The Pros and Cons of Circumcision

Where: The Stork’s Nest (Mckinleyville Totem Pole Shopping Center)

When: Friday, August 19^th

6pm-9pm

Discussion begins at 6

Presenting: Art & Belly Casts by Linda Willcut-Tallman

In addition to being a great midwife and a native to Petrolia, she is Tanya’s sister-in-law.  We think that you will like her every bit as much as we do.

Here’s a little bit about her:

Olympia Franklin-McCutchan L.M., C.P.M
I began my study of Women’s health by mentoring young women as they entered into adolescence. It was in 2005 that I was further introduced to the midwifery model of care and fell deeply and passionately inspired. For the following two years I apprenticed with a Granny-midwife in Bristol, Vermont. I was an active participant with the Vermont Midwives Alliance and attended study groups as well.

In 2008, I attended a 14-month program at Maternidad La Luz, a very busy bi-lingual birth center on the border of El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. During my time as a student midwife at the center, I cared for a variety of low and medium risk clients.

I am a Wilderness First Responder, Reiki 1 certified and a student herbalist. In total, I have attended more than 120 births. I carry current IV, CPR and Neonatal Resuscitation certification. I am a California Licensed Midwife and a Certified Professional Midwife.  Returning to my childhood home of Humboldt County, I have been joined by a variety of midwives, in caring for clients throughout the whole county.

In January 2011, I experienced a very powerful change in my role as a midwife, when I entered into motherhood, birthing our daughter, Vasilisa, in our own home. I am guided by my mixture of experiences as a community midwife, with a strong sense of grounding, commitment, open communication, and deep trust in the processes of life. I see the family as a whole and the woman as a whole, knowing that there are depths to each being that cannot be seen on the surface. I am honored to bear witness and help hold the sacredness of this passage.

Here we are all together at the Mother's Day picnic!

We enjoyed seeing lots of old friends.  Time goes by so quickly that babies we haven’t seen in a while have sprouted up into big kids.  It’s so good to stay in touch.

Thanks to everyone who came out and celebrated Mother’s Day with us!  And a special thanks to Kathleen who did most of the work to put this together.

A couple of clowns came over from Dell'Arte.

and a juggler!

Kathleen worked so hard to pull of this great event!

Moms and babies!

We enjoyed lots of great workshops!

We will be at Redwood Park in Arcata from 11-4.

There will be talks, food, entertainment and lots of natural birth loving families.

What a difference a little Love and tea can make.

From the moment I stepped into their office, I felt comfortable, empowered and at home.  After “shopping around” for midwives, what really struck me as different from the rest, was their unwavering presence.

They were each so nurturing, open, wise, and compassionately curious about how I was processing ALL aspects of my pregnancy.  My health, baby’s health, questions I had, home life, nutrition, life choices, partner relationships, sex, and all things concerning birth and postnatal support.  My partner and I both LOVED that they consistently checked in with him as well, and he felt supported by them equally.

In the end, due to placenta previa, I had to have a scheduled cesarean birth, followed by a rough and extended healing process.  And even though we ended up not needing their assistance during the birth, they stood by us like rocks during our 3 month recovery and were there for me in ways I can’t truly explain.  I was primed for postpartum depression, and in many ways felt very down.  But I attribute their love, friendship, and unconditional support as the guiding force that helped me steer clear of that.

Hiring them is worth every penny for just pre/post natal care alone.  A lovingly supported birth is just a bonus!

Zion

-SarahSita, Joshua and Zion