Stroller Strides of St. Louis is a total fitness program that moms can do with their babies.  It includes power walking and intervals of body toning using exercise tubing and the stroller.  Stroller Strides is taught by certified instructors that are also mommies.  It’s a great workout for any level of exerciser.

All you need to get started is you, your baby and a stroller that’s not prone to tipping.  We suggest you arrive 10 minutes before the start time of class and bring water, a hat/sunscreen for you and your baby and a mat or towel for ground exercises. 

In addition to Stroller Strides class, we also offer Luna Mom’s club each week, community offerings and a much needed moms night out once a month!  Check out our classes, your first class is always FREE! 

 Our website can answer most of your questions at:  www.strollerstrides.net/westcounty or at:  sarahk@strollerstrides.net

Mother to Mother Childbirth Services, co-founded by Noreen Fehr, was inspired by a strong desire to empower, educate and support other mothers as they make that ever-important journey through pregnancy, birth and beyond.
Mother to Mother offers a wide range of services designed to nurture, honour and empower the pregnant woman and her family. These various services will help parents reclaim the spirituality of birth and prepare for a gentle and mindful transition to parenthood.

Noreen began work in the childbirth field in 1997. She has extensive birth training through the Manitoba Association for Childbirth and Family Education (MACFE), as well as the Doulas of North America (DONA) and the Childbirth and Postpartum Professionals Association (CAPPA). She has experience supporting women in many differing life circumstances, and in a variety of birth settings.

Noreen is a certified labour doula (CLD), certified childbirth educator (CCCE) and approved doula trainer through CAPPA. She has trained directly with Pam England, author of Birthing From Within® and is the first certified Birthing From Within® mentor and advisor in Manitoba, as well as the only Happiest Baby on the Block® certified instructor (CHBE) in the province.

Noreen has served on many various boards and committees, including South East Manitoba’s Maternal/Child Team, The College of Midwives of Manitoba (CMM) Education Committee and is a past-chairperson of the Manitoba Assocation for Childbirth and Family Education (MACFE). She is now serving as past-chairperson of MACFE’s Education Committee and the Western Canada Representative for CAPPA Canada.

Noreen is wife to her high-school sweetheart, Greg, and mother to five beautiful children.

Motherlove Herbal Company
Contact: Kathryn Higgins
Address:
3101 Kintzley Ct. Unit S
P.O. Box 101
Laporte, CO 80535
Phone:  970.493.2892
Website: http://www.motherlove.com/
Motherlove Herbal is a leader in pregnancy and nursing herbal formulas.  These included topical slaves, tinctures and capsules. In business since 1990, Motherlove still crafts their products by hand in small batches.  See the web site for a retailer near you, order online direct or visit their work place to purchase these wonderful products!

SpinningBabies.com - Home
3 Principles of Spinning Babies :

• Relaxation
• Gravity
• Movement

Hands and Knees position is not enough! The Spinning Babies Website helps you understand three simple principles for better success in labor progress and comfort.  Helpful with transverse babies, posterior babies, twins, the “your baby’s too big, you must have a c-section” syndrome.  Many c-sections could be avoided if mothers followed the principles of optimal fetal positioning!  Don’t let your labor be labeled “failure to progress”…learn what you can do to prevent it!

“Map” your belly - know exactly how your baby is lying.  Be able to recognize changes in their position, and what they mean.  Learn what you can do before labor begins!  Be equipped with information prior to labor, to have the best experience possible!  You won’t find this info in most OB’s offices.

www.birthpartners.com What a resource!  SO much to read on this site!  The home page is a Natural Childbirth Provider Directory, with over 30 categories listed - everything from acupuncturists to waterbirth professionals!  Plan to spend some time here.

Another great directory, just click on your state!

BIRTH SCENE - Search Our Directory of Midwives, Doulas, Birth Professionals and Products for Parents

Why should I have chiropractic care during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, there are several physiological and endocrinological changes that occur in preparation for creating the environment for the developing baby. The following changes could result in a misaligned spine or joint:

• Protruding abdomen and increased back curve
• Pelvic changes
• Postural adaptations

Establishing pelvic balance and alignment is another reason to obtain chiropractic care during pregnancy. When the pelvis is misaligned it may reduce the amount of room available for the developing baby. This restriction is called intrauterine constraint. A misaligned pelvis may also make it difficult for the baby to get into the best possible position for delivery.

The nervous system is the master communication system to all the body systems including the reproductive system. Keeping the spine aligned helps the entire body work more effectively.

What are the benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy?

