daunting task, planning a green nurs-ery is simplified with the expert assistance of owner Karen Totino and her staff and their innovative registry system. With Totino’s help, clients can create a personalized list of desired items that is placed on an individual website. Registry cards are available for friends and family that visit the website and create personalized gift certificates for their loved ones.

Location: 33 Church St., Saratoga Springs. For more informa-tion, call 518-306-5196 or visit Green-Conscience.com. See ad, back cover.

Holistic Prenatal Consulting Services from Northeast Spine and Wellness

Dr. Joseph S. Gulyas, owner of Northeast Spine and Well-

ness, knows how to effectively take care of moms and moms-to be, using a variety of holistic ap-proaches. Gulyas has 30 years of experience in the field of natural methods to relieve the discomfort that can be caused by pregnancy. A grandparent and a father, Gulyas has cared for genera-tions of families through gentle chiropractic adjustments, craniosacral techniques, acupressure and nutritional support, and helped hundreds of woman through their pregnancy toward a more natural delivery.

Prenatal consultation is free. Locations in Albany and Clifton Park. For appointments, call 518-371-4800. For more infor-mation, visit DrGulyas.com.

Kidscounter by Beautycounter

Beautycounter offers safe, effective and

beautiful skincare and cosmetics. The United States has not passed a federal law to regulate the ingredients used in personal care products since 1938. Chemicals linked to learning dis-

abilities, breast cancer, infertility and other health issues are allowed in the products we use every day. Small changes in our daily routine, such as what prod-ucts we use, can make a world of difference in our health and the health of our children. There four ways to join: pur-chase as a customer, host a social, become a Band of Beauty member or join as a consultant. Learn to make safer choices for personal and whole family health. The mission of Beautycounter since 2013 has been to get safe products into the hands of everyone. Beautycounter has banned more than 1,500 ingredients from their products, setting a new health and safety standard.

Jennifer Quinn is an independent Beautycounter consultant. Contact her at 518-461-9318, [email protected] or jquinn.beautycounter.com.

Monthly Holistic Pathways Family Group

The local Pathways

Connect Gath-ering Group, a free, nonprofit project, meets every third Wednesday of the month (times vary). There, like-hearted parents share their insights and experiences, led by Dr. John Ferguson, at Ferguson Family Chiropractic. Those interested in more holistic, health conscious living and in-formed lifestyle choices for their family should plan to attend the next Pathways family gathering group to discuss changing topics topics “Holistic, conscious living means making informed choices that are right for your family. In Pathways Connect, you will find respect and support for those choices,” Fergu-son says. “Join us and find your tribe.” Complimentary copies of Pathways to Family Wellness magazine are available prior to the meeting.

Location: 1783 Rte. 9 (yellow house next to the Rusty Nail restaurant), Clifton Park. For more information, call 518-383-5595. See ad, page 21.

Natural birth is full of magnificent, life-changing wisdom.

~Christiane Northrup


healthbriefs

Healthy Homemade Infant Food Reduces Kids’ Allergies

A study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology reports that

infants that were fed more homemade foods comprising a higher percentage of fruits and vegetables were less likely to develop food al-lergies. In assessing youngsters of the same age, researchers from the University of Southampton Medical College, in the UK, followed 41 chil-dren that had developed food allergies by the

age of 2, alongside 82 non-allergic infants. After tracking the toddlers’ diets with food diaries and conducting allergy testing, the researchers found that infants fed more of the healthier homemade diet had a significantly lower incidence of food allergies as toddlers.

PRETERM BABIES GROW BETTER WITH SUPPLEMENTSIn a study published earlier this year in

Pediatrics, researchers from Liverpool Women’s Hospital gave either a stan-dard diet or that plus multivitamin and mineral supplementation intravenously to 150 preterm infants for 28 days after their birth. Supplemented babies had higher rates of growth, measured in weight, plus head circumference sizes that were between five and eight mil-limeters greater. The differences in head circumference remained nine months after the supplementation period ended.

COLORFUL PLATES FOR PICKY EATERSParents trying to entice fussy eaters

to sample more nutritionally diverse diets have a surprising strategy at hand: color. A study at Cornell University, in Ithaca, New York, has shown that colorful fare—specifically, food plates with seven different items and six col-ors—appear to be particularly favored by children. In contrast, adults tend to prefer fewer colors on one plate—only three items and three hues.

Source: Acta Paediatrica

Another Plus for Natural BirthA team of researchers at the Yale School of

Medicine, in New Haven, Connecticut, has found that vaginal birth triggers the ex-pression of a protein, UCP2 (mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2), in the brains of new-borns that improves brain development and function in adulthood. It influences neurons and circuits in the hippocampus, the area responsible for memory. The protein is also involved in the cel-lular metabolism of fat, a key component

of breast milk, suggesting that induction of UCP2 by natural birth may aid the transition to breastfeeding. The researchers also found that this protein expression is impaired in the brains of babies delivered by Caesarean section. These results suggest, “The increasing prevalence of C-sections, driven by convenience rather than medical necessity, may have a previously unsuspected lasting effect on brain development and function in humans,” observes Tamas Horvath, chair of Yale’s Department of Comparative Medicine.


Happy Marriage, Healthier LivesA University of Missouri expert says that people in happy marriages are more

likely to rate their health better than their peers as they age. Evidently, engaging with one’s spouse builds a strong relationship that can improve spirits, promote feelings of well-being and lower stress. Analyzing data from 707 continuously married adults that participated in the Marital Instability Over the Life Course panel study, a 20-year nationwide research proj-ect begun in 1980, researchers found that married people have better mental and physical health and are less likely to develop chronic conditions than their unmarried, widowed or divorced peers. Thus, researchers recommended involv-ing spouses and families in treatment for any illness. They further suggested that in cases of a strained marital relationship, improving marital harmony would also improve health.

UMBILICAL CORD BINGOThe Manchester Guardian reports

that childbirth experts in the United Kingdom are urging the National Health Service (NHS) to reverse its policy on early clamping and cutting of a newborn’s umbili-cal cord. A recent Swedish study of 400 full-term infants from low-risk pregnancies published in the British Medical Journal found that delayed cord-clamping at birth resulted in infants being 5 percent less likely of being anemic two days later or iron deficient four months later. The latter problem has been associated with impaired brain development. The practice of separating infants from the placenta within 10 seconds of delivery has been commonplace since the 1960s, as supported by the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, which advises the NHS. However, several doctors, medical organizations and the non-profit National Childbirth Trust (NCT), plus the World Health Organization, disagree; they advocate leaving the placenta untouched for at least 30 seconds up to whenever it stops pul-sating naturally (usually between two to five minutes). Exceptions would be if the baby’s or mother’s health neces-sitates medical intervention. “At birth, about a third of the baby’s blood is still in his or her cord and placenta,” explains Belinda Phipps, NCT chief executive. Unfor-tunately, “It is still accepted practice to deprive the baby of this blood.”

PRE-PREGNANCY DIET MAY ALTER GENESIt’s common knowledge that a mother’s diet during preg-

nancy makes a measurable difference in the health of her child. Now, new research suggests that what a mom eats before becoming pregnant might be important, too. Accord-

ing to a study in the online edition of The FASEB Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental

Biology, the foods eaten by a group of non-pregnant female mice chemically altered their DNA, and these changes were later passed on to their offspring. The DNA alterations, called “epigenetic” changes, due to an inadequate maternal diet dramatically reduced the animals’ ability to metabolize many essential fatty acids

that are essential to health.


healthbriefs

Merciér Pelvic Massage Boosts Women’s FertilityA new, noninvasive infertility

treatment has met with highly favorable results. In a recent study published in the journal Midwifery Today, 40 of 48 women between ages 28 and 42 that underwent two or more sessions of Merciér Therapy achieved pregnancy within the first year; 32 of those used the method alone (no other artificial fertiliza-tion/insemination techniques). The four-year study was presented at the 2013 World Congress of Low Back and Pelvic Pain. The Merciér Method was developed by Jennifer Merciér, a midwife and holistic women’s health practitioner. The regimen includes six hours of pelvic organ massage manipulation, along with a supplement program and con-tinuous monitoring. She explains, “Our protocol is a gentle and noninvasive visceral manipulation of the female reproductive organs that helps to increase general organ mobility and blood flow, which enhances optimal function.” A documentary on the protocol, Fertility: The Shared Journey with Merciér Therapy, can be pre-viewed at MercierMovie.com.

Antibacterials May Make Kids Allergy-Prone

Adults’ obsession with antibacterial soaps, toothpastes and other per-sonal care products may be making our children more prone to many

allergies, according to research from the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, in Baltimore, Maryland. While not the direct cause, researchers say such products may impair the development of children’s immune systems. In a study of 860 children between the ages of 6 and 18, researchers found elevated levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in children from households where these products were used. IgEs increase when exposed to allergy-causing substances like pollen, pet dander and certain foods. Urine levels of triclosan, an antibacterial agent used in soaps,

mouthwash and toothpaste, provided the strongest link to increased IgE levels and increased allergy risk. Parabens, preservatives with antimicrobial properties commonly found in shampoos, conditioners, lotions and body washes, were strongly associated with allergies to pollen and pet dander. These results confirm the “hygiene hypothesis” that society’s focus on cleanli-ness has actually prevented children from getting dirty and developing strong immune systems that are regularly challenged and strengthened by pathogens, say researchers.

