We’re Alive!

Sorry to leave you hanging for awhile…

We took a few weeks to decompress after our succesful “Birth Blooms in the Desert” Conference but we are still here and happy to be serving our community!

The Conference was packed full of informative seminars, enthusiastic local businesses and vendors, and a slew of fabulous raffle prizes.  Thank you to EVERYONE who attended and participated in the conference for your support, insights, and feedback.  We hope to do it bigger, better, and with even more love next year.

Coming soon:  Photos, recap, and raffle prize winner list from the Conference.  Hang tight!

 

Schedule of Seminars @ Conference

With the “Birth Blooms in the Desert” Conference only SIX more days away, we wanted to be sure we published the final schedule of seminars and events for that day.  You won’t want to miss the excitement, insights, and community involvement during our first-ever conference!

Also, come prepared with a bit of change to purchase raffle tickets for our mind-blowing raffle AND to show some love to local businesses that will be respresented and/or selling their unique products.

Our Vendor Expo will include:  Inspired by Finn, Naturel Baby, EcoClean, Lotus Wei, Heritage Makers, Modest Middles, Arizona Womb Service, Barefoot Books, Birthing Mothers Budding Babies, Babymoon Inn (one of our NEW birth centers!), Blossom Birth and Wellness Center, (one of our NEW birth centers!), BellaBirth Doula Services, The Women’s Birth and Wellness Center (one of our NEW birth centers!), A Natural Blessings Doula Services, Blissfull Babies LLC, Freedom & the Seed Midwifery, Imagine Wellness Chiropractic.

Note on Conference: Lunch is not provided, but a $15 box-lunch can be purchased.  Light snacks and water will be provided throughout the day.

Our Raffle Prizes

Schedule of Seminars

(click HERE for bios on presenters and details of seminars)

9:00 – 9:45 AM        Registration + Vendor Expo
9:45 – 10:45 AM      Keynote Speaker:  Dr. Wendy McCord (Phoenix Ballroom I & II)

Session 1
11:00 – 11:50 AM    Flower Essences & Chocolate (Katie Hess of Lotus Wei, Phoenix Ballroom I)
11:00 – 11:50 AM    Perinatal Massage (Tammy Roecker of Your Perinatal Partner, Phoenix Ballroom II)

Lunch + Extras (Phoenix Ballroom I & II)
12:15 – 12:30 PM     Careprovider Award Presentation + LUNCH
12:30 – 1:00 PM       Babywearing Fashion Show  + LUNCH

Session 2
1:15 – 2:05 PM          Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology (Kimberly Mascaro, Phoenix Ballroom I)
1:15 – 2:05 PM          Babywearing Demo (Jen Bass, Susan Chanse, Rachel Dixon, Kim Knoblock, Phoenix Ballroom II)

Session 3
2:20 – 3:00PM          Breastfeeding Tips (Tatiana Indrisek, Phoenix Ballroom I)
2:20 – 3:00PM          Naturopathic Care (Dr. Krystal Tellier, ND, Phoenix Ballroom II)

Session 4
3:15 – 4:05 PM          Cloth Diapering (Susan Chanse, Phoenix Ballroom I)
3:15 – 4:05 PM          Organic Family Living (Catherine Pederson of Naturel Baby, Phoenix Ballroom II)

Session 5 (Phoenix Ballroom I & II)
4:20 – 5:10 PM          Prenatal Yoga & Massage (Rebecca Fritz of SuTRA Yoga)

Closing
5:10 – 6:00: PM        Closing + Raffle    (Phoenix Ballroom I & II)

 

 

Raffle Prize List

…and here it is!

The official list of raffle prizes that will be offered to attendees at our “Birth Blooms in the Desert” Conference on October 23, 2010!

Each attendee will receive a free raffle ticket.  If you purchase your tickets in advance, you will recieve a BONUS raffle ticket.  Additional tickets may be purchased for $1 each or $5 for a six-pack at the Conference.  All proceeds benefit the AZBN.

Please RSVP to this event on our Facebook page so we can get a good idea how many amazing people will be showing up!

The fine print:  While we are almost certain this is our complete raffle list, as always, the list is subject to change or addition without notice.  Also, featured product colors, patterns, and details may vary.

Thank you to our incredible and generous donors!

