Rally to Improve Birth Scheduled at ANM on Labor Day

By Glenni Lorick, IBCLC

I meet women every week who have been traumatized by birth, who have had their wishes blatantly ignored despite the fact that there were no imminent complications, who have been told they can't have a VBAC, who want the right to give birth THEIR way! In the vast majority of circumstances, pregnancy is a normal condition, not an illness, and childbirth, when allowed to progress normally does not need to be traumatic.

Improving Birth began with a local group of moms in San Diego, CA, but has grown into a worldwide movement of supporters who want to bring evidence-based care and humanity to childbirth. This Labor Day a group of Huntsville moms will gather in front of A Nurturing Moment as part of the international Rally to Improve Birth.What is this all about? According to their website,

This movement isn’t about natural birth vs. medicated birth. It’s not about hospital birth vs. homebirth or birth center birth.

It’s about women being capable of making safer, more informed decisions about their care and that of their babies, when they are given full and accurate information about their care options, including the potential harms, benefits, and alternatives.  It’s about respect for women and their decisions in childbirth, including how, where, and with whom they give birth; and the right to be treated with dignity and compassion.

We are so excited that our local event will be right here in front of A Nurturing Moment this coming Monday from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. You can RSVP here to let the organizers know you are coming! There will be music, refreshments, information tables, and sidewalk chalk for the kids. Just bring your sign, a lawn chair, and your commitment to improve birth in Alabama! 

If you are wondering what to put on your sign, check out this terrific video for some ideas. Even if you had the birth you wanted, you can still advocate on behalf of mothers everywhere. Every mother should have the right to choose where and how she wants to give birth. Informed consent should be automatic, not something that women have to fight for, and every woman should be able to benefit from evidence-based best practices in maternity care.

ANM is Making it a VERY SPECIAL Day

In conjunction with the Rally to Improve Birth, ANM has two very special events going on!

1. Sidewalk Sale - we will have a sidewalk sale with rock-bottom prices on many clearance items as well as rock-bottom prices on in-stock Best Chairs, Britax car seats, Medela Breastpumps and other items. We will also offer on-the-spot financing for chairs, pending credit approval (up to 12 months same as cash).

2. Lemonade Stand - Sarah Bailey's son John has been wanting to have a lemonade stand here for quite a while, so we will have a lemonade stand on Monday! If your child would like a shift working, please email Sarah . The proceeds from the shift your child works will be donated to the charity of his choice!

Please  note that our store hours on Monday will be a little different from normal. We will be open from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm so our employees can spend Labor Day afternoon and evening with their families!

An Anonymous Letter to a Birth Mother

Dear Birth Mother,

Recently, as I picked my son up from Mother's Day Out, his teacher said, "Simon is just so sweet.  He is so nice and is the same to everyone."  My first thought was not to thank God for such a wonderful boy, or to pat myself on the back for raising a loving child. No, my first thought was the same prayer I've repeated many times, "Thank you, Laura, for not aborting him."

Laura is my child's birthmother.  She was a teenager when she became pregnant, and her home life was difficult.  I imagine that abortion may have seemed to her like a good idea, perhaps the easiest way out of her situation.  But she chose LIFE- and that made all the difference to us- and for Simon.

Sometimes I just look in wonderment at Simon.  Tears rise as the thought crosses my mind: What if he had never existed?  Had she aborted him, our family—and even strangers—would not know the joy that Simon brings. We’d have missed out on his infectious laugh, his jubilant renditions of “Rocky Top” (even to a crowd in the grocery store), and his thought-provoking questions. His wonder and curiosity about the world around him makes us see things in a different light.

Other times I think about what might have been had Laura kept him.  Would he be happy?  Would she have been able to provide for him the stability he needs?  Would he be hungry? Would he be afraid?

I never thought I would be able to have children.  We adopted Simon when he was a few days old, and we were content with having just him.  Surprisingly, however, I discovered I was pregnant last fall. And finally, I got a glimpse of the ultimate compassion and sacrifice of a birthmother who gives up her baby to a forever family.

Throughout my pregnancy, I kept thinking what it would be like to have a baby growing inside of me, knowing that I would give it up.  Being pregnant was almost indescribable to me.  I felt somehow chosen to bear this new life - What an enormous responsibility! I was in awe of the changes in my body and the constant flood of emotions from elation to apprehension. I imagine that Laura felt all of these things-and more.  I imagine she felt anxiety during the decision making process, fear of making the wrong decision, despair over the responsibility and change in her life, and perhaps personal grief. 

But should you give your baby to a forever family, I hope that you feel

·         Peace, in knowing that your baby will go to a family who can provide for their emotional and financial security.

·         Blessed,in knowing that although your pregnancy may have been a mistake, your baby is not a mistake.  That baby was meant to be in someone's family, and you are blessed to be the giver of such a gift.

·         Empowerment, in knowing that you can bring a family together forever.

·         Contentment,in knowing that you made the right decision for your baby and yourself.

·         Love, knowing that one day your child will grow to understand your loving sacrifice, while appreciating the love and gratefulness of the adoptive family.

