Monday, September 8, 2014

Happy Fall! | Childbirth Classes in Western Massachusetts

Happy Fall, everyone! From my home office I see a few leaves starting to change, the thermometer dipping lower, and the neighborhood kiddos (including mine! What?!) heading off to school for a new year. We have a busy few months ahead!

Overlapping Childbirth Ed Series
This fall we have THREE, overlapping, Six-Week Childbirth Ed series scheduled. This allows parents a little more flexibility in choosing a series, and should they need to miss a day, they can easily make up the class in another session before their baby arrives.

  • Session 1 (Northampton): Saturdays, September 27 through November 1, 10am--12pm
  • Session 2 (Amherst): Thursdays, October 16 through November 20, 6pm--8pm
  • Session 3 (Northampton): Saturdays, November 8 through December 20, 10am--12pm (no class Sat 11/29 – Happy Thanksgiving!)

For detailed class topics and to sign up, please visit http://craftedbirth.blogspot.com/p/class-schedule.html


More frequent Breastfeeding and Newborn Care Classes
It is SO important to prepare for breastfeeding and newborn care – the “most natural thing in the world” takes A LOT of practice! To give parents a little more flexibility and more opportunity for mother AND her support people to attend, we have FIVE Breastfeeding classes and FIVE Newborn Care classes scheduled through the end of the year. Northampton classes will be held on the first and third Sunday of each month, and the Amherst classes will follow the 6-Week Childbirth Ed series.

Breastfeeding Classes
  • Sunday, September 7, 10am--12pm (NoHo)
  • Sunday, October 5, 10am--12pm (NoHo)
  • Sunday, November 2, 10am--12pm (NoHo)
  • Thursday, December 4, 6pm--8pm (Amherst)
  • Sunday, December 7, 10am--12pm (NoHo)
  • Sunday, September 21, 10am--12pm (NoHo)
  • Sunday, October 19, 10am--12pm (NoHo)
  • Sunday, November 16, 10am--12pm (NoHo)
  • Thursday, December 11, 6pm--8pm (Amherst)
  • Sunday, December 21, 10am--12pm (NoHo)

For detailed class topics and to sign up, please visit http://craftedbirth.blogspot.com/p/class-schedule.html


More Local Events

Meet the Doula Days
Before you meet your baby, meet the Doulas! Learn about doula support during pregnancy, birth, and early parenting. Get answers to your questions, learn about your options, and meet some wonderful women doing amazing birth work in our community. Also, great door prizes and snacks! Organized by the Green River Doula Network.
  • Sunday, September 21, 3:00—5:00pm – Grow, 3rd floor Thornes Marketplace 150 Main Street, Northampton
  • Sunday, October 19, 1:00—3:00pm – Baystate Franklin Medical Center, 3rd Floor OB Classroom, 164 High Street, Greenfield
  • Saturday, November 1, 3:00—5:00pm – Simple Diaper & Linen, 418 Dwight Street, Holyoke


Promoting Maternal and Infant Mental Health: The MotherWoman Community Based Perinatal Support Model©
Tuesday, September 30, 9:30am—12:30pm
Baystate Education Center, 361 Whitney Ave, Holyoke MA

I am so excited to be attending this free class. Learn how to implement a community based perinatal support model by bringing together all levels of care providers for woman, children and families, across local health systems and the community. (Limited seats available. Pre-registration is required.)


“Thank You Day” at Second Chances Kids’ Consignment Shop – 15% Off!
Wednesday, October 1 – All Day
7 Pomeroy Lane, Amherst, MA

As a special thank you to all our local families (new AND old), Second Chances is holding a special Thank You Day with Simple Diaper and Linen, Crafted Birth, and Birthing Mama Yoga. Mention any of these local businesses and receive 15% off of your purchase on October 1. Also join us for mini informational sessions that evening:


October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month
Pregnancy and infant loss affects more families than you probably realize. There are many wonderful resources, both local and national, to help families process their experience and to help friends and loved-ones give the support that is needed.
  • Empty Arms Bereavement Support: Support for families experiencing miscarriage, stillbirth and infant loss in Western Massachusetts, Southern Vermont, and Connecticut. They offer phone and email support, as well local support groups and in-hospital volunteers.   http://www.emptyarmsbereavement.org/   
  • StillBirthday: A global network whose mission is to validate a pregnancy loss as the birth, and death, that it is, and to fill the chasm between the moment darkness falls and when resources are discovered. Includes local listings of doulas, photographers, or volunteers trained to help parents navigate pregnancy loss.  http://www.stillbirthday.com/2011/07/25/massachusetts-resources/
  • NICU Helping Hans/Angel Gowns: a Texas-based community organization whose mission is to provide comprehensive support programs and resources to parents of premature infants. They also organize “Angel Gowns”, a program where wedding dresses are made into gowns for babies who have died. For more information, to request a gown for a local family or hospital, or to donate a wedding dress for the cause, please visit http://www.nicuhelpinghands.org/angel-gowns/

As always, please check out Facebook.com/CraftedBirth for more local events and resources.

Have a wonderful day!

Best,

Mollie Hartford, CCE

Crafted Birth 

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