 

Our FAB Prizes! Click for Larger Size

 

• Disney Anaheim Family 4 pack (one day park-hopper)
• Tummy Tub
• Prince Lionheart Wheelie Bug
• Framed Chakra Mandala “Healing” by Vikki Reed
• Boiron Gift Basket
• Earth Mama Angel Baby Gift Basket
• Maclaren Volo Stroller
• Ergo Carrier
• Bummi’s Organic Starter Kit
• Hotslings Carrier
• AngelRox Halter Wrap Dress (reversible)
• Boppy Nursing Pillow
• Crane Frog Humidifier
• Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Deluxe Feeding Set
• Boon Potty Bench
• Zoolikins THREE Gift Baskets
• Oodelolly Originals Handcrafted Yoga Mat Carrier, Water Bottle Cozy, and Rice Therapy Pack
• Your Perinatal Partner $50 Gift Card
• Go Mama Designs Wonder Bumper Crib Set
• Andrea Trotter Photography $50 Gift Card
• Valley ChildBirth Services Bradley Method Class Voucher (Jenny David)
• Changing Hands Bookstore Gift Card + Cheesecake Factory Gift Card
  

Meet our Seminar Presenters + Chance to Win FREE Tickets!

What a day it will be!  What day, you ask?

The day of our “Birth Blooms in the Desert” Conference (10/23), of course!

Seminars, and vendors, and prizes – oh my!

We are pleased to introduce you to our seminar presenters for the day.  Each of them are active members of the local wellness and birth community.  We are honored that they have agreed to participate in our conference and hope you will join us!   Less than three weeks until our Conference, so hurry and get your tickets today.

FYI:  During the Conference, Coffee and light snacks will be provided.  The Holiday Inn has teamed up with us to offer a $15 box-lunch deal that you can pre-order upon registration (cash or check please).   Lunch will include gourmet wraps or sandwiches, chips, fruit, cookie, and soda and will be ready for you to pick up during the lunch break.

Wanna win a ticket to our conference?

Re-post this link on Facebook, then leave a comment on our Facebook page saying you’ve shared the love.   On Friday 10/8, in a random drawing, we will give away one ticket for every 10 re-posts of linky love. So if 50 people re-post,  we’ll offer up five free tickets!

Read below to learn more about our presenters and the sessions they will be leading.

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Wendy McCord

Dr. McCord is a licensed Marriage and Family therapist in California and Arizona. She has a Ph.D. in Clinical and Child Psychology. She has worked in the field of psychology and personal growth for 25 years.

She will present information on the groundbreaking “In the Womb Project”.

From Dr. McCord’s Website:

“In The Womb Project is a committee of the Gladys T. McGarey Medical Foundation, organized by Wendy McCord, PhD. We are made up of a group of women and men who have a deep appreciation and respect for mothers and babies. Each of us, in our own way has dedicated our lives to reawakening consciousness ‘in the womb’.

The focus of the In The Womb Project is to illuminate the vital and unrecognized first stage of human development- from one year before birth to the critical 24 hours after birth. (12/24) This requires a paradigm shift. When we understand and respect the importance of our origins we will be able to prevent and heal much of the pain of our humanity.”

Seminar: Breastfeeding Tips “I Wish I Knew…”

Tatiana Indrisek is a mother to three young children, two of whom were born at home, and is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) specialized in providing breastfeeding assistance to mothers and babies at all ages and stages. She is passionate about all subjects related to pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding. Tatiana was inspired by her own personal birth and breastfeeding experiences to learn how to help other women and reciprocate the aid that was given to her as a new mother.

What are some of the most common myths, “booby traps,” and obstacles that women encounter when breastfeeding? We’ve all heard them, so how do we overcome or avoid them altogether? In this session we will discuss many of the common concerns that women often confront about breastfeeding beginning with the newborn period through weaning.

Seminar:  Pre/Peri-Natal Massage

For over 18 years Tammy Roecker has been an Arizona State Licensed Massage Therapist, Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, with additional certifications in Pre/Peri-Natal Massage, and in Prenatal Fitness Training. Although she works with all ages and types of people, and has a wide range of continuing education in everything from Rolfing to Reiki, her favorite work is perinatal massage and helping families bond.

Tammy will be presenting information about the benefits and precautions of perinatal massage; which is a set of techniques and standards that have been established to be used when using massage therapy on a woman during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum.  These techniques support the physiological, structural and emotional well -being of both the mother and her child.  Tammy will also go over some positional concerns, and a few key techniques that anyone can do.

