Natural Awakenings of Rochester May 2015 by Natural Awakenings of Rochester NY

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SPECIAL ISSUE:

NATURAL BIRTH

Choosing a Healthcare Provider Eating Well Before Conception Upcycled Décor Rethinking Breast Health

May 2015 | Rochester, NY Edition | RochesterAwakenings.com natural awakenings

May 2015

Rochester, NY

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newsbriefs

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inspiration

coverphoto healthbriefs globalbriefs business spotlight healthykids greenliving healingways pre/postnatal spotlights

39 pre/postnatal directory

42 calendar 45 naturaldirectory

advertising & submissions

Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. In each issue readers find cutting-edge information on natural health, nutrition, fitness, personal growth, green living, creative expression and the products and services that support a healthy lifestyle.

13 MOVING BEYOND SURVIVAL

Our True Identity Surpasses Any Disease by Eric Nelson

14 KIDS LOVE VEGGIES How to Instill Healthy Lifelong Habits by Clancy Cash Harrison

17 UPCYCLED DĂ&#x2030;COR Old and Oh-So-Stylish by Avery Mack

18 RETHINKING

BREAST HEALTH

Natural Ways to Keep Breasts Smooth, Pain-Free and Firm, while Reducing the Risk of Cancer by Lisa Marshall

HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact us at 585-298-9294 or email Publisher@RochesterAwakenings.com. Deadline for ads: the 5th of the month. EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Publisher@RochesterAwakenings.com. Deadline for editorial: the 5th of the month. CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Email Calendar Events to: Publisher@RochesterAwakenings.com. Deadline for calendar: the 5th of the month. REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets! Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets call 239-449-8309. For franchising opportunities call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakeningsMag.com.

2 1 GIVING BIRTH NATURALLY

Conscious Choices Lead to Less Intervention

by Meredith Montgomery

33 CHOOSING A DOCTOR Family Physicians and Natural Births from Craddle to Grave Care by Amy Haas

35 BENEFITS OF

PRE- AND POSTNATAL CHIROPRACTIC CARE

by Paula Derleth

36 AN INTEGRATIVE APPROACH

To Preconception Health by Sandra Yeyati

RochesterAwakenings.com natural awakenings

May 2015

letterfrompublisher

contact us Publisher Kelly H. Klein Editors S. Alison Chabonais Sara Gurgen Sheila Julson Tisha Temple Contributing Photographer Vesna Sanders Contributing Writers Michelle Bense Amy Haas Sandra Yeyati Design & Production Chelsea Rose Printer Trumbull Printing Multi-Market Advertising 239-449-8309 Franchise Sales 239-530-1377 Natural Awakenings of Rochester, NY P.O. Box 201, Penfield, NY 14526 Phone: 585-298-9294 Publisher@RochesterAwakenings.com RochesterAwakenings.com © 2015 by Natural Awakenings. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. It is available in selected stores, health and education centers, healing centers, public libraries and wherever free publications are generally seen. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business. We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and advertisements, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised. We welcome your ideas, articles and feedback.

SUBSCRIPTIONS To sign up for a copy of our monthly digital magazine, email Publisher@RochesterAwakenings.com. Natural Awakenings is printed on recycled newsprint with soybased ink.

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his special issue has been a labor of love, pun intended! Huge thanks go to Carolyn Coogan, friend, sounding board and publisher of Natural Awakenings of the Capital District, for her practical guidance in sharing insight and information on this topic so dear to my heart. My passion for natural birth began almost 14 years ago when my daughter, Bryn, was born by an emergency C-section and was not expected to live due to complications. She was in Strong Memorial’s Neonatal Intensive Care unit for 19 days and had to be resuscitated twice, but I knew in my heart that she would live. I still recall the sight of the neonatologist running down the hospital hall just after Bryn’s last Reiki session announcing there was no apparent sign of brain damage. She’s my miracle baby and continues to be the greatest teacher I’ve ever known. My instinct to move forward with holistic care for her then and now has in large part shaped who I am today. When I became pregnant with my son Nathan in 2008, the first thing I did was seek out natural birth classes and found Amy Haas (see her articles and listing in the pre/post-natal section). That class of women became my support group and sisters for life. The five of us have been there for each other’s subsequent pregnancies and deliveries. One member of our birth posse, Gali Riddle, graces this month’s cover; I am lovingly grateful to her, Leandra Sweet, Bethany Crocker and Michelle Nacca. I also found an empowering midwife group that supported my wish for having a VBAC (Vaginal Birth after Cesarean) and delivered Nathan at Rochester General. On the 2009 winter solstice, in front of my Christmas tree and surrounded by my birth posse, family and doula Karen Miceli (see her listing, as Kelly and Matt Klein well), my son Tyler and I experienced a beautiful with Newborn Son home birth. The loving care and peaceful guidance of my midwife, Meg Grindrod of Welcome Home Midwifery, was indispensable. I had come full circle. It was the proudest moment of my life. I’ve learned that birth isn’t something to be feared. It’s to be celebrated, embraced and honored as the most natural phenomenon in the world. Our bodies know how if we trust them, nurture them and surround ourselves with support that exemplifies our wishes and beliefs. It matters how we are born and how we birth our babies. Women have an amazing inner wisdom and this is the time to lean on that and trust it completely. Enjoy this very special issue. I know you’ll look forward to connecting with the wonderful people and businesses that made it possible. To a healthy life!

