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Jenn’s Birth Story
Posted: Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:09:02 +0000
Edric Fane O’Brien
January 31st, 2012 at 12:24pm8lbs 10 ounces and 20.5 inches
As many of you know, we had Audrey at home and wanted to give it another go the second time around. With the help of our two midwives–who acted more as angels–Edric (aka My Buddy) was born in only five short hours at home.
If you read my post from Sunday, you know I was feeling quite a bit restless and antsy for a myriad of reasons. I didn’t realize till later that day, that I was also a bit stressed about Trever going to work (because we need the money) and going into labor while he was gone.
With all of my practice contractions leading up to that point, I knew there was a good chance that they would be super intense, active labor contractions from the get-go. Or there was the possibility of them camelbacking–having one on top of the other with no break–because of my fifteen hour labor experience previously with Audrey. Either way, it made me nervous.
So when I spoke to the mom down in San Diego about this, she asked if it would be helpful to use some of her vacation time and come relieve some of that stress by being there while Trever was at work starting Monday. Yes, please.
The mom arrived Monday afternoon and I dumped all of my cares and worries onto her. It felt good. I was beginning to relax. And get more excited about the arrival of my baby. Not more antsy. Yay for moms that are also therapists in “real life.”
That night, I couldn’t sleep with my sore hips, ouchie pelvis, and a very large noggin pressing further and further and further down, but I finally got settled a bit after midnight. Around six in the morning while it was still dark, I added the peeing feeling that I was having in reality to my current dream,
“That’s not pee because I never pee myself, but I think I’ll just sleep a little longer anyway because I’m pooped.”
And that I did until 7:32am when a contraction made it impossible to.
“Ouch!”
That was a real contraction, I thought. Yet I still decided to add it to another dream.
“Ouch! Okay, alright. I’m up.”
And I slowly rolled out of bed, stood up, and waddled to the bathroom. Yep. My water had officially broken.
After numerous false alarms, I texted my midwives that I was having “real” contractions and that my water had broke. They both replied immediately and Kelly came to my aid not more than 30 minutes later. Which by that point I was leaning against our orange chair during each contraction.
“Trever, I’m gonna need you in a about fifteen minutes, oh and I need something to eat,” I said.
While I breathed through each contraction every three minutes, Trever made me a breakfast burrito, complete with potatoes, eggs, cheese, and salsa. I ate a few bites, then sat it down. Ate a few more, and repeated the cycle. Until the burrito was no more.
Somehow magically the tub–for waterbirth, as well as natural pain relief–was filled in our living room and I waddled over from the comfort of the orange chair to the warm tub. I climbed in and did my best to relax.
“This is going too fast. This is too calm. Can my baby really be coming?”
My contractions started and ended with such a familiar intensity that waves of memories of my first pregnancy came to my mind. I tried to stay in the present and not get caught up in how things were then. What felt like an hour past and I felt the urgency to push…
“Should I feel like pushing now?” I asked Kelly.
“It’s because the baby’s head is so far down. But do whatever you feel like doing.”
So I kept listening to my body. Changing positions when I felt I needed to. Standing for a contraction or two just to alter the scenery. Kelly would come to my aid before I even expressed the need. I would think,
“Oooh, I’d love to hear how the baby is, if they’re still happy!” during a contraction.
And when I would open my eyes, there Kelly would be with her Doppler, waiting to listen to the babies heart beat. Happy. Edric was always happy.
After a few hours of being in various positions in and out of the tub, the time seemed to slow down and fly by simultaneously. Margo arrived and saw me through a few difficult contractions.
“They’re on top of each other! I need a break!” I said, exasperated.
“You’re almost there, why don’t you try laying on your side and they’ll spread out.”
I climbed onto the pull out couch and laid on my left side.
“I think I’m in transition,” I cried.
After three contractions on one side, I flipped to the other and had three more.
