Pregnancy & Birth

LEARN ABOUT PREGNANCY AND BIRTH

Books:

• Matrescence: On the Metamorphosis of Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Motherhood by Lucy Jones *My absolute favorite book. A must-read for everyone—partners, friends, and families included.

• Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin

• Like a Mother: A Feminist Journey Through the Science and Culture of Pregnancy by Angela Garbes

• The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin

• Birth and Breastfeeding: Rediscovering the Needs of Women During Pregnancy and Childbirth by Michel Odent

• What No One Tells You: A Guide to Your Emotions from Pregnancy to Motherhood by Catherine Birndorf and Alexandra Sacks

• Birthing from Within: An Extra-Ordinary Guide to Childbirth Preparation by Rob Horowitz, PhD, and Pam England, CNM, MA

• The Inner Work of Birth by Nora Jean Tallman, CNM

• Birthing the Tao: Supporting the Incarnating Soul's Development through Pregnancy or Rebirthing by Randine Lewis

• Mindful Birthing: Training the Mind, Body, and Heart for Childbirth and Beyond by Nancy Bardacke

Classes/Prep:

• Birthsmarter: Unbiased, inclusive, accessible birth + parenting education (online & in-person) https://birthsmarter.com

• Spinning Babies: (virtual, on-demand) Not just for breech babies! Childbirth education focusing on physicality. https://www.spinningbabies.com

• Hypnobabies: https://www.hypnobabies.com

• Seed Mother: A maternal education program developed at Columbia University, focused on matrescence—the transformative process of becoming a mother. Through education, ritual, and community, it empowers mothers with science-backed tools and emotional support to navigate the challenges of new motherhood. https://www.seed-mother.com

• Yiska Obadia: Massage therapist, acupuncturist, and birth educator https://www.yiskaobadia.com

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Reach out to local doulas and midwives (see below).

BIRTH DOULAS

Birth Doula: 

• Nati Zuniga https://www.madrealuna.com +1 (862) 242-4532 (birth & postpartum doula) *Nati was our doula and I am forever grateful for her

• Ashlie Yair Greatfullwellness 

• Danielle Bianco

• Indigo Munoz 845 706 2386 

• Mary Elizabeth Kress ‭(518) 416-7579‬

• Mary Riley ‭(845) 417-5546‬

• Yiska Obadia Massage & Acupuncturist, Birth Educator

MIDWIFERY

• Julia Hausman, Moonsong Midwifery (homebirth midwife) *Highly recommended.

• Nuvance Midwives OB (hospital birth)

• Susan Ransestead (homebirth midwife)

• Nancy Rosensweig, Catskill "Unhurried holistic GYN and pregnancy care IN YOUR OWN HOME or in my Catskill NY office"  https://www.catskillgynmidwifery.com

OB/GYN

• Dr. Marcel Hinds (From community: I attempted a homebirth for my first baby and ended up with an emergency C section, and he & the team at Northern Duchess were wonderful.) 

• High risk OB: Kimberly Heller

• Northern Dutchess (From community: I ended up delivering my second baby at Northern Dutchess again, and the midwives (especially Whitney) were excellent and super supportive of our VBAC goals, hooray!)

BODYWORK

See page  Physical Therapy

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Pregnancy and Birth are major transitional time for individuals and family and deserve hollistic approach. Explore what you might need, listen to your sensations and emotions, be open to explore more and navigate towards other care when/if you feel like your needs are shifting.

See pages:  Physical Therapy.          Mental Health.          Wellness. 

ATTEND PRENATAL YOGA CLASSES

A Tree Told Me, Red Hook, Hudson

www.atreetoldme.com

Yoga and Sensory Pathways. 

Prenatal - PostPartum 'Baby & Me' 'Toddler & Me' - Family Yoga 'Kids & Kin' (3 to 7 years old) 

Mother Blessing Ceremony

"It made me think about my motherhood in a completely new way. Don't miss out on this truly unique and blissful experience!"

CONTACT WITH NATURE

• Open your window and listen to the birds.

• Go lay down in the grass.

• Open the window and feel the fresh air on your skin.

• Go for a gentle walk. See the section "walks" in Baby Classes & Activities 

• Touch the trunk of a tree, and breathe.

• Look at the sky, your baby in your arms.

• Have fresh flowers in your bedroom.

• Have a plant in your bedroom.

• Create a little altar with leaves, twigs, and feather close to you.

• Immerse in a botanical bath.