Kelly Klein, Publisher RochesterAwakenings.com

newsbriefs Mother-Daughter Yoga Retreat at Bristol Harbour Resort

Seventh Annual River Ramble at Rochester School for the Deaf

inger Lakes Yogascapes (FLY) will host a Mother Daughter Mini Retreat at Bristol Harbour Resort, in Canandaigua, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., May 2. This event includes partner yoga followed by an engaging question-and-answer session and lunch with an expansive lake view. Afternoon activities pair mothers and daughters outside in an Amazing Race-style adventure and end inside creating a handmade memento from the heart. Jennifer Hess and Leslee Schenk Trzcinski, both experienced, registered yoga instructors, launched FLY in 2014, offering seasonal yoga and wellness adventures for women in the Finger Lakes region. The popular yoga-themed retreats range from a single event to multi-day FLYscapes integrating other activities such as cycling, hiking, kayaking or snowshoeing plus culinary indulgences, motivational speakers, spa treatments, meditation and journaling. “The idea behind this mother-daughter retreat is to step out of regular communication patterns and connect more deeply but in a very fun and playful way,” explains Hess. Both novice and advanced yogis, young or mature, are all welcome. Cost: $199 per duo. Location: Bristol Harbour Resort, 5410 Seneca Point Rd., Canandaigua. For more information or to register, visit FingerLakesYogascapes.com.

Well Works Hosts Grand Opening Event

esley James, M.D., and affiliates will celebrate the grand opening of Well Works—a newly designed facility dedicated to integrative and functional health education for clients and the community—from 7:15 to 9:15 p.m., May 7, at 2851 Clover Street, in Pittsford. The free event will include a healthy reception, class previews and the chance to meet instructors. “Wellness education has always been at the core of my practice. I believe the best healers lie within each of us,” says James. “There are many aspects to health and wellness, from nutrition to stress reduction to removing clutter in our homes. There will be classes on particular health topics, workshops—something for everyone.” Instead of wading through information on the Internet, Well Works aims to provide the community with reliable information from well-educated professionals. Instructors will specialize in nutrition, mind/body techniques, natural home and self-care. For more information, call 585-641-7102, email Lesley@LesleyJamesMD.com or visit WellWorks.LesleyJamesMD.com.

News to share? Submit information to Publisher@RochesterAwakenings.com Submittal deadline is the 5th of the month.

ochester School for the Deaf (RSD) is hosting the seventh Annual RSD River Ramble from 9 to 11 a.m., June 6. Participants can walk two miles or race in a 5K in support of services to children that are deaf and hard of hearing. The race/walk begins and ends on the RSD campus and rambles along the scenic Genesee Riverway Trail. The family-friendly event includes prizes, live music, refreshments and games for children. Proceeds enable RSD to provide program enhancements throughout the year for toddlers and children through age 21. “We are grateful to our many friends who set aside this first Saturday morning of every June to support our kids,” says Bill Keenan, coordinator of the event. “The feel-good endorphins come not only from running but also from knowing that your registration fee helps change lives.” A private school, RSD relies on support from the community to round out students’ educational experiences. RSD provides a language-rich environment for these children, with total access to communication in both English and American Sign Language. The RSD River Ramble is one of two annual school fundraising events that provide much-needed revenue to facilitate learning experiences both on and off campus. Cost: $20/adults, $10/under 18, $40/ families participating in the Family Fun Walk. Prices increase after May 23. Location: 1545 St. Paul St., Rochester. For more information and to register, call 585-336-5884 or visit RSDeaf.org.