In the next thirty minutes, a whirlwind of activity occurred. Things slowed down as the baby took a break and I got a little rest. The break I needed. I had three or four contractions in the tub, a couple on the toilet, and again in the tub.
I knew I had to push.
“Feel your babies head,” Kelly exclaimed!
I could feel it! I could feel the baby! And that gave me the energy and excitement to push. I began pushing in the tub and after two contractions, Kelly suggested I get onto the bed. I had Audrey on the bed, so it was familiar territory. Okay, I thought, and slowly got dried off and to the bed again.
Phew. After what felt like only ten minutes, I could feel even more of Edric. I was a little nervous to push. He was so close. He was coming and almost there!
His head was out! My baby. But his shoulders were stuck!
“Flip over!” Margo said.
“Now?” I asked.
“Yes, now!”
And so I did. I flipped to my hands and knees and pushed my heart out. Margo and Kelly helped the little man come out. In a minute and a half, we were snuggling. My little man was on my tummy. I looked between his legs to see who I’d be carrying these past nine months.
It was my buddy. My Edric. My love.
Jenn is so excited to share her blog http://jennylvoe.com – a cocksure of creative entrepreneurship, personal development, and community.
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Partner Prenatal Workshop
Posted: Thu, 12 Jan 2012 23:15:01 +0000
Location: MA YOGA Beverly Hills, Simchayoga Studio
DATE: Sunday, February 12, 2011
TIME: 2:00PM – 4:30 PM
PRICE: 45.00/couple
Expectant mothers and fathers are invited to a yoga workshop focused on learning postures, massage, and breathing techniques to help relieve some of the discomforts of pregnancy and prepare for childbirth. Engaging with your partner in a supportive, physical and fun-filled practice, we’ll explore ways to cultivate connection, deeper mutual trust, and bonding with each other and your baby.
Linda and Sarika create a relaxed, safe atmosphere, and help you build physical and emotional strength for you and your partner as you prepare for the intimate experience of childbirth. Fathers will learn hands on techniques to help their partners through labor.
Pregnancy is a transitional time for women and men. This workshop is about exploring and honoring these changes emotionally, physically, intellectually and spiritually.
Tea, snacks, and chat provided!
No yoga experience is necessary and the workshop is suitable for all trimesters and sizes.
Linda Eifer is an LA native, mother of two, and a yogi. She joined the Anusara Yoga community in 2000, began teaching yoga in 2004, prenatal yoga in 2007. Linda draws on
experiences, family, students, and the natural world for inspiration to find parallels between ancient yoga teachings and contemporary life. She is especially thankful to be teaching prenatal yoga where, with her students, they find infinite ways to joyfully celebrate new beginnings.Sarika Quach first turned to yoga after a shoulder injury in 2001. It wasn’t until 2007 when she finally stepped into her first Anusara class and immediately fell in love with this style of practice and its teachings. After studying with Jessica Jennings, she became fascinated with the miracle of pregnancy and of birth. In her teachings, she draws from personal experiences, knowledge of the practice, and a desire to inspire students in helping you discover your inner strength and beauty.
To reserve your spot, login and go to “Book Me” and “Workshops”. If you have questions, just email Linda at simchayoga@gmail.com.
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Heather A.’s Birth Story
Posted: Thu, 29 Dec 2011 00:48:11 +0000
Heather A. and SummerBorn Dec 17 weighing 7lbs 21 inches long. Head was sideways, pushed till I was blue in the face for 1 1/2 hours after midwife suggested I might do better with an epidural. After 10 + hours in labor? No way, I was not going to quit!
And thus we pushed on, my husband holding my legs for leverage, an assistant using tug-o-war with my exercise strap and the midwife helping babies head through my cervix and under my pubic bone. The hardest workout of my life!!
And I’m a screamer! The midwife said i sounded very “Victorian”, my husband was worried the neighbors would think someone was getting murdered. It’s the only way I could drum up the energy to push!
Here are some photos for you to show the girls in class. The first one was taken right after she popped out.
