On March 20th, Sarasota Mayor Suzanne Atwell will join Sarasota’s Conversation about Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Early Motherhood. Maternally Yours, a weekly radio show on Sarasota’s Community Radio Station WSLR 96.5 LPFM, will welcome the Mayor to share the stories of the births of her children during the station’s biannual membership drive.
“I feel that women of my generation can offer a unique perspective regarding childbirth and family issues,” said Mayor Atwell. “We stood at the forefront of a growing movement that embraced education, choice, and respect in reproductive decisions.”
Atwell will be joined in the studio by Mommy Magazine editor Sara Malone, who will also share her birth stories, as well as the four co-hostesses of Maternally Yours, Laura Gilkey, Cheryl Kindred, Carmela Pedicini and Ryan Stanley. Since its launch in October 2011, the program has covered a wide range of topics and has welcomed such guests as 2011 Right Livelihood Laureate Ina May Gaskin, 2011 CNN Hero of the Year Robin Lim, Florida Senator Arthenia Joyner, Congressional candidate Keith Fitzgerald, and many others.
To hear the exclusive Maternally Yours interview with Mayor Atwell and Sara Malone, please tune into WSLR 96.5 LPFM Tuesday evening, March 20, at 6:00pm. The program is also available via live streaming on wslr.org, and podcast at podomatic.com/profile/maternallyyoursradio. For more information, please contact the hostesses of Maternally Yours at MaternallyYoursRadio@gmail.com, or call (941) 915-8115.
Perhaps the biggest threat is the area’s staggering rates of poor birth outcomes, such as premature birth, fetal mortality, and infant mortality. Despite a statewide decrease in deaths among children younger than one year old, the infant mortality rate for African-Americans in Sarasota County has continued to creep upward. And disparities between rates of fetal mortality, infant mortality, and prematurity between blacks and whites continue to be alarmingly present. Sarasota County’s most recent 2008-2010 rolling average data indicates the African-American rates for fetal mortality is more than twice as high as whites; infant mortality is 3.5 times as high; and preterm birth is 1.7 times as high.
Aimed at reversing this alarming trend, the Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County created the “Save My Life” Program in 2008, an education and support-based Childbirth and Parenting Education program centered in the Newtown area. The Save My Life Program offers small group and individual classes on the importance of health during childbearing years and during pregnancy, stress reduction, childbirth education, breastfeeding education, in-home support for breastfeeding, and safe sleep practices for infants. Outreach efforts, education, and classes are offered by the only African-American Childbirth Educator in Sarasota County, Beverly Phelps.
“Early intervention to begin reversing this cycle must begin prior to pregnancy, and continue throughout pregnancy and after pregnancy. The early experiences of any human, from the beginning of pregnancy into the first few years of life are crucial,” said Jennifer Highland, Executive Director of the Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County. “By focusing on education, support, and prevention, we aim to improve chances young families will stay healthy.”
Funding for this vital program comes from donations and grants, both of which are currently threatened. After 3 ½ successful years, this program will end in spring of 2012 without additional funding. However, the Healthy Start Coalition has been presented with a unique opportunity to continue funding this important program: an anonymous donor has come forward with a $10,000 Challenge. If $5,000 is raised by the community before February 15, the donor will match it with another $5,000.
“This is an important opportunity for our Community to get involved in the health of our youngest citizens”, continued Highland, “It is time for us to rally as a community to save our babies!”
Last night, international midwife Robin Lim was named the 2011 CNN Hero of the Year, accepting an award of $250,000 for her non-profit birth clinic Yayasan Bumi Sehat in Bali, Indonesia. Maternally Yours, Sarasota’s Conversation about Pregnancy, Childbirth and Early Motherhood, recorded an exclusive interview with Robin just days before her win, and will air the interview on Tuesday, December 13th, on Sarasota’s community radio station, WSLR 96.5 LPFM.
“To say I am thrilled for her is the understatement of the century,” says Maternally Yours co-hostess Ryan Stanley. “This win will make real change for mothers and babies in Indonesia and worldwide—mothers and babies will live and thrive because of this award.”
Since 2005, Robin Lim’s clinic Bumi Sehat (translated as Healthy Earth) has treated nearly 113,000 patients and delivered nearly 4,000 babies for free in Bali, where rates of postpartum hemorrhage and maternal and infant mortality are among the highest in the world. “Ibu” (Mother) Robin is a midwife, well-known author and talented poet who has dedicated the last 13 years of her life to this clinic, despite constant financial, cultural and geographic challenges.
“The earthquake that we just had last month…was big enough that we have cracks in the building. The floor started to rise up in one of the birth rooms because of the movement underneath the ground. About twenty minutes after one of our moms gave birth, the floor actually exploded,” Robin told Maternally Yours last Wednesday. “When that happened, I committed in my heart to winning. Should we be gifted that money…from CNN on Sunday night, it will go toward building that clinic.”
