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"When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitches to everything else in the universe." - John Muir


Thursday, August 30, 2012

Why Choose Homebirth?


Nicole Schwartz, MSW, DEM


Current studies show that out-of-hospital births have increased by 29% between 2004-2009, and Pennsylvania has seen one of the largest increases. Many people are beginning to ask, in a country with access to as much technology as we have, why choose homebirth?

For low risk mothers, (meaning those without any major health issues such as unmanaged diabetes or uncontrollable hypertension) research shows that the safest place to give birth to their baby is at home with the support and care of a trained birth attendant. Without the restrictions, standards of practice, and routine medical interventions that are commonplace in hospitals, women and babies are not exposed to increased risk and overall experience healthier births with fewer complications, infections and surgical deliveries.

Homebirth providers are experts in low-risk, physiological birth and are prepared and capable of managing the most common obstetrical emergencies in out-of-hospital environments (postpartum hemorrhage, shoulder dystocia and neonatal resuscitation are the three most common). The countries with the lowest infant and maternal mortality rates utilize homebirth with midwives as the standard of care, using the hospital only if the need arises.

It is important to know that when choosing a homebirth, families are not outside of the medical system. If a complication arises during any part of their pregnancy, labor or immediate postpartum period, they are able to consult with or receive the care and support of an obstetrician or emergency medical provider. While most midwives attending homebirths in Pennsylvania do not have admitting or practice privileges at local hospitals, most have relationships with physicians in their community.

There are three types of providers that serve families choosing to birth at home in Pennsylvania.

• Certified Professional Midwife (CPM)

A Certified Professional Midwife is a knowledgeable, skilled and professional independent midwifery practitioner who has met the standards for certification set by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) and is qualified to provide the midwifery model of care. The CPM is the only international credential that requires knowledge about and experience in out-of-hospital settings. Currently, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania does not offer licensing or prescriptive authority for CPM’s.

• Direct-Entry Midwife (DEM)

A direct-entry midwife is an independent practitioner educated in the discipline of midwifery through self-study, apprenticeship, a midwifery school, or a college- or university-based program distinct from the discipline of nursing. A direct-entry midwife is trained to provide the Midwives Model of Care to healthy women and newborns throughout the childbearing cycle primarily in out-of-hospital settings. Currently, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania does not offer licensing or prescriptive authority for DEM’s.

• Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)

A Certified Nurse-Midwife is an individual educated in the two disciplines of nursing and midwifery, who possesses evidence of certification according to the requirements of the American College of Nurse-Midwives. In Pennsylvania, CNM (Certified Nurse Midwives) can attend births in hospitals, birthing centers, and, with a written practice agreement with an current, practicing obstetrician, homebirths. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires licensing for CNM’s and the Department of Health is working to establish prescriptive authority for CNM’s.

The type of provider chosen should meet a family’s individual needs and should be someone they feel confident in and comfortable with. It is imperative to investigate a potential care providers training and education, their birthing philosophy, as well as their general practice protocols.

While the choice to birth at home is not one that is right for every family, overall, families report having a more positive experience when they participate in care that accounts for their individual health history, participates in shared decision making and has shared values about birth. For some families, that is the care of an obstetrician, for others it may be the care of a midwife. What is most important is that families recognize that they have options. Hospitals, birthing suites, freestanding birth centers and home are considerations when choosing where to birth their baby.

For more information:

Midwives Alliance of Pennsylvania (http://www.pamidwivesalliance.org)

National Association of Certified Professional Midwives
(http://www.nacpm.org)

North American Registry of Midwives
(http://narm.org)

Midwives Alliance of North America
(http://mana.org)

Citizens for Midwifery
(http://cfmidwifery.org)

Choices in Childbirth
(http://www.choicesinchildbirth.org)

American College of Nurse-Midwives
(http://www.midwife.org)



Biographical Information:

Nicole Schwartz, MSW, DEM began her journey as serving members of the community as a trauma specialist. With a passion for anthroposophic and holistic health and wellness, she began a journey from therapist to midwife, serving women during the childbearing year. As a traditionally trained midwife, Nicole provides holistic, compassionate, and individual care to low risk mothers and their partners seeking to birth their babies in an out-of-hospital environment. She believes that peace on earth beings with birth and works tirelessly toward a future where mothers, partners, and babies find their own power during the healthy, natural, undisturbed birthing process. To learn more about her practice, visit: www.SudharmaBirth.com or find Sudharma Birth Services on Facebook.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Kids Cooking Class & Book Signing!