Fruits and Veggies Boost Kids’ Learning and Social SkillsA study published in the Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association finds that

increased fruit and vegetable consumption among school-age children may increase learning skills related to inter-acting with others, as identified in social cognitive theory. Researchers divided 138 students into two groups, with one group consuming more fruits and vegetables than the other. After three months, the group on the healthier diet tested higher in social cognitive learn-ing skills. They also scored better in self-efficacy (belief they could suc-ceed) in difficult situations, social support and observational learning.


Drinking Cow’s Milk While Nursing Linked to Infant Eczema New

research has found that if a mother drinks cow’s milk during the period that she is breastfeed-ing, it raises her infant’s risk of experiencing skin allergies. The study, published in the Jour-nal of the Medical Association of Thailand, followed 62 moth-ers and their infants from birth through 4 months of age. Researchers from Bangkok’s Mahidol University assembled the mothers and infants into two groups. Mothers in one group drank cow’s milk during the first four months of breastfeeding; the control group did not. Eight of the children with mothers drink-ing cow’s milk had skin allergies, versus two of the children in the control group. All of the mothers exclusively breastfed their infants throughout this period. An earlier study published in the British Medical Journal fol-lowed 124 mothers, 97 of which breastfed their babies. Of those that breastfed, 48 drank no milk or other dairy products and 49 drank milk. Infants in the milk-drinking group experienced 21 cases of ec-zema, while the no-milk group had only 11 cases. Overall, between the breastfed and non-breastfed infants, the breastfed infants had lower incidences of eczema regardless of the mother’s diet.

Toddlers Want to Help OutA new study conducted by researchers at the Max Planck

Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, in Leipzig, Germany, suggests that young children are intrinsically motivated to see others helped. The researchers observed three groups of 2-year-olds that all saw an adult dropping a small item and struggling to pick it up. One group was al-lowed to intervene and help the adult. Another group was held back from helping by their parents. The third group watched the adult receive help from another adult. The researchers found that children’s feelings of sympathy (measured by dilated pupil size, which cor-responds to increased feelings of concern) were twice as high when they were unable to help the adult and no help was provided, com-pared to the same indicator when they were able to provide assistance. Ten of the 12 children that were allowed to help did so. The toddlers’ concerns likewise decreased when they watched someone else help the adult. The study’s authors concluded that young children’s helping behav-ior does not require that they perform the behavior themselves and receive “credit” for it, but requires only that the other person is helped. Thus, from an early age, humans seem to have genuine concern for the welfare of others.

Bounce House Boo-BoosA staple at amusement parks, fast-food restaurants and

kids’ backyard parties, inflatable bounce houses look and sound like a lot of fun—yet can cause problems. “I was surprised by the number of injuries, especially by the rapid in-crease,” says Dr. Gary A. Smith, lead author of a recent study by the Center for Injury Research and Policy that he founded at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital, in Columbus, Ohio. From fewer than 1,000 injuries sending kids 17 and under to emergency rooms in 1995, the number skyrocketed to

nearly 11,000 in 2010. Most injuries result from falls or collisions within the bounce houses or from falling out of them; only 3 percent required a hospital stay. Bounce house injuries are similar to those associated with trampolines, and more than a third of the study injuries involved children 5 and younger. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends against letting children younger than 6 use full-size trampolines, and Smith says barring that age group from even smaller, home-use bounce houses makes sense. In addition, the com-mission recommends limiting use to fewer bouncers at a time and not allowing younger children to participate at the same time as older kids.


Baby Brynneby Ashley Wilbur

Ashley Wilbur Photography is a boutique studio specializing

in posed and lifestyle photography. Wilbur captures natural, organic photographs of happy families and beautiful babies in outdoor settings and in her studio located in Glens Falls, New York. She excels at capturing the magic of everyday moments with a soft, classic touch and is particularly passionate about photographing the sweet, tiny, intoxicating miracles of newborn babies. She provides new-born packages with the option of a session in her studio or on location in the new parents’ home. Ashley is fully prepared with everything necessary to capture the essence of the miracle of life.

For more information, visit AshleyWilburPhotography.com.

coverphoto

Baby Brynne is 10 days new and perfect in every way.

Restore Menstrual Cycle Health without Hormonal Contraceptives

by Lisa Cartier

Hormonal contraception is a multi-billion- dollar industry that impacts the lives of hundreds of millions of women every day.

Hormonal contraceptives are endocrine disrup-tors that upset the health of a woman’s endocrine system to make her infertile. These contracep-tives create a unique condition that is unlike any naturally occurring hormonal state—the closest comparison would be menopause. Studies show that for a large percentage of women, testosterone levels remain low long after stopping the use of hormonal contraceptives, but it is still necessary to restore menstrual and fertil-ity health. First, waiting for three healthy cycles is important, but a minimum of 12 months from the last hormonal contraceptive is better. This is important because the synthetic hormones linger in the body even after ceasing their use. Record-ing and charting basal body temperature (BBT) is recommended for all women stopping the use of hormonal contraceptives. The BBT chart is neces-sary for establishing the return of ovulation and to assess thyroid function. Hormonal contraceptives require a number of nutrients in order to be metabolized, leading to a number of possible vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Studies show that women that use oral contraceptives have a greater need for vita-min C, B2, B12, B6 and folic acid. Detoxification is advisable to optimize liver function, which al-lows the body to eliminate hormonal contracep-tives. Whole foods in their natural and unprocessed state contain the nutrients needed for their own metabolism, leaving them metabolically balanced. Use of sugars, refined flours and alcohol, artificial sweeteners and hydrogenated oils should be avoided. Hormonal contraceptives negatively affect bone and breast health, while minerals support bone and breast health. Herbal sources include alfalfa, nettle, red raspberry and oat straw. Get 75 g of protein per day. Healthy fats and iodine are also important. Zinc is commonly deficient after hormonal contraceptive use. Signs of deficiency are poor sense of taste and small white marks on fingernails, poor immunity, acne, loss of appetite and infertility. A suggested dose is 15 to 45 mg per day with food. Magnesium is another critical mineral required by more than 300 enzymes in the body. Also, exercise and stay active, because weight-bearing exercise helps with bone health, too. A woman can understand how healthy she is by keeping track of her menstru-al cycle events to learn what they mean, thus gaining information about her body in order to anticipate future health.

Lisa Cartier is a conscious birth emissary and birth and fertility coach with more than 15 years of experience. For more information, call 518-307-9810 or visit LisaCartier.com.

Studies show that for

a large percentage of

women, testosterone

levels remain low

long after stopping

the use of hormonal

contraceptives.


communityspotlight

Heidi Ricks is a licensed midwife and the owner of HeartSpace Midwifery, in Troy, an independent

midwifery practice offering well-woman care for all ages, pregnancy and home birth services in the Capital District and beyond. HeartSpace addresses full spec-trum of woman-centered individualized care, specializing in home birth. Ricks says, “We believe that women should be fully informed and involved in all aspects of their own health care.” Growing up on a farm, she relates, “My deep respect for the birthing process began while sitting on a straw bale during lambing season. I learned how to let the process unfold, that each mother has her own way of moving through the process and that there is usually nothing to be gained by interfering with her flow. In hindsight, I see that the sheep were my first midwifery teachers.” While attending college in Arizona from 1984 to 1988, Ricks considered studying midwifery, but couldn’t find the right educational resources and didn’t know any midwives. She also felt obligated to stick to her original major in com-munications and journalism because she had been granted a full scholarship. “It wasn’t until after I had my first child that I knew I needed to become a midwife. It wasn’t just a vague idea anymore, it was a calling,” she explains Her apprenticeship training began after the birth of her second child in 1995. Later, Ricks earned a degree from the National College of Midwifery, in Taos, New Mexico. “I have considered the women I have served as my best teachers. Every midwife and doctor with whom I have attended births has also been instrumental in my learning. Each mother, baby and birth is unique and offers new and deeper insights. I try to stay open to learning in whatever way it flows to me. Midwifery is not a career, it is a passion.” HeartSpace thrives by word-of-mouth recom-mendations from families that have been touched by Ricks’ model of care. “We are here because we offer a model that many women crave,” she notes. “We are set apart from the standard medical model of care by the time and personal

relationships we devote to our families. We believe that health care is based on trust-ing relationships with the provider, and we work hard to foster and maintain that with every client.” HeartSpace has been located in Troy since the beginning in a beautiful historic building with floor-to-ceiling south facing windows. Many people that walk through the door say they feel at home in the space. “I strive to continue to serve women with compassionate, non-judgmental, evidence-based care and to welcome babies to the world

with conscious attention to the bigger picture. Babies who are welcomed with love and joy and wonder are more likely to grow to know those very same things in their own lives as they develop. Those who come into fear and harsh treatment may grow with deep distrust and alien-ation. These are critical moments, and I want to protect them and nurture the parents so they may do the same.” Ricks has also traveled to different countries in Africa to work with traditional birth attendants, and says that the language of midwives is universal. “I have ‘talked’ with midwives in several countries when we didn’t share a spoken language, but we could still understand each other. When I started answering the question before the translator had inter-preted it she just looked on in wonder as we did our mid-wifery dance together. This has happened more than once, so I now trust that all midwives really do share a common, in-nate wisdom. I look forward to experiencing this again when the time is right and the spirit calls.” Ricks also works with young women on their own path to midwifery. “It is a joy to foster the love of the work in the next generation,” she says. “I see in them the spark of an undeniable calling. I am privileged to be one of their

guides along the way, and they remind me of the need to share what I have learned in order to preserve the tradi-tional wisdom, as well as the new advancements in care.”