Seminar:  Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology

Kimberly Mascaro is a clinical psychology doctorate student at the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute. Her clinical specialty is in the emerging field of prenatal and perinatal psychology. Ms. Mascaro holds a master of science in counseling psychology from Dominican University and has a decade of experience in children and young adult mental health. Currently, she is adjunct faculty at Arizona State University and at South Mountain Community College. Ms. Mascaro is a passionate advocate for mothers, babies, and young children.

Kimberly Mascaro will introduce the new field of prenatal and perinatal psychology and speak about its underlying principles. Leading-edge theory will be discussed along with practical application.  This session will be a fantastic follow-up to Dr. Wendy McCord’s keynote speech.

Seminar:  Benefits of Naturopathic Care

Dr. Krystal Tellier is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor who received her medical degree from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (SCNM) located in Tempe, Arizona (after earning her Bachelor of Science in Biology at ASU).  Upon completion of her education at SCNM, Dr. Tellier completed a midwifery internship with Dr. Farra Swan, ND, CPM and at Casa De Nacimiento in El Paso, TX.

During this session, Dr. Tellier will explore Naturopathic Medicine and how it fits into the birth community.  She will cover topics such as how Naturopathic Medicine complements midwifery care, Homeopathy and other natural treatments for pregnancy and birth, and will also touch on Naturopathic  pediatrics.

Seminar:  Cloth Diapering 101

Join Zoolikins (formerly Wildflower Diapers) employee Susan Chanse, as she introduces attendees in this seminar into all things cloth-diapering!  Topics covered will include:

• • General information about cloth diapering, including cost comparisons, environmental concerns, and health concerns
  • The different systems of cloth diapers used today
  • The different fiber options for cloth diaper covers
  • How to fold prefolds
  • How to achieve the best fit in prefolds, fitted cloth diapers, and covers
  • How to choose the best system for your family
  • Washing your cloth diapers
  • Good cloth diaper maintenance

Susan Chanse discovered babywearing was an essential parenting tool with the birth of her first son in 2003.  Since then she has mothered two more worn little boys and assisted families in the Valley with choosing the perfect carrier for their needs.  She also teaches classes on babywearing safety and positioning and has experience with all of the different types of carriers available.  She is expecting a fourth worn baby early next year.

Seminar:  Prenatal Yoga & Massage

Join Rebecca Fritz, owner of 3-time award winning SuTRA Midtown, to discuss the core fundamentals of maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle during pregnancy and motherhood with the use of yoga and massage. Personally experience the vast physical and emotional advantages during a brief prenatal yoga class and prenatal massage demonstrations.   What a wonderful, rejuvenating way to end our Conference!

Seminar:  The Benefits of Flower Essences and Chocolate During Pregnancy

Experience nature’s most inspiring and fun way to incorporate more joy, peace, and love into your daily life–especially beneficial during parenthood! Discover how flower essences and dark chocolate can lead to happier babies and happier mamas and papas, throughout pregnancy, birthing, and beyond. Elevate your mind with our transformative multi-sensory approach incorporating multimedia projection, organic chocolate tasting, aromatic mists, luscious serums, and flower elixirs–learn how to use the power of flowers and chocolate to nurture yourself and your family.

As organic alchemist/founder of Lotus Wei, Katie Hess hand-collects exotic flower essences worldwide and infuses them into a variety of media that instantly enhance state of mind, and over time transform daily life into a vehicle for profound transformation. As one of the few forms of natural medicine that can be taken throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond with absolute safety (and fun), Katie loves to show how flower essences make a huge positive impact in the world.

Lisa Reinhardt, chocolatier/founder of Wei of Chocolate, delights in enhancing awareness through the ultimate chocolate experience. Using Ayurvedic and Chinese tonic herbs, spices, and flower elixirs to enhance well-being, her organic chocolate is as delicious as it is healthy. Lisa loves sharing the good news: numerous European studies have demonstrated dark chocolate to have tremendous health benefits during pregnancy and childbirth (and beyond)!

Seminar:  Natural and Organic Family Living

Catherine Pedersen is co-owner of Naturel Baby Organic Boutique along with her daughter Adrienne Ketterman.  Catherine holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and is currently working on a Masters degree in Counseling. She is an advocate of organic and toxic-free living, with a deep concern for the environment and future generations. Catherine is a third generation Arizona native and resides in Scottsdale with her boyfriend and owner of EcoClean Gerard Windstein.