Cooking Class for Kids and Story Time/Book signing by Angela DeMuro!Sunday 15 April 2012, 1-3 p.m.                                                                        

At the Brown Barn Cafe & Ah! Some Chocolates

100 E. Overbrook Road

Shavertown, PA

570-674-9787

For Further Details:
Brown Barn Cafe Special Events

Monday, March 26, 2012

David Frey Community Service Award



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Information and contact:
Rod Gereda
PEACE CENTER
63 N FRANKLIN ST
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701-1317
570-823-9977

David Frey Community Service Award for Peace and Justice
To Be Presented to WFTE-FM, Community Radio Collective, Inc., on Monday, April 23, 2012


The Peace and Justice Center (Wilkes-Barre, PA) is pleased to announce Community Radio Collective, Inc. (WFTE-FM) of Scranton, PA, as the recipient of the 2012 David Frey Community Service Award. The Peace Center will present the award at the Center's annual award event on Monday, April 23, 2012.


The David Frey Community Service Award, presented to "an individual, or group, whose actions have contributed, either by direct support of the mission of The Peace and Justice Center or by making a contribution to the wider community and to the civic or corporate cause of peace and justice."


"WFTE-FM's ability to provide community oriented media services is crucial to the health and well-being of any region," noted Rod Gereda, for the Peace and Justice Center. WFTE's mission is dedicated to the progressive values of social justice, economic justice, human rights, multiculturalism, environmentalism, freedom of expression, and democracy.


WFTE originates features on fracking as well as other shows that include economic news programming, political analysis, local and world politics, war and peace issues, bi-lingual and intellectual programs, regional clergy discussions, and the latest on the Occupy movement. The listeners also enjoy programs on surviving your boss on the job, and other programs reflecting the interests of the G.L.B.T. community, reading of literature, and many different styles of music including regional indie, jazz, folk, Celtic, world music, Afro-Cuban, reggae, hip-hop, and Spanish language favorites.


"The Community Radio Collective, Inc. is proud to contribute to the formation of a progressive community founded on social justice," says Jake Rosen, Chairman of the Board. "We are truly grateful that The Peace and Justice Center has chosen to honor WFTE FM for our efforts to communicate our mission to the citizens of Northeastern Pennsylvania and beyond."



The Peace and Justice Center's April 23, 2012, 6:00 PM
Annual Dinner will be held at the Kirby Memorial Health Center,
71 North Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701.


The cost of the event is
$35 per person
$275 per table
($15 for students/reduced income)
Please call 823-9977 or email peacewb@verizon.net with questions.


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AD BOOK information:
Thank you for this kind consideration.


Healthy Family Fun: Sports, Relationship-Building, Music, Nature & More!

OMEGA INSTITUTE'S 2012 FAMILY ACTIVITIES
May through August


Mothers & Daughters:  Learning From Each Other in the Teen Years (Ages 13–15)http://eomega.org/omega/workshops/561a4422bc6b2675612cfe6547d4b498/

Little Forest People:  Ranger Jay and Ranger Veronica
http://eomega.org/omega/workshops/854b373fb687ec579aa5a2c940bc58a8/
 
Beyond Basketball for Kids
http://eomega.org/omega/workshops/aa39aa38628ca2edaed1c10600f830d5/
 
Architecture for KidsDesigning Buildings, Bridges & Other Cool Structures
http://eomega.org/omega/workshops/11cc7a3cc1b3cd607302e78cd5a6bfc7/

 
The Wayfinder Experience
http://eomega.org/omega/workshops/b92113eda74606b030204ac7e03db182/






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