This post is dedicated to one family in Ohio who is struggling. They are being prosecuted for having a homebirth, despite the fact that both mother and baby are healthy.
The reason for this post is to let all who are involved with birth know that what happens in Ohio will not stay in Ohio. The best way we can help this family right now is to be watchful and vigilant, and to send what help that they can spare.
It is the family's earnest desire that NO FURIOUS LETTERS AND CAMPAIGNING be done on their behalf. They are hoping for a peaceful resolution of the situation, in which the prosecutor will drop all charges. PLEASE DO NOT AGGRAVATE THE SITUATION WITH WELL-MEANING LETTERS WHICH MAY SERVE INSTEAD TO INFLAME THE SITUATION.
Thank you for passing this information on to others in the birth community. We are all watching and waiting to see what will happen.
#### ##### ###### #### ##### #####
Update
As many of you may know, we had our pre-trial hearing this morning. We were hoping once the lawyers got a chance to hash things out, the charges would be dismissed. That was not the case. The prosecutor offered us a plea-bargain for the charge of disorderly conduct, a fourth-degree misdemeanor. As much as my husband and I would love to close this horrible chapter of our lives and put it behind us, we didn't take the plea. First of all, we are not guilty of anything, and don't want a guilty plea following us around for the rest of our lives. Second of all, we felt that a guilty plea would validate the charges against us. Also, I thought that a guilty plea would give the impression that homebirth is wrong, and possibly open the door for other families to be prosecuted.
Right now, we don't have a trial date, and there is still a possibility that the charges could be dropped before going to trial. I want to consult further with my lawyer before involving the media, or unleashing a firestorm of letters and calls to the prosecutor. I just wanted to update everybody with what's going on and let everybody know what they can do to help.
This is always the hard part for me, as I'm not comfortable asking for things, but so many people keep asking how they can help, and we do need help, so I'm learning a lesson in humility. Obviously this is affecting us financially since we are a single income family, and my husband's hours at work have been reduced indefinitely. So far this whole fiasco has cost us $6427 in legal and medical bills. To pay our attorney, we took a $4000 cash advance on a credit card (at 20% interest). We have already raised quite a bit through fundraisers and individual donations, and we are grateful to everybody who has helped us so far. Paypal donations can be made to sweetchildofmine@live.com . You can also e-mail any questions to that address.
I know some people may be hesitant about sending cash, and I completely understand. Anything that saves us money on things we regularly have to buy would help too. Gift cards for groceries, gas, restaurants, clothes, etc are definitely welcomed. Also we definitely won't turn down local people who feel like dropping by with a pizza, bucket of chicken or a bag of your kids' old clothes!
There are also plenty of ways to help that are FREE!
-Send us your prayers and positive thoughts!
-Help out with a fundraiser.
- Be supportive of other families who make choices that may seem out of the ordinary to you.
I started a Facebook group page as a means to keep everybody updated. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=140938029710
Please feel free to repost this message on Facebook, e-mail or any forums where it will enlist more supporters for our cause. Please do not alter the message in any way, except to remove anything that may be a violation of the TOS of the site you post it (namely fundraising info).
It's time for us to stand up for our rights as women, parents and law abiding citizens who don't want the government trampling on our rights to live and raise our families as we choose! If they succeed with prosecuting us, it won't stop there.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Please welcome this week's VSG: Ms. Robin Elise Weiss!
Ms. Robin Elise Weiss is an extremely busy woman. Not only does she publish a pregnancy/childbirth column for About.com, she is an active birth doula, and a lecturer who travels across the country imparting the wisdom and advice gleaned from ten plus years in the birth business. Additionally, she is a published author. This is impressive enough, and would make for a sufficient resume for any one person.
However, Ms. Robin is not only an extremely busy woman, zipping here and there to talk about pregnancy and the accompanying changes that occur...Ms. Robin is the proud mother of eight! Even better is her perspective on her family:
"Being a mother and a doula helps me to stay in touch with the realities facing pregnant women and mothers today."
Ms. Weiss was in the military, and while serving, she "stumbled upon" the notion of women-centered care. This intrigued her to the extent that when she attended the University of Kentucky, she majored in Liberal Arts with a focus on Reproductive Health Education. Ms. Weiss was caught up in the various aspects of pregnancy and childbirth, and thus her feet were on the path to success.
Beginning in 1989, Ms. Robin began to develop her calling in earnest. Prior to this, she became certified as a doula with DONA International and she was able to become certified as a childbirth educator via Lamaze International. In addition, she became certified as a postpartum doula as well with ICEA. Thus, Ms. Robin was on her way to becoming a force in the birthing community, with hundreds of births to her credit.