We’ll be coming to yoga as soon as she gets a little older!
Thanks for the encouragement and support!!
Xoxo,
Heather and Summer
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Heather F.’s Birth Story
Posted: Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:10:51 +0000
Heather and MinkaI gave birth to Minka Raz Sutkowski on August 21, 2011 at 1:09 PM. She was 8 pounds 15.2 ounces and 22 inches long. It took me a while to write out my birth story, after her birth I quickly became more interested in newborns and nursing instead of the experience of labor. So here it goes.
I had my first set of contractions on a Thursday night but they simply went away after I went to bed. My next set of contractions started in the early hours of Saturday morning, waking me periodically from sleep. I gave up on sleep around 5:00 AM and had contractions all day about 20 minutes apart (I downloaded an app on my iPhone to time them!).
They started to become intense at 7:00 PM, after a large meal which I would later regret. We headed to the hospital at 10:30 PM that night when the contractions were quite intense and had been between 2 – 3 minutes apart for over an hour. When we got to the hospital I was only 2 inches dilated! I had been 1 inch dilated for three weeks already and I was 11 days overdue. The contractions continued pretty strongly and were coming close together. I found that walking helped make the contractions come faster and I was able to better handle the pain. They moved me to the labor room around midnight but I was still only about 2 inches dilated.
I continued to walk and felt better after throwing up the afore mentioned large meal. I rotated between walking, sitting on my Pilates ball, sitting on the bed with the ball in front of me to sitting on the bed with the ball behind me. At 5:00 AM they talked me into having my water bag broken, they said it would help to move the labor along. They wanted to start pitocin but I was still determined to have as natural a birth as possible. I thought I could walk to push the labor along. They broken my water and I subsequently had the most intense contraction thus far, followed by the baby flailing around inside of me. The breaking of the water only accomplished me dilating to 3 1/2 inches and followed one of two rather dramatic situations during my labor.
Suddenly all the doctors and nurses on the floor were in my room and it got very quiet. I was no longer asked what I wanted, as an oxygen mask was put on my face and an IV in my arm. The baby’s heart rate had dropped drastically, likely as a result of her putting weight on the umbilical cord. They made me lie on my side for about an hour after which my contractions slowed way down and got less intense. I was so tired at this point and practically falling asleep between contractions. This continued until about 10 AM when my doctor talked me into starting the pitocin, as I was still only 4 inches dilated. I was so tired at this point that my eyes kept rolling to the back of my head when I tried to talk to the nurses and doctors. I also threw up a few more times, which made me feel better for a little while. We started the pitocin and even inserted a vaginal monitor to accurately track the intensity of the contractions.
So much for a natural birth, I had wires and tubes coming out of every orifice, the only thing missing would have been a catheter! At this point I was worried about the pain that the pitocin would bring and was so tired that I just wanted to sleep. I thought with an epidural, which I truly had wanted to avoid, would allow me to sleep and my doctor warned that I would need my strength for the pushing portion of labor. I spoke to the anesthesiologist and we decided on a low dose cocktail referred to as a walking epidural. They sat me up for the epidural and I had some really strong contractions. I realize now that I was in transition, and it only lasted for 5 – 10 minutes.
I wish they had checked my progress before administering the epidural. At this point, due to the pain, I was also WIDE awake so didn’t have to worry about falling asleep or having the energy to push. I was told it would take 15 – 20 minutes for the epidural to take effect and they laid me on my side. Instantly the contractions changed, I felt my uterus contracting as my body was suddenly pushing the baby down, even though I was trying not to push. These contractions were less painful and almost a relief as I could feel my body making progress. The nurse wanted to wait for my doctor to check my progress but she was seeing another patient and then the nurse even left the room.