natural awakenings

May 2015

newsbriefs Furnished Wellness Space Available for Hourly Rentals

utritional counselors, family counselors, therapists, wellness providers, Reiki practitioners and other professionals in need of a welcoming and functional space for one-on-one client appointments can rent from Wellness Room Rentals (WRR), in Canandaigua, with no long-term obligation. The wellness room/ office is located in downtown Canandaigua and is available seven days a week, in blocks of one and a half, four or nine hours. WRR’s furnished room comes equipped with two chairs, two small tables, speakers for ambient music, a massage table and a changing area with a privacy screen. The rental space also offers free parking. Especially convenient for new practitioners, the arrangement eliminates startup costs, such as rent deposits, utilities, furnishings, decorating and contractors. “We understand that projecting a professional image to your clients is very important, so we took special care in furnishing the room,” says Robert O’Brien, owner of WRR. “The rental space is stylish, comfortable, private, affordable and convenient. Just bring your personal supplies and you are ready to meet your clients.” Online booking allows professionals to quickly check room availability and eliminates scheduling conflicts. WRR encourages multi-day bookings so professionals can maintain set business hours. Discounted multi-day rentals are available. Location: 181 S. Main St., Ste. 9, Canandaigua. For more information, call 585-6878394, email Info@WellnessRoomRentals.com or visit WellnessRoomRentals.com.

On Hand Lotions Celebrates One Year

n April, On Hand Lotions, a natural skin-care company in the Rochester area, celebrated its first birthday with a social media party to thank friends and fans. On Hand’s products are made with certified organic, food-safe ingredients, with close attention to safety and appropriate essential oil blending and dilution ratios. “My goal is to provide my customer with convenient, functional, safe skincare products to keep your skin happy so you can focus on your adventures,” says owner Hayna Weems. “All items are handcrafted by me in small batches using organic, natural, food-safe ingredients. My family and I are honored and humbled every day by the loyalty and creativity of our customers.” On Hand Lotions offers a variety of body-care products, as well as custom favors for weddings, showers and other events. Products are available online and at Luvaboos, Gallery Salon and Rockcastle Florist, in Rochester. For more information, email Hello@OnHandLotions.com or visit OnHandLotions.com. 6

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The Science behind Amethyst as a Healing Alternative

ealthy Alternatives Wellness Center, which provides therapeutic massage, integrated energy therapy, sound healing and other modalities, offers infrared amethyst BioMat therapy. Amethyst, a quartz mineral, is often used to make jewelry; however, it is also used to address many common ailments, including hearing problems, headaches, sleeplessness, mental stress or disorder and alcohol addiction. Amethyst generates far infrared radiation and emits negative ions. Far infrared radiation is believed to improve sleep, blood circulation, circulation of bodily fluids, mood and outlook, wound healing and the ability to ward off bacteria. Negative ions are said to aid in the removal of toxic particles from the body and improve respiration. The Homeopathy School of Colorado studied five groups of students over a five-year period and concluded that amethyst had a positive healing effect on head pains, nerve involvement of the extremities and female symptoms. Health researcher Geoffrey Keyte notes that amethyst delivers a number of energetic healing benefits, including improved creativity, relaxation, peace and stability. The healing power of amethyst, tourmaline and far infrared rays can be found in the BioMat. The BioMat delivers the highest vibrational resonance deeply into all body tissues. The combination of far infrared light, negative ions and amethyst quartz opens the channels for intelligent cellular communication leading to DNA repair and total body wellness. Location: 458 Stone Rd., Rochester. For more information, call 585-787-6954 or visit HealthyAlternativesRochester.com and Healing4U.TheBioMatCompany.com.

LA Shear Designs Welcomes Licensed Esthetician

ochester salon, spa and wellness center, LA Shear Designs, has recently added Juli Rose, a licensed esthetician, to its team. The organic salon offers all-natural, plant-based Pevonia skin-care treatments and home-care options. “Juli brings experience and passion to the salon and spa,” says Linda Allen, the salon’s owner. “I am so excited to have her on my team and know our clients will enjoy her special touch.” Clients will be able to receive targeted treatments, special to their skin-care needs. From anti-aging treatments to immediate radiance, the salon provides services for men and women Juli Rose of all ages. LA Shear Designs also offers health and fitness components, including massage, Reiki, wellness consultations, health coaching, personal training and educational events. Location: 1726 Long Pond Rd., Ste. 1, Rochester. For more information, call 585426-5944 or visit LAShearDesigns.com.