Speaking from the Texas home of her daughter Deja Bernhardt (who directed the film Guerrilla Midwife about Robin’s work), Robin told Maternally Yours how she was feeling en route to Los Angeles to find out if she would be named CNN Hero of the Year. “I would say that nervous is one good word; I think it’s because it’s so much bigger than me,” said Robin. “I feel like this is the time for people to come out and vote for the concerns of mothers and babies and children, and that woman-to-woman, midwife-to-mother model of care.”
And, for eleven weeks straight, people voted.
During her acceptance speech last night, Robin Lim made a tearful plea for the world’s help in reducing maternal and infant mortality.
"Today on our Earth, 981 mothers in the prime of their life will die—and tomorrow again, and yesterday," said Robin. "We don't even know how many babies are lost, but all of us can help change that. The very best way that I know is to support your midwifery to mother care, so that the midwives can help lower the risks of motherhood, and we can save lives together—mothers and babies.”
Robin Lim is a friend and listener of Maternally Yours, which seeks to educate and inform women and families about the options, support, and evidence-based best practices available to them in maternal-child healthcare. “What you’re doing…is an exciting thing,” said Robin. “In this day and age, we’ve lost that radio medicine. You’re bringing it back in a beautiful way.”
To hear the exclusive Maternally Yours interview with 2011 CNN Hero of the Year Robin Lim, please tune into WSLR 96.5 LPFM Tuesday evening, December 13, at 6:00pm. The program is also available via live streaming on wslr.org, and podcast at podomatic.com/profile/maternallyyoursradio. For more information, please contact the hostesses of Maternally Yours at MaternallyYoursRadio@gmail.com.
About Maternally Yours: Maternally Yours is Sarasota's Conversation about Pregnancy, Childbirth and Early Motherhood. The Conversation airs on Tuesday nights at 6:00pm on YOUR Community Radio Station, WSLR 96.5 LPFM. The hostesses of Maternally Yours are Cheryl Kindred, Carmela Pedicini, Ryan Stanley and Laura Gilkey. The mission of Maternally Yours is to educate and inform our community about the options, support, and evidence-based best practices available to them in maternal-child healthcare.
About Bumi Sehat: Founded in 1995, Bumi Sehat is a non-profit, village-based organization that runs two by-donation community health centers in Bali and Aceh, Indonesia. We provide over 17,000 health consultations for both children and adults per year. Midwifery services to ensure gentle births is at the heart of Bumi Sehat and our clinics welcome approximately 600 new babies into the world each year. For more information, please visit www.balibumisehat.org.
About WSLR 96.5 LPFM: WSLR is an innovative, listener-supported, non-profit, non-commercial FM radio station dedicated to serving the Sarasota community. WSLR features locally produced programming and presents cultural, artistic, and political perspectives currently underrepresented in the media. Our goal is to inform and empower listeners to play an active role in WSLR and in their community. WSLR’s programming promotes equality, peace, sustainability, democracy, and social and economic justice. For more information, please visit www.wslr.org.
T-Shirts! Get your T-Shirts here! Now taking pre-orders for the T-Shirt that will be worn at the rally on April 10th in Washington D.C. to march the Safe Motherhood Quilt Project up the Capitol steps. The shirts are $25 and are currently being printed in ladies S-M-L-XL; however, please contact me by Wednesday, March 30 if you would like to request a different style or size (i.e. men's, children's, XXL, etc.) and I will get additional pricing for you. Also please note that the above image is not the final proof, but a quick mock-up for pre-sales purposes; final design may vary slightly and will include artist's credits on the front.
Many of you know that I am attending the Healthy Mothers Healthy Birth Summit in Washington DC on April 9th. I am only able to go because of the generosity of my community, and as a measure of gratitude, I decided to print a shirt with the names of the donors that helped get me there on the back of it. Then things snowballed a bit. The amazingly talented Amy Swagman of The Mandala Journey donated this custom designed painting, entitled "I Will Always Love You," dedicated to American mothers lost in pregnancy or childbirth and intended for the front of the shirt. Since then, many people have contacted me to let me know they'd like a shirt too, and now the rally-goers are lining up to buy theirs as well.
IMPORTANT NOTE TO THOSE ATTENDING THE RALLY:
From what I understand, Washington DC is very strict on permitting--and no t-shirt sales will be allowed at the actual rally. Pre-sales are highly encouraged and your shirt will be delivered to you the day of the event, or if you are attending, at the Healthy Mothers Healthy Birth Summit. Shirts may also be purchased at the Summit.
ALSO, PLEASE INDICATE WHETHER YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR SHIRT SHIPPED OR DELIVERED TO YOU AT THE SUMMIT/RALLY WHEN YOU ORDER. THANK YOU!
Thank you all for your continued support, and please contact me with any questions at laura@kangaroopromotions.net.
In 2008, I began creating quilt squares for the Safe Motherhood Quilt Project, created by midwife Ina May Gaskin, to raise awareness about the increasing crisis of American maternal mortality (the U.S. currently ranks 41st in the world in maternal mortality according to the World Health Organization). In November 2009, as Vice President of Florida Friends of Midwives and with the help of the National Organization for Women, I welcomed Ms. Gaskin to Sarasota to speak at an interdisciplinary panel discussion called Maternal Health Care in the 21st Century. Just before her arrival, I finished quilting an entire panel of the Safe Motherhood Quilt, honoring women who have died in pregnancy or childbirth in the US since 1982.