HeartSpace Midwifery is located at 404 Fulton St. Ste. 512, in Troy. For more infor-mation, call 518-588-7122 or visit HeartSpaceMidwifery.com. See ad, page 22.

Heartspace MidwiferyBirthing the Future Generation

by Martin Miron

Heidi Ricks

phot

o cr

edit:

Vic

toria

Ker

eszi

12 NY Capital District AlbanyAwakenings.com12 NY Capital District AlbanyAwakenings.com

healthykids

Every young mammal on Earth sleeps in close contact with its mother and other family members.

They’ve been co-sleeping for security, warmth, comfort and protection for mil-lions of years of evolution. Although it is generally frowned upon in the United States, many human cultures, including most in East Asia, the Pacific islands, South America, Af-rica and much of southern Europe, have a rich tradition of co-sleeping. In At Home: A Short History of Private Life, Bill Bryson relates that until very re-cently, most domiciles centered around a central room, or hall, where everyone slept together. Even today, adults and

Sweet SlumberCo-Sleeping in the Family Bed

by Mark Sisson

children almost always sleep together in the same beds in non-industrialized, traditional societies worldwide. The modern practice of placing babies in separate rooms at night, of-ten to cry themselves to sleep, appears to be a historical aberration. Co-sleep-ing, conversely, is the age-old norm because it offers so many benefits to both parents and children.

Co-sleeping makes breast-feeding easier. Studies published by the Acta Paediatrica, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Jour-nal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics confirm a consistent link

between co-sleeping and breastfeed-ing in countries as disparate as Brazil, Britain, Malaysia and Sweden. Breast milk provides immunological benefits, transfers symbiotic gut bacteria and promotes bonding between mother and child. It’s especially nutritious if the mother’s diet is healthy, and breast milk is the only food experts agree the human body is unquestionably de-signed to consume.

Co-sleeping improves sleep. A mother that can breastfeed without leaving the bed will get more sleep. Also, more research from the American Academy of Pediatrics shows a lower incidence of sudden infant death syn-drome when breastfeeding is practiced. In the clinical experience of James McKenna, Ph.D., a University of Notre Dame professor and leading anthro-pologist in the field, “Breastfeeding mothers typically keep their babies away from pillows, positioning their infants on their backs, while placing them below the parents’ shoulders and raising their arms above them.” Plus, the adults “lay on their sides in ways that can prevent accidental overlays.”

Many human cultures,

including most in East

Asia, the Pacific islands,

South America, Africa

and much of southern

Europe, have a rich

tradition of co-sleeping.


Safe Co-Sleeping Habitsby Mark Sisson

DON’T:4 Don’t drink alcohol or take drugs that affect awareness and judgment, especially before bed.

4 Don’t smoke tobacco. The tars and toxins cling to an adult’s body, hair and clothes, exposing the baby to dangerous chemicals that increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

4 Don’t co-sleep if the parent is sleep-deprived, a heavy sleeper, has sleep apnea or is obese.

4 Don’t allow pets or other children to sleep next to babies.

4 Don’t co-sleep on a sofa, loveseat or reclining chair. The cushions create crevices for infant heads to slip into and the elevation creates a fall risk.

4 Don’t use overly soft mattresses that babies can sink into. Think firm.

4 Don’t use thick bedding, which can cause rapid overheating or lead to smothering.

4 Don’t co-sleep unless everyone is on board. If a spouse isn’t agreeable, try a room share instead.

DO:4 Provide a big enough bed to afford ample space for all co-sleepers.

4 Keep the mattress low or place it on the floor.

4 Eliminate all crevices that a baby might be able to fall into; push the mattress snug against one or more walls.

4 Use a firm mattress, a tight-fitting sheet and light bedding.

4 Place the baby on its back to sleep.

Co-sleeping builds parent-child bonds. Research published by the Sleep Research Society shows that mothers who co-sleep with their babies are more at-tuned to their sleep/wake habits and can respond quicker to their needs. Accord-ing to the journal Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, skin-to-skin touch increases the secretion of oxytocin, a bond-building hormone.

Co-sleeping fosters maturation. Studies in the Infant and Child Develop-ment journal show that kids that share a bed or sleep in the same room with their parents grow up to be more self-reliant and socially independent, better behaved, less anxious about intimacy as adults and more likely to be happy. Parents that are nervous about sharing beds can try room sharing, where the baby sleeps in an adjoining crib or cot; family members will experi-ence many of the same benefits.

Mark Sisson is a former marathon run-ner and triathlete. He is the author of the bestselling health and fitness book, The Primal Blueprint, and publisher of the health blog, MarksDailyApple.com.

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For several years, scientists around the world have been looking at the issue of wireless radiation from

cell phones and other devices and its potential impact on human health. There have been numerous studies, such as those by Dr. Hugh Taylor and his associates at Yale University, show-ing increased risks of cancer, repro-ductive issues and other health im-pacts on adults, but despite increasing evidence of potential harm, few public awareness campaigns have made much progress convincing people to change their habits. Change is hard, and people have become quite attached to their elec-tronic gadgets. Our phones, tablets and laptops can do things that were unimaginable even a decade ago. As a result, it’s almost impossible to con-vince people to change their behavior just because a study says it might pose a risk to their health. But pregnant women are not average people. The instinct to protect a child from harm is powerful, and it begins in the first few weeks of pregnancy. That’s when most women begin to feel the awesome sense of responsibility that comes with caring for a new life. Sud-denly, they’re hyperaware of what they eat and drink and breathe, because they want to make sure their little ones arrive in this world healthy. When the founders of the BabySafe Project saw the terms hyperactive, aggressive and poor memory used to describe the offspring of mice that had been exposed to the radia-tion from an ordinary cell phone, they knew for certain that pregnant women would want to know about it. The nonprofit Grassroots Envi-ronmental Education, in collabora-tion with the nonprofit Environmental Health Trust, has developed a new public awareness campaign designed to help pregnant women understand the developing science that strongly suggests a link between exposure to

wireless radiation and behavioral prob-lems in children, including symptoms of ADHD. The project is based largely on Taylor’s work, but it also builds on a history of independent science showing biological effects from exposure to wireless radiation from smart phones, wireless routers, smart meters and even wireless baby moni-tors. That’s why every wireless de-vice comes with a warning from the manufacturer to avoid direct contact with the body. The good news is that there are simple, common-sense steps preg-

nant women can take to reduce their level of exposure to wireless radia-tion, such as avoid carrying a cell phone on the body (pocket or bra); avoid placing a cell phone, wire-less laptop or tablet on the abdo-men; don’t talk or text while holding a phone against the body; talk on speaker setting or with an air tube-type headset; avoid using a cell phone in cars, trains and elevators; and avoid using cordless phones, which also emit wireless radiation, especially in bed. Corded phones do not emit wireless radiation. Streaming videos and playing games results in higher levels of wire-less radiation exposure, so download them and then view or play them with the device in airplane mode. Down-load e-mail and then disconnect from Wi-Fi, reading and responding without being exposed. Whenever possible, use cables to hardwire a router or modem and turn off the Wi-Fi feature on the router, mo-dem and personal devices. Unplug the home Wi-Fi router when not in use at night. Avoid prolonged or direct expo-sure to Wi-Fi routers at home, school or work. If a job requires us to use a computer, don’t sit close to the router or between the router and a computer. If the home or apartment or close neighbor has a wireless utility meter (smart meter), sleep in a room as far away from it as possible. The risk of wireless radiation is something every pregnant woman should learn about. Because every mom knows that the old rule still holds true: “Better safe than sorry.”

Doug Wood is associate director of Grassroots Environmental Education. If pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant, visit BabySafeProject.org for videos, science articles and links to more information.

BabySafe Project Reduces Exposure to Wireless Radiation

by Doug Wood

The goals of the BabySafe Project

have been endorsed by many of the world’s

leading experts in the fields of microwave radiation,

brain development, obstetrics, pediatrics

and public health.


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Babies Rest Easier on an Organic Mattress

by Lee Walker

It’s comforting to know that the un-conscious act of breathing comes in-stinctively to a newborn immediately

upon drawing its first breath. However, there’s nothing comforting about the fact that babies and toddlers are vulner-able to what they might be ingesting from their room’s furnishings—includ-ing toxic gaseous chemicals inhaled from mattresses and bedding. Parents should note that wise purchases exclude the typical crib or children’s mattress, because the surface material used in nearly all baby mat-tresses is toxic polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

The mattress filler of polyurethane foam also contains multiple unwanted chemical additives. All of these harm-ful substances linger only inches away from a little one’s mouth and nose. Polyurethane foam, mostly solid petroleum, is highly flammable, prompting manufacturers to try to counteract the hazard by adding an in-dustrial fire retardant. The U.S. Environ-mental Protection Agency reports that the most common of these, pentaBDE, has been associated with hyperactivity and neurobehavioral alterations. This retardant is not bound to the foam,

and leaches out into the surrounding air. PentaBDE recently was banned in Europe and by the state of California, yet the federal government has no plans to recall the millions of affected baby mattresses currently in use. Another chemical family that leach-es from the beds of children is phthalates, which have been associated with asthma, reproductive disorders and cancer. According to material testing facility Anderson Laboratories, Inc., these toxins still make up 30 percent by weight of the PVC surface of baby’s mattress, despite general warnings about phthalates by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Consumer Product Safety Commission. A research study by Anderson found that exposing groups of labora-tory mice to the fumes released by several types of mattresses—especially those with vinyl covers and polyure-thane foam cores—resulted in irritation of the animals’ eyes, noses and throats, as well as causing breathing problems. Some mice even developed asthma-like conditions. The Anderson pamphlet, Detoxify Your Nursery, points out, “The price of prevention is nothing compared to the cost of treatment. Removing potentially harmful chemicals from a child’s sleep-ing environment where he or she spends more than 50 percent of their early life may just be the best preventative ap-proach to a child’s healthy future.”