Soon, Robin began to lecture, using the skills she acquired with her Communications minor. Her lectures to midwives, doulas, obstetricians and others concerned with birth were(and are!) quite popular. Others remark that Robin has a touch for disseminating information in a relaxed way that is non-threatening and easy to comprehend.
From there, Robin kept elevating her style, adding radio appearances and writing articles to her repertoire. In fact, at last count, Robin has written over 3,000 articles which were published on the web! Keeping not only abreast of birth trends, but also ahead of them, she soon branched out into becoming an author of a diverse series of books on pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting.
Some of her many titles include:
The Everything New Mother's First Year
The Complete Illustrated Pregnancy Companion
150 Tips and Tricks for New Moms
The Joy of Pregnant Sex
Ms. Robin Elise Weiss is a woman who is actively involved in birth: she is the recipient of numerous awards, from the President's Award from Lamaze International, to the CIMS Forum award. She has many more awards, has made numerous television appearances, and doubtless has many more irons in the fire. To her, though, "seeing families meet their babies and watching women grow through parenting" are what motivates her, not the many awards she receives.
Her birth philosophy is simple: "Every woman has to make her own choices, but she has to know all of her options or she ahs no choices."
The part that most impresses about Robin, beyond the laundry list of accomplishments, are these words that she offered on pregnancy:
"Pregnancy is a special time in our lives. We need to be given the opportunity to ask questions, tell stories, and generally enjoy the experiences of bringing a new life into this world. "
Robin Weiss, whose typical day consists of "wake up, feed the kids, drive, write, read, study, drive, feed kids, read books to kids, homework with kids, bed" is a driven woman. Her desire to change the fact that so many women are so unaware of birth choices, that it is a scandal "how few of their options women know about"; this is the driving force behind Ms. Weiss's constant presence.
So the next time you are at a conference, or are searching for answers on the Internet,or are in need of a doula, contact Robin
first. Armed with "birth ball, lap top and music" she is the Johnny Appleseed of our profession, spreading the seeds of knowledge across the nation!
However, Ms. Robin is not only an extremely busy woman, zipping here and there to talk about pregnancy and the accompanying changes that occur...Ms. Robin is the proud mother of eight! Even better is her perspective on her family:
"Being a mother and a doula helps me to stay in touch with the realities facing pregnant women and mothers today."
Ms. Weiss was in the military, and while serving, she "stumbled upon" the notion of women-centered care. This intrigued her to the extent that when she attended the University of Kentucky, she majored in Liberal Arts with a focus on Reproductive Health Education. Ms. Weiss was caught up in the various aspects of pregnancy and childbirth, and thus her feet were on the path to success.
Beginning in 1989, Ms. Robin began to develop her calling in earnest. Prior to this, she became certified as a doula with DONA International and she was able to become certified as a childbirth educator via Lamaze International. In addition, she became certified as a postpartum doula as well with ICEA. Thus, Ms. Robin was on her way to becoming a force in the birthing community, with hundreds of births to her credit.
Soon, Robin began to lecture, using the skills she acquired with her Communications minor. Her lectures to midwives, doulas, obstetricians and others concerned with birth were(and are!) quite popular. Others remark that Robin has a touch for disseminating information in a relaxed way that is non-threatening and easy to comprehend.
From there, Robin kept elevating her style, adding radio appearances and writing articles to her repertoire. In fact, at last count, Robin has written over 3,000 articles which were published on the web! Keeping not only abreast of birth trends, but also ahead of them, she soon branched out into becoming an author of a diverse series of books on pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting.
Some of her many titles include:
The Everything New Mother's First Year
The Complete Illustrated Pregnancy Companion
150 Tips and Tricks for New Moms
The Joy of Pregnant Sex
Ms. Robin Elise Weiss is a woman who is actively involved in birth: she is the recipient of numerous awards, from the President's Award from Lamaze International, to the CIMS Forum award. She has many more awards, has made numerous television appearances, and doubtless has many more irons in the fire. To her, though, "seeing families meet their babies and watching women grow through parenting" are what motivates her, not the many awards she receives.
Her birth philosophy is simple: "Every woman has to make her own choices, but she has to know all of her options or she ahs no choices."
The part that most impresses about Robin, beyond the laundry list of accomplishments, are these words that she offered on pregnancy:
"Pregnancy is a special time in our lives. We need to be given the opportunity to ask questions, tell stories, and generally enjoy the experiences of bringing a new life into this world. "
Robin Weiss, whose typical day consists of "wake up, feed the kids, drive, write, read, study, drive, feed kids, read books to kids, homework with kids, bed" is a driven woman. Her desire to change the fact that so many women are so unaware of birth choices, that it is a scandal "how few of their options women know about"; this is the driving force behind Ms. Weiss's constant presence.