I was sure the baby was about to come OUT so I asked my hubby to either look under the blanket to see if he could see the head or call the nurse. She came back and sure enough it was time to push. Only about 20 minutes had elapsed since getting the epidural. We started pushing, which again was kind of a relief because it was something I could actively participate in/push through as opposed to passively enduring pain. I was so ready to push! The pushing only lasted 25 minutes and it burned like hell! I pushed her out so quickly that she looked like a c-section baby with almost a perfectly round head! I credit yoga and Pilates for the core strength it took to get the baby out. She was overdue and there was some meconium in the fluid but she came out crying so they were able to put her right on my chest. She was nursing within 10 minutes!
This is where I wish my birth story ended but I feel I need to share the following because it was somewhat unexpected. From what I read, passing the placenta is relatively painless, and you are so enamored with your new baby that you do not feel a thing but because the baby was overdue, the doctor had a hard time getting the placenta out. This was the other intense moment during labor. I lost quite a bit of blood and my doctor was in up to her elbow, which is mighty painful especially after pushing out the baby. On a side note, I found out at my six week check up that the placenta was not entire removed and I had to under go a DNC to remove it. I also suffered from low milk supply which was likely due to the incomplete removal of the placenta after birth.
Well that is my story for all those expecting mothers. It truly wasn’t as painful as I imagined and much easier, in a way, than what is to come!
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Prenatal Teacher Training LA 2012!
Posted: Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:12:05 +0000
The Yoga of Pregnancy Workshop and Teacher Training (plus Ayurveda for Pregnancy Workshop!)
with Jessica Jennings, MS, ERYT, Certified Anusara Yoga Instructor
March 9-11, 2012
a workshop for yoga teachers and students, moms-to-be and support people, and anyone else interested in learning how yoga can enhance the transformative, empowering journey to motherhood. teacher trainees will receive a certificate and support for starting your own Ma Yoga class.
If you want to learn more about how yoga can support you, your students or your clients, this weekend will open up a world of possibilities. Learn how yoga, specifically the heart-opening alignment principles of Anusara (“to align with your true nature”), can help pregnant women move through the trimesters with ease, grace, even joy. Topics include physical and emotional signs of each trimester, biomechanics and physiology, energetics and spiritual concepts and how they can uplift and transform.
No interest in teaching prenatal is necessary – just curiosity, an open mind, and a willing heart. If you do want to teach, you will receive a certificate and support for starting your own Ma Yoga class. to sign- up – please Create Your Account, go to “Book Me” and “Workshops” and reserve your spot! or read on for more details…
Bini Birth Loft Space
Weekend Training: $210 by February 24, $225 after. $35 Friday only/ $165 Saturday only.
Ayurveda Workshop: $45Friday 7:00-9:00pm
General Q&A, and in whatever time is left, enjoy some prenatal yoga with lots of how’s and why’s about supporting the pregnant body.Saturday 9am-5:00pm
Delve into the Anusara Universal Principles of Alignment and how they fit the trimesters, to help pregnant women relieve common aches and pains. Learn variations to accommodate all the changes that occur during this amazing journey, including labor, and optimal sequences for pregnancy..Sunday 9am-11:00am
Learn about pregnancy and labor-related concepts and weaving them through classes, practice finding ways to adjust pregnant students, and, if you are taking this as a teacher training, teach your new friends a little bit of prenatal yoga. If not, enjoy a wonderful practice and in whatever time we have left, touch on helpful topics such as the Yoga of Post-partum Care, the Business of Prenatal Yoga, and Mom Yoga.
(click for flyer)
Ayurveda for Pregnancy Workshop
Sunday, March 11, 2012
1-3:30
$45
The oldest medical system still in use, Ayurveda is 5000 years old and means “the study of life”. This workshop will give you practical, effective ways to help you and your family find balance and wellness, by giving you a basic understanding of the life force in the food we eat, the cycles of the day and seasons, and your own constitution. Then, we can evolve our understanding of our to best nourish the pregnancy body.
Come explore what more there is to put on your table, and how easy it can be to truly nourish your body and your family! Recipes and helpful guidelines will be provided.