To learn more about purchasing an organic baby mattresses, visit Green Conscience Home at 33 Church St., Saratoga Springs. For more information, call 518-300-4525 or visit Green-Conscience.com. See ad, back cover.

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Is anyone among us; boy or girl, man or woman, able to resist the lure of a story told by our mother about

the day we made our flailing entrance into the world? Our mother’s birthing story—details of a midnight rush to the hospital, an unexpected home delivery or the flood of emotions as the precious little one was gently lain on Mother’s chest—can be an everlasting source of delight and interconnectedness. Today, a growing movement of mothers-to-be and their attendant caregivers supports the benefits of natural childbirth, con-sidered the best, safest and most em-powering way to bring forth new life. Editor Janet Schwegel taps into this movement in Adventures in Natural Childbirth, a collection of 39 birthing stories from women that have chosen natural deliveries, accompa-nied by midwives, doulas or physi-cians. They share personal stories of pregnancies, labor and natural births, mindful that this archetypal rite of

passage calls forth a woman’s inborn power and strength. Opening doors for others that want to trust their own body’s ability to birth naturally, their narratives support and encourage a return to a less medically and techni-cally dominated process. The Capital Region area offers ever-increasing options for women that choose to gain control over their birth experience through research and dedicating time to finding the right midwives, doulas and doctors.

MidwivesAccording to the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, the reduced costs associ-ated with out-of-hospital maternity care contribute to the increased demand for midwives and doulas, as do religious and cultural practices and personal preferences for birth settings that are both safe and private. Kathleen Breault, a certified

nurse midwife, founded the full-scope midwifery practice Safe Passage Midwifery in 2009 as the culmina-tion of a lifelong dream. She states, “I had worked in several area hospitals early in my midwifery career. I'm now attending clients from Bainbridge to Glens Falls, Saranac Lake to Plattsburgh and many towns in-between.” Breault, a registered nurse, has 35 years of experience in the healthcare field. She worked in critical care for eight years, and labor and delivery for five years. In 1992, she began the nurse-midwifery program at SUNY-Downstate, Health Science Center at Brooklyn, graduated in 1993 and has been work-ing full-time as a midwife ever since, attending more than 1,500 births. At Safe Passage Midwifery, Breault offers full-scope midwifery care (well woman, prenatal, intrapartum and postpartum care) in the home. “My business is quite different, in that all of the care is provided in the home of my clients,” says Breault. “I do the traveling! This is convenient for many clients with busy lives. Also, I limit the number of clients I work with to two or three per month. This is necessary because I often travel to outlying areas to attend births. In addition, I keep my practice small in order to provide the kind of care I’d like to receive. My clients know that they can reach me at any time—when they call, I answer!” Breault has developed some unique insights in her practice, saying, “In recent years, I’ve observed trou-bling changes in the profession: de-creased midwife autonomy, increased medical intervention, an alarming rise in the Cesarean section rate, fewer hospitals allowing VBAC [vaginal birth after cesarean], higher health care costs and increased patient loads that allow far too little time to spend with women and families building mean-ingful, trusting relationships.

DoulasAnother option for women that can’t or don’t want to use a midwife is the dou-la, a Greek word for woman servant. Unlike midwives, doulas do not offer medical care or assessment. However, they do provide a reassuring, helpful

A Renaissance in Natural Childbirth

by Linda Sechrist

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presence for women and their partners during labor. Erica DeBie, a certified doula and BANI (Birthing as Nature Intended) educator, as well as the owner of Erica’s Doula & Newborn Care Services, says, “I got into this field because I have always had a love for babies. I also strongly believe in the importance of women to have a positive childbirth experience and to be there to guide and support women through the entire prenatal, labor, deliv-ery and postpartum time.” She offers home and hospital doula services and birth and postpar-tum care, as well as childbirth edu-cation. She states, “I enjoy helping women achieve the births they dream of and deserve. Working with families is extremely rewarding.” DeBie notes that numerous clini-cal studies have found that a doula’s presence at birth tends to result in shorter labors with fewer complica-tions; reduces negative feelings about one’s childbirth experience; reduces the need for pitocin (a labor-inducing drug), forceps or vacuum extraction; and reduces the requests for pain medication and epidurals, as well as the incidence of Cesareans. “Birth is a normal process, and you have the right to be an active participant in your own birth experi-ence, which means making informed choices. My desire as a doula is to support you in a way that allows and encourages you to achieve your goals and desires for birth, whatever they may be, as well as one that keeps mom and baby healthy,” says DeBie.

Chiropractic Care for Mother and NewbornDr. Alison Brown has been in the practice of chiropractic care for eight years with a focus on pregnancy and postpartum care for the past four. She earned a doctor of chiropractic (DC) degree from New York Chiro-practic College, is certified in the Webster Technique for pregnancy and has also achieved certification from the Academy Council of Chi-ropractic Pediatrics, in addition to certifications in movement-based rehabilitation methods. Brown says, “We strive to offer

cutting-edge conservative spine care, chiropractic adjustments, pregnancy and postpartum care, sports injury management and spinal rehabilitation services. I truly enjoy working with the pregnant and/or postpartum patient. Be-ing part of a woman’s journey through pregnancy is a privilege. It is a pleasure to be able to support optimal pregnancy and labor, as well as provide pain relief when necessary. “Care continues postpartum, as I feel there is not enough focus on the re-habilitation of the mother after delivery. A woman’s body goes through so many changes during pregnancy and after childbirth. Proper rehabilitation can address common issues from muscu-loskeletal aches and pains to bladder incontinence and help a woman’s body return to pre-baby status.”

Prenatal YogaSamantha Gowan, yoga instructor at Yoga Bliss on the Boulevard, in Schenectady, teaches modified re-storative yoga postures to pregnant women. “These postures are beneficial because of their emphasis on breath-ing, which is an important component of birthing,” says Gowan. Doing yoga prior to birthing helps a woman get back into shape and recover faster after delivery. Combined with regu-lar chiropractic adjustments, yoga is a helpful therapy for the spine and nervous systems and an excellent way to keep the muscles and joints healthy during pregnancy.

Comforting OptionsIdeally, homebirthing is a family affair. Women can enjoy the comfort of be-ing able to walk around, have meals,

take a shower and spend time with children and partners while waiting for the baby’s arrival. Partners can be involved and supportive during and after the delivery. Mother and child need never be separated, so families can experience a sense of continuity and unity. This contrasts sharply with a traditional hospital birth, where the mother is often treated more like a sick patient, belted onto the delivery table and injected with an IV for the sake of hospital policy. According to statistics reported in Adventures in Natural Childbirth, midwives believe that more than 90 percent of women can and should birth naturally. As more women over-turn past presumptions and choose to fully experience this empowering rite of passage, perhaps the medical fraternity, too, will join their awaken-ing to welcome a new renaissance in natural childbirth.

Safe Passage Midwifery is located at 2091 SR 29, in Greenwich, NY. For more information, call 518-944-1637 or visit SafePassageMidwifery.com.

To contact Erica DeBie, call 518-527-4127 or email [email protected]. For more information, visit DoulaErica.webs.com or Facebook.com/doulaerica.

Brown Integrated Chiropractic is lo-cated at 1542 Columbia Tpk., in Schodack, NY. For more information, call 518-477-4405 or visit BrownIntegratedChiropractic.com.

Yoga Bliss on the Boulevard is located at 140 Erie Blvd. Schenectady, NY. For more information, call 518-894-7086 or visit YogaBlissBlvd.com.

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Doulas are birth professionals

that fill a void in the modern mater-nity care system, which has changed drastically over the last few decades. In the past, preg-nant women chose a family doctor or a local midwife to attend them dur-ing birth. Today, large obstetric and hospital-based midwifery practices are the norm, con-sisting of as few as four and as many as eight providers or more. The expecta-tion of individualized care and personal attention during labor and birth by an obstetric provider is a thing of the past. Enter the doula: a woman that is specifically trained to provide informa-tional, emotional and physical support for the childbearing woman and her partner. Doulas also fill a void left by labor and delivery nurses, which at one time were personally available upon admission to the hospital to provide labor support to a birthing woman and her partner. Not so anymore. Nurses have a very long list of duties now that leave little time for hands on support for a woman in labor. The birth doula typically meets with a woman prenatally three to six times or more, and comes to know the needs, preferences, concerns, curiosities and expectations of the laboring couple. She then responds to their call in labor, attending them at first at home and then helping with the decision as to whether and when to leave for the hospital. Once there, the doula helps the family navigate and negotiate the uncharted terrain of the hospital setting and the varying landscapes of labor. A doula walks whatever path a woman in labor finds herself on, help-

ing to promote both comfort and progress in labor, using a variety of strategies and skills such as posi-tion changes, the use of water, re-laxation, breathing and other lesser-known tools such as acupressure, birth balls and rebozos (a type of scarf). After the birth,

doulas stay with the family in whatever setting they have given birth to help the mother and the baby transition to skin-to-skin contact and to breastfeed-ing. Most doulas stay for an average of several hours following the birth, as well as visiting the new family several times in the first week and weekly through the first month or six weeks of the baby’s life. So many new things are happen-ing for the mother and her baby, as well as for the mother and her partner. Modern obstetric and hospital mid-wifery practices schedule a six-week follow-up appointment for a new mom, but there are sure to be many questions and challenges in those first six weeks that go unanswered. How many women may give up on breast-feeding without adequate support? Both birth and postpartum doulas are available to families embarking on this incredible journey to parenthood with the company of an experienced, trained and caring doula.