On April 9, Ms. Gaskin will join professionals from all over the world at the groundbreaking, interdisciplinary Healthy Mothers, Healthy Birth Summit in Washington DC, after which she and others will march the Safe Motherhood Quilt from the National Mall to the Capitol steps.
Friends, I would like to attend this summit and bring back to our community the knowledge of the world's experts on how to begin to fix this problem. I would like to march the quilt with Ina May and show the powers that be in Washington DC that this issue is critically important to American mothers. I have shown commitment to improving this community's birth outcomes and will continue to do so in whatever capacity presents itself to be most effective. Due to a hefty investment of time in the non-profit sector, I cannot personally afford the expenses of a trip to Washington at this time.
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If you would like to help me on my journey to Washington DC, I will add your name to a custom-designed T-shirt that I will wear during the march, so you will be walking right along with me. I will also report to you my learnings from the Summit upon my return. Finally, you will be showing Amnesty International, American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The White Ribbon Alliance, American College of Nurse Midwives, Midwives Alliance of North America, The Tatia Oden French Memorial Foundation, The Safe Motherhood Quilt Project, International Childbirth Education Association, Doulas of North America, The Organization of Labor Assistants for Birth Options & Resources, and MyBestBirth.com that you support their important work and the mission of this Summit to issue a directive to the US Government to reduce maternal mortality in this country.
This morning, I was treated to a wonderful luncheon at the Ritz-Carlton benefiting the Women's Resource Center of Sarasota, at which the keynote speaker was Ms. Sheryl WuDunn, co-author of Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide. I was grateful to have the chance to hear her speak, as Half the Sky has been on my to-read list since its publishing in 2009. After hearing her, as I have heard her husband and co-author Nicolas Kristof, speak about maternal mortality in developing countries, I used my scant thirty seconds to express my concern about maternal mortality right here at home. The few words I spoke were just not enough, so the second I hit my computer I followed up with this response. Crossing my fingers.
Dear Mr. Kristof,
I was delighted to meet your wife at this afternoon's Renaissance Luncheon benefiting the Women's Resource Center in Sarasota, Florida. Ms. WuDunn signed my copy of Half the Sky and I am very excited to finally read it. I am a huge fan of your work and your thoughtfulness and would like to follow up with you and Ms. WuDunn on a subject I broached with her at today's signing: American maternal mortality.
In 2009, I wrote a letter to the editor of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, owned by the New York Times, who published your piece entitled "This Mom Didn't Have to Die." I was pleased to see you bringing attention to maternal mortality, and responded with the addendum that although the problem in developing countries is egregious and preventable, the US should lead by example--we are currently 41st in maternal mortality, and as our c-section and induction rates climb, so do our morbidity and morality rates.
I encourage you and Ms. WuDunn to read "Deadly Delivery: The Maternal Health Care Crisis in the USA. Why are the numbers here so much higher than they should be? My theory is that we are a nation of extremes. Women either receive zero prenatal care and education, or, at the other end of the spectrum, are given costly interventions whose risks far outweigh their benefits. Cesarean sections should be used only when the risk is there to justify it. Inductions and other medications should only be used when women are fully informed of their implications: Cytotec, for example, is an ulcer drug never approved by the FDA for labor induction--in fact it is contraindicated for that purpose--and yet it is still widely administered in maternity wards throughout the country, even in the face of evidence to its correlation with uterine hyperstimulation and amniotic fluid embolism, which, more often that not, results in death for the mother and/or baby.
Thank you for indulging me. I hope that your busy schedules will allow you to attend the Healthy Mothers Healthy Birth Summit at Shenandoah University in Washington DC April 9th, and stay for the Safe Motherhood Quilt Project demonstration on April 10th. The Healthy Mothers Healthy Birth Summit endeavors to raise awareness and examine the causes of the rising maternal mortality rate in America, to create recommendations to address this terrible phenomenon and finally to publish a statement of the Summit’s collective findings for public viewing.
Present will be renowned midwife, activist, and creator of the Safe Motherhood Quilt Project Ina May Gaskin, activist and midwife Jennie Joseph, speakers from Amnesty International, and a presentation of perinatal epidemiologist (and former WHO director of Women & Children’s Health) Dr. Marsden Wagner’s latest research. Following the Summit, on April 10th, attendees will have the chance to accompany Ina May as she walks the Safe Motherhood Quilt down the National Mall to the Capitol.
Thank you, both of you, for the INCREDIBLE work you are doing. I am in awe of your movement and hope that people are truly listening. I am available at your convenience to help in any way I can. Safe travels home from Cairo!
On Thursday, January 20th, from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m., Sarasota Architectural Salvage will host its 2nd Annual “An Evening with Healthy Start” Fundraiser to benefit The Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County. The event will be emceed by Sarasota Mayor Kelly Kirschner, and will feature live music by local band tropical-pop band, The Equines.