So the next time you are at a conference, or are searching for answers on the Internet,or are in need of a doula, contact Robin
first. Armed with "birth ball, lap top and music" she is the Johnny Appleseed of our profession, spreading the seeds of knowledge across the nation!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Seattle's Own Quiet Jewel
Please welcome our VSG for today, Ms. Rochelle Schoen!
Seattle-born and raised, Ms. Rochelle demonstrates her affinity for, and influence by, this great city of the Pacific Northwest in many ways. Whether supporting KEXP 90.3 or using the cool periwinkle lavender colour of rain on her website, Ms. Rochelle is the epitome of all things Seattle. A relaxed, laid-back soul, she enjoys baking, reading, chasing after two irascible cats and being a full-time wife and mother.
Like many doulas, the pathway to birth did not appear at first. In her first incarnation, Ms. Rochelle attended the Seattle Central Community College and Western Washington University; at the end, she secured her degree to become a practicing social worker.
Using her talents for nurturing and giving, she worked with clients who were low-income and who had chronic medical/health issues. Soon, she found her niche in the social work methodology of "case management, referrals, resource management, short-term counseling and solution-focused problem solving." One of Ms. Rochelle's particular strengths that she brings from this period of her life is the ability to "can look at the big picture surrounding her clients' situations".
Ms. Rochelle worked as a social worker "for many years". After helping countless individuals to find their way in this wide world, she discovered that she herself was carrying life. Closing the door(as she thought)on her social work life, preparing for the arrival of her child, Rochelle took a Hypnobabies class. a decision which Rochelle reports led to "such a wonderful birth experience with my daughter. My daughter's birth was pain-free and I credit that to Hypnobabies."
Just as simply as that, the path to the world of birth opened before her. As her birth experience had been a model of calm and peace, she yearned to help other women achieve such a birth. Fortunate enough to train with Penny Simkin* personally during her doula training, Rochelle blossomed in her role as a doula, plaiting her new skills as a doula with her previous experiences as a social worker. Thus, a formidable blend of compassion, understanding, knowledge and empowerment was forged, and Rochelle was able to meld both her old skills and her new ones into a new profession: that of doula.
Part of Rochelle's drive is to eradicate "all the misinformation out there." It is the one thing she would love to change if she could. "Did you know that if you had scoliosis as a child, you must only have a c-section and never try a vaginal birth? Or that women who need to take antibiotics must stop breastfeeding because it makes the milk sour?" Correcting such misconceptions and replacing them with solid evidence-based facts is part of Rochelle's mission as a birth professional. This is evident in the advice that she gives to every client: "Become educated! Learn your options, do the research, and talk to others. Don't rely on one source for all of your information!"
The best part of being a doula for our Rochelle is "that it allows me to be a stay-at-home mom with my daughter yet still do some work, but with a greater control over how much I work than I had previously. Since I own my own business, I can do a lot of my work(research, reading, phone calls, etc) with my daughter right on my lap." Our Rochelle also points out that one of the drawbacks of being an active birth doula is that being on-call for an expectant mother can be disruptive, but feels "having a supportive husband, friends, and family is important."
In her capacity as a doula, there is often a duality common to most doulas: "When I am in the role of birth doula, my job is to take on the mom's philosophy and help her achieve her goals." This is exactly within the scope of practice for doulas; the role of the birth professional is to provide advice and counsel, and to respect the desires of the mother. "If a mother walks into the hospital at 2cm and wants an epidural immediately, it's my job to support that and help her to have the best birth experience she can, given her own decisions" our Rochelle points out.
However, when Doula Rochelle is "educating people, writing blog posts and living my life outside of the birthing room" she promotes her point of view, which is that "every baby deserves to be born naturally, without drugs or excessive interventions". This philosophy became firmly entrenched when working with Penny Simkin*.
One more famous quote from Ms. Simkin is:
There is a difference between pain and suffering. We can work with pain and use it to our benefit when birthing. However, excessive pain can become suffering and permanently and negatively affect a birthing mom's mental wellbeing. There is a time and place for pain medications in birth and when pain becomes suffering, it may be time to consider those options.
Ms. Rochelle definitely takes this quote to heart, for one of her goals is to expand her doula services by offering Hypnobabies* birth support and education. As a lifelong learner and educator, Ms. Rochelle is dedicated to the care, support and protection of women and their children, and she uses her social work background to good effect.
If you are ever in King County or Snohomish County, Washington, be sure to look up Ms. Rochelle Schoen. If you are giving birth near her, be sure to call her. You will be glad you did!
