This past Monday, I had the fortunate, thought provoking experience of attending the first annual WIE: Women Inspiration and Enterprise Symposium. The event was spearheaded and hosted by a phenomenal triad of women including Sarah Brown (on behalf of the White Ribbon Alliance(WRA)), Donna Karen and Arianna Huffington. The symposium was held to coincide with a United Nations review summit on the Millennium Development Goals which is also being held this week in New York.

The focus of the symposium was to highlight the work of the White Ribbon Alliance, advocates and leaders around the globe who are making a difference. The White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood is an international coalition of individuals and organizations formed to promote increased public awareness of the need to make pregnancy and childbirth safe for all women and newborns in the developing, as well as, developed countries.

Participants left touched, inspired, empowered and motivated to make a change for girls and women around the globe. Special guest speakers included Melinda Gates, Queen Rania of Jordan and Ambassador Melanne Verveer, Director of the Department of State’s new office on Global Women’s Issues and the list goes on to cover more than 40 impressive women. Click here to read more about the participants/panelist.

Many young innovators and entrepreneurs were honored at the event, but I would like to highlight the WIE winner for Creative Vision particularly. Christy Turlington Burns won this deserving award for her film, No Woman, No Cry. In this piece, she shares powerful stories of at-risk pregnant women in four parts of the world, including a remote Maasai tribe in Tanzania, a slum of Bangladesh, a post-abortion care ward in Guatemala, and a prenatal clinic in the United States. It is her passion to increase awareness and support for maternal health around the globe so that we as humanity can collectively end unnecessary deaths due to complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

After the panels and the awards show, Donna Karen along with other designers such as Diane Von Furstenberg, Chloe and Vera Wang to name a few, presented a fashion show in honor of the White Ribbon Alliance. All garments are available for bidding on Charity Buzz. The proceeds will benefit the WRA. The evening was capped off by an uplifting performance by Estelle.

His message is very clear and true. We need to re-educate ourselves and most especially our children ( yours, our nieces,nephews, god children, all of them) on food, how to prepare it, where it comes from, quality-vs- additives and its effects on our health. These are essentials survival skills which are lacking. As new parents start fresh and instill these lessons within your children from the beginning.

Join his revolution!

This month, when you purchase The Everyday Oils enrollment kit from the Verte boutique, $15 will be donated to V-Day and UNICEF’s City of Joy Project. The two non-profits, in partnership with the Panzi Foundation, are currently building a special facility for the survivors of sexual violence in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The City of Joy will support women to heal and provide them with opportunities to develop their leadership through programming in: group therapy; storytelling; dance; theater; self-defense; comprehensive sexuality education (covering HIV/AIDS, family planning); ecology and horticulture; and economic empowerment.

Just a few dollars have far-reaching impact and can provide much needed supplies that will make the City of Joy a comfortable, caring, and healthy place for women survivors of sexual violence to learn, lead, and inspire.

For example, $30 provides one woman with seeds for the City of Joy’s horticulture program for one year or $400 provides the salary of a local registered nurse.

On your behalf, Verte (The Green Doula’s Parent Biz) will donate $15 to one of the City of Joy’s registry category items which include:

Skills Training
Healing
Living
Education
Working
Nourishing
Or a Custom Donation

How Are You Able to Enhance Your Life While Helping to Build the City of Joy?

By incorporating “nature’s living energy” into your everyday lifestyle, you are bound to enhance your everyday life. How do you hone such energy? Well, you don’t have to for Young Living Essential Oils have already done it for you. It is Young Living’ mission to promote the ancient healing art of essential oil therapy. Offering a collection of over 140 therapeutic-grade single essential oils and unique essential oil blends, they are the world’s largest community dedicated to achieving wellness via nature’s purest, most potent gift, essential oils.