The 2nd Annual “An Evening with Healthy Start” promises to be even better than the first. Hosted by Sarasota Architectural Salvage, a well-known downtown re-sale store for historic and eclectic home furnishings and accents, this distinctive backdrop provides for one of the most unique and fun fundraising events of the season.
Guests will be treated to light fare provided by local restaurants, including Mattison’s City Grill, Nancy’s Bar-b-q, Owen’s Fish Camp, and more. This event will also feature a raffle and silent auction, featuring an exquisite pendant necklace from world-famous Jewelry Designer, Ned Bowman, of Bowman Originals (located at 1400 State Street in Downtown Sarasota).
Tickets are $15 in advance, and $20 at the door, and include two beverage tickets and a coupon for Sarasota Architectural Salvage. Patron sponsorships are available for $50, and include recognition in the Event Program and unlimited beverages. To purchase tickets, call (941) 373-7070, or visit www.SarasotaSalvage.com.
The Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of pregnant women, infants, and young children in the community. Healthy Start coordinates a variety of specialized programs to serve high-risk groups and address specific risk factors that contribute to fetal death, prematurity, low birth weight, and infant death. For more information, please call (941) 373-7070 or visit www.healthystartsarasota.org.
We've never had a baby as a guest blogger before; but Sam is a special exception. Reposted courtesy of Birthways Family Birth Center. Sometimes it really does take a village. Let's do what we can.
My name is Samuel John Lee, my fans know me as "baby Sam" or "Sam I Am." My Mom, Cheryl, is an EMT, she was 26 weeks pregnant when she went into labor after a long shift helping others. She and I were really strong together and I stayed for just a few more days, but then I was born on 7-27-2010, weighing 2 lbs 5 oz, a full 3 1/2 months early. My due date was in the beginning of November.
It was very scary for my Mom, my Dad John, and my big sister Shelby. I was one of the lucky babies who has done better than the doctors expected, but I still need lots of help. I've been in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit since I was born and I was so sick that Sarasota Memorial had to send me to All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg.
It's been very hard on my family. They tell me that we live in a place called Port Charlotte. I haven't been there yet, so I'm not really sure where it is, but I know it's really far away from where I am and my mom has a hard time getting to be with me all the time. She tried to go back to her job as an EMT in Fort Myers, which I guess is even further away, but it was just too much for me, with the 12 hour shifts and all the travel...it kept her away from me way too much!... I really need her to be with me, and my sister Shelby really needs her too; so my mom and dad made the brave decision to forgo the second income because they say I'm worth "more than all the money in the world" and they just want me to get better so I can come home! That's Mom's Christmas wish... that I'll be home for Christmas! (that's what I want too)
I have heard about the amazing community of families around here who help each other out when there is a need, so I thought I'd let all of you know how much my parents, sister, and I need your help. My mom doesn't like to ask for help, so my friends at Birthways said they'd help me get the word out. I can tell my Mom's real worried and I don't want her to worry. She has helped so many other people as an EMT, I figure, others will help her too. My Dad's working real hard, but since Mom can't work right now, there is not enough money to keep the bills paid.
My mom is working hard to provide me with enough pumped breastmilk, some from her and some from a milk bank. She says that is the best thing for me, and I think so too. I am not strong or well enough to nurse on my own always. I can't wait to be able to nurse full time!
I'm so proud of my family. They have been so brave and strong for me. And when my mom's with me, I do even better! So, if you could help my family pay some of the bills that are piling up, my mom can continue being with me and maybe I'll get big and strong enough to go home before Christmas!
I don't know how to use a computer yet, but the ladies at Birthways have been very helpful. I have my own Paypal account...whatever you can see to contribute would be a big help! You can also follow my progress on facebook.
The Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County is collaborating with the Sarasota Film Society to present a special screening of the new documentary Babies. This beautifully filmed documentary depicts 4 babies from Mongolia, Namibia, San Francisco, and Tokyo for the first 18 months of their lives.
This special benefit screening begins at 11:00 this Saturday, May 15th, at Sarasota's Burns Court Cinema. Tickets are $10 and include a small popcorn and soda or coffee. Proceeds benefit the Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County, a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of pregnant women, infants, and young children. For more information, please visit www.healthystartsarasota.org. A special introduction will be given by Healthy Start Executive Director, Jennifer Highland.
The Maternal and Child Health Student Organization (MCHSO) at the University of South Florida is hosting Safe and Healthy Childbirth Symposium 2010this Thursday, April 22, through Saturday, April 24. The event is organized by MCHSO and sponsored by the Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida. The symposium offers an opportunity for students, faculty, and community members to come together to learn and discuss topics related to safe and healthy childbirth.
With cesarean section rates on the rise globally, maternal and infant mortality in the US steadily increasing, and billions of dollars spent every year on childbirth, it is no surprise that birth is becoming a topic of concern for medical providers, birth professionals, policy makers, public health professionals, bioethicists, anthropologists, activists, and parents (new and expecting). On the agenda for the symposium is a group of respected speakers and professionals to facilitate constructive learning and discovery during this series of events.
