Birth Circle Play Group

Thursday, October 1st

3:00 to 5:00 pm

at the Athens Library

All ages are welcome for two hours of play, socializing and support.  This is a great chance for both parents and children to make new friends.

Community Event of Interest: Giving Birth at Home

Saturday, October 3rd

10am to noon

at the Athens Library
FREE

Are you planning a homebirth or seeking an alternative to the medical model of care? Join us to learn more about giving birth at home. Highlights will include: why women choose homebirth, getting your partner on board, interviewing a midwife, labor support, preparing for birth, hospital transport, postpartum responsibilities and more!

Melissa Prebe is a mother to three children all born at home. She holds a deep belief in every woman's innate ability to give birth.
Amy Erlewine is an Athens area doula. She was drawn to homebirth advocacy after attending homebirths and seeing the benefits to mother, child, and family.

Contact: amyerlewine@yahoo.com or 592-6329

PREGNANCY LOSS SUPPORT GROUP

Wednesday, September 2nd

from 7:30 to 8:30pm

at the Athens library

This month’s support group, facilitated by licensed therapist Connie Patterson, will focus on pregnancy loss, which can range from miscarriage to stillbirth to grieving your pregnancy after the baby is born.  We hope you’ll join us for this safe and intimate time of sharing and support.

BIRTH CIRCLE PLAY GROUP

Thursday, September 3rd

from 3:00 to 5:00pm 

at the Athens Library

All ages are welcome for two hours of play, socializing and support.  This is a great chance for both parents and children to make new friends.

CESAREAN PREVENTION: WAYS TO REDUCE YOUR CHANCES OF HAVING A CESAREAN BIRTH

Tuesday, September 29th

from 7:00 to 8:30pm

at the Athens Library

Join us for a presentation by Brandi Holloway, RN, DONA trained doula and ICEA trained childbirth educator as we discuss ways to prevent unnecessary cesareans, VBAC, and the road to recovery for those who experience an unplanned cesarean.

September's Birth Circle meeting is sponsored by Lamaze Childbirth Classes.  This series of 4 classes is economical, inspirational, and highly-rated by both expectant moms and their birth partners.  Learn the basics of labor and birth, medical and natural pain management techniques, maintaining comfort and progress, managing complications and interventions, and new baby and new mother care -- all with an emphasis on Lamaze's 6 Care Practices for a healthy birth.  Held at Ohio University WellWorks, 4 Saturdays, Sept. 12 - Oct 3, 10 am - 2 pm -- Members & Non-members Welcome, $95.  The following round of classes will begin Oct. 31.  To sign up or ask questions, contact Lucy Juedes, Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, at 594-8039 or lucyj@intelliwave.com.  Info also at www.BirthPrepBasics.com.

AUGUST MONTHLY MEETING: PICNIC IN THE PARK

Wednesday, August 26th

from 6:00 to 8:00pm

at the park on Richland Avenue

Every summer we dedicate one meeting to visiting and having some fun before the busy school year begins! Bring a picnic dinner for your family and socialize with Birth Circle families both new and old.

SUGGESTIONS FOR LENDING LIBRARY

We are looking for suggestions for books to add to our Lending Library, especially books that focus on fertility, pregnancy loss, postpartum depression, and kids books about pregnancy, birth and new siblings. If you have read any that were helpful, please let us know the titles. Or even better yet, if you have old copies to donate, we'd be glad to pick them up!