Friends and Resources

I’m very happy to share some of my favorite resources with you.  These names and sites are here because I LOVE THEM and believe they have something valuable to offer.

Rethink Birth also has a very great list of Central Texas area birth-related resources.

YOGA

If you are currently pregnant, I HIGHLY recommend taking prenatal yoga classes.  Your body/mind will thank you and you might even make some great friends who are about to have children too!  If you have a new little one, postnatal yoga classes are great for helping your body to recover, creating a safe and peaceful place for you and baby to relax and recharge, and for making new friends.  If you can get away to do yoga on your own….do it.

Hannah Williams Yoga – Hannah is super fun and always smiling.  We actually did prenatal yoga together when pregnant with our first babies.  She is also an amazing musician!

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Jess G Yoga – I have done just about every kind of yoga with Jess and will be going back for more.  She will challenge you physically and give you lots to think about when you get home.  There are times when she takes a break from teaching prenatal/postnatal, so check the schedule on her website or at Yoga Yoga.

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Yoga Yoga.  You can do just about any kind of yoga here.  There are plenty of amazing prenatal and postnatal yoga teachers and 5 Austin area studios to choose from.  I know that just about all of the teachers here are excellent.  I know there are more there now although my kids are too old to enjoy!

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The YMCA  sometimes offers yoga classes, sometimes even prenatal.  So if you’re already a member, take advantage!  They’re included!

DOULAS

Doulas can have a HUGE impact on your experience in birth and in the first postpartum days and weeks.  A doula can offer support, comfort, and guidance during labor.  They can give your partner a break and plenty of affirmation, help you to remain focused and calm, and assist in interactions and decision making with your care providers.  Additionally, a postpartum doula can provide logistical, educational and emotional support after you and baby return home.  The initial postpartum period can be a very emotional and scary time.  Doulas can help by providing a shoulder to cry on, a list of resources for any needs you may have, lactation support, and some even help with the chores and cooking!

 Alexis Edwards is a local birth doula, social worker, mama of 2, and a lovely sweet lady.

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 Austin Born is a great resource for doula services and also offer great classes and group meetings.  I was fortunate to meet the owner and many of the amazing women working with and through Austin Born.

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A huge list of local doulas can be found at the Central Texas Doula Association .

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Lanell Coultas is a “mother. mentor. excavator. forager.”   She provides doula services, childbirth education classes, and postpartum support/baby groups.

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 Austin Doula Collective are a wonderful group of ladies.  I was fortunate to spend an evening with Sarah and Janixa, and I can tell you that I most definitely would have wanted them at my births!  Janixa is bilingual Spanish/English if you have the need.

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 Natasha Sanchez of Mama Love Doula is funny, spirited, and so inspiring.  She also teaches Rebozo classes.  Check out her Facebook Page, or email Natasha@mama-love.com.

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 Tiny Tree Birth Services offers doula support and placenta encapsulation services.  She is also a Still Birthday certified doula.

Midwives and Obstetricians

It is most likely that you already have a care provider that you love, but if you don’t, changing might be the best decision you could make.  This is your ONE chance to birth this baby, and you want to have the best possible experience to take with you for the rest of your lives. This is a list of care providers who have been recommended by loved ones or who I have met in person.  This is a very personal choice, and you should meet with as many providers as you need until you feel an intellectual and emotional connection. Your work styles should be compatible and you should feel cared for.

The Austin Area Birthing Center (AABC) is an all midwife practice with 3 Austin area locations and with midwife privileges to deliver at Seton’s central location.  The centers are beautiful and fully equipped.  My first baby was born at their original location in North Austin and I was just lucky enough to have their south location near my home open just a few months before my second baby was born.  I had wonderful experiences with the staff at both locations.

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OBGYN North is a group practice of Obstetricians AND CNMs (Certified Nurse Midwives) owned by Dr. Christina Sebestyn.  They offer a unique combined approach for childbirth which was the first to advocate for and credential a staff of midwives to be able to oversee hospital deliveries.  They have also recently expanded the practice to include a beautiful state-of-the-art birthing center adjacent to their practice and just across from the hospital.