Schedule of Events:
Thursday April 22, 2010 2:00pm-5:00pm, COPH 1023-C, USF Tampa “The anthropology of childbirth, midwifery, and obstetrics” Speaker: Dr. Robbie Davis-Floyd Open and free for all!
Friday April 23, 2010 8:30am –4pm, MSC 2708 All-day event with renown speakers, birth professionals, panel discussions, and roundtables on various topics surrounding safe and healthy childbirth. Speakers will include doulas, midwives, childbirth educators, ob-gyns, parents, birth activists, anthropologists, and more! Open and free for all!
Friday April 23, 2010 6:30pm –9:30pm Screening of movie “Orgasmic Birth” and chat with the Film Director Debra Pascali-Bonaro, Doula and Childbirth Educator. Open to MCHSO members only. Join MCHSO on Blackboard TODAY!
Saturday April 24, 2010 8:00am –10:00am March for Babies, March of Dimes Walk (Downtown Tampa). Join the USF Health Corps Student Team or help us raise funds for this cause!
On Sunday, March 21, hundreds will gather from noon until dark at a Sarasota Florida cracker-style ranch in honor of a local family in need. The event, titled "A Village for A Family," is being sponsored by WSLR 96.5 and Sarasota’sMidwives, and will feature six local bands, refreshments, fun for children and a spirit of community. Proceeds will benefit the Augsburger family.
Colleen and Brad Augsburger welcomed their third baby, Kaya Soul, into the world on February 16th. Kaya was welcomed by big sister Ivy Magnolia and big brother Rylan Sky to create a new family of five. After Kaya's birth, Colleen was admitted to the ICU at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. A rare but dangerous bacterial infection, unrelated to but exacerbated by the event of birth, began causing organ damage and severe dehydration. Colleen had three surgical procedures at once on February 20th. She remained on a ventilator, on heavy blood antibiotics, and in critical condition for the following week. Due to the thorough postpartum care of her midwives, the quick and expert work of her team of doctors, and the round-the-clock spiritual vigil of her community, Colleen is home now, and beginning her long recovery process. Her family is strong and supported, but Brad will be unable to work as a painter while he cares for them and for his recovering wife.
A Village for A Family will raise proceeds for the Augsburger family while celebrating the amazing community that has rallied behind them. The Augsburgers have been fed by a different family each night since Colleen’s admission to the hospital. Baby Kaya was sustained for the beginning of his life by the generosity and nurturing of the mothers of his community. And through a PayPal account widely generated by social networking media, Brad has been able to pay bills and focus on his recovering family. They have also received donations from several local businesses, including hot restaurant meals from Ashley’s Food Delivery, organic vegetables from Jessica’s Stand, and donations of baby clothes from Mothers Helping Mothers. "Always a contributor to Mothers Helping Mothers, Colleen Augsburger is a model mother and a friend," says Terry Stottlemyer, director. I am confident Sarasota community members will join me in supporting Colleen, Brad, and their three beautiful children in this, their most devastating time of need."
The Stottlemyers will host the benefit A Village for A Family on March 21, and it won’t be the first time they’ve honored the Augsburger family. Their gorgeous homestead is where Brad and Colleen were married almost eight years ago. WSLR 96.5 will bring attendees an afternoon of top-notch local music beginning at noon, from artists such as Tanya Radtke, The Recycled Citizen, My Friend Scott, Cope, Stone Fish, and Radio-Free Carmela and the Transmitters. Guests will enjoy a fabulous raffle from local businesses, southern BBQ from Roadside Rib Shack, Budweiser from Gold Coast Eagle, and shaved ice from The Hukilau Hut. Children are most welcome for face painting from Upscale Artisans, a bounce house and more. The suggested donation is $10 for adults and free for children. The Stottlemyers’ ranch is located at 65 East Road, behind the Texaco station 1 mile east of I-75 off of Fruitville Road.
Today is Brad Augsburger's birthday, and he is receiving the sweetest gift of his thirty-five years: watching his wife move out of the ICU and into a regular recovery room. That is expected to happen later today. Colleen has been waking up slowly, eating and drinking tiny bits at a time and being up for half-hour stretches. This is great news. We could so easily be coping with a different outcome.
Last night, I had the uncanny experience of learning the story of Katy Hayes, a Texas mother of three who is fighting the same rare Streptococcal A bacterial infection that Colleen is overcoming (this woman's baby was born just 5 days before Kaya). As Colleen was giving birth to Kaya, Katy was in surgery for the removal of several septic organs. She remains unconscious, is still on a ventilator, and is undergoing dialysis. Just yesterday, her husband Al had to make the heartbreaking decision to allow her doctors to amputate her hands and feet, because the bacteria was attacking the tissue in her extremeties. Without amputation, her team of doctors warned that the bacteria would spread fatally.
