The Weekly Newsletter for Heart of Houston Birth and Wellness Families and Friends
Setting intentions
Happy Tuesday friends! We had another fun filled weekend here at the birth center. On Friday Bee the Doula led her first Friday Night Yoga session while the I hung out on zoom with the amazing doulas of the TLC Doula Group.
Then we all got a little crazy under the full moon on Saturday night dancing the night away with Joanna Zepeda. There were more birth workers than there were pregnant folks but we all REALLY need it. The simple act of slowing down to acknowledge the end of one season and the beginning of another was so powerful. We each shared some things we wanted to let go of and some things we needed to hold on to as we enter into fall. Tears were shed and magic happened as it always does when a group of healers or caretakers get together. Our one pregnant couple who attended seemed only mildly confused. We had such a great time we are doing it again next month! October 9th is next full moon. You're welcome to join us <3
Grandparents Day every day
Sunday was officially Grandparents Day and we thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the pictures on social media of our HOH babies and their grands. I feel especially lucky that my parents live relatively close to my family. I'd move them into my house if we had the room! A fact that would horrify twenty-something me. Forty-something me would love nothing more to send the kids to hang out with my folks while I cooked dinner for everyone but alas, I can't convince them to move closer. What I do know is that more and more families are choosing multigenerational living and housing. In many countries it's not abnormal for many generations to live under one roof. With the spike in housing prices and inflation, many families are finding that shared housing is the answer. According to Pew Research,"The number of Americans who live in multigenerational family households is about four times larger than it was in the 1970s, while the number in other types of homes grew by far less. The share of the U.S. population living in multigenerational homes more than doubled over the past five decades." That number has jumped since the pandemic and the resulting record number job loss in the United States. Sandwiched between small children and aging parents, many find that the convenience of shared households outweighs the stressors of living with parents or in-laws. Limited income grandparents are helping with childcare in households with two working parents. What are your thoughts? Would you consider multigenerational living?
Guest Post: Why is rest so hard?
Our friend Brandi Mitchell, Registered Nurse and Board Certified Nurse Coach is this week's guest contributor. Visit her website to learn more about Well Woman co.
Whether it's turning off the phone an hour before bed, sleeping when baby sleeps, or even sitting down and mindfully breathing for a minute - why is it so dang hard? Why do we, as women, push and push until we end up depleted, angry, exhausted, and even really sick? I ponder this with tons of grace towards us. There are so many demands, so many needs, and we tend to say yes more than we say no. But it’s more than that. In my own journey with slowing down and my recovery from overdoing, I’ve found that it goes even deeper than boundaries, asking for help, and taking naps. At the core, this busy-ness addiction is about our beliefs about our worth and value. Like, do we believe we are worthy even if we’re not producing and getting sh*t done? As Kate Northrup says in her book Do Less: A Revolutionary Approach to Time and Energy Management for Ambitious Women, "So many of us have been raised to believe that our worth is equal to our accomplishments. That we must earn our deserving of life and all things good through doing. But this couldn’t possibly be true if we also believe, as I do, that our worth is inherent, that no person is born more or less worthy than another, that we are all children of God/Goddess and that we deserve to be here no matter how high we climb on the ladder of success." I’m so deeply grateful (and excited!) that so many of us are waking up to our inherent worth and value, thanks to the work of Brené Brown and so many others. It’s actually part of the dismantling of the patriarchy in all areas, healthcare included. Before you roll your eyes, let me explain.
All things have a masculine and feminine energy. And I’m not talking about whether we identify as male or female, non-binary, or any nuance of that - I’m speaking to the traditional qualities of the masculine and the feminine.
Our society values the qualities of the masculine over the qualities of the feminine. As we become aware of this, choose to slow down a bit and live with intention, we participate in this shift from a dominance of masculine qualities to the inclusion of the feminine qualities in all of us, especially those of us who identify as women. We stop glorifying busy as the definition of success and importance. Our female bodies have an inherent rhythm, a cycle that mimics the seasons and the moon cycle. We’re so connected to nature and we don’t even realize it. Most of us were simply never taught to honor our natural rhythms because the tone of our society has leaned more towards the linear, objective, masculine mental model. So it’s an unlearning and a rediscovery. Unlearning that the masculine is the only way, and rediscovering how to allow our feminine to lead us in new ways. I believe, collectively, we are discovering a deep inner knowing that we are inherently worthy no matter what we do, produce, or accomplish. I’m not saying it’s bad, wrong, or unhealthy to hustle and get sh*t done. I personally love doing amazing things and feeling productive! It’s the way we approach our goals, dreams, and work that can make a tremendous difference in our personal wellbeing. And it can mean the difference between burnout, chronic fatigue, and disease or vibrant health, a deep sense of fulfillment, and feeling connected and well.
To learn more about the Guidance Groups offered by Brandi Mitchell, RN check out the program details HERE. Receive 50% off the Fall series when you sign up before Friday 9/16. Use discount code YES50
New Events!
Y'all, I am SO excited about these new events! I'm a HUGE fan of Prelude music and can't wait for you to experiance the joy of watching your little one partake in a jam session! I was a nanny for a couple of years before I started doula work and the family I worked for introduced me to Prelude music classes. Every week the little guy and I would pack up and head to the Prelude studio on W. Alabama and sing and dance with other kiddos of various ages. Founders Ana and Jeffrey Godfrey have created an unmatched community of parents and children that celebrate all things music. There are just so many things to love about Prelude classes. "The research-based, early childhood music program Music Together builds on your child's natural enthusiasm for music and movement." They offer a variety of classes for all ages of children and even pregnancy music classes! We're so, so, happy to share the magic of Prelude with you. We have two events on the calendar and will hopefully be adding more soon. These events are open to anyone reading this!
Group Tours and Evening Core Classes
Starting tomorrow we will begin offering group tours of the birth center! This will be a great way for prospective clients to take a look around the facility and ask the midwives questions about care at Heart of Houston. We love showing off the new space and we REALLY love talking about the midwifery model of care and the Whole Heart Collective. If you know someone who is considering an out of hospital birth, please send them our way!
Beginning in October we'll have evening Core Classes open to all HOH and Whole Heart Collective members. We'll alternate between group tours and evening classes. Keep an eye on the event calendar to RSVP! Our first group class will be Wednesday October 5th at 6pm. Stay tuned for the event page.
All events, classes and circles are now at 6550 Mapleridge 77081
This Week's Events
*No Online Group This week*
Leah Jolly, IBCLC Joins us again this week for Feeding Clinic!
Upcoming Events
Prelude Prenatal Class: Monday 11th 6:30pm For all expectant folks, free and open to the public
Father's/Partner/Non-Gestational Parent Brunch: Saturday September 24th 10-12pm. This event is open to all HOH and Whole Heart Collective members past and present. Stay tuned for the event page and more details.
HOH Baby & Me Yoga: Wednesday September 28th 12:30-1:30 FREE to current HOH clients and Whole Heart Collective Members.
Meeting Milestones Through Play: Wednesday September 28th 10am-12pm Occupational Therapist Hanna Durning will join us to give tips on helping your new baby meet developmental milestones through play. RSVP Open to current HOH clients and Whole Heart Collective Members.
Prelude Music Class: Monday October 3rd 11am free and open to the public. Space is limited, please RSVP.
Ongoing Events
Postpartum Support Group: Alternating Wednesdays 10-12 on Zoom. Every Thursday in person 10-12. Link to zoom room 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 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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