Fundraiser for Children Awaiting Parents

hildren Awaiting Parents (CAP), a nonprofit organization that recruits adoptive families for children in foster care, is hosting a Kentucky Derby-themed fundraiser from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., May 1, at Ballroom 384, in Rochester. The event will feature derby-inspired races, live jazz music, mint juleps and locally donated prizes. The charity gala encourages attendees to wear their best hats, bowties and southern wear. All proceeds will go toward finding permanent families for children waiting to be adopted in foster care. Themed charitable auctions, live music, hors d’oeuvres and desserts will be available to all event attendees. There will be a cash bar and free valet parking. For more than 40 years, CAP has been dedicated to finding loving, adoptive homes for children considered special needs—due to age, disabilities or being a part of a sibling group that does not want to be separated for adoption. Cost: $50/person, $90 for two people. Location: Ballroom 384, 384 East Ave., Rochester. For more information, call 585-232-5110, email Melanie@CAPBook.org or visit ChildrenAwaitingParents.org.

coverphoto

he cover was beautifully photographed by Vesna Sanders, of Vesna Sanders Photography. Sanders offers photography services for a variety of occasions and events, including engagements, weddings, births and family portraits. Sanders can be contacted for a photo session at 585-732-7012 or at VesnaSanders.com. Featured on the cover is the beautiful Gali Riddle, 36 weeks pregnant with her third baby. She is a licensed acupuncturist and owner, along with her husband, Nathan, of Riddle Chiropractic, located in Rochester. The Riddles live in Pittsford with their two daughters.

LIFE IS A BALANCING ACT

Counteract Slow Sales Advertise in Natural Awakenings’

Balanced Man June Issue To advertise or participate in our next issue, call

585-298-9294 natural awakenings

May 2015

healthbriefs ITALIAN COURT LINKS BOY’S AUTISM TO A VACCINE

ast September, a Milan Court held in favor of plaintiffs that claimed that three doses of the hexavalent GlaxoSmithKline vaccine Infanrix Hexa that were administered to an infant beginning in 2006 caused autism later when he was a young boy. The vaccine is used for polio, diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B, whooping cough and haemophilus influenzae type B. After hearing from several medical experts, the court ruled that the child likely suffered autism and brain damage as a result of the vaccine’s content of mercury and aluminum, combined with a genetic mutation in the child rendering greater susceptibility. The ruling ordered damages to be paid by the Italian government’s national vaccine injury compensation program. The court’s decision was also based upon GlaxoSmithKline’s list of possible adverse events resulting from the vaccine, which included five cases of autism during clinical trials. Today in the U.S., most vaccines routinely given to children under 6 years of age are free of thimerosal, a mercuryderived preservative.

Weight Gain in Moms Lowers Toxins in Newborns

any expectant mothers try to know about everything they put into and onto their bodies as multiple studies are finding that infants are exposed to toxins during pregnancy. A new study of 325 expectant mothers has determined that the baby’s exposure to toxins in the womb decreases when the mother’s weight gain during pregnancy approaches the guidelines recommended by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in 2009. Women that are underweight at the start of pregnancy are advised to gain between 28 and 40 pounds, women of a healthy weight 25 to 35 pounds, overweight women 15 to 25 pounds and obese women 11 to 20 pounds. The researchers found that expectant mothers with a gestational weight that meets or exceeds the IOM guidelines gave birth to infants with reduced toxin levels. In their analysis of the umbilical cord blood of mothers from Spain, the researchers tested for 14 pesticides and 21 other environmental toxins, including seven polychlorobiphenyls (PCB). Other influencers such as age, education and fish consumption may also be relevant.

