The Weekly Newsletter for Heart of Houston Birth and Wellness Families and Friends
It's Birthday Party Season
Happy Tuesday folks! We had another busy weekend of babies and community circles. I'm running behind again because we welcomed yet another sweet little person into the world today!
Last Friday we celebrated summer with a postpartum support group at my place. Most of the babies loved spending time in the water and it was great seeing some of the babies that haven't been able to make it group recently. Needless to say this doula's heart was so very full! Saturday was this little cutie's first birthday party and all her friends from postpartum support group joined in the fun. This close community of parents is exactly why we encourage folks to come to group. You'll find your peeps if you looking for community. On Sunday we had our Ask the Experts event. My favorite piece of advice came from Abigail's dad Aaron. He suggested that partner's find a therapist or community of friends that can hold space for you while you adjust to your new life as a parent. The birthing parent will have their own adjustment period and might not have the capacity to carry your load too. We're working hard on finding a space and time to launch a support circle for partners. In the meantime, we've added a whatsapp chat just for partners in addition to our existing group for birthing parents. Shoot me an email if you'd like to be added to either chat group.
Meet Melea Hardeman, CPM
I'm super excited to introduce you to our newest midwife Melea Hardeman, CPM. Melea's journey to midwifery has included some of Houston's most respected community midwives as preceptors. We all feels so lucky to have her as part of our team. Please help me welcome this beautiful soul!
Melea, we are so happy you're here!
When Malea was 11 she had her first encounter with birth work after visiting her aunt who had recently given birth at home with a midwife. As a teenager she was able to act as an impromptu doula in the hospital for another family birth. That morning as the sun was rising, it was time to go to school and she felt the first real pull of birth work.
Years later she jumped into the birth world in 2015 first as a midwifery student and became a placenta encapsulator, a birth & postpartum doula, and a birth assistant. Now she is stepping into the role of a certified professional midwife. Malea feels that each being is multidimensional, unique and interconnected. Furthermore she believes that wellness is most sustainable when it is viewed holistically and we as individuals feel empowered and supported in holding our autonomy.
Malea is originally from Austin but now lives in Houston with her partner and hopefully a new kitty. When she is not doing birth work she enjoys a variety of movement based activities, music, books, puzzles; and anything adventurous. She is excited to be part of the Heart of Houston community and eager to share and learn with everyone.
Don't forget to join us this Saturday!
World Breastfeeding Week Celebration: Saturday 8/6 2-4pm Our friends at BABE want to celebrate your Chest or Breast feeding journey. Whether you latched one time, exclusively pumped or nurse, or whatever combo worked for your family, you deserved to be celebrated! Join us at our new location from 2-4pm for giveaways and snacks and a hug or two. This event is open to current and past HOH or Whole Heart Collective members ONLY. Please RSVP
Birthday Bulletin!
This Week's Events
Upcoming Events
Ask the Doula Night!: Premier Doulas of Houston Friday 8/12 6:30pm HOH Zoom room. Join us for a Q&A session from the comfort of your home. Nothing is off limits with these folks! Learn all about the amazing ways a doula can improve your pregnancy, birth and postpartum experiance. This event is open to everyone! Please register here.
Rebel Birth Childbirth Series: Mondays 6-9pm August 15-September 12, No class labor day 9/5. This is complete childbirth education for those who have a rebel heart. Come learn the ins and outs of birth and get to know the tools that will work for YOU as an individual or family. We aren’t peddling one philosophy here, we want to help you to figure out what you want and how to get it! Please register here.
Pregnancy Core Class, Stages of Labor: Saturday August 20th 6-8pm. We had great turn out for our last Saturday Pregnancy circle so We're doing it again! We HIGHLY encourage all expectant clients and their support person(s) to join us for this session. We'll cover ways to support the laboring person at each stage of the laboring process. This class is free to current HOH clients and Whole Heart Collective Members. Please RSVP
Pregnancy Core Class, Comfort Measures: Sunday August 28th 2-4pm. This interactive class will be great practice for game day! Bring your support person(s) and cycle through the six comfort stations set up throughout the birth center for hands on practice. This class is free to current HOH clients and Whole Heart Collective Members. Please RSVP
Ongoing Events
Postpartum Support Group: Every Wednesday from 10-12ish and Thursday 9:30-11:30. Zoom link has been sent to all HOH clients and Whole Heart Collective members. Email Jessica if you need more information.
Feeding Clinic: Twice a month during Postpartum group. Keep an eye on schedule for specifics
Queer Parent Circle: Second Sunday of every month 2-4pm Open to the public!
Birthworkers Circle: Second Sunday of every month starting Jan 2022 time 11am-1:30pm
Various Childbirth Education Curriculums starting soon: Rebel Birth weekly series or weekend intensive,and Bradley Method with Anne Zwicky. Birthing from within.
That's all for now! Have a great week everyone.
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