I cannot underscore enough the importance of routine postpartum visitation and care. I am very grateful for the close observation of Colleen's midwives, family members and postpartum care team. Her warning signs were noticed immediately, and she was admitted to Sarasota Memorial Hospital in time to avoid a very bad outcome. I am also extremely grateful to the team of physicians and nurses that has worked around the clock to literally save Colleen's life. This is an example of collaborative care between midwives and doctors, and for that, on so many levels, I am grateful.
Baby Kaya, his siblings, and his daddy have been sustained by the most incredible community here in Sarasota, one that I attribute greatly to the two birthing centers here, their midwives, and their family of families. Mothers have pumped their milk to ensure Kaya's healthy beginning on this earth. The Augsburgers and their care team have been fed every night from a different family, and their food train is booked through mid-March. They have received donations of fresh produce, baby items and food delivery from local businesses. Brad would like to extend deep gratitude to those that have donated money while he is unable to work. He does not expect to be able to work again until April, so donations are still being graciously accepted so this family of five can reunite, heal, and care for each other, worry-free.
This next phase of recovery will be a long one, but a joyous one. More info on a benefit coming soon!
Colleen and Brad Augsburger welcomed their third baby, Kaya Soul, into the world on February 16th. Kaya was welcomed by big sister Ivy Magnolia and big brother Rylan Sky to create a new family of five. Since Kaya's birth, Colleen has been admitted to the ICU at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
A rare but dangerous bacterial infection, unrelated to but exacerbated by the event of birth, began causing organ damage and severe dehydration. Colleen had three surgical procedures at once on February 20th and remains on a ventilator. Though she is still in critical condition, her team of doctors expects recovery. She is currently sedated and stable after a strong antibiotic blood treatment.
Her family is strong and supported, but their daddy will be unable to work as a painter while he cares for them and for his recovering wife. Please consider helping this very special family, as they have done so much to make our community a better place.
Next Thursday, January 21, The Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County is partnering with Sarasota Architectural Salvage to host “An Evening with Healthy Start”, a fundraising event featuring live music by local band The Equines, food from local restaurants, beer and wine, fabulous raffles, and in-store specials with all proceeds going directly toward Healthy Start services.
The Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of pregnant women, infants, and young children in our community. We coordinate a variety of specialized programs to serve high-risk groups and address specific risk factors that contribute to fetal death, prematurity, low birth weight, and infant death. Our program includes home visits, education, counseling, and referrals for at-risk pregnant women. We also educate the community about important topics in maternal and child health.
Sarasota Architectural Salvage is a unique home remodeling store, featuring an eclectic array of furniture, architectural relics, and artifacts from historic Sarasota to around the globe. Located on Central Avenue near downtown Sarasota, it is a well-known staple of Sarasota businesses, popular among local designers, restoration specialists, remodelers, and the general public.
Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door and include 2 drink tickets and a $5-off coupon to SAS. Tickets can be purchased online at www.sarasotasalvage.com or by calling (941) 362-0803.
Healthy Start's goal for this event is to raise at least $2,000 to go toward training three Certified Lactation Counselors to provide breastfeeding education and support to Sarasota families. These services are invaluable to new mothers and greatly increase the success rate of breastfeeding, which provides the most optimal nutrition for newborns, increased maternal-child bonding, and stronger immune systems.
Please join us for what is sure to be a fun and memorable event!
This morning, I was honored to be a speaker and an award presenter at the Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County's annual meeting. In attendance at the meeting were Sarasota Vice Mayor Kelly Kirschner, Florida Representative Keith Fitzgerald, Jim McCloud and Lisa Merritt from the Newtown Health Advisory Council, and many other members of our community that have a vested interest in improving maternal and infant health in Sarasota.
Jenna Norwood, Chair of the 2009 Healthy Start Board of Directors, began the program by emphasizing the mission of the Healthy Start Coalition: to promote the health and well-being of pregnant women, infants, and young children in Sarasota County. She then presented the 2009 Mission Award to Rebecca Clapp, a Healthy Start Care Coordinator retiring this year after 37 years with the Sarasota County Healthy Department.
Then it was my turn to deliver a Message from Sarasota's Moms. I hope I spoke for all of you when I said that what Sarasota's moms need most is support. The support of our families, our friends, our care providers and our community. The support that comes from having the ability to ask a question of our care provider, and receive a sound, evidence-based answer. The support of knowing that the very best and latest research is being analyzed behind the scenes to give us the healthiest pregnancies, the safest deliveries, and the best outcomes for our babies. I also introduced the meeting's attendees to the upcoming panel discussion Maternal Health Care in the 21st Century: Sarasota and Beyond.
It was then my privilege to present the 2009 Family of the Year Award to Veronica Alvarez-Perez, who accepted graciously, with her two beautiful children, through tears of joy. Veronica embodies what Healthy Start is all about. This mother wanted to assure that her newly blended family thrived in a safe, loving environment, and could handle the stressors which they were facing. She followed through with all Healthy Start referrals for services, and attended all of her counseling sessions. She participated in the Healthy Families/Healthy Children program, sought out and received financial assistance and necessary baby items for her two month old, and even learned Infant and Child CPR. In face of hardships, she made sure her baby attended all well-child exams, and remained healthy through infancy.