We named our second son Asa, which means "healer."  Every moment of discomfort or pain during the pregnancy, birth, and recovery was worth it.  And when I see Simon kiss the head (or toe) of his chubby brother, I am immeasurably grateful for this family that was meant to be. 

Abortion or single parenting is not your only option; choosing adoption for your baby could be the best gift ever. When I was pregnant I had this letter—this message—already forming. Perhaps I was allowed to have Asa so that I could reach out to you to save a baby’s life from abortion or be a small part of bringing a forever family together.

You are not alone.  There are agencies out there who will envelop you in love and support you each step of the way.  They will help to make your sacrifice worthwhile.  Your choice impacts not only you, but also your baby and a potential family.  Please choose LIFE and allow a forever family the indescribable gift of happiness like Laura gave to us.

Sincerely,

A Blessed Mom

Adoption Agencies:

Family Adoption Services (This is the one we used and can’t say enough great things about them).

Agape of North Alabama

Lifeline Children’s Services

Moms Find Fellowship and Fun

This set is one of the door prizes at
the Mom Brunch Tuesday!

by Glenni Lorick, IBCLC
Moms need other moms. It's a simple fact of life. Studies have shown that when mothers are isolated they are more likely to experience post-partum depression. Huntsville is a very transient city due to a variety of factors including the presence of an army base, the high-tech nature of many Research Park jobs and the universities here. Many moms moving here are either expecting or have recently given birth and have no social support network whatsoever.

One of the things I most love about A Nurturing Moment is how quickly our network of moms embraces newcomers! Ladies who walked through our doors for the first time a year ago are now firmly entrenched with a solid group of mama friends who are there for them through thick and thin.

There are a variety of ways that moms can connect with other moms. Rocket City Mom is a great place to learn all about different activities that have been planned for young families. But some moms need more of a spiritual component; they need to find some like-minded women they can really fellowship with. There are some great options for local moms!

Whitesburg Moms' Bible Study

On Tuesday mornings Whitesburg Baptist Church offers a ladies Bible study that is geared towards moms of all ages. They do offer childcare to make it convenient for mothers of young children. This year's Bible Study theme is "Ever After" by Vicki Courtney. Life rarely turns out like a fairy tale or chick flick. This study addresses the blessings and challenges of marriage and motherhood. 

You are invited to a Mom's Brunch this Tuesday at Whitesburg Baptist from 9:30-11:30 to get an overview of the study. There will be some great door prizes (including our Fed by God's Design gift items!) For more information or to register click here. 

MOPS

MOPS stands for Mothers of Preschoolers. It is a ministry that helped me make it through the years when my kids were little. At a MOPS meeting you will fellowship with other women, you might make something fun, you will learn something interesting, and you will get a break from the day-to-day grind as your kids are lovingly cared for in the Moppets program! Several local churches offer MOPS programs, including First Baptist in Huntsville, Ford's Chapel UMC in Harvest, The Grove Baptist Church in Madison and First Bible Church in Decatur.

Just for Single Moms

Single mothers have specific needs that are different from married mothers. Hope Community Church in Huntsville has a special ministry just for single moms. They try to make sure that both physical and spiritual needs are met.

MOMS Club

Although this isn't a source of spiritual support, MOMS clubs are an international organization that provide support and encouragement for Stay at Home Moms based on where you live. In Madison County we have South Huntsville MOMS Club, North Huntsville MOMS Club, South Madison MOMS Club. and North Madison MOMS Club. Meetings are typically held weekly with a variety of activities for moms and kids of all ages. Homeschool moms are welcome, as well!

Win a Natural Mama Photo Mini Session

by Glenni Lorick, IBCLC
Jessica Molepske is an amazing photographer! I met her about a year ago when she first moved to Huntsville for her husband's job with the Boy Scouts of America. She had actually gotten in touch with me before they moved here to let me know that she would love to get involved with photography here. We already knew several terrific photographers here, but I was looking forward to meeting her and helping her get comfortable in Huntsville.

Jessica was a sponsor of Miles for Midwives.

When Jessica arrived in Huntsville, she came in to meet me, and we hit it off immediately. She got involved with the Alabama Birth Coalition and very quickly became a part of the ANM community. In Texas Jessica had a thriving business. When she moved here, she had to start all over, but by reaching out and offering great photo packages, she has built quite a following here, as well!

Recently, Jessica agreed to be part of the team that is helping raise the money to publish Fed by God's Design, the first faith-based breastfeeding resource written by an experienced IBCLC. Those who contribute $500 to the campaign will receive, in addition to other things, a special breastfeeding photography session with Jessica, and at least two of the pictures will be published in the book!

On September 6 Jessica is offering Natural Mama mini-sessions for just $75. You can have breastfeeding, baby-wearing or cloth diapering pictures taken, or even combine them during your 15 minute session. You will receive a CD with the photos. Space is limited, and this is a terrific opportunity to get some beautiful pictures of you and baby! She is also raffling off one session to help raise money for the publication of Fed by God's Design. Each entry is $10 payable via Paypal to anm@knology.net. The winner will be drawn on September 1. You can enter below or at A Nurturing Moment.


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