Tracie from Cloth Diaper Market speaking to the WSBC newborn care class!

Holiday childbirth classes are starting!

The next group class series starts on Thursday, November 4th, 6:30pm-9pm, at Colorado Springs OB/GYN (the offices of Dr. John Baer and Sharon Ruyak, CNM) on the corner of Dublin and Rangewood.

I teach childbirth education classes that pull from many great resources such as Dr. Robert Bradley, the Lamaze Institute for Normal Birth, author Sheila Kitzinger and midwife Ina May Gaskin. We focus on breathing techniques and many different comfort techniques that I have learned from my experience attending births as a doula and a midwife assistant, both in the hospital setting and the home setting.

Classes are $250 (per couple) for an 8 week course and includes multi-dimensional instruction, a ten chapter student notebook, a postpartum breastfeeding visit, and unlimited phone / email support.

If you have given birth before, please feel free to pick and choose the classes you would like to be "refreshed" on, only $30 per class! Also ask about the discounts that are available for my current doula clients, active military and low income families.

Class One: Getting to Know You (NOV 4th)
· Introductions & registration
· Ten myths
· Your choices for providers
· Prenatal exercises & relaxation techniques

Class Two: Nutrition & Anatomy (NOV 11th)
· Nutrition with the Brewer diet
· Things to avoid
· Fetal development & prenatal testing
· Changes in the pregnant body
· Prematurity prevention
· Breathing & massage techniques

Class Three: First Stage Labor (NOV 18th)
· The 3 stages of labor overview
· Internal exams
· Timing contractions
· Labor coping techniques & positions
· Inductions

Class Four: Second & Third Stage Labor (DEC 2nd)
· Positions for pushing
· Breathing for pushing
· Perineal care
· Immediate postpartum

Class Five: Writing a Birth Plan (DEC 9th)
· How to organize for hospital or home delivery
· Baby movement & kick count exercise
· The role of your partner
· Interventions
· Informed consent & Bill of Rights

Class Six: Unexpected Events (DEC 16th)
· Cesarean birth
· Emergencies & complications
· Labor scenarios/stations
· Visual relaxation exercise

Class Seven: Newborn Care (DEC 23rd)
· Jaundice
· Immediate newborn procedures
· How to calm baby
· How to diaper & swaddle your baby

Class Eight: Postpartum & Breastfeeding (DEC 30th)
· What to expect immediately after birth
· Breast feeding discussion
· Care for mom & baby
· Postpartum depression

For more information, please contact:
Candace McCollett, CBE, CLD
Owner, The Westside Birth Connection
www.westsidebirthconnection.com
719-213-3740

Pikes Peak Regional Doula Association (PPRDA) Open House

WHEN: Sunday, October 10th 6pm-7pm for birth professionals and 7pm-8pm for the general public.

WHERE: Alliance Breastfeeding Center, on the southwest corner of Academy and Vickers, 5664 North Academy Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80918

WHAT: Come hear a presentation about TINDROPS (an international doula registry). We will also be announcing our new meeting location and discussing the benefits of membership to PPRDA. During the second hour, we will be discussing the rising cesarean birth rate and the link between Pitocin and autism. PPRDA provides services and resources for birthing and postpartum families. Come find out how doulas can enhance the birth and postpartum experience. If you support safe and satisfying births, you cannot miss this informative event! For more info, please contact info@csdoulas.com

Fall Childbirth Classes are starting!

The next group class series starts on Thursday, September 2nd, 6:30pm-9pm, at Colorado Springs OB/GYN (the offices of Dr. John Baer and Sharon Ruyak, CNM) on the corner of Dublin and Rangewood.
　
I teach childbirth education classes that pull from many great resources such as Dr. Robert Bradley, the Lamaze Institute for Normal Birth, author Sheila Kitzinger and midwife Ina May Gaskin. We focus on breathing techniques and many different comfort techniques that I have learned from my experience attending births as a doula and a midwife assistant, both in the hospital setting and the home setting.
　
Classes are $250 (per couple) for an 8 week course and includes multi-dimensional instruction, a ten chapter student notebook, a postpartum breastfeeding visit, and unlimited phone / email support.
　
If you have given birth before, please feel free to pick and choose the classes you would like to be "refreshed" on, only $30 per class! Also ask about the discounts that are available for my current doula clients, active military and low income families. For more information, please visit www.westsidebirthconnection.com

Colorado Springs BirthNetwork monthly meeting

WHEN: Wednesday, June 16th at 6:30pm

WHERE: Whole Foods cafe on Powers and Carefree, 3180 New Center Point, Colorado Springs, CO 80922

WHAT: This month Candice Koch, DC will be discussing "The 10 Secrets to a Happy, Healthy Pregnancy." BirthNetwork is a non-profit organization that meets monthly to offer support and information for a safe and satisfying pregnancy and childbirth. Meetings are free, families welcome! For more, info contact coloradospringsbn@yahoo.com or visit http://www.birthnetwork.org/colorado.htm

The Westside Birth Connection was born on the Westside

What would possess a person to want to stay up all night, sometimes two or three nights in a row? Is Starbucks coffee really that good? No, it is the fact that mothers are really powerful and it is a blessing to witness women in their power. It is the smell of newborn babies, it is the natural high of oxytocin, and it is seeing a grown man cry. These are some of things I get to witness as a labor/birth doula and as a homebirth midwife assistant. The life of being on call and witnessing miracles happen at birth is glamorous to some, too much of a sacrifice for others. Goodness knows I have to miss my children’s birthday parties once in awhile, I cannot go out of town at a distance that is more than an hour away for 11 months out of the year, and I cannot have more than one glass of wine at a sitting. All because I might get called to a birth! So why did I do it? As for many women in my profession, it started with my first birth experience.

Read more at http://www.csfreshink.com/group/oldcoloradocity/forum/topics/the-westside-birth-connection

Summer Childbirth Classes are starting!

The next group class series starts on Thursday, June 3rd, 6:30pm-9pm, at Colorado Springs OB/GYN (the offices of Dr. John Baer and Sharon Ruyak, CNM)on the corner of Dublin and Rangewood.

I teach childbirth education classes that pull from many great resources such as Dr. Robert Bradley, the Lamaze Institute for Normal Birth, author Sheila Kitzinger and midwife Ina May Gaskin. We focus on breathing techniques and many different comfort techniques that I have learned from my experience attending births as a doula and a midwife assistant, both in the hospital setting and the home setting.

Classes are $250 for an 8 week course and includes multi-dimensional instruction, a ten chapter student notebook, unlimited phone/email support, and a complimentary postpartum/breastfeeding visit.

If you have given birth before, please feel free to pick and choose the classes you would like to be "refreshed" on, only $30 per class! Also ask about the discounts that are available for my current doula clients, active military and low income families. Private and accelerated classes are also available.