Jennifer Highland, Healthy Start Executive Director (and panelist for Maternal Health Care in the 21st Century), then introduced the 16 minute film Reducing Infant Mortality. I was so pleased that she chose this groundbreaking expose, produced by filmmaker Debbie Takikawa. The film investigates possible reasons for the US's staggering 33rd ranking in infant mortality, including overuse of medical intervention and lack of prenatal care for many Americans. It also suggests paths to improving this condition, such as the Midwifery Model of Care and breastfeeding.
Jennifer concluded the film's presentation with a powerful message about Healthy Start’s fetal and infant mortality rates, leading risk factors, and how the community can work together to improve pregnancy health and have better birth outcomes.
Jennifer then presented the Lawton Chiles Award to Dr. Jerome Isaac. The Lawton Chiles Award is presented to an individual in the community whose contributions to prenatal or early child health in Sarasota County are characterized by exceptional commitment, wisdom, leadership, and vision. From Jennifer's introduction of Dr. Isaac:
"Research has long shown that breastfeeding is the number one way to promote infant health and prevent a variety of problems and adverse affects, some of which last a lifetime. The winner of this award has stood at the forefront of breastfeeding promotion among area pediatricians and hospitals. He understands the circumstances which can enhance or defeat successful breastfeeding, and many times seemed to be the lone figure in advocating for the breastfeeding dyad. We admire and wholly support his tireless efforts to help make sure infants receive the best start in life through breastfeeding, and hope he will be joined by many others in the medical community to fully adopt practices which support breastfeeding."
Dr. Isaac accepted the award with a powerful message of his own, encouraging other members of the pediatric profession to look at breastfeeding as a preventative cure for many of the chronic diseases that face their patients today.
Janice Baxter, Contract and Quality Assurance Manager for Healthy Start, presented the Community Partner of the Year Award to the First Step Mothers and Infants Program, for their collaboration with Healthy Start to develop a strong, focused incentive program for pregnant women and new mothers who are in the First Step residential treatment program for substance abuse and addiction. Recognizing that two of the top priorities for health improvement are stopping smoking and breastfeeding your infant, the staff in this program created a special incentive program to reward residents who have stopped smoking and who are breastfeeding their infants.
Healthy Start board members Shara Abrams and Kelly Kirschner then presented the Media Partner of the Year Award to Jackie Barron, of WFLA, News Channel 8. Kelly gave a personal account of his own struggle with the premature birth of his son, Bodhi, and Bodhi's need for the vaccine that prevents RSV, a potentially lethal respiratory infection. This vaccine is needed in a large percentage of premature babies, and was not covered by insurance. But because of Jackie's reporting to the public the dangers of RSV, the cost of the vaccine is now covered.
The Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County, Inc. is the only organization that is actively working to improve the health and well-being of Sarasota's pregnant mothers, babies, and infants. While the Coalition does receive government funding, it simply isn't enough to help this group execute and implement the programs necessary to literally save the lives of Sarasota's families. Please consider donating to this incredible effort.
There are so many exciting things happening in Sarasota the weekend of 10/31-11/1, and many of them involve the arrival of Ina May Gaskin to our beautiful city. At the request of several of you who would like the chance to spend some time with her, I'm posting an itinerary of events, dates, times, and ticket information. Please email me with any questions!
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2009 Safe Motherhood Quilt Presentation Selby Public Library Geldbart Auditorium 11:00 am-1:00 pm FREE Admission No Reservations Required
Join Ina May Gaskin, originator of The Safe Motherhood Quilt Project, as she presents three panels of the quilt and discusses the hidden problem of maternal mortality in the United States. Following the presentation, Ms. Gaskin will sign copies of her three books, Spiritual Midwifery, Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, and Ina May's Guide to Breastfeeding. Proceeds from the booksigning will benefit Florida Friends of Midwives and The Safe Motherhood Quilt Project.
This groundbreaking program will feature a distinguished panel of internationally recognized speakers discussing the current condition of maternal health care in Sarasota as it relates to Florida, the US, and the world, and to possible paths of action to improve this condition. The Sarasota-Manatee Chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) is sponsoring the event, along with co-sponsors Florida Friends of Midwives and the Sarasota Commission on the Status of Women.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2009 An Evening with Ina May Gaskin Hyatt Regency Sarasota Boathouse 5:30 pm - ?? $35 Admission Tickets may be purchased via PayPal on this blog or on the Florida Friends of Midwives website (www.flmidwifery.org) beginning Friday, 9/18 at 10:00 am. Guests may also purchase signed copies of any of the three books Ms. Gaskin has authored: Spiritual Midwifery, Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, and Ina May's Guide to Breastfeeding, not yet released.
Only 150 guests will enjoy the privilege of dining with Ina May Gaskin, pioneer of modern midwifery, at this gorgeous waterfront venue. Tickets include dinner and live music from Radio-Free Carmela and the Transmitters. Guests will view a tribute to Ms. Gaskin’s work, enjoy a cash bar, and participate in a silent auction and raffle. Net proceeds will benefit Florida Friends of Midwives, a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to promoting and preserving midwifery access in Florida.