###
Penny Simkin: a physical therapist specializing in childbirth. More information: pennysimkin.com
Hypnobabies: a programme using hypnosis for calm and relaxation during birth. More information: www.hypnobabies.com
To contact Ms. Rochelle Schoen, please contact:
www.birthserene.com
twitter.com/birthserene
Seattle-born and raised, Ms. Rochelle demonstrates her affinity for, and influence by, this great city of the Pacific Northwest in many ways. Whether supporting KEXP 90.3 or using the cool periwinkle lavender colour of rain on her website, Ms. Rochelle is the epitome of all things Seattle. A relaxed, laid-back soul, she enjoys baking, reading, chasing after two irascible cats and being a full-time wife and mother.
Like many doulas, the pathway to birth did not appear at first. In her first incarnation, Ms. Rochelle attended the Seattle Central Community College and Western Washington University; at the end, she secured her degree to become a practicing social worker.
Using her talents for nurturing and giving, she worked with clients who were low-income and who had chronic medical/health issues. Soon, she found her niche in the social work methodology of "case management, referrals, resource management, short-term counseling and solution-focused problem solving." One of Ms. Rochelle's particular strengths that she brings from this period of her life is the ability to "can look at the big picture surrounding her clients' situations".
Ms. Rochelle worked as a social worker "for many years". After helping countless individuals to find their way in this wide world, she discovered that she herself was carrying life. Closing the door(as she thought)on her social work life, preparing for the arrival of her child, Rochelle took a Hypnobabies class. a decision which Rochelle reports led to "such a wonderful birth experience with my daughter. My daughter's birth was pain-free and I credit that to Hypnobabies."
Just as simply as that, the path to the world of birth opened before her. As her birth experience had been a model of calm and peace, she yearned to help other women achieve such a birth. Fortunate enough to train with Penny Simkin* personally during her doula training, Rochelle blossomed in her role as a doula, plaiting her new skills as a doula with her previous experiences as a social worker. Thus, a formidable blend of compassion, understanding, knowledge and empowerment was forged, and Rochelle was able to meld both her old skills and her new ones into a new profession: that of doula.
Part of Rochelle's drive is to eradicate "all the misinformation out there." It is the one thing she would love to change if she could. "Did you know that if you had scoliosis as a child, you must only have a c-section and never try a vaginal birth? Or that women who need to take antibiotics must stop breastfeeding because it makes the milk sour?" Correcting such misconceptions and replacing them with solid evidence-based facts is part of Rochelle's mission as a birth professional. This is evident in the advice that she gives to every client: "Become educated! Learn your options, do the research, and talk to others. Don't rely on one source for all of your information!"
The best part of being a doula for our Rochelle is "that it allows me to be a stay-at-home mom with my daughter yet still do some work, but with a greater control over how much I work than I had previously. Since I own my own business, I can do a lot of my work(research, reading, phone calls, etc) with my daughter right on my lap." Our Rochelle also points out that one of the drawbacks of being an active birth doula is that being on-call for an expectant mother can be disruptive, but feels "having a supportive husband, friends, and family is important."
In her capacity as a doula, there is often a duality common to most doulas: "When I am in the role of birth doula, my job is to take on the mom's philosophy and help her achieve her goals." This is exactly within the scope of practice for doulas; the role of the birth professional is to provide advice and counsel, and to respect the desires of the mother. "If a mother walks into the hospital at 2cm and wants an epidural immediately, it's my job to support that and help her to have the best birth experience she can, given her own decisions" our Rochelle points out.
However, when Doula Rochelle is "educating people, writing blog posts and living my life outside of the birthing room" she promotes her point of view, which is that "every baby deserves to be born naturally, without drugs or excessive interventions". This philosophy became firmly entrenched when working with Penny Simkin*.
One more famous quote from Ms. Simkin is:
There is a difference between pain and suffering. We can work with pain and use it to our benefit when birthing. However, excessive pain can become suffering and permanently and negatively affect a birthing mom's mental wellbeing. There is a time and place for pain medications in birth and when pain becomes suffering, it may be time to consider those options.
Ms. Rochelle definitely takes this quote to heart, for one of her goals is to expand her doula services by offering Hypnobabies* birth support and education. As a lifelong learner and educator, Ms. Rochelle is dedicated to the care, support and protection of women and their children, and she uses her social work background to good effect.
If you are ever in King County or Snohomish County, Washington, be sure to look up Ms. Rochelle Schoen. If you are giving birth near her, be sure to call her. You will be glad you did!
###
Penny Simkin: a physical therapist specializing in childbirth. More information: pennysimkin.com
Hypnobabies: a programme using hypnosis for calm and relaxation during birth. More information: www.hypnobabies.com
To contact Ms. Rochelle Schoen, please contact:
www.birthserene.com
twitter.com/birthserene
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)