Tisha Graham is a certified doula, certified childbirth educator, certi-fied lactation counselor and certified professional midwife with 30 years of experience. She can be contacted at Rites Of Passage Birth Support Services, 518-584-6619 or 518-366-2159. See ad, page 15.

The Doula Represents a Time-Honored Profession

by Tisha Graham

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inspiration

Becoming a father is one of the most defining benchmarks in a man’s life.

In their research, University of Cal-ifornia-Berkeley Psychology Professors Phil Cowan, Ph.D., and Carolyn Cowan, Ph.D., found that when asked how important each aspect of life felt over a two-year study period, childless men surveyed showed a significant increase in the “partner/lover” aspect. But young fathers squeezed that facet into a smaller life space to accommodate the signifi-cant increase in the “parent” element. Here are a few highlights from what relevant studies by Oregon State University, in Corvallis, the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and Switzerland’s University of Zurich say about how fatherhood changes men. Confidence and PrideHaving a close relationship with our child helps build mutual confidence and self-esteem. Turning a child’s tears

into laughter and feeling proud when he does well confirms that we’re on our way to being a successful father. Albeit briefly, a child may even share our tastes in culture, entertainment and other areas before mapping his own in-dividuality, but some common attitudes and interests will remain.

Patience and HumorWhen something goes wrong, we can take it seriously and try to change things, or roll with it and laugh. Doing the latter can increase compassion for our own and others’ mistakes.

Flexible ThinkingEarly on, it may be nearly impossible to differentiate the needs of our child and partner from our own. In reality, needs are to varying degrees in opposition, thus imposing frustrations and sorrows and forcing mutual adaptation, accord-ing to the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry think tank. Parents should

The Fatherhood FactorHow Raising Children

Changes Menby Armin Brott

consider various points of view and develop contingency plans.

Return to ChildhoodRearing kids presents the opportunity to reread favorite childhood books and disappear back into imaginative worlds.

CreativityA.A. Milne (author of the Winnie the Pooh books) and J.K. Rowling (of Harry Potter fame) first wrote for their kids. We may also be inspired to play an in-strument or take up an art form learned as a child while encouraging our chil-dren in their music or art lessons.

Reordering PrioritiesRaising kids produces a heightened awareness of others’ perspectives, reports University of Delaware re-searcher Rob Palkovitz, Ph.D. Many guys admit that they were somewhat selfish and self-centered before having kids, because having people depend on you and putting their needs before yours doesn’t come naturally. (Palko-vitz notes that marriage alone doesn’t trigger this realization.)

Changing ValuesBecoming a father prompts a hard look at one’s fundamental beliefs and values. Our view of what seemed harmless when we were younger, like not caring about money or possessions and potentially harmful lifestyle choic-es, changes completely when there’s a family to support. We see the world differently. Our health and well-being are no longer just personal concerns; they’re integral to our family. Interestingly, more mature new fathers—having had more time to hone their philosophy of life—report less of a need for fresh soul-searching than younger fathers.

Superdad Armin Brott has been building better fathers for a decade through his blog, bestselling books and American Forces Network radio show. Learn more at MrDad.com and Tinyurl.com/MrDadApp.


communityprofiles

Debra Goodman, MSPT, is a physical therapist, exercise trainer and instructor for professional

courses in pre/postnatal fitness who provides or-thopedic physical therapy specializing in women’s health, exercise classes for prenatal/postpartum and general strength and conditioning. Goodman notes that her biggest accomplish-ment has been breaking the myth that it is normal for pregnancy to be a painful process. “When women are doing the correct exercises, they can successfully manage pain and remain active for the duration of the pregnancy, she says. “We utilize manual therapy tech-niques for treatment and instruct women in specific exercises to help manage pain and increase function during pregnancy and postpartum. During pregnancy, we help women manage back pain, pelvic pain, neck pain, rib pain and abdominal muscle issues. Postpartum, we treat pain issues and pelvic floor problems such as urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, painful intercourse and vaginal scar pain. We also see women after Cesarean section surgery to advise about strategies for scar care and rehab. Goodman offers a prenatal exercise class called The Pregnancy Workout, which focuses on teaching women ex-ercises that help keep them strong, active and pain-free. The

program also prepares women for labor and delivery, as well as providing them with strategies for postpar-tum rehabilitation. Goodman states, “In the class, we educate women about their changing abdominal muscles and work on exercises to strengthen and tone the abdominal muscles in a safe and effective manner. This program educates women about com-mon pain issues during pregnancy, and women learn exercises to help manage the major aches and pains that often occur.”

Another class, The Ab Rehab, was designed to meet the needs of the postpartum population. Exercises focus on restoring the abdominal muscles after pregnancy in a safe and healthy way, as well as focusing on exercises to restore posture and help women build the strength to meet the demands of caring for a rapidly growing baby. The Ab class is also safe for women with diastasis recti issues (separated abdominal muscles). It helps women with those issues to learn how to exercise their abdominal muscles safely and effectively.

Debra Goodman Physical Therapy, PLLC is located at 17 Computer Dr. E., Ste.17A, in Albany. For more information, call 518-944-0314 or visit DebraGoodman.com.

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Family Life Midwifery Provides a Complete Range of Services

The Family Life Center

offers homebirth midwifery care, doula ser-vices, childbirth education, birth pool rentals and placenta en-capsulation, as well as a lend-ing library of pregnancy, birth and parenting literature. They maintain support groups for parents and host professional development workshops and events for area birth workers. The staff comprises Betsy Mercogliano, LM, CNM, CPM, RN, CD, CCE; Tisha Graham, CPM, CCE, CD, CLC; Jessica Hayek, CCCE, doula; Laura Simpson, RN, doula; and Rose Mitchel-Tenerowicz, BA, doula. Founded in 1976 as a community hub for young families in Albany’s South End, The Family Life Center has evolved into the longest-standing independent childbirth support center in the region. Classes include an eight-week Active Birth series, the popular Birth Prep Workshop, Breastfeeding Basics, Acupressure and Massage for Labor, Infant Massage, Water Birth, VBAC Prep, Home Sweet Homebirth and The Art of Babywearing. The center also hosts Mother to Mother and the Beers and Babies weekend edition, which are support groups for both moms and dads. Mercogliano states, “In the decades of our operation, we have been honored to serve hundreds of families on their journeys. We have also trained and supported many new birth workers and sponsored dozens of community events focused on pregnancy and birth. Our goal is to help individuals and couples foster the critical thinking skills necessary with which to make informed decisions about healthcare during the childbearing years and beyond, and to provide the services that families desire. As the move-ment toward women and baby-centered care grows, more and more families seek out the individualized care that we have always offered.” The Family Life Center is not only a midwifery practice, a childbirth education center and a team of doulas; they also provide homebirth midwifery, doula support and childbirth education. “We will be offering more and more events in the broader community and broadening our educational services to include holistic nutrition and health, as well as movement classes,” says Mercogliano.

Family Life Midwifery is located at 20 Elm St., in Albany. For more information, call 518-465-0241 or visit AlbanyFamilyLifeCenter.org.


communityprofilesSign Language Instruction for Little Kids

Happy Babble offers a variety of play classes for

ages 6 to 24 months, parent workshops, private lessons and consultations that teach par-ents and caregivers how to use American Sign Language (ASL) with their infants or toddlers. Owner Rebecca Demar-est is a licensed Signing Smart instructor and a speech lan-guage pathologist. She holds a bachelor’s degree in American Sign Language and language

acquisition of deaf children and a master’s degree in speech language pathology. After teaching her baby daughter to sign before she was 1 year old, Demarest opened Happy Babble in January 2013 in response to the interest of other mothers. “Signing with infants and toddlers has wonderful benefits,” says Demarest. “Signing allows communication to happen earlier on because children develop gross motor movements of signing well before the fine motor movements of speech. Signing also helps to reduce frustration because it allows children to request something. Signing facilitates intimacy, at-tachment, and self-esteem. Signing children are less frustrated, allowing more opportunities for fun, meaningful interactions that benefit their social/emotional development, as well.” The 45-minute classes for infants and toddlers with their caregivers are full of songs, rhymes, stories and opportunities to learn activities to do at home. A standalone parent work-shop is for expectant and new parents or parents that would like to learn more about typical language development and ASL in a quiet atmosphere. Each class and workshop comes with a handbook and DVDs that support learning ASL and communication development strategies at home. Demarest says, “My classes are vastly different from other sign language books, videos or programs because it is taught by a licensed speech language pathologist, and the classes and workshops are not simply ‘list and teach’ vocabulary classes. Participants learn many helpful strategies to elicit signs during the early months, how to recognize when your child is signing to you and how to expand a child’s communication attempts, as well as easy-to-remember songs and activities to carryover learning to the daily routine. I also sell flash cards and chil-dren’s board books with colorful sign language pictures.” A new Saturday play class at A Space to Grow, in Troy, is coming in February, and parent workshops are offered on a monthly basis.

