Dear Friends of Sweet Child O’ Mine,

We are so excited about the many changes surrounding home birth and the steps women are taking to empower themselves as mothers. Society is becoming more aware of the benefits of natural birth and consequently, many women are getting back in touch with their roots and choosing to birth naturally, at home. And so, more mothers are coming to us (or should I say, we are going to more mothers) to experience birth their way.

We are moving!

The growing support for home birth has translated into an abundance of  new patients for Sweet Child O’ Mine! So many, in fact, that we are relocating to an office space in Brandon to accomidate our rapidly-growing practice. Our new address is 1407 Oakfield Drive, Brandon, Florida 33511. We will be conducting consultations and prenatal vistis from our new office starting in the beginning of April, 2011. Our new office will feature a fully-furnished waiting room, lab room, and nursing-friendly resource room.

Testimonials

Sweet Child O’ Mine will be featuring a page for home birth testimonials on our website. We have been collecting beautiful birth stories from our clients and we cannot wait to share them with you and other families interested in home birth.

Jocelyn Possehl is a Doula, a Certified Lactation Consultant and a Certified Childbirth Educator. She teaches Bradley childbirth classes in Riverview and is very excited to share her knowledge and care with birthing mothers.

Meg Osgood is a Doula-in-training and a home birth advocate. She recently gave birth to her first child via home waterbirth (Kim was her midwife!), and she is looking forward to assisting birthing mommas on their special day. Meg is also working as Kim’s office assistant, and you will most likely speak with her on the phone or see her in the office during your next visit.

HISTORY OF MIDWIFERY IN FLORIDA: Midwives have a long and valued history in Florida. The state first passed legislation to license direct-entry midwives in 1931. In the 79 years since, Florida’s licensed midwives have continued to tirelessly serve the families of Florida and to ensure the continued availability of safe, evidence-based birthing options for Florida’s families. In 1992, Governor Lawton Chiles declared the first-ever Licensed Midwives Week. More women than ever before are seeking out licensed midwives for maternity care.

ABOUT MIDWIFERY IN FLORIDA: In Florida, two types of midwives are allowed to practice: Certified Nurse-Midwives and Licensed Midwives (a Florida state licensure), also known as direct-entry midwives. Throughout the state, about 11.2 percent of births are estimated to be managed by midwives, rather than by OB-GYNs. Many birth centers and midwives have reported a significant increase in business in the past year. This increase is believed to be a result of various factors, primarily a greater number of women seeking alternative birthing choices due to an unhealthy increase in caesarean sections and other unnecessary interventions that frequently occur in hospital settings. In a 2006 report on Florida Licensed Midwives, midwives had a caesarean section rate of 6.3 percent compared to a 36.64 percent statewide average in hospitals the same year.

“We are humbled by the dedication of the mothers who worked so hard to have this week declared licensed midwifery week,” says licensed midwife Miriam Pearson-Martinez. “We hope that the events happening all over the state this week serve to raise awareness regarding the benefits of midwifery care.”

This article was published by Florida Friends of Midwives

http://flmidwifery.blogspot.com/2010/09/city-of-sarasota-state-of-florida.html

Barbara Harper, founder of Waterbirth International, will be speaking! Don’t miss it! Lots of vendors, including Sweet Child O’ Mine, and lots of free goodies!!

See you at the
Natural Birth and Baby Expo on
Sunday, April 25th,
from 12pm to 4pm,
at the East Lake Woodlands Country Club
in Oldsmar!

Natural birth and baby products and services overflow at this one-of-a-kind event! Keynote Speaker at 1pm: Barbara Harper, founder of Waterbirth International and noted author of Gentle Birth Choices. Health lunch options for purchase, nursing area, demonstrations throughout the day, silent auction (cash or check only), vendor raffles. Just $5 per family! A wonderful way to support your natural pregnancy, birth and parenting choices!

Saturday, March 27^th, 2010

Noon to 2:30 pm

Paul Sanders Park, 640 W. Bloomingdale Ave (Corner of Bloomingdale & Kings), Brandon, FL 33511

For more information, contact Kim at midwife@sweetchildbirth.com or 813-924-6905.