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MotherBloom Midwifery is a home birth midwifery practice which also offers other women’s health services and prenatal/postpartum support services.  Christy is a CNM and is also a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner.   I have loved meeting with these ladies!  They are wonderfully warm and have a lovely home office for seeing clients on their large and scenic hill country property populated by lots of amazing critters!

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Heart of Texas Midwives is a two midwife home birth practice.  They have a lovely office in west Austin for prenatal visits and bring so much care and attention to all they do.  I have had the pleasure of spending a little time there,  and have taught many of their clients.  I’ve heard nothing but great things.

more to come…….

NUTRITION AND RECIPES

If you took my class, you know I like to talk a bit about nutrition.  I do believe that food can go a long way towards making us feel our best and growing big strong healthy babies.  If you’re not already on a healthy eating wagon, it’s time to think about what is going in to your body for the benefit of you and your baby.   If you need a little guidance in finding the best way to make positive changes, here are some great resources.  I also love to cook, so I’ve tried MANY of these delicious and beneficial recipes to feed my classes and my own family.  Enjoy!

My Humble Kitchen is one of my favorite blogs.  She taught me to ferment veggies in the most non-intimidating way.  Her recipes are simple and really nutritious.

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Full Belly Sisters is another of my favorite blogs.  This one offers a lot of specific advice and recipes for pregnancy and postpartum, but why not eat like that all the time???

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Blissful Basil is great for some amazing “sweets” recipes.  I add quotes because the ones I tried were all naturally sweetened with just dates and delicious.  Completely satisfy my sugar cravings.

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I really love Dr. Ben Kim.  He’s got a lot of great stuff on his website including recipes, health tips and information.  My favorite healthy dessert comes from him.  Healthy Key Lime Pie.  mmmmm.

PARENTING RESOURCES

When it comes to parenting your baby, everyone will have an opinion.  I do too!  But really, you should make your own thoughtful choices.  Choices that also FEEL right for you and your family.  Sometimes, parenting decisions arrive very naturally and are implemented seamlessly.  At other times, the decisions we have to make can be agonizing.  For just about all of us, having a little helpful advice and some attentive ears can go a long way in making us feel confident and more at peace in our relationships with the little ones.  Here are some of my favorite parenting resources.

The Whole Brain Child by Dr. Dan Siegel – This is my favorite book.  It’s applicable to most all ages (even us big people); however, it’s not exactly a baby book.

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The Baby Book by Dr. Sears – Awesome baby book to use as a reference.  It’s not really a cover to cover type read.  Could be used instead of or in conjunction with the “What to Expect” books.

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How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish – It’s a wonderful system for preventing tantrums and discipline difficulties.  If only we could all do this ALL THE TIME!

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Dr. Mandy Menzer is a psychologist practicing in South Austin.  Although she works with adults in many phases of life, she also specializes in working with issues specific to parenting.  She teaches workshops for couples who are expecting a baby, and provides therapy for individuals and couples to support them with the stresses of life with young children.
She is a Certified Gottman Educator in the Bringing Baby Home program. As a couples therapist, she has completed Level 1 Gottman Training as well as Advanced Externship training in EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy) with Dr. Sue Johnson.  On top of this, she is an amazing mom to 2 adorable boys,  and after meeting them you would want to know how she does it!

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Carrie Contey is a local parenting coach.  You may have seen her on one of her many television appearances or heard her on NPR.  She has LOADS of credentials, and I love her philosophies about children and family life.  She has online workshops as well as lectures and workshops held locally.

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Life Ki Do is a local martial arts studio, but they are really SO much more.  My kids have been taking classes there since they were 3 and 4 years old and have benefited in countless ways.  When they were small, I was able to participate, and then I graduated to “just” watching.  Watching this weekly 45 minute martial arts class  is my therapy.  I learn how to be a better parent, how to be more mindful, how to be “a river”.  For more about that, check out the parenting book written by the Owner/Founder of Life Ki Do.