Happy Babble classes are held at baby-friendly locations such as boutique stores, churches and libraries around the Albany and Ballston Spa area. For more information, call 617-823-1654 or visit HappyBabbleSign.com. See ad, page 12.


Meet the New Mom’s Family Doctor

Jessica Davis M.D., is board certified in

family medicine and integrative/holistic medicine. She is also certified in medical acupuncture, and is working toward certi-fication in functional medicine. “I am ‘the new mom’s family doctor,’” says Davis. “My focus is to help give kids the best possible start in life, so my practice centers around moms and kids. I am particularly interested in work-ing with parents from pre-conception through pregnancy and the first years of baby’s life.” Davis uses an integrative, functional medicine approach to work with patients on creating and maintaining a healthy life overall. This includes healthy eating—starting with breast-feeding and transition to solid foods, managing stress, sleep, movement, relationships, minimizing toxic exposures, and taking care of our microbiome. She offers primary care mem-berships and integrative consultations and accepts patients regardless of vaccine status. She opened her practice in February 2009, with the goal of prioritizing the doctor/patient relationship, where she is an expert advisor, but the patient is the expert on their own expe-rience. Davis notes that she make recommendations and offers options, but ultimately, the patient is making the decisions. Davis employs a part-time nurse, Lori Kohler, RN, CLC, who is also a certified lactation consultant, working toward her IBCLC credentials. She provides additional support for breastfeeding, healthy eating and natural remedies. “By keeping my practice super-small, I can offer personalized, affordable, concierge-style care and really get to know my people,” says Davis. “I do not have influence from insurance, pharmaceutical or formula companies.” Davis combines the best of both worlds, bridging conventional and integrative medicine. “I always have my Western medicine training to identify or rule out anything that is serious or acute,” she notes. “I can order lab tests and medicines if and when they are needed. The integrative ap-proach brings in other practitioners and modalities, depend-ing on each person’s needs.” This month, Davis is launching a Nourishing for New Moms upgrade, which provides extra support both prenatally and postpartum to help prepare and succeed with breast-feeding, healthy eating for mom and emotional and physical support from day one. It even includes hospital/home visits for mom and baby in the first two weeks. She is also adding integrative consultations for those that want to work with her around a particular health issue.

Location: 781 Hudson Ave., Ste. 2, Stillwater NY. For more information, call 518-664-6116, email [email protected] or visit JessicaDavisMD.com.

Providing Home Birth Services For Familes In Albany, Troy, Schenectady, Saratoga And Surrounding Areas Since 2009

Considering A Home Birth?

Katherine Michelle Doyle, CNM, NYS LMLocal Care Midwifery, PLLC

35 Dearstyne Road, Troy, New York We offer Free Consultations

Call to learn more: (518) 238-3469

localcaremidwifery.com

“I am so glad that I made the decision to have Michelle as my midwife. I am ever grateful to her for my beautiful, healthy baby boy! Thank you Michelle for everything!”

- Heather Koleszar



Fears are natural during pregnancy. Women worry about body changes, weight gain, nutrition and the health

of their unborn child. Many fear their water breaking in public or embarrass-ing and scary episodes in the hospital. But the most prevalent pregnancy fear is pain during labor and delivery. Fear of pain is self-perpetuating and hinders the natural birthing process, causing shallow breathing and physical tension in the body that leads to pain, which leads to more fear, and the cycle continues. Easing fears and increasing relaxation creates a happier pregnancy and birth. A multi-step strategy creates the pregnancy and birth experience we desire by recogniz-ing and addressing specific fears, physically and mentally preparing for birth, and focus-ing on the prize by deeply connecting with our baby. Tap fear away. The science of Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) tapping combines psychology with acu-puncture. Declaring fears while simultaneously tapping spe-cific points in the body moves the emotional energy through the meridian system and releases it. A shortcut version of this technique is to use the index finger to tap below the center of the eye directly on the cheekbone while talking about the specific details of a fear. An example is, “Even though I have this fear, I honor it and gently release it.” For more informa-tion, try one of the many EFT books, such as The Tapping Solution, by Nick Ortner. Hit the reset button with a daily brain dump. Clear the mind by taking all those worries and pouring them out on paper. Before bed, spend a few minutes writing about fears and worries. The act of journaling engages the emotional and logical parts of the brain and brings clarity. There is no need to make it time consuming or a formal activity. We’re more likely to journal and enjoy the process if it doesn’t feel like a chore. Stay present. Worrying is devoting energy to what we don’t want to happen, but the things we worry about prob-ably will never happen. When we catch ourselves slipping into the worry spiral, come back to the present moment. Instead of worrying about all that could go wrong, focus on all that will go right and visualize the desired outcome. Connect to baby. Strengthening our emotional bond with our baby helps calm fears, especially those surround-ing parenting abilities. Sit comfortably in a quiet place with eyes closed, right hand over the heart and left hand over the belly. Noticing the breath, allow it to slow and deepen into an even, comfortable rhythm. Imagine a golden cord con-

necting us to our baby. With each inhale, send love to the baby and know that they sense this love. Imagine being surrounded by a warm, healing light. This practice is deeply relaxing and creates a strong mother/baby connection. Become a yogini. Prenatal yoga physi-cally and mentally eases fear. Prenatal poses quiet the mind, increase flexibility, reduce tension and muscle aches, and strengthen and prepare a woman’s body for birth. Breathing techniques and guided relax-ation ease stress and develop the relaxation response. Relaxation is a learned skill that improves with practice. The relaxation response is our most valuable skill during la-bor and delivery. Daily yoga helps a woman train like an Olympian at relaxation. Just say no to scary anecdotes.

People seem compelled to tell personal birthing horror stories to pregnant women. This happens even among family and friends. These stories enforce existing fears and create new ones, as well. All births are different and what happened to someone else probably will not happen to us. Just hold up a hand and say, “Yikes! You may not realize it, but this story is freaking me out. Let’s try something happier. Tell me your best tips for new moms.” Don’t forget Dad. Future fathers have fears too, and are by nature less likely to discuss them or seek help. Common dad-to-be fears are feeling helpless in the face of his wife in pain, passing out in the delivery room, not knowing how to care the baby and providing financially for a family. Help by encouraging him to share any fears. The monster hidden in the closet is always scarier than the one in plain sight. Also show him ways to support us during labor and delivery so he feels prepared when time comes. Pregnancy and the arrival of our baby are among the greatest joys in life and the birth process helps women real-ize their full power. Prevent fears from clouding this magical time by addressing them before they grow. If these tips do not reduce fears enough to bring relief, or if fear and anxiety are affecting our sleep or quality of life, seek professional help. Ex-perienced EFT and energy therapy practitioners can effectively address and clear whatever fears we may be experiencing.

Melinda Lippert is an energy therapy practitioner with a special focus on women’s emotional health, infertility, pregnancy and birth preparation. For more information and a detailed EFT procedure, visit MelindaLippert.com/finding-peace-with-eft.

Calming the Fears of Pregnancy, Labor and Delivery

by Melinda Lippert


wisewords

The oldest of seven Montessori-inspired children and mother of

one, Renée Peterson Trudeau serves as a life balance coach, speaker and presi-dent of Career Strategists, a coaching and consulting firm. Thousands of women in 10 countries participate in Personal Renewal Groups based on her first book, The Mother’s Guide to Self-Re-newal. Now, in a new book, Nurturing the Soul of Your Family, Trudeau helps empower families to handle the chal-lenges of everyday life with harmony and ease.

How can individuals achieve more peace?We realize peace by nurturing our hearts and souls with self-care, by slowing down and being gentle with ourselves. It requires us to attune and respond to our own needs and desires in the present moment. Am I responding with compas-sion when I make mistakes? Am I saying no when I need to say no? Did I ask for and receive help when I needed it? This is self-care in day-to-day life. When we feel nurtured in ways aligned with our deeper needs, we’re able to more fully express our potential and relax into be-ing who we truly are.

How does such caring show up in family dynamics?When I’m feeling grumpy or irritable, I know that my inner cup is empty and I’m out of sync with my needs. When we practice self-care, we are more

HAPPY PARENTS HAPPY KIDS

Renée Peterson Trudeau Explores Soulful Parenting

by Meredith Montgomery

present with our partner and children. We feel more generous, loving and playful, and it’s easier to weather crises and un-certainties. I believe that modeling self-love is one of the best ways to influence children’s self-esteem.

Why is it important for families to define

what they value most?It’s empowering for a family to anchor together around one key core value. Once you identify it, you all can make more conscious decisions. The value that my own family has chosen is compassion for one’s self and others. Creativity, spirituality, service or learn-ing are others. As kids grow into adolescence, it becomes more challenging to maintain balance; there are so many demands on a family’s time and attention. Mentally, we’re often overwhelmed by an expand-ing scope of activities and decisions. At any age, a lot of us are just reacting to whatever comes at us. But when we identify the values most important to us, it’s easier to know when to say yes and no to things, so that our actions become aligned with our priorities.

What is behind the rising appeal of living more simply?Simplicity is alluring at a most basic level of our being; we crave it. We want to invest less energy in making decisions and have more space for life to organi-cally unfold. We want to hit the pause button because we are overscheduled,

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overworked and overloaded with too much information. It can feel so good to be productive, and American cul-ture rewards output. But we need to be mindful of balancing the harder task of ‘being’ with the seduction of doing, for we are at our most powerful when both of these energies are equal.