When used aromatically, applied topically, or taken internally, essential oils can calm, energize, balance, purify, and rejuvenate the mind and body. As well, such oils can be incorporated into your everyday (including pregnancy and childcare)lifestyle in areas such as:

air purification
aromatherapy + fragrance
cleaning
cooking
first aid
pet care

Your Everyday Oils enrollment kit will include the following oils and more for only $150; ideal to introduce you to the benefits and ease of incorporating essential oils into your life, receive discounts & rewards, and should you chose, the opportunity to generate extra income:

Everyday Oils includes:
(
1)- 5 ml Frankincense
(
1)- 5 ml Lemon

(
1)- 5 ml Lavender

(
1)- 5 ml Peppermint

(
1)- 5 ml Purification
 Blend
(
1)- 5 ml Panaway
 Blend
(
1)- 5 ml Peace & Calming®
 Blend
(
1)- 5 ml Thieves®
 Blend
(
1)- 5 ml Valor® Blend
As well

You can purchase the enrollment kit at any time through Verte, though the fundraiser for the City of Joy ends on February 28th. Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me and db@vertenyc.com.

Keep an eye out all this month for a variety of recipes incorporating essential oils that you can incorporate into your pregnancy and infant care regime. If you are not interested in purchasing therapeutic-grade oils, but still want to contribute to the City of Joy, please make your donation here

Mamatini™ is a new all-natural, 100% organic herbal infusion that was created with the modern mother-to-be in mind. It is the first-ever, ready-to-drink, pediatrician-designed beverage created to help women breastfeed better, easier and for longer. Not only will Mamatini naturally boost your milk supply, it will also increase your energy and increase your ability to absorb and retain critical nutrients your body uses to produce milk. This herbal tonic also helps to relieve your baby colic symptoms.

Mamatini™ is shipped directly to your door via FedEx and can be shipped on a weekly basis at your option. Made with organic ginger and spearmint, this refreshing beverage is recommended from the 36th week of pregnancy until your baby is weaned.

Fenugreek helps you produce a generous supply of milk for your growing baby
Fennel stimulates the “let down” reflex, and helps prevent gas, bloating and colic
Chamomile and Ginger relieve stomach upset and provide restful sleep for baby and mom
Micronutrients promote absorption of vitamins and minerals, such as Calcium and Iron, often depleted during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Vitamin A forms healthy teeth, bones, skin and nails and is key for breastfeeding
Vitamin C forms collagen in the body and aids the absorption of Iron
Vitamin D aids the absorption of Calcium, helping to form strong bones
Folic Acid and B Vitamins provide energy and prevent birth defects

I just received today a virtual petition for the Breastfeeding Promotion Act, H.R.2819 via Care2 and The United States Breast Feeding Committee. You can sign it today too here. As of the moment I am writing this post, the total signature count is 6358. The ongoing goal is to reach 10,000.

Though the act was 1st presented to the Senate June 11, 2009, it still has not been getting the attention it deserves. This is where you come in.

The Breastfeeding Promotion Act (H.R. 2819, S. 1244) includes five provisions:

1. Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to protect breastfeeding women from being fired or discriminated against in the workplace.

2. Provides tax incentives for businesses that establish private lactation areas in the workplace, or provide breastfeeding equipment or consultation services to their employees.

3. Provides for a performance standard to ensure breast pumps are safe and effective.

4. Allows breastfeeding equipment and consultation services to be tax deductible for families (amends Internal Revenue Code definition of “medical care”).

5. Protects the privacy of breastfeeding mothers by ensuring they have break time and a private place to pump in the workplace (applies to employers with 50 or more employees, see text of legislation for details).

May we thank Representative Carolyn B. Maloney (NY) and Senator Jeff Merkley (OR) for the introduction of this act to the Senate. If you would like to read more technical info about the act or learn further information , please visit here.

Join Tender Shoots Wellness Founder, Latham Thomas, for a guided meditation for moms followed by a shopping soire with EGG Baby and Maternity.
RSVP to press@egg-baby.com

The Pregnant New Yorker Series
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
6:30pm – 9:00pm
Renew Physical Therapy
149 Madison Avenue, Suite 903
(Btwn 31st and 32nd)
Register

Cara Muhlhahn, as featured in “The Business of Being Born” will be at this month’s Pregnant New Yorker to answer your questions about midwifery and childbirth. I will be discussing and answering questions about being a doula, and other guest will be discussing how to keep fit throughout your pregnancy and after wards. How physical therapy, chiropractic and massage can help you through your pregnancy and the benefits of having a baby nurse. Get easy and economical ways to green your home in preparation for a baby. Plus come see some great products on everything baby and mommy.