Meditation Improves Brain Health

arvard Medical School researchers working at the Massachusetts General Hospital have determined that meditation can improve brain health. The researchers studied 16 volunteers that took part in an eight-week mindfulness meditation study at the University of Massachusetts Center for Mindfulness. The participants conducted mindfulness meditation exercises for an average of 27 minutes a day. Before and after the trial, the subjects were given tests and magnetic resonance imaging of their brains. The researchers found that the practice of mindfulness meditation resulted in increased gray matter density in the hippocampus of the brain, an area associated with increased memory and learning capacity, plus a greater sense of compassion and introspection. 8

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natural awakenings

May 2015

globalbriefs

ecotip

Tool Pool

Raised Right

Farmers Share Farm Machinery Instead of buying or renting expensive specialized machinery, farmers in Maine can now join a “lending library” of farm tools on short-term loan by using the Shared-Use Farm Equipment Pool, a partnership between the Maine Farmland Trust (MFT) and the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. There are already equipment co-ops and joint machinery ownerships around the country; now the sharing economy being established in urban areas seems to be catching on in rural America, too. For a $100 annual fee, members can gain access to a seedbed cultivator, two-shank sub-soiler, plastic mulch layer, tine weeder, and strip and ridge tillers. The 1,200-pound mulch layer, for instance, retails for more than $2,000. Each piece is undeniably useful, but pricey, especially given the cost per use. Farmers have a three-day window to use the tools. The pool came about when Mike Gold, an MFT staff member, saw the need to lower costs for both new and seasoned farmers. Currently, most of the tool pool members are newer vegetable farmers, but Gold says there’s appeal for established land stewards, too: “They see the opportunity to use that one piece of equipment that they may only need once a year or once every few years.” Source: ModernFarmer.com

Eco-Eating

Town Eateries Embrace Sustainability The city of Maplewood, Missouri, outside St. Louis, has teamed up with the Green Dining Alliance to become the area’s first Green Dining District, with at least 25 percent of all of its independently owned businesses certified by the Green Dining Alliance (GDA). The GDA helps businesses with sustainability and green business practices while also helping them save money. So far, eight restaurants in downtown Maplewood are GDA-certified. Green Dining Alliance’s Olivia Engel says, “It’s a winwin that makes sense for businesses and communities.” The city is also encouraging the program by subsidizing Green Dining Alliance membership fees. View updates at GreenDiningAlliance.org. 10

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Organic Flowers Honor Mom and Mother Earth The Mother’s Day tradition of gifting mom with flowers, including such perennial favorites as lilies, orchids, tulips and roses, can be practiced in a sustainable manner. Buying organic varieties protects workers, families and the environment. Flowers grown with conventional techniques contribute to the contamination of groundwater and streams through fertilizer and pesticide runoff that can also threaten animal species. Many of the cut flowers are grown in South America, where farms continue to use pesticides that are restricted in the U.S. and cited as highly toxic by the World Health Organization. GreenAmerica.org provides several helpful tips on bringing joy to mom on her special day in eco-friendly ways: Grow Your Own. Buy organic bulbs or seeds in consumer seed catalogs and retail racks or online from reputable sources that include SeedsOfChange.com. Children can then grow their own flowers to make them mean even more. Tips for natural weed and pest control, environmentally friendly watering, making raised garden beds and more are posted at EarthEasy.com/yard-garden. Buy Local and Organic. Support local communities and save shipping costs and energy by purchasing chemical-free organic flowers from a local farmers’ market or community supported agriculture. Online retailers like OrganicBouquet. com and LocalHarvest.org/organic-flowers.jsp offer U.S. Department of Agriculture-certified organic flowers. Ask Local Florists to Go Organic. Find out if local florists purchase any organic and local flowers, and if not, request that they do so. Also, eschew plastic wraps and vases for eco-friendly flowers to avoid toxic ingredients and the carbon manufacturing footprint. Fun options to hold and showcase the gift include old, recycled Mason and glass jars and bottles or an artistic vase from an estate sale or antique or thrift shop.

F ind a place inside where there’s joy, and the joy will burn out the pain. ~Joseph Campbell

natural awakenings

May 2015

businessspotlight

A Natural Approach to Breast Screening & Health by Sandra Yeyati

obyn Vanof thermography. Zeilen, a “It’s completely certified clininoninvasive. There’s cal thermographer no radiation and no and co-owner of compression. It’s Dynamic Thermal been FDA-approved Imaging (DTI), since 1982 and has never had a there are thousands mammogram. She of peer-reviewed believes in the efreports to support ficacy of thermogit,” she says. raphy to monitor Although the breast health and technology is used knows firsthand all over the world, how it liberates including Europe, Robyn VanZeilen women from mamIsrael and Canada, mography’s radiation while empowering many women in Rochester were not them to proactively and naturally protect aware of its availability at the time, and their breasts and improve their health. VanZeilen felt a calling to bring it here. VanZeilen first learned about digital In 2009, she took the classes to become thermography from her mother, who lives a certified clinical thermographer and in Canada and relies on this imaging opened the first DTI office with her technology for annual check-ups. After husband, Kris, a chiropractor. DTI has doing some research seven years ago, since expanded to several locations in VanZeilen discovered the many benefits New York and Pennsylvania, including