Where do we start?If we are not currently living in align-ment with what matters most to us, we can stop what we’re doing and course-correct. We have to define what simplicity looks like for us and can start by just slowing down. Do less to experience more. Unplug from technol-ogy. Try spending unscheduled, media-free time together. My family feels most nourished after weekends that we hardly did anything and just enjoyed connecting through simple pleasures.

What role does spirituality play in fostering a healthy family life?I hear a lot of parents say that they used to think that spirituality was separate from parenting. Then they woke up to the idea that being a parent is a spiritual practice, maybe the most profound one they will ever have. Connecting to the sacred in everyday life yields nurturing gifts we can enjoy with our children, not separate from them.

What is the most valuable ad-vice that you offer to parents?Pause to breathe in compassion and re-alize that our outer state is a reflection of our inner state. It helps us release whatever we’re dealing with and recon-nect with ourselves and loved ones.

For more information, visit ReneeTrudeau.com.

Meredith Montgomery is a regular contributor to Natural Awakenings.

A regular spiritual practice grounds us and helps us navigate the challenges of just being human.

It helps us stay awake, begin to let go, trust the rhythm and flow of life and relax into the beauty of our true nature.

Create Ritual – Meaningful rituals can be carefully planned events or casual, but regular remembrances, such as voicing gratitude before a family meal or greeting one another with a hug. Marking transitions and milestones in the lives of family members likewise connects everyone to the sacredness of daily living. We remember that life is more than to-do lists. Cultivate Stillness – Quiet private contemplation through stillness, prayer, meditation or reflection is a daily way to connect with our inner wisdom and/or embrace a higher power, and can make the whole day better. Practice Service to Others – The more we reach out and are present to one another, the stronger we become and the easier it is to understand our interconnection—that we’re all one. Live in the Present – Many great spiritual teachers believe the answer to everything is to just “be here now,” and that our suffering and emotional

distress would end if we simply stopped resisting the present. When we temporarily suspend our desire to change things, we can embrace that where we are is exactly where we’re supposed to be. Choose Happiness – Can we only be happy if things are going our way? Experts suggest that we’re born with the innate capacity to experience inner well-being and joy; it’s our birthright to feel good. We must remember to choose happiness in each present moment.

n Be mindful of how and when the family uses technology. Put people first.

n Tap the healing power of nature together. Take hikes, picnics and explore a local greenbelt.

n Love the ones you’re with. Schedule regular time together to make sure it happens.

n Define your family’s values and honor them.

n Slow down. Do less to experience more. Fewer choices and a lighter schedule can make for a happier family.

Source: Nurturing the Soul of Your Family: 10 Ways to Reconnect and Find Peace in Everyday Life, by Renée Peterson Trudeau.

“Mom, tell them to surprise their kids—listen to them, have fun with them and

just spend time with them.”

~ Jonah Trudeau, age 9

Five Reconnection Points

Small Daily Practices Make a Huge Difference

by Renée Peterson Trudeau


Movement and touch are key to

learning, and the earliest ways in which a baby will come to know her-self and the world around her—from the earliest stages of development in the womb, through the birth process, to nursing and on to more complex movements and interac-tions with the world. Movement and touch our so cru-cial to her development that she begins exploring this rich sensory world while still developing in utero. According to the Endowment of Human Develop-ment, a baby begins moving her hands only six-and-a-half weeks after fertil-ization. One week later, she begins to touch and explore her face and wiggly feet. Within a few more weeks, the womb’s resident touches her mouth and face nearly 50 times per hour. It’s no wonder that her mouth will be one of the most “touch” sensitive areas once she is born. Once the wee one is born, movement and touch will continue to play a crucial role in her ability to thrive and develop. According to Swedish nurse-midwife Ann-Marie Widström, “When a baby is in skin-to-skin contact after birth, there are nine observable newborn stages that are innate and instinctive for the baby.” These nine stages engage all of the senses and include a series movements defined as the breast crawl. Together, they have been shown to help to prepare the newborn and the mother for

breastfeeding, improve health and strengthen the bond between them. Imagine hav-ing this as a first introduction to a capable, adaptable and already learn-ing infant. Taking time in the first hour to observe the newborn’s move-ments and drink in

her touch is to experience the impact that movement and touch can have on an individual as a whole and on two systems simultaneously: mother (or father)-infant dyad. This dyad is especially important over the first few months of life outside the womb, because studies show that the quality of the connection between parents and their babies has a pervasive influence on the motor, social, emotional and cognitive development of the child. Parental involvement as knowledgeable observers and active participants is vital. There are many ways to sup-port an infant’s early development through movement and touch. Create everyday care rituals such as help-ing to map the infant’s body through intentional touch during changing and feeding times. Observe and narrate what the infant is doing. Classes in in-fant massage, Child’Space and infant

developmental move-ment are also helpful.

Buffy Owens is a Feldenkrais practitioner, Child’Space practitio-ner, owner of Conscious Movements and founder of A Space To Grow, located at 216 River St., in Troy. contact her at 518-629-5664 or ASp-aceToGrow.org. See ad, page 6.

The Nine Stages

1. The Birth Cry2. Relaxation3. Awakening4. Activity 5. Rest6. Crawling7. Familiarization8. Suckling 9. Sleep

Movement and Touch are Vital to Developing Infants

by Buffy Owens


ACUPUNCTUREVITALITY ACUPUNCTURE Michele Dolan L.Ac, AcupuncturistAt Albany Total Wellness130 Everett Rd, Albany 518-435-1280 • MicheleDolanLAc.com

Acupuncture can be used to treat a wide range of diffi culties pre and postpartum. Treatments are available for fertility, morning sickness, pregnancy induced neuropathy, postpartum fatigue, and depression. See ad, page 18.

AROMATHERAPYYOUNG LIVING ESSENTIAL OILSElizabeth GemlickIndependent Distributor #1275630518-229-6803 • [email protected]

Gentle Baby is a blend designed by Young Living specifi cally for expectant mothers and newborn babies. It may help relieve stress during pregnancy and many fi nd it benefi cial during the birthing process.

BABY BLESSINGSUNITED HEARTS CEREMONIESRev. Lisajo Kay, MS, CCC-SLP, OUnI518-212-REVK (7385) UnitedHeartsCeremonies.com

Ceremonies of the heart, for all life events; including baby naming, w e l c o m i n g a n d b l e s s i n g ceremonies. As an interfaith minister, Rev. Kay customizes and co-creates ceremonies that incorporate her client's desired

religious, spiritual, cultural and/or family traditions.

CHILD'SPACE METHODA SPACE TO GROW216 River St, 2nd Flr, Troy518-545-4606ASpaceToGrow.org

A space where somatic m o v e m e n t e d u c a t o r s , meditation and mindfulness mavens, holistic health practitioners, and birth and

baby professions come together to support individuals and families—mind, body and spirit. See ad, page 6.

CHIROPRACTIC

DR. ALISON BROWNBrown Integrated Chiropractic1542 Columbia Turnpike, Schodack518-477-4405BrownIntegratedChiropractic.com

Brown Integrated Chiropractic is a patient-centered chiropractic practice. Dr. Alison has advanced training in pregnancy and pediatrics with a focus on postpartum rehab.

DR. JOHN M. FERGUSONFerguson Family Chiropractic1783 Rte 9, Clifton Park518-383-5595 • ForLifetimeWellness.com

Webster technique certified for optimized pregnancy, labor and delivery and ICPA pediatrics specialty trained to optimize baby's growth and development. See ad, page 21.

DR. JOSEPH S. GULYASNortheast Spine and WellnessOffices in Albany & Clifton Park518-371-4800 • DrGulyas.com

As a chiropractor and holistic health proponent with over 25 years’ experience, Dr. Gulyas is skilled in taking care of moms and mothers-to-be. Specialized offerings in the area of pre and p o s t n a t a l c a r e : g e n t l e

chiropractic work, nutritional guidance, and whole family wellness education.

DR. KERSTIN MEDWIN, DCAt Albany Total Wellness130 Everett Rd, Albany518-435-1280 • MedwinChiropractic.com

Treating women who are looking for optimal health for themselves and their babies during pregnancy and delivery. Pregnant women are Dr. Medwin’s favorite patients (effecting two people at once). She has over ten years’ experience

working with pregnant women and babies. See ad, page 18.

DR. KELLI L. PATENAUDESchuyler Creek Chiropractic Center781 Hudson Ave, Stillwater518-664-4525 • SchuylerCreekChiro.com

Schuyler Creek Chiropractic is a family wellness based practice. Dr. Kelli has many years of experience and further training to support women through pre/postnatal times in their lives.

DR. JACLYN PURCELLSaratoga Chiropractic376 Broadway, Ste L4, Saratoga Springs518-435-1280 • SaratogaChiropractic.com

Chiropractic is a natural and safe method to help promote healthy pregnancy, the baby turning naturally, easier delivery and increased fer t i l i ty. Infants benefi ts from gentle adjustments for issues like colic, constipation,

trouble sleeping and more.

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY

CARI NAFTALIColumbia County & [email protected]

Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, hands-on healing approach which promotes deep relaxation and relieves pain and tension from within the body. It is especially benefi cial for babies and children.

DIANE SIMPSONLMT, Certified Yoga Teacher43 Pinewoods Ave. Troy518-283-6706

Licensed since 2000, specializing in craniosacral therapy with pregnant women to support healing and preparation for chi ldbi r th . Also providing pediatric craniosacral therapy for newborns, infants and children.