In this seminar, Catherine will explore what it means to live an eco-friendly life and how we can work towards keeping our families as toxic-free as possible.   This seminar will also include an overview of everyday products with potentially adverse affects on the health of families.

Seminar:  Baby Wearing

During this seminar, four local babywearing mamas will demonstrate how to carry and wear babies in a variety of carriers and wraps (borrowed from the fantastic local Zoolikins store!).  Come see cute babies, happily worn on their mamas and bring all of your babywearing questions to be answered!   A baby wearing fashion show will also be part of the Conference.

Jennifer Bass is a student midwife and mother of four. She has been baby- and toddler-wearing since the birth of her first child in 2002, using a wide variety of carriers. She enjoys spreading the baby-wearing love and is happy to assist parents in finding the right carrier for their needs. Jennifer’s favorite carriers are mei tais and ring slings.

Rachel Dixon is a native of the Valley and a mother of three children, ages 2, 4, and 7.  She has worn all her children since birth because it just felt like the right thing to do!  Her youngest still rides on mama’s back almost every day.  Experienced with many different carrier types, her personal favorites are wraps and ring slings.  Rachel is a co-leader of the group Babywearers of Phoenix, which can be found on Facebook.

Kim Knoblock is a stay at home mom to three boys ages 6,4 and 7 months, and a part time Prenatal Educator.  She fell in love with Babywearing after the birth of her first son 6 years ago. She believes that babywearing is a necessary and a convenient way to meet a baby’s needs and keep them close.  She is well versed in the usage of many different carriers, but prefers to use wraps.  She loves all things related to breastfeeding, babywearing and cloth diapering.  In her spare time (if she has any) she likes to knit.

Susan Chanse discovered babywearing was an essential parenting tool with the birth of her first son in 2003.  Since then she has mothered two more worn little boys and assisted families in the Valley with choosing the perfect carrier for their needs.  She also teaches classes on babywearing safety and positioning and has experience with all of the different types of carriers available.  She is expecting a fourth worn baby early next year.

Caregiver Award – Nominations Due 9/30

Give a SHOUT OUT to your favorite health care provider!

Nominations for the Family-Centered Caregiver Award are due by Thursday, September 30th.   This award will be presented to the winner at our “Birth Blooms in the Desert Conference” in October.   Click on the link above to be taken to an online nomination form.

Please take five minutes to show your love for someone who has made a difference to woman, babies, and families in our community!

Winner of Sept Giveaway + Cloth Diaper Seminar Info!

Congratulations to our September Blog Giveaway Winner, who receives a Little gPants gift set from gDiapers:

Julianne Ferguson

We asked readers to tell us why they wanted to win these Little gPants.  Here is what Julianne told us:

“I love the look of the g diapers, they sound like a great alternative for day trips.”

Julianne, you are right!  gDiapers are a perfect solution for the eco-conscious mama who wants the convenience (but not the environmental impact) of a disposable while running errands or taking day trips!  We hope gPants gives you a bit more freedom to enjoy those times!

For hands-on demonstrations and information on the world of cloth diapering, don’t forget to attend our “Birth Blooms in the Desert” conference on October 23rd.   Zoolkins employees (formerly Wildflower Diapers) will be hosting a seminar on Cloth Diapering 101 and will have cloth diaper samples on-hand to demonstrate different options and techniques.

Thank you to gDiapers for their generous donation to the Arizona Birth Network!

American College of Nurse-Midwives: Gold Level Sponsor of AZBN

It’s time to spotlight another one of our “Gold Level” sponsors of our “Birth Blooms in the Desert” conference: the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM)!

We are beyond honored to have been the recipient of a generous donation from the ACNM.  The funds are being utilized to enhance our Conference and as a means to continue providing resources and advocacy to our community and members.

Did you know that “the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) is the oldest women’s health care organization in the U.S.”?

The ACNM can help a woman find a midwife, provides educational resources for current and aspiring midwives, and even doles out a number of annual awards and scholarships to those in the profession. Many of our well-loved midwives that serve women birthing in hospitals are part of this organization.  Click HERE to read more about the ACNM and their commendable programs, opportunities, and consumer information.

