JIVE! FAMILY NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY ***NEW & IMPROVED***

Wednesday, December 31st *at Eclipse Company Store*

5:00 to 7:30pm, the ball drops at 7:00pm

Athens' only family friendly New Year's Eve party is sure to be a hit for the entire family!  Located at Kiser's Barbeque at Eclipse, this year's JIVE! party will feature Kiser's pizza, Fluff bakery desserts, and other local eats.  As for drinks, the kids can enjoy Snowville Creamery chocolate milk while the adults can choose from a variety of local brews, including Jackie O's.  Entertainment will include dancing, face painting, a photo booth, and more, as we expand to the upstairs portion of the Eclipse Company Store.  The MC for the evening will give away a variety of door prizes donated by local businesses.  Also new this year: a nursing room for new babies and their families.  Don't miss this opportunity to come out with other families and support the Athens Birth Circle!  Tickets go on sale December 3rd via our website (www.athensbirthcircle.com) and will also be available in person at Fluff Bakery.

Please also support our generous sponsors:

Ohio University Credit Union

The Liz Maule Team of the Athens Real Estate Company

Fluff Bakery

Kiser's Barbeque

Stuart's Opera House

Cradled in Joy Birth Services

Athens Mini Maestros

Donkey Coffee

The Farmacy

Better than Organic: Spa, Beauty, and Personal Care

Inhale Yoga

Snowville Creamery

The Athens Real Estate Company

DECEMBER PLAY GROUP

Thursday, December 4th 

3:00 to 5:00pm

Come and join us in the kids' section of the Athens Library for two hours of play, socializing and support. All ages are welcome!

NO MONTHLY MEETING IN DECEMBER

There is no monthly meeting is December because we are putting all of our effort into our fantastic family-friendly New Year's Eve event, JIVE!--come on out and ring in 2015 with us!

BREASTFEEDING CHALLENGES & SOLUTIONS

Tuesday, November 25th

from 7:00 to 8:30pm at the Athens Library

**Please note that this meeting is on a different day of the week than usual**

Learn how to deal with common breastfeeding problems like engorgement, latch issues, low supply and more. We’ll hear from moms, LLL Leaders, and medical professionals. Bring your questions and concerns!

NOVEMBER PLAY GROUP

Thursday, November 6 

from 3:00 to 5:00pm at the Athens Public Library

Come and join us in the kids' section of the library for two hours of play, socializing and support. All ages are welcome!

MEALS FOR MOMS COOKS NEEDED ASAP!

We have had multiple requests for Meals for Moms this month, but are having a hard time finding cooks to make them.  Can you help?  It can be anything from a bag of groceries, to a gift certificate, to simply making some extra of your own dinner.  If you can help, please email Talia Parrotti at tparrotti@hotmail.com.  Thanks!

CAN YOU HELP WITH JIVE?

JIVE! is the Birth Circle's family friendly New Year's Eve party where the ball drops at 7:00 pm.  It is a great event with kids activities, dancing, food, and drinks.  However, it is a big event that requires lots of volunteers!  Would you consider donating your time and talents to this worthy fundraiser?  There are jobs that begin now and end by Thanksgiving.  There are others that start closer to the event.  Time commitments vary.  Please consider!  If you are interested in helping, please contact Emily at emily.schmaltz@gmail.com as soon as possible.  Thank you!

SOMEONE NEEDS TO CHANGE THEIR PANTS AND IT'S NOT MY BABY!

Wednesday, October 29th from 7:00 to 8:30pm 

at the Athens Library

Find out what is considered normal urinary leakage after childbirth, and learn a few helpful hints to control it. Presented by Angel Thomas, Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist, Ohio Health O’Bleness Health Systems.

CEREMONY HONORING PREGNANCY AND INFANT LOSS

Sunday, October 19th at 3:00pm

Sells Park

Avon Pl. Athens, OH

The Athens Birth Circle will hold a ceremony at the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Memorial Bench at Sells Park, to honor and celebrate the short lives of babies lost through miscarriage, stillbirth or in infancy. This year’s ceremony will include readings and a time of sharing. The event is open to the public, and children are welcome to attend. If parents are unable to attend the ceremony but would like their child’s name or due date spoken, or a particular poem or prayer read, they can contact Molly at molly.wales@yahoo.com or 740-591-9409.

MOM'S NIGHT OUT!

Monday, October 6th

7:30pm at the Casa Cantina Bodega

Join us on the first Monday of every month at the Casa Cantina for Moms' Night Out.  This is just an informal time for moms to get together and socialize.  We hope to see BC moms new and old, so mark your calendars (and your partner's/babysitter's calendar too)!