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About Childbirth Classes
Posted: Fri, 21 Oct 2011 22:39:20 +0000
Expecting couples have many options regarding childbirth education classes. Some couples choose not to take a class and instead gather information from the web, friends and books.Here’s why I believe taking an evidence-based childbirth class or workshop is important:
1) Evidence-based information – The new generation of educators are extremely informed and non-biased, and share with couples the latest research along with a variety of options. We feel there is no “wrong or right” way to conceive, birth or parent a child.
2) Community – By attending a class with other expecting couples, you will find huge solace in hearing others’ concerns, questions and tips. Great birth preparation classes will offer more than information – you will find a sense of humor and the opportunity to start great friendships.
3) Myths vs. Reality – Many people approach childbirth with ” I have always heard….” ” I always thought…” or even “in my friend’s birth….” Childbirth workshops are a great opportunity to discuss myths and get all your questions answered, even the ones you are too embarrassed to ask your careprovider such as ” Do women poop when they push the baby out” or ” do vaginas change after childbirth?” These seem silly or funny questions but they deserve an answer and attention, we can talk about these topics with sense of humor, evidence based information that will not make people more scared but more empowered and confident.
4) Confidence – There are no absolutes in childbirth or parenting. It is okay not to know everything; it is okay to trust your instincts as a parent, couple and individual. The more knowledge you have, the more confident you feel to access our inner wisdom.
In choosing a class couples should look for an atmosphere that will induce feelings of trust and comfort. The new styles of childbirth workshops are taught in a comfortable space, with delicious food and some great information.
Don’t settle for the boring class! Childbirth education has evolved into a fun, informative and social event.
Ana Paula Markel is the mother of four children. Having experienced two cesarean births, a medicated vaginal birth and a natural birth (in that order), Ana Paula discovered a passionate interest in the childbirth process, and became a childbirth educator, doula and doula trainer. Her goal is to assist mothers and families to explore the many options available in childbirth and to take responsibility of their choices.
Ana Paula has been teaching a fun and active childbirth preparation workshop in Los Angeles for the past 9 years, and has supported hundreds of families during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. Ana is also a doula trainer for DONA International and has been mentoring new doulas for the past 6 years. In 2008 Ana founded BINI Birth, a center in Los Angeles dedicated to the childbirth education field, doula training and green pregnancy retail. BINI offers a variety of classes for pregnant couples and new parents. BINI offers yoga, Hypnobirthing, Breastfeeding classes and support groups for new mothers and Ana’s very popular workshops. BINI Birth is also the premiere doula referral service in Los Angeles.
For more information about Ana Paula’s classes and trainings, please go to http://www.binibirth.com/.
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About Breastfeeding
Posted: Fri, 21 Oct 2011 22:10:09 +0000
Many new mothers are concerned about how to feed their babies. Most people know that breastfeeding is the healthiest and optimal way to feed and nourish infants, but some mothers often
have doubts and questions about how to make and maintain an adequate milk supply, how to breastfeed effectively and how to fit breastfeeding into their lifestyle.The breastfeeding experience is usually enhanced by the guidance of a Lactation Consultant, a clinical expert, whose in-depth knowledge and hands-on assistance can be especially helpful.
5 Simple Tips for Successful Breastfeeding
1. Visit local breastfeeding support groups, such as La Leche League while you are still pregnant to learn about normal mothering through breastfeeding. Get to know the lactation consultant who can be a valuable resource before and after your baby’s birth.
2. Stock up on nursing bras, tanks and a sling for babywearing.
3. Specify in your birth plan that you intend to avoid the use of artificial nipples and supplementary feeding unless medically necessary, after it is prescribed by your infant’s pediatrician and approved by you.
4. Improve your odds for breastfeeding success by birthing with no or minimal interventions during labor and delivery unless medically indicated. Medications administered during labor and delivery are not necessarily a problem for all mothers and babies, however mothers who birth with minimal or no interventions appear have an easier time initiating and establishing breastfeeding.