Check out these cute graphic tees from MollyAnna Organic Maternity. Made from 100% certified organic supima cotton, these make for perfect soft and breathable additions for your summer wardrobe. For every tee purchased online, the company donates $1 to the non-profit organization, Care. Care’s mission is to empower women, defend dignity and fight poverty.

Join Citibabes for a fun and informative event featuring leading prenatal experts, products, demonstrations and more! Sarah Beatty from the Green Depot will be speaking about creating the “Ultimate Green Nursey”, Ali Wing, founder of Giggle will be discussing and signing her book giggle guide to baby gear, plus more discussions such as “What to Look For in a Nanny” with Brownstone Nannies.

Other highlights include:

• Win a 3 night stay at The Ritz Carlton Club in Kapalua bay, Hawaii, Abaco, Aspen Highlands, Jupiter, San Francisco or St. Thomas.

• Fashion show with Destination Maternity-
stay stylish throughout your pregnancy!

• Win a complimentary membership to Citibabes!

• Win a Bugaboo Bee Stroller!

• Receive amazing giveaways from Quinny, Baby Bjorn & Dwell Studio!

• Walk away prepared for motherhood!

$20 for non-members, free for members
DON’T FORGET TO RSVP BY APRIL 15th to kelley.mcmillan@citibabes.com

I recently discovered a wonderful organization called Earth Birth. Earth Birth is an NGO which is ran by midwives to foster an international women’s health movement that encourages and promotes safe and peaceful birth. Directed by midwife, Rachel Zaslow, Earth Birth raises funds to build clinics and restore communities amongst women in various countries such as Brazil, Sudan and Uganda. With a sustainable mindset, the clinics that are built incorporate green building practices such as rainwater collection, composting for agriculture and solar power. It is the organization’s mission to lower maternal and infant mortality rates, lower mother to child HIV transmission, grant access to supplies, access to trauma counseling, empower women to have positive childbirth experiences and more.

Add Earthbirth on Facebook today to stay connected and find out ways that you can participate.

This summer I attended a screening for ‘Orgasmic Birth’. This fascinating documentary was created by internationally respected childbirth expert, Debra Pascali-Bonaro. The film sheds light on the beauty and “other” side of childbirth, the side that has not been discussed in the out and open. Babies are created using all of the same sex organs and hormones that are used to deliver the baby. Now this statement I am about to make may come off a little blunt and graphic, but I feel that it gets the point across. If a woman is being forced against her will to have sex, then it hurts tremendously. The fear, the violation and all of the other emotions make her sexual mechanisms resist. The result is pain, uncontrollable breathing and so forth. Now when a women feels safe, is connected to the act for which she is performing, and for the most part, in a private setting for which she feels is her own space, then she is able to relax and reach an orgasm. So to tie this together to my point and the message behind Orgasmic Birth, if a women is allowed the respected space to labor at her own pace, surrounded by supportive birth partners and medical team, then she is more inclined to feel safe, let down her inhibitions and open to and surrender herself to the miracle of birth. And yes, pleasure and ecstasy are possible during labor.

For far too long there has been this projected notion that childbirth is nothing but a scary, intolerable act (This is so not the case). For the most part, the common visuals one has of childbirth are those from mainstream TV and movies (definitely, not the best examples) those clips show the typical cliché of a women screaming at the medical staff & partner, confound to the bed and not happy at all. Then you have the media’s grid lock focus on statements made by celebrities whose fears becomes instilled and influence the general public (by no fault of their own for there are definitely stories that can be told about hospital births in the US).

Thankfully, ABC’s 20/20 is taking a bold step in a great direction to shed light on the “other” side of the story of childbirth Friday, January 2nd. The show will be featuring a segment on ‘Orgasmic Birth’. Though I am excited that such a topic will be discussed on such a popular show, I am going to wait and make my rave or rant after it airs. After being excited to watch the doula segment air on the Today show a few weeks back, I was disappointed with the overall tone of the segment. (Every women deserves the right to have continous support through out labor. That is not a luxury. And while yes doulas can range between $500-1500+ for childbirth, the benefits are so much worth it. That segment failed to mention the astonishing cost of hospital birth, epidurals, and c-sections. Doula have a major impact in reducing the need for epidurals and c-sections)

So check out Orgasmic Birth’s website and watch the segment on 20/20 and share your feedback.