Resources for a Healthy Pregnancy, Birth & Baby
Local Birth Warriors
I can recommend the following people because I know them and have worked with them or have heard good reports from the families who have worked with them. So far, all of alternative birth people I have met have been awesome and committed to helping women have the births that they want without the unnecessary interventions and surgery that seems so common, even accepted as normal. I call them warriors because they will really fight for you if necessary.
We had our daughter at home with a midwife and it was an awesome experience. We chose that because it is safer, convenient, and familiar. If you are a healthy woman I recommend home birth first. For a discussion of birth place choice click here.
As with anyone associated with your birth, I encourage you to contact them to see if your philosophies and personalities are compatible with a good working relationship.
The Birth Connection - The Birth Connection exists to provide products and services that support parents during the childbearing years. We believe that every transition into parenthood is unique and strive to support parent's healthy choices. Midwifery, doulas, supplies, all types of classes.
Midwives
Sue Gill Sue is great and does home births. Her web site is loaded with good information and links. Blessedbeginnings.net
Pam Jesse Pam has a birthing center and does home births. BabiesNaturally.com
Lorri Walker South Coast Midwifery and Women's Health Care
BJ Snell and Lisa Sherwood Beachcitiesmidwifery.com
Perinatal Support Specialist/Doulas If you are not going to have a home birth or hire a midwife, the best thing you can do, besides seeing me to make sure your body is working at it's best, is to hire a doula or labor assistant. Every family I have ever talked with that has had a doula attend their birth has said it was a great decision. There are no "do-overs" with birth; do everything you can to make sure you have the birth you want. For a brief discussion about the difference between a doula and a PSS, click here.
Cristi Couron Christi is a great perinatal Support Specialist and breastfeeding counselor. She has a great website with tons of information. Birthyouwant.com
Sue Coffman Sue teaches Bradley and is a Certified Birth Doula. Phone 714-744-6932 or go to her web page at doulasue.com
Sara Shenker sohela@aol.com
Birth Wisdom Certified Perinatal Support Specialists/Labor Support:
Cyndi Skultin-Daily, CPSS
Certified Perinatal Support Specialist
cyndidaily@hotmail.com
Wendy Spry BS, CPSS
Certified Perinatal Support Specialist
wendy@birthwisdom.com
Lisa Polzien, CPSS
Certified Perinatal Support Specialist
lisasnest@home.com
Neely Mc Queen, BA, CPSS
Certified Perinatal Support Specialist
jnmcqueen@juno.com
Jody Jenson, CPSS
Certified Perinatal Support Specialist
jjen2@aol.com
Bradley Instructors. For information on the Bradley Method of birthing go here
Tricia Gallagher Costa Mesa 949-515-8621 naturallytrish@yahoo.com
Fran Hill San Joan Capistrano 949-493-5407 capohill@yahoo.com
Sue Coffman Orange 714-744-6932 doulasue@yahoo.com
Sarah Waltner Laguna Niguel 949-364-0774 swaltner4@cox.net
Melissa Parker Lake Forest 949-837-7916 melskater@yahoo.com
Tania Grindeman Mission Viejo 949-855-9803
Lactation Consultant
Margie Deutsch, MSEd, IBCLC www.breastfeedingservices.net
Certified Pregnancy Massage
Kathy Flippin, Newport Beach www.dynamictouchmassagetherapy.com
Other sites
·www.4icpa.org International Chiropractic Pediatric Association
·www.bradleybirth.com The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth: 1800-4-A-Birth.
·www.midwives.org American College of Nurse Midwifery:
·http://www.icea.org/ International Childbirth Education Association
·www.midwiferytoday.com Midwifery Today
·www.dona.com Doulas of North America
·www.lalecheleague.org La Leche League
www.mothering.com Mothering magazine online
·"A Good Birth A Safe Birth" by Diana Korte & Roberta Scaer the Harvad Common Press Harvard & Boston, MA.
·“Hands of Love” by Carol Phillips newdawnpublish@cs.com
·“The Thinking Woman’s Guide to a Better Birth” By Henci Goer 1 408 245-1098
·"Baby Beautiful" Dr. Justine Dobson Heirs Press Oregon www.babybeautiful.com or 800 889 0409
·"Exercises for Pregnancy" (video) By Dr. Debra Levenson, DC Call 770 754-0037 to order.
·Mothering Magazine: 505 984-8116. www.mothering.com