Healthy term infants can lose up to 7% of their body weight in the first week. If there is a concern, check with a lactation consultant regarding appropriate supplementation guidelines. Remember, “Nipple Confusion” is not confusion at all! Babies are not confused, in fact they are incredibly smart and talented. Infants may indicate a flow preference if they are offered bottles before breastfeeding is established.
5. Breastfeed as soon as possible after delivery and keep your baby skin-to skin with you as much as possible in the early weeks while you are establishing the breastfeeding relationship.
Roza Baghdassarian, MA, IBCLC is a mom and lactation consultant and has been working passionately with new moms and families for over 12 years. Employed as Lactation Consultant at Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center’s Breastfeeding Center, she educates physicians and staff, teaches free prenatal breastfeeding classes and works inpatient with mothers and infants at bedside and in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Roza has a private practice office where she assists clients for nursing bra and sling fittings and schedules consults and home visits. Contact her at moreserlactation@yahoo.com or 818-913-2228 to schedule a bra fitting or consultation.
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About Our Yoga
Posted: Fri, 14 Oct 2011 22:32:54 +0000
Anusara Yoga- founded by John Friend in 1997 – is our inspiration at Ma Yoga. Anusara® is an uplifting, life-affirming yoga based in principles of alignment that help us move into our highest potential. First of all, principles are both therapeutic – helping us eliminate back, wrist, neck and knee pain, which are so common during pregnancy. Pregnancy hormones work on every joint – not just the pelvis – and create vulnerability. Any misalignment you might have started with gets magnified. Understanding the direction our muscles and bones want to go to create stability, as our teachers do, give instant physical relief and a consistent practice can keep you out of pain throughout the whole journey.
What we also love about Anusara is that it’s all about remembering that we are all connected, that the same energy creating your friends big belly is creating your little one. This energy is always at play (“lila“) and instead of worrying about differences, we can start to celebrate them. So our worries from comparing get transformed into “wow! Look how different our bellies are. Awesome.” Or “I feel that having my baby in a __________ (hospital, birth center, house) is right for me and I’m so glad you found the place where you feel safest.”
Especially when applied to the crazy life transition of pregnancy, this uplifting Tantric school of yoga helps us receive blessings in all the ups and downs, the doubts and excitement, and even the aches and pains. Learning how to be with physical discomfort (there will be some even alignment can’t fix) becomes wonderful preparation for lying all night with a sick baby sleeping on you with your head in awkward position against the wooden headboard. Finding strength in Warrior II becomes training for standing your ground with your screaming toddler.
It’s an amazing time to learn yoga as when we become new moms, as these practices will help us stay connected to our kula – heart-filled community – and feel supported even when we can’t make it to class. In this yoga, we learn how to find the feeling of support in our own bodies so we can enjoy offering a wide open heart to our babies, our loved ones, and our community.
Many people think of prenatal yoga as “gentle yoga.” While in our classes you will be taken step by step through breathing and alignment that will feel delicious, prenatal yoga is very much about finding your strength – both inner and outer – so you can experience more sweetness on your journey to motherhood and beyond. An important principle of Anusara Yoga is balanced action. Thanks to pregnancy hormones, the body, especially the joints, is expanding and becoming less stable. We create stability first, and then enjoy freedom, making more space for baby and breath. In doing so, we find our aches and pains dissolving and a feeling of steadiness manifesting.
In prenatal yoga, we take time out to connect to our bodies and our growing baby by using our breath, so that we can have moments of realizing the hugeness of what is happening our lives. Yoga helps us make the most of our 9 months, so that we are fully prepared to be the mother we want to be.
The word “Ma” in Sanskrit, the ancient language of yoga, refers to the Great Mother that we all have within us – our greatest possibility as a human being, the most expansive love, and deepest strength there is. It is all there within you, waiting to be experienced and enjoyed!
Come play on the mat with moms-to-be, and continue as a mom to continue to enjoy the wonderful support, resources, and teachings of Ma Yoga for Pregnancy, Motherhood & Beyond.
