The Weekly Newsletter for Heart of Houston Birth and Wellness Families and Friends
Holy heatwave Houston!
Well, if you're reading this you survived the first week of high 90's temperatures in Houston. It's just the start of what looks to be a toasty summer. Last week was also the start of our summer of babies! So. Many. Babies. Mary and Jola worked overtime meeting three little ones here at the birth center and at the Pavilion for Women. While we love every chance we get to meet a baby, we LOVE it when they arrive single file.
We are still patiently waiting to get into our new space. If you haven't read about it the most recent construction update you can do so here. The short of it is, we do not have a solid date but we are seeing progress. We really do love our current space in Montrose (save for the terrible parking and poor acoustics) so we've decided to just enjoy the time we have left here and trust the universe's timing.
Summertime Stars
Over the Weekend
Over the weekend we had great turn out for our comfort measures class. Breanna of Bee the Doula and student midwife Carolina joined in the fun of this hands on class. We had quite a few expectant fathers/partners in attendance and we all practiced a variety of techniques to help "distract" the birthing partner's attention from the intensity of contractions. It's not uncommon for first time parents to show up at their place of birth during early labor only to be sent home to rest and come back when things intensify. So how are couples with no labor experience supposed to manage early labor without the magic touch of a doula or other birth team member?
Easy, Gate Control. Wiki says the Gate Control Theory of Pain is the concept that, "non-painful input closes the gates to painful input, which results in prevention of the pain sensation from traveling to the CNS..." So a contraction in silence with no one touching or encouraging you could be less intense if, let say, you and your partner are doing that awkward eighth grade slow dance with 90's R&B in the background. When we engage our senses during labor with things like, aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, comforting sounds or smells, we flood the gateways to the central nervous system so less painful sensations make their way through. Pretty cool, right? So the secret to staying home during early labor is, well, your home. Your space with all the familiar things that help you get into a calm and comfortable head-space. Which in turn allows your body do the work it need to do to bring your baby earthside.
Father's Day
This Sunday we celebrate Father's and all the great ways they support us. Like Mother's day, this day can be a mixed bag for some folks so we encourage you be gentle with yourself this weekend. On Friday our friend Bee the Doula will host a Father's Friday Night Yoga practice and everyone is welcome. Bee and her partners offer great yoga with free childcare. Stay for the snacks and community. We'd love to feature a father in your life on our Instagram account. Send me your pictures and what you love most about your dad or your baby's daddy!
Juneteenth
In 2021 President Biden proclaimed June 19th to be a federally recognized holiday know was Juneteenth. This day marks the date when slavery was abolished in the most remote state of the confederacy, Texas. Nevermind that President Lincoln delivered the Emancipation Proclamation back in 1863 and that the civil war officially ended in April of 1865 it wasn't until June 19th of 1865 that the good folks of Galveston Texas hear the good news:
"The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor."
Join fellow Houstonians this weekend as we celebrate Freedom Day throughout the city . Check out the schedule of events for the Juneteenth Celebration at Emancipation Park.
This week
Birthday Bulletin
Upcoming Events
Our calendar will look much fuller when we get into our new space!
Postpartum Support Group ONLINE: Wednesday 6/15 10-12pm
Postpartum Support Group : Thursday 6/16 9:30-11:30 IN Person
Father's Friday Night Yoga: Saturday 6/17 6:45 pm-8pm Donation based HOH & WHC members. Online option available. Register on event page.
Pregnancy Group: Sunday 6/26 Pumping 101 with Leah Jolly, IBCLC class is free for clients and Whole Heart Collective Members. $40 for all others.
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.
Latch Clinic: Twice a month during Postpartum group. Keep an eye on schedule for specifics
Queer Parent Circle: Second Sunday of every month 3:30-5pm 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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