Ina May Gaskin, the world’s leading midwife, is coming to Sarasota to participate in a panel discussion entitled Maternal Health Care in the 21st Century: Sarasota and Beyond, taking place at 3:00 pm on November 1st in the Sarasota Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Immediately following the program, Florida Friends of Midwives will host An Evening with Ina May Gaskin at the Hyatt Regency’s waterfront Boathouse, to begin at about 5:30 pm. Tickets for this event, going on sale in September, will cost $35 and will include dinner and live music from Radio-Free Carmela and the Transmitters. Guests will view a tribute to Ms. Gaskin’s work, enjoy a cash bar, and participate in a silent auction and raffle. All proceeds will benefit Florida Friends of Midwives, a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to promoting and preserving midwifery access in Florida.
Ina May Gaskin is internationally recognized as the mother of modern midwifery, and has been credited with the re-emergence of direct-entry midwifery in the United States since the early 1970's. Ms. Gaskin is founder and director of the Farm Midwifery Center, founded in 1971 and located near Summertown, Tennessee. By 1996, the Farm Midwifery Center had handled more than 2200 births, with remarkably good outcomes, noted for low rates of intervention, morbidity and mortality. Ms. Gaskin herself has attended more than 1200 births. She is author of Spiritual Midwifery, Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth, and Ina May's Guide to Breastfeeding, to be released October 1st. She was President of Midwives' Alliance of North America from 1996 to 2002. The Gaskin maneuver, a low-interventive effective method for dealing with shoulder dystocia, is the first obstetrical procedure to be named for a midwife. Ms. Gaskin is also the originator and coordinator of The Safe Motherhood Quilt Project, a national effort developed to draw public attention to the current U.S. maternal death rates. Three panels of The Safe Motherhood Quilt will be on display at the Selby Public Library from October 26 – October 31. For more information about the Quilt Project, please visit www.rememberthemothers.org.
In addition to participating on the panel and being honored at the tribute dinner, during her stay in Sarasota, Ms. Gaskin will be presenting a Clinical Conference to the medical staff at Sarasota Memorial Hospital on Friday, October 30th, and presenting the Safe Motherhood Quilt Project at the Selby Public Library on Saturday, October 31st at 11 am. For more information about any of these events, please contact Laura Gilkey at laura@kangaroopromotions.net. ABOUT FLORIDA FRIENDS OF MIDWIVES: Florida Friends of Midwives (FFOM) is a nonprofit grassroots organization dedicated to promoting the Midwives Model of Care and supporting the practice of midwifery in Florida. Florida Friends of Midwives was formed to support midwives who offer safe, cost-effective, evidence based care to Florida's Families. FFOM members are consumers and birth advocates with a common goal: to preserve the legal protection afforded to Florida's midwives and birth centers. They are committed to organizing the community to support midwives and to assure the continued availability of midwifery care in the State of Florida. For more information, please visit www.flmidwifery.org.
Mom & Baby Yoga class instructor Kassandra Devlin is offering an energizing and rejuvenating class focusing on mothers' postpartum needs: regaining alignment, toning the pelvic floor, and building core strength. Babies are welcome and can be incorporated in the yoga poses or can nap/play on a mat. Recommended age is pre-crawling.
Please pass this along to your friends and come out and support yourself, support your baby, and support midwifery in Sarasota!
Born in Sarasota is a collective of thoughts, articles, birth stories, events, and evidence in action supporting healthy, normal childbirth in our community. We are dedicated to promoting choices in mother-friendly maternity care practices and providers, informed consent for our pregnant families, and increased support of normal childbirth.
Do you have a birth story or birth photos to share? Please submit them here! Sharing your birth experiences will help empower others!
I believe that the current paradigm of maternity care in the United States must be shifted away from the medically invasive model and back to the embrace of birth as a natural, healthy process, one in which intervention should be used appropriately and with absolutely transparent informed consent. Without such a shift, our mothers and babies will continue to have unnecessarily poor outcomes, and we will lose our primal reverence for birth as a sacred event.
On March 20th, Sarasota Mayor Suzanne Atwell will join Sarasota’s Conversation about Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Early Motherhood. Maternally Yours, a weekly radio show on Sarasota’s Community Radio Station WSLR 96.5 LPFM, will welcome the Mayor to share the stories of the births of her children during the station’s biannual membership drive.
Perhaps the biggest threat is the area’s staggering rates of poor birth outcomes, such as premature birth, fetal mortality, and infant mortality. Despite a statewide decrease in deaths among children younger than one year old, the infant mortality rate for African-Americans in Sarasota County has continued to creep upward. And disparities between rates of fetal mortality, infant mortality, and prematurity between blacks and whites continue to be alarmingly present. Sarasota County’s most recent 2008-2010 rolling average data indicates the African-American rates for fetal mortality is more than twice as high as whites; infant mortality is 3.5 times as high; and preterm birth is 1.7 times as high.
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