PODCASTS

I am a podcast junkie.  I especially love birth related podcasts.  They are an easy way to learn more about birth by listening to the experiences of others or by hearing from experts.  I just plug in my ear buds and listen while doing my chores or driving!  The ones I recommend are very positive for the most part.  Even those stories that didn’t turn out as planned have been given a positive spin.

The Birth, Baby, and Life Podcast .  This is a great show put on by a mother of 8 and also a student midwife.  She plans episodes by topic and goes into great detail.  This is not a birth stories podcast, and is definitely more for those interested in natural birth, although there is plenty for everyone.

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The Birth Hour is definitely my favorite birth stories podcast.  The host and creator is Bryn Huntpalmer, a LOCAL mom and podcaster.  She interviews women about their pregnancy and birthing journeys.  I love that she chooses birth stories of ALL types, and that the women share positive perspectives about even very difficult or unplanned birth outcomes.  This is not about spreading fear of birth, it’s about empowerment.

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Doing it at Home is a fun podcast created and hosted by a couple.  They started the show while pregnant with their first child and having decided to attempt a home birth.  If you listen from the beginning, it’s fun to hear their progression and feel the suspense about what will happen with their birth.  They are definitely home birth advocates, but they also share other stories and perspectives.  It’s a fun show even for those who do not intend to birth at home.

POSTPARTUM SUPPORT

Having a baby is HUGE!  No one expects you to be able to do everything for yourself, your baby,  your relationships, your home… and neither should you.  Also, your body might be doing a lot of extra work to make the transition from being pregnant.  It’s all normal, and sometimes extra support is necessary.  A postpartum doula can be a HUGE asset (see doula links above).  And here are a couple more.

Dr. Mandy Menzer is a psychologist practicing in South Austin.  Although she works with adults in many phases of life, she also specializes in working with issues specific to parenting.  She teaches workshops for couples who are expecting a baby, and provides therapy for individuals and couples to support them with the stresses of life with young children.
She is a Certified Gottman Educator in the Bringing Baby Home program. As a couples therapist, she has completed Level 1 Gottman Training as well as Advanced Externship training in EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy) with Dr. Sue Johnson.  On top of this, she is an amazing mom to 2 adorable boys,  and after meeting them you would want to know how she does it!

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Cathy Eisenhower, LPC is a psychotherapist specializing in early childhood mental health,  parenting issues, and prenatal/postpartum health.  She has a wonderful calming presence, and a very obvious concern for the health and well-being of others.

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Colleen Mikeska is a holistic bodyworker and also does placenta encapsulation.  She does pregnancy as well as postnatal massage.   AND she will come to you!

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Mothering with Self-Compassion is a group for pregnant women and new mothers.  This group is led by Dr. Leena Batra of Integrative Psychotherapy for Women.  Her goal is to give women a supportive group where they may learn to release self-judgment, and learn ways to care for themselves and their bonds with their babies.  I think this is a wonderful way to transition into motherhood and connect with other women who are having many of the same experiences and feelings.

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Mothers Unfolding is a group led by doula and Birthing from Within mentor, Lanell Coultas.  Join Lanell and a group of newly made Mama/baby teams for some support, learning, and friendship.

ACUPUNCTURE

The majority of my experience with acupuncture happened during and just after pregnancy, mostly for morning sickness relief.  Acupuncture can be helpful with so much more…..regulating cycles for fertility and pregnancy preparation, pain, sleep disturbances, cravings, and more.  Plus there’s the added benefit of having a caring health professional taking care of you in a safe relaxing setting.

Lindsay at Bona Dea has a new practice in the Westlake area of Austin.  She’s lovely, knowledgeable, and cares a lot about women’s health.

CHIROPRACTIC

There is so much to be gained by having a great relationship with a good Chiropractor.  Don’t just wait for a car accident or a bad back!  During pregnancy, chiropractic care may be the solution for back pain, pelvic pain, poor sleep, or a baby in a bad position for birth.  This person can then also be a great resource for postpartum care and even for baby and children!

• Dr. Laine at Pure Light Chiropractic is a very warm and caring lady, and sees a lot of women during pregnancy and postpartum.  And she loves babies!