The mission of ACNM is to promote the health and well-being of women and infants within their families and communities through the development and support of the profession of midwifery as practiced by certified nurse-midwives, and certified midwives. The philosophy inherent in the profession states that nurse-midwives believe every individual has the right to safe, satisfying health care with respect for human dignity and cultural variations.

♥ ♥  Hug a Midwife  Today! ♥  ♥

A shout out to Brittani Hamilton CNM, head of the local ACNM chapter,  for her continual and passionate support of the Arizona Birth Network and the local birth community! And, if you are in the market for a gorgeous maternity gown, Brittani is also owner of the fabulous LaborLooks (one of our Network Perks partners).

Brittani Hamilton, Certified Nurse Midwife

Arizona Association of Midwives: Gold Level Sponsor of AZBN

We are so grateful for the three “Gold Level” sponsors of our “Birth Blooms in the Desert” conference:  Lansinoh, the American College of Nurse-Midwives, and the Arizona Association of Midwives.   Each of these well-respected organizations and businesses donated to the Arizona Birth Network so that we could bring you a conference chock full of fab info and fantastic fun!

Today we highlight the Arizona Association of Midwives.

We love this local organization comprised of  Licensed Midwives that serve women choosing to birth at home.  The AAM is dedicated to educating the public about midwives and encouraging continual dialog and learning between midwives and other healthcare professionals.

“There are over 50 licensed midwives serving the communities of Arizona (according to the Az. Dept. of Health Assurance and Licensure Services)”!

Honoring Midwives at the 2009 Midwives Day Picnic

The AAM reminds us that “A midwife is a trained professional who specializes in normal childbirth. She offers expert care, education, counseling and support to a woman and her newborn during the childbearing cycle. Midwives believe pregnancy and childbirth are normal and healthy life processes, which usually do not require medical interventions. Her goal is to help each woman have the safest and most emotionally fulfilling birth experience. Today’s midwife is trained in the use of modern diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. She knows how to watch for and identify potential complications as well as provide emergency treatment until additional assistance is available, when necessary. Midwives are teachers and advocates who enable parents to make informed choices”.

Click HERE to read more about the AAM and their 8 goals.

Thank you to the AAM for their partnership and generous support of the Arizona Birth Network!

♥ ♥  Hug a Midwife  Today! ♥  ♥

Conference Keynote Speaker: Dr. Wendy McCord

We are so honored to announce our keynote speaker for the “BirthBlooms in the Desert” Conference!

Dr. Wendy McCord, Ph.D, LMFT

Dr. Wendy McCord

Dr. McCord is a licensed Marriage and Family therapist in California and Arizona. She has a Ph.D. in Clinical and Child Psychology. She has worked in the field of psychology and personal growth for 25 years.

She will present information on the groundbreaking “In the Womb Project”.

From Dr. McCord’s Website:

“In The Womb Project is a committee of the Gladys T. McGarey Medical Foundation, organized by Wendy McCord, PhD. We are made up of a group of women and men who have a deep appreciation and respect for mothers and babies. Each of us, in our own way has dedicated our lives to reawakening consciousness ‘in the womb’.

The focus of the In The Womb Project is to illuminate the vital and unrecognized first stage of human development- from one year before birth to the critical 24 hours after birth. (12/24) This requires a paradigm shift. When we understand and respect the importance of our origins we will be able to prevent and heal much of the pain of our humanity.”

———————————

A humble thank you to Dr. Wendy McCord for her acceptance of our invitation to speak at this conference.  You won’t want to miss it!

Click here to register for the conference.

Click here to download a Conference Flyer —->Birth Conference Flyer 2

“Birth Blooms in the Desert” – October AZBN Conference

If you haven’t already heard, we are beyond thrilled to announce the date for our October Conference

SAVE THE DATE

• Saturday, October 23rd, 2010
• Time TBD (approx. 10am – 5pm)
• Holiday Inn & Suites Phoenix Airport – a brand new hotel!
• 3401 E. University Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85034
• Registration and ticket prices coming soon!
• Vendor Booth Info below and on this website link
  

DETAILS

Seminar Topics Include:

- Pre/Perinatal Psychology
- Benefits of Flower Essences
- Cloth Diaper Class for Beginners
- Organic Living for the Family
- Benefits of Chiropractic Care
- Perinatal Massage
- Breastfeeding Overview and Tips
- Benefits of Naturopathic Care
- Baby Wearing Demo & Fashion Show

For more information on Vendor Booths, please visit our website by clicking HERE.