Prenatal yoga is one of the only exercises that it’s ok to start when pregnant (another is walking). Prenatal yoga has been shown in many studies to increase health and wellness in these ways:
1. Helps reduce high blood pressure
2. Helps reduce stress, one of the major risk factors for preterm birth and other negative birth outcomes
3. Helps reduce common pregnancy-related aches and pains, such as shoulder, wrist, and back
4. Offers a support network that can continue into motherhood
5. Teaches meditation, breathing, and alignment tools that can help new moms escape the blues
6. Offers access to a greater birth support community so you can get help with issues as they arise
7. Gives you an opportunity to practice making decisions from your authentic Self
Come experience the playful power of life creating life as your baby and YOU – as the mother you are becoming!
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About New Mom Support
Posted: Fri, 07 Oct 2011 22:30:41 +0000
In most of the world, new mothers have a very special role and are nurtured and supported in ways that help them with this major life transition. Many cultures have a period of 40 days in which mothers and babies are kept separate, safe, and give time to bond and fall in love. This is an area where America falls very short. Here there is not much support for new families, many of us live far away from our extended families and often partners have to return to work after only a short leave. It’s not surprising that post partum depression is a common event in this country. Sometimes this depression is really exhaustion, as new mothers struggle to come to terms with the changes in their life, deal with loss of sleep and try to keep up with much of the routine they had in place before they had their baby!
Many of us have never spent time around a newborn until we have a baby ourselves, for this reason, it can also be invaluable to spend time with other new mothers. Connecting with a group of mothers who share similar values and have babies near the same age, can make a big difference. A support group provides a forum for answering questions that come up, for discovering what is developmentally normal, and for making friends with others who are going through the same things as you.
If you are feeling that being a mother is harder than you thought, you may be surprised to discover that others in the group are experiencing the same thing. The challenges you’re facing may be more bearable when you hear from another mom that they will go away as your baby gets bigger, and of course new challenges will come up in their place. Talking to other new moms can give you a sense of what to expect and just having a chance to share can make all the difference in how you feel about being a mother.
Every mother and every child deserves a supportive community. In a large city and in a culture where there is no good support system in place, sometimes we must work to create our own community and to find our own tribe.
The path to doing this is not clearly marked, but the value of this cannot be overstated. Finding a place to discover loving connection and support is something that every new family deserves.
Nancy Beyda has been a birth doula and childbirth educator for the past fifteen years. She is the proud mother of three children.
Nancy teaches prenatal yoga at Yoga West and leads support groups for new mothers at Bini Birth Loft and at her home in Hollywood.
You can find details about her groups at http://www.nancybeyda.com/.
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About Living Foods & Ayurveda
Posted: Sat, 01 Oct 2011 22:26:39 +0000
Dear Mamas and Mamas-to-be,
Before we dive into the recipes I wanted to chat. There is so much turmoil in the food world today, on every level from soil to plate.
In Ayurveda we talk about honoring the 5 elements in our food (earth, water, fire, air, and ether) and inviting them to become the five elements of our body and our babies bodies.
Food neurosis is one of our generation’s conundrums. Let’s put our food neurosis aside and simply enjoy the colors, textures, the variety, the life force energy of what attracts us. Whether you harvest from your natural food store, your garden or the foods, pay attention to what is calling to your sense organs. We begin the process of absorbing nutrients with our gathering our food.
This is so uncomplicated, it’s bizarre to think of needing to read anything about food to know what you need. Pay attention to what your body wants and not what your mind thinks you should or shouldn’t have.
As you walk through the produce section or farmer’s market, seat your attention in your baby’s awareness. What is your baby attracted to? What is so appealing you can’t resist? Get more of that!
Make your kitchen your friend and it will nourish you. Practice weekly kitchen sadhana (sprucing up and spiritual food prep) and your body will runs moothly.
Nourish thyself,
Cate Stillman
Food Glorious Food!