Chiropractic care during pregnancy may provide benefits for women who are pregnant. Potential benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy include:

• Maintaining a healthier pregnancy
• Controlling symptoms of nausea
• Increasing the likelihood of full-term delivery
• Reducing the time of labor and delivery
• Relieving back, neck or joint pain
• Prevent a potential cesarean section

  

To read more, and to find a chiropractor in your area… 

Chiropractic care during Pregnancy : American Pregnancy Association

Great site directory for searching for a midwife!   Just type in your location and what credentials and options you prefer.

Midwifeinfo - Search for a Midwife

What is NAPSAC International?  The InterNational Association of Parents and Professionals for Safe Alternatives in Childbirth is dedicated to exploring, examining, implementing and establishing Safe, Family-Centered Childbirth Programs.  ­­Programs that meet the social and emotional needs of families, as well as provide the safe, appropriate aspects of medical science.

Our Goals Are:

- To promote education about the principles of Natural Childbirth.

- To act as a forum facilitating communication and cooperation among Parents, Health Care Professionals, and Childbirth Educators.

- To encourage and aid in the implementation of Family Centered Maternity Care Hospitals.

- To assist in the establishment of Maternity and Childbirth Centers.

- To help establish Safe Home Birth Programs.

- To provide educational opportunities to parents and parents-to-be that will enable them to assume more personal responsibility for Pregnancy, Childbirth, Infant Care, and Parenting.

 

The NAPSAC Directory of Alternative Birth Services & Consumer Guide 

As the title indicates the NAPSAC Directory & Consumer Guide has two parts to it. The Consumer Guide portion gives you, as a consumer of maternity services, the guidance and information you need to determine the relative competence, safety, and desirability of any particular listing in the Directory. The Directory also serves as a networking instrument among midwives, childbirth educators, physicians, parents and others seeking the exchange of information or the development of mutual support. The Directory includes addresses and phone numbers of facilities for birth, people who attend them, and resources to help in these endeavors.

If you seek a midwife, birth center, non-interventive doctor, a natural birth after cesarean (NBC), then you need a NAPSAC Directory of Alternative Birth Services and Consumer Guide. If you are an enlightened educator or provider, you’ll want to be listed. Regular price of the Directory is $7.95 plus $2 shipping and handling. If you join NAPSAC you can be listed in next printing and may obtain current edition for only $6.95 postage paid.

To order, send check or money order with your name and mailing address to: 

NAPSAC Directory
Rt. 4 Box 646
Marble Hill, MO 63764 

or E-mail us at: napsac@clas.net
Include: Name, Mailing Address, and Credit Card number. 

You may also call: (573) 238-2010
9:00 A.M.­ - 5:00 P.M. CST

Looking for an alternative to Lamaze?  How about something that involves…Dad?  A little more…natural?

(from their FAQ)

“What is The Bradley Method^®?
The Bradley Method^® teaches natural childbirth and views birth as a natural process. It is our belief that most women with proper education, preparation, and the help of a loving and supportive coach can be taught to give birth naturally. The Bradley Method^® is a system of natural labor techniques in which a woman and her coach play an active part. It is a simple method of increasing self-awareness, teaching a woman how to deal with the stress of labor by tuning in to her own body. The Bradley Method^® encourages mothers to trust their bodies using natural breathing, relaxation, nutrition, exercise, and education.

What is the difference between Bradley^® and other types of childbirth classes.? The Bradley Method^® is unique. Our classes stress the importance of Healthy Baby, Healthy Mother and Healthy Families. We attract families who are willing to take the responsibility needed for preparation and birth.

Bradley^® Classes:

1. Teach a natural childbirth method that works - Natural childbirth is an important goal since most people want to give their babies every possible advantage. Without the side effects of drugs given during labor and birth. Bradley^® classes teach families how to have natural births. The techniques are simple and effective. They are based on information about how the human body works during labor. Couples are taught how they can work with their bodies to reduce pain and make their labors more efficient. Of over 200,000 Bradley^®-trained couples nationwide, over 86% of them have had spontaneous, unmedicated vaginal births. This is a method that works!”

Read more at http://www.bradleybirth.com/WhyBradley.aspx
 

 

 

This is an excellent resource for anyone interested in waterbirth, or even just natural delivery.  You’ll find helpful information on why birthing in water is beneficial to both mama and baby, birthing pools and tubs - even a directory listing waterbirth-friendly hospitals, birth centers, doctors, midwives, pool rental services, doulas, etc.!  There’s even a sweet tribute page for those who have experienced waterbirth.  www.waterbirth.org