OCTOBER PLAY GROUP

Thursday, October 2nd

3:00 to 5:00pm

Come and join us in the kids' section of the Athens Library for two hours of play, socializing and support. All ages are welcome!

OSTEOPATHIC MANIPULATION FOR MOMS AND BABIES

Wednesday, September 24

from 7:00 to 8:30pm at the Athens Library

Have you ever wondered about osteopathic manipulation - what is it, how does it help, and what are your options locally?  Luke Robinson, DO (UMA) will introduce us to the benefits of using osteopathic manipulation for pregnant women, the postpartum mother, and newborns.

SEPTEMBER PLAY GROUP

Thursday, September 4th

3:00 to 5:00pm

Come and join us in the kids' section of the Athens Library for two hours of play, socializing and support. All ages are welcome!

MOMS' NIGHT OUT!

Monday, September 1

7:30pm at the Casa Cantina Bodega

Join us on the first Monday of every month at the Casa Cantina for Moms' Night Out.  This is just an informal time for moms to get together and socialize.  We hope to see BC moms new and old, so mark your calendars (and your partner's/babysitter's calendar too)! 

PICNIC IN THE PARK

Wednesday, August 27

5:30-7:30pm at the Richland Avenue Park

Every summer we dedicate one meeting to visiting and having some fun before the busy schoolyear begins!  Bring a picnic dinner for your family (please note this is not a potluck) and socialize with Birth Circle families new and old.

BIRTH CIRCLE & LA LECHE LEAGUE YARD SALE FUNDRAISER

Our 10th annual La Leche league & Birth Circle Yard Sale is coming up soon!  This is a huge multi-family sale with tons of baby, kids, maternity clothing/toys/gear as well as household items, furniture, electronics and more.  All proceeds are split between the two organizations.

WHEN:  Friday, August 22nd  8am -1pm AND Saturday, August 23rd 9am - 3pm
WHERE:  25 South May Ave. in Athens

Here's how you can help:

DONATE:  Please start saving items to contribute to the sale.  Donations will be accepted starting Sat, August 16th at noon, and can be dropped off at 25 S May Ave.  Please sort baby/kids clothes in bags labeled with sizes, and place your donations in the garage according to the tags on the tables (household items, baby, toys, etc).  Tax deductible donation forms will be available.

We'll also need  sun canopies, tables, and tarps.  If you have any to loan, please label them with your name and phone number and leave them in the garage.

VOLUNTEER:  We'd love to have your help with this fun fundraiser!  Contact Angela Young at angelajoyyoung@gmail.com to find out how you can help.

SHOP:  Come snag some great bargains while supporting two fantastic local organizations.

JUNE PLAY GROUP

Thursday, August 7th

3 to 5pm in the kids' section of the Athens Library

Come beat the heat and join us for two hours of play, socializing and support. All ages are welcome!

HEALTHY PREGNANCY

Wednesday, July 30th
7:00 to 8:30pm at the Athens Public Library

Hear from local professionals and parents about how to best take care of yourself in pregnancy, from nutrition to exercise to mental health.  Bring your questions and stories!

MOM'S NIGHT OUT!

Monday, July 7th

7:30pm at the Casa Cantina Bodega

Join us on the first Monday of every month at the Casa Cantina for Moms' Night Out.  This is just an informal time for moms to get together and socialize.  We hope to see BC moms new and old, so mark your calendars (and your partner's/babysitter's calendar too)! 

JULY PLAY GROUP

Thursday, July 3rd  from 3:00 to 5:00pm

Rain or shine?  It doesn't matter for the Birth Circle Play Group!  Come and join us for two hours of play, socializing and support in the kids' section of the Athens Library. All ages are welcome!

LABOR POOL, WIRELESS MONITOR & BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT AT O'BLENESS HOSPITAL; PLUS MANAGING SENSATIONS OF LABOR

Wednesday, June 25

7:00 to 8:30pm at the Athens Public Library

Representatives from O’Bleness Hospital will join us to talk about their new wireless fetal monitor and labor pool, and also the Baby-Friendly Initiative to ensure that maternity care practices provide education and counseling on breastfeeding.  The rest of the meeting will be dedicated to sharing techniques/ideas for managing the sensations of labor.

JUNE PLAY GROUP

Thursday, June 5th  from 3:00 to 5:00pm

Rain or shine?  It doesn't matter for the Birth Circle Play Group!  Come and join us for two hours of play, socializing and support in the kids' section of the Athens Library. All ages are welcome!

MOMS' NIGHT OUT!

Monday, June 2

7:30pm at the Casa Cantina Bodega

Join us on the first Monday of every month at the Casa Cantina for Moms' Night Out.  This is just an informal time for moms to get together and socialize.  We hope to see BC moms new and old, so mark your calendars (and your partner's/babysitter's calendar too)! 