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three in Rochester. A thermograph is a picture of a woman’s breast taken with a large infrared camera that depicts the heat emitted from the body. Trained medical doctors analyze these pictures to identify areas of concern. Certain patterns of heat or cold can suggest specific pathologies. “We should be thermally symmetrical,” VanZeilen explains. “The infrared camera can measure the subtle temperatures from side to side, and the asymmetries are used as biomarkers to alert the doctors that something might be going on.” While mammograms, ultrasounds and MRIs test the structure of the breast and can identify a mass there, thermography tests function and physiology, says VanZeilen, adding that because physiology always precedes anatomy, the doctors can see subtle changes going on in the breast eight to 10 years before a tumor might appear. This early warning creates an opportunity for women to make lifestyle changes to avert a worrisome outcome in the future. VanZeilen meets with patients to review the results and suggest preventative and proactive healthcare choices. She draws from a long list of holistic practitioners in the area, as well as websites and books that patients are welcome to review. “When something is found that early, the probability of reversing it is quite high, so we get into things like talking about diet, exercise, avoiding underwire bras, supplements, essential oils, acupuncture and chiropractic care. It depends on the person and what route they want to take, but we’re there to share our resources and encourage them along the way,” says VanZeilen. Cancer is not the only concern. Sometimes doctors find lymph congestion, which can be relieved with a simple lymphatic massage. Other common diagnoses are fibrocystic breast and inflammatory breast disease. “Thermography is very good at detecting chronic inflammation, which we know leads to disease,” VanZeilen says, noting that lifestyle changes can often reduce inflammation. After women address their issues and take measures to become healthier, they can get retested and see whether or not the measures are working. “We’re so afraid of cancer, but some things that are brought up by

this might just require simple solutions that will make you more comfortable and improve quality of life,” she says. According to VanZeilen, a wide range of women are using thermography, including young women in their 20s with a family history of breast cancer, women with dense breast tissue where mammograms may be less accurate, people with breast cancer that want to monitor their treatment over the progression of the disease, women with implants and women of all ages that want to avoid the radiation or compression and use it as their main screening method. “Studies show that if you use thermography in conjunction with mammography, it increases the individual rates of detection from 83 percent to 95 percent,” VanZeilen says. “Ideally, you’re getting regular thermograms, and then if something suspicious comes up, you can get an ultrasound. If it still is suspicious, at that point you get a mammogram. No one test is 100 percent accurate for detection, but regular breast screening with thermography can be used as a biomarker for whatever follow-up you choose.” VanZeilen is passionate about thermography, as well as women’s health care in general. She is eager to spread the word and educate women about these topics and regularly holds talks and seminars. She credits her parents for exposing her early on to a natural, healthy lifestyle. “My dad was a physical education teacher, so studying the body, exercising and eating well was part of my upbringing and probably pushed me in this direction,” she says. Now that she has three young girls of her own, aged 10, 7 and 5, VanZeilen is eager to pass on her knowledge about lifestyle choices and natural living to her children, the oldest of which says she wants to be a chiropractor, while the youngest says she’ll do thermography when she grows up. “It all comes down to quality of life,” VanZeilen says. “If we’re not taking care of our bodies now, our quality of life might be not what we want later on.” For more information, call 585-7346083, email info@NYDTI.com or visit NYDTI.com. See ad, page 38. Sandra Yeyati is a frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings Rochester.

inspiration

MOVING BEYOND SURVIVAL Our True Identity Surpasses Any Disease by Eric Nelson

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et down off your cross.” Harsh words, especially coming from a longtime hospital chaplain when the woman she was addressing had just learned she was cancer-free. Regardless, “Within two minutes, she started retelling the story of her diagnosis, surgery and chemo,” recounted Debra Jarvis, affectionately known as “The Irreverent Reverend”, during a TEDMED talk in Washington, D.C. “She was using words like suffering, agony, struggle... and ended with, ‘I felt crucified.’” It was then that Jarvis asked this woman to do what would likely require more of her than anything she’d done before. Over the years, Jarvis has observed the tendency for us to identify ourselves by our wounds as “survivors” of something