DOULASERICA DEBIE, CD (DONA)518-527-4127• [email protected]/doulaerica DoulaErica.webs.com

Erica is an experienced doula, offering a complete list of services including childbirth education, birth doula, postpartum doula and Baby Nurse/Newborn specialist care.

MOTHER POWERED DOULA SERVICESChristy Douglas & Rose [email protected] or 413-230-6805MotherPowered.com

Christy and Rose provide birth and postpar tum doula support , lactation counseling and prenatal, birth and newborn photography services in the Capital Region.

pre/postnatalguide


RITES OF PASSAGE BIRTH SUPPORT SERVICESTisha Graham, CPM, ICCE, ICD, CLC518-584-6619 • [email protected]

Certified doula, childbirth educator, lactation counselor and professional midwife. She combines these credentials along with 30 years of

experience supporting pregnant women through pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding to her practice as a doula.

EMOTIONAL HEALING

EMOTIONAL HEALING WITH ENERGY THERAPYMelinda Lippert, BA, CECP, CYTServing the Capital District and beyond518-380-2031 • MelindaLippert.com

Gentle yet powerful techniques to release and heal fears and emotional trauma. Specialty women’s focus: infert i l i ty, pregnancy, birth preparation, post-birth healing. Emotion Code, EFT tapping, and more.

FELDENKRAIS PRACTITIONER

CONSCIOUS MOVEMENTSBuffy Owens, Feldenkrais MethodAt A Space to Grow216 River St, 2nd Flr, Troy518-629-5664 ConsciousMovements.com

Empowering parent and child for a lifetime of moving, learning, and growing. Come and experience a Womb-to-World workshop, Baby Observation & Nurturing D e v e l o p m e n t C l a s s , o r a specialized Child'Space Method class series. See ad, page 6.

FERTILITYLIFE CYCLES IN BALANCELisa Cartier, Birth and Natural Fertility Coach518-307-9810LisaCartier.com

Programs to offer help and support for those struggling to conceive; ensuring pregnancy success for natural conception and for those undergoing fertility treatments.

GREEN NURSERYGREEN CONSCIENCE HOME33 Church St, Saratoga Springs 518-306-5196Green-Conscience.com

Providing information and interior products that will make your babies’ nursery a safe haven. Non Toxic cribs, mattresses, bedding, wall and fl oor fi nishes. See ad, back cover.

HERBS

JEAN'S GREENSHerbal Tea Works & Herbal Essentials1545 Columbia Turnpike, Schodack518-479-0471 • JeansGreens.com

Gifts from the Earth for you and yours. Offering quality organic and wild-crafted herbs, teas, tinctures, essential oils, books, gifts , and bath and beauty products, as well as a variety of supplies for making your own

products. Free catalog available.

HYPNOBIRTHING

LINDA SEEMAN Childbirth Educator & Birth DoulaAlbany, Saratoga & Glens Falls 518-573-4845 • [email protected]

Learn relaxation techniques for a better birth. HypnoBirthing classes offered in private or group sessions. 7 years’ experience with labor and birth support.

INFANT MASSAGE

BODYWORKS WELLNESS CENTERLinda Addario, LMT, CEO17 Computer Dr E, Albany518-459-4325 (HEAL)TheBodyworksWellnessCenter.com

Massage can bring immediate and last ing results for newborns and growing babies. Bodyworks Wellness Center offers infant massage classes for new and expectant

parents as well as shorter massage sessions tailored for babies and young people.

INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE

JESSICA DAVIS, MD781 Hudson Ave, Stillwater518-664-6116 • [email protected]

"The New Mom's Family Doctor." Holistic primary care focusing on women's and children's health, especially newborns and new moms. Integrative, holistic and functional medicine approach.

LACTATION SUPPORT

ERIN CABRAL, CLC 508-837-0139ErinCabral.SEB@gmail.comSynergyEncouragementBonding.com

Working with breastfeeding families to help provide a positive breastfeeding relationship. Offering in home counseling sessions, counseling hours at A Space to Grow, in Troy, plus classes and support groups.

MIDWIFERYHEARTSPACE MIDWIFERYHeidi Ricks, LM 518-588-7122Maureen Murphy, CPM 518-229-6541406 Fulton St, Ste 513, Troy HeartspaceMidwifery.com

Empowering women through knowledge, experience and heart. Offering gynecology, preconception counseling, homebirth midwifery services and lactation counseling. See ad, page 22.

LOCAL CARE MIDWIFERY, PLLCK. Michelle Doyle, CNM, NYS LM35 Dearstyne Rd, Troy518-238-3469 • LocalCareMidwifery.com

An independent midwifery prac t ice offe r ing qua l i ty women’s health care and planned home birth services. Considering home birth? Call for a free consult. See ad, page 23.

SAFE PASSAGE MIDWIFERYKathleen Breault, CNM, LMCapital Region - Central NY - North Country 518-944-1637 SafePassageMidwifery.com

An artisanal midwifery practice (usually by hand or using traditional methods, small). Providing well woman care and birth

services in the comfort and privacy of home. Serving clients in the Capital Region, Central New York and the North Country.


SAGE-FEMME MIDWIFERYKelly McDermott, CNM, LM527 Western Ave, Albany518-813-9290 • Sage-FemmeMidwifery.com

Sage-Femme Midwifery believes women should be empowered to create their own birth experiences as well as be educated to be actively involved in decision making and self-care. Kelly has been serving the Capital District

since 1987. See ad, page 4.

THE FAMILY LIFE CENTER20 Elm St, Albany • 518-465-0241Info@AlbanyFamilyLifeCenter.orgAlbanyFamilyLifeCenter.org

The Capital Region’s longest standing independent childbirth suppor t cen te r, o ffe r ing homebirth midwifery, doula support, childbirth education,

support groups and more.

NATURAL MATERNITY/BABYNATURALLY GROWN282B River St, Troy518-274-2229 • NaturalGrownBaby.com

A natural, eco-friendly baby and momma boutique. Our mission: "Support the natural growth of your child through high quality products and

educational classes." See ad, page 8.

THE BUNDLE STORE35 Milton Ave (Rte 50), Ballston Spa 518-557-8809 • [email protected]

The Capital District 's natural parenting store for b a b y w e a r i n g , c l o t h d iaper ing, materni ty /

nursing wear, toys, gifts, handmade specialties, community, and exceptional classes for both parent and baby. See ad, page 21.

ORGANIC MOM/BABY BODY

BEAUTYCOUNTERJennifer Quinn, Independent Consultant 518-461-9318 • [email protected]

Beautycounter offers safe, effective and beautiful skincare and cosmetics. Shop one on one, or host a social to get rewards. Learn to make safer choices for personal and whole family health.

NYR ORGANICLisa Small, Independent Consultant/Leader518-755-2170 • [email protected]/Shop/LSmall

NYR Organic’s ultra-gentle mother and baby lines are made with pure, certified organic ingredients to gently nourish delicate and expanding skin and to protect your precious bundle of joy.

PHYSICAL THERAPY

DEBRA GOODMAN PHYSICAL THERAPY, PLLC17 Computer Dr E, #17A, Albany518-944-0314DebraGoodman.com

Phys ica l the rapy practice specializing in treatment of pre/pos tna t a l i s sues .

Services include physical therapy, personal training, and exercise classes to help women stay strong and healthy during pregnancy and restore their bodies postpartum.

PREGNANCY MASSAGE

COMMUNITY MASSAGE & HOLISTIC THERAPIESKathleen Vroman, NYS LMT270 River St, Ste 201, Troy518-272-1400 • TroyCommunityMassage.com

Offering expectant mothers safe and effective prenatal massage that nurtures the body, mind and spirit. Experience a one-of-a-kind holistic treatment in a peaceful atmosphere that honors both mother and baby. See ad, page 21.

PRENATAL YOGAHEARTSPACE YOGA & HEALING ARTS747 Madison Ave, Albany 10 2nd St, Troy • 518-512-3390HeartspaceAlbany.com

With locations in Troy and Albany, Hear tspace i s a community-oriented yoga studio offering drop-in prenatal yoga classes for all levels at both studios. Baby and Me (ages 6-weeks to 6-months and

6-months to 1 year) in the Albany studio. See ad, page 7.

THE YOGA LILYPam Medina, Founder, E-RYT1 Barney Rd, Ste 222, Clifton Park518-744-5565 • TheYogaLily.com

Support the body during t h i s sac red t ime o f growing a new l i fe . Deeply connect with baby in the womb through

breath and mindfulness. Stretch, strengthen and learn breathing techniques to help with labor.

YANA YOGA & WELLNESS100 Saratoga Village Blvd, #42Malta Commons, Malta518-522-5472 • YanaYoga.net

Committed to its clients for over 6 years, Yana Yoga & Wellness offers a variety of yoga c lasses inc luding

prenatal, kid's, Mommy & Me, gentle, breast cancer recovery, restorative and vinyasa. See ad, page 21.

YOGA BLISS ON THE BLVD140 Erie Blvd, Schenectady518-894-7086YogaBlissBlvd.com

Become empowered by a yoga fl ow designed to prepare the body for labor and delivery. Find relief f rom pregnancy aches and connect with other expectant mothers. Relax into soothing guided meditation to help enjoy

the bliss of pregnancy.

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Documents

2015 Pre/Postnatal Local Resource Guide