6TH ANNUAL PREGNANCY & BABY FAIR

Saturday May 10^th at The Market on State

10:00am to 3:00pm

If you haven’t been to this FREE event before, it is a one-stop event for all things pregnancy, baby, and family.  It is a chance to learn about and meet with health and childcare providers, birth workers, wellness programs and government agencies, all from our own community!  There will also be door prizes, unique products for sale including natural cleaning products, handmade baby attire, wellness/beauty supplies and diaper bags and accessories.  Please join us to learn about all of the amazing resources that our community provides in order to help us grow healthy, happy families.

If you have questions, or are interested in having a booth at this year’s Fair, please call 740-652-MAMA (6262) or email athensbirthcircle@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/pages/The-Birth-Circle/263205908071

THANKS SO MUCH TO THIS YEAR'S FAIR SPONSORS!!

Athens Wellness Cooperative

Esali Birth

Laura Post, Holistic Mama

Minuteman Press

Power 105

Roberts Family Photography

United Medical Associates

MAY PLAY GROUP

Thursday, May 1st  from 3:00 to 5:00pm

Rain or shine?  It doesn't matter for the Birth Circle Play Group!  Come and join us for two hours of play, socializing and support in the kids' section of the Athens Library. All ages are welcome!

SHARING BIRTH STORIES

Wednesday, April 30th from 7:00 to 8:30pm
Athens Public Library

Every year we dedicate one meeting to the sharing of birth stories. Whether your children were born last week or a decade ago, we invite you to share your story or just sit and listen to others. All backgrounds, experiences and choices are honored at all Birth Circle events.

APRIL PLAY GROUP

Thursday, April 3rd from 3:00 to 5:00pm

It's finally SPRING!  Come and join us for two hours of play, socializing and support in the kids' section of the Athens Library. All ages are welcome!

PARENTING THE FUSSY/HIGH-NEEDS CHILD

Wednesday, March 26th from 7:00 to 8:30pm 

Athens Public Library

Every child has a unique personality. For parents of some children, long nights with lengthy bedtime routines and demanding children can be draining until you know how to respond and accommodate those children who need more. Local parents and professionals will talk about the characteristics of high-needs babies and children, and how you can meet those needs as a parent or as someone who knows a parent struggling with a high-needs child. You are invited to bring your questions, concerns and ideas to share.

PUSH PACK GIVEAWAY/DISCOUNT AT MARCH MEETING

Push Pack, a pre-packed labor bag for hospital or home, has been donated to the Birth Circle by Small Batch Studio, and anyone in attendance of the March meeting can enter to win for themselves, friends or family. Push packs contain all-natural body care products, snacks and other tools for a successful labor and postpartum experience.  And even if you don't win, you can still get $5 off the push pack with the coupon code OHIO at http://www.small-batchstudio.com.  The more the code is used, the more push packs will be donated to the Birth Circle for future giveaways or gifts to deserving mothers in the community!

MARCH PLAY GROUP

Thursday, March 6th from 3:00 to 5:00pm

Beat that cabin fever and join us for two hours of play, socializing and support in the kids' section of the Athens Library. All ages are welcome!

CAESAREAN PREVENTION

Wednesday, February 26th

7:00 to 8:30pm at the Athens Library

Join Jacqueline Wolf PhD., professor in the Department of Social Medicine at Ohio University, to discuss some of the tools a woman can use to prevent giving birth via Caesarean section. She will offer suggestions for things you can do prenatally, as well as those you can do during labor to minimize the chances of having a C-section. She will also discuss some situations where this type of birth is necessary for the safety of the mother and child.

A big thanks to our evening's sponsor:

Jackie Jeffers RNC

Independent Representative, YOR Health Premium Health Products

740-541-3341

jackiejeffers15@yahoo.com

ACOG (The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) recently published that they recommend healthy, low risk mothers to drink protein shakes while in labor to keep their strength up.  YOR Health not only has the best shake on the market but it has an ingredient that no other protein shake has,  digestive enzyme for easy and complete absorbtion.  Come to the meeting for a taste of these great shakes as well as you may take home a sample to try.  Can't wait to see you there!

FEBRUARY PLAY GROUP

Thursday, February 6th from 3:00 to 5:00pm

Beat that cabin fever and join us for two hours of play, socializing and support in the kids' section of the Athens Library. All ages are welcome!

TEACHING YOUR BABY SIGN LANGUAGE

Wednesday, January 29th
7:00 to 8:30pm
Athens Public Library

April Dunaway will explain the reasoning behind and the techniques of teaching babies and
children of all abilities Sign Language. She’ll also share resources available to parents to learn
more about Sign Language and she will demonstrate some of the basic signs which will help
babies and parents communicate with each other before the child can talk.