Your plasma feeds your baby. Your plasma is liquid.
We are flowing; water based. If your food is water based you waste less energy on feeding your baby. That is why my recipes are mostly juices, soups and smoothies…. and a few stews. Mushy is magnificent.
Here are some simple juice, smoothie and soup recipes to start your exploration of liquid-based foods with:
Spicy Green Lemonade (juicer)
1-‐2 apples
½ c. parsley or cilantro
6 stalks celery or 4 kale/collards
1 inch ginger (less or none if you run hot)
½ bunch kale or other seasonal greens
½ lemon
Sweet Elimination Juice (Juicer) – Great for constipation!
1 apple
6 stalks celery
1 beet
1 inch ginger
½ c. cilantro
½ cucumber
Green Vegetable Smoothie (blender)
2 cups of room temperature water
½ medium-‐size cucumber
3 large stalks of celery
2 stalks of kale/collards
1/3 bunch of cilantro
1/3 bunch of parsley (parsley can be doubled as cilantro substitute or vice versa)
Juice of half a fresh lemon
Blend ingredients until smooth. Drink while s0ll fresh.
Blue Smoothie
1 pear
1 cup blueberries
½ cup
c. green vegetable (kale, cucumber, celery, parsley, cilantro)
2 cups water
Date Energy Shake
This can be substantial snack or breakfast during pregnancy or postpartum and can be served starting right after birth! Avoid towards the end of the day.
10 medium dates, pitted and soaked
1 tsp soaked fennel seeds
12-‐25 soaked whole raw almonds
3 c warm water
2 pinches cardamom
2 pinches saffron (optional)
- Soak the pitted dates and almonds with optional fennel seeds overnight in separate bowls.
- In the morning, drain and peel almonds. If you have difficulty, pour some some boiling hot water over almonds to blanch and then ,peel them easily (slip skins while the water is still hot or they stick again).
- Blend with 2 cups fresh warm water and all other ingredients for 2 minutes or until smooth.
Yummy Raw Soup
2 cups fresh carrot juice
1 ripe avocado
2 tbsp. fresh basil leaves
1 tablespoon fresh ginger
Blend all of the ingredients together in a blender on high until smooth.
Simple Vegetable Soup for 1
2 ounces mixed vegetables (celery, zucchini, carrots, turnips, asparagus, potatoes)
½ Tabslespoon oil or butter (optional)
1 cup water Rapunzel vegetable bouillon or sea salt/Braggs to taste
Chopped parsley or cilantro to garnish (optional)
Clean the vegetables and dice and slice attractively If liked, heat the oil /butter in a pan and sauté the mixed vegetables until they are slightly softer. Place the water in a large pan or stockpot and bring to a boil. Add the vegetables, lower the heat, cover and simmer for 15-‐ 20 min. Season with tamari or sea salt, and serve garnished with chopped parsley or cilantro.
Options:• You may blend soup after cooked with food processor or blender.
• Legumes can be soaked ,and added to the water, and cooked until almost soft before adding vegetables.
• You may add 1ounce seasonal greens, such as sorrel, spinach, dandelion watercress, or 3 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs, such as basil, fennel, dill, or tarragon, to the soup before seasoning it. Cook for 5 minutes longer, then season with sea salt or tamari.
• Replace some of the water with milk or goat milk; do this toward the end of the cooking. Alternatively, add 1-‐2 tablespoons cream or yogurt per person before serving.
• For each person, sauté 1 tablespoon rolled oats with the chopped vegetables. This makes a light, creamy, nourishing soup.
About Cate Stillman: I’m devoted to upgrading the health of our culture through making wisdom teachings practical and effective… on the mat, and in our kitchens, our yards, our communities and ecosystems. I have an agenda. I have a solid track record, and a plan for action. I fuse planetary evolutionary consciousness with dynamic, practical living foods engagement of Ayurveda and Yoga. Hang out with me and you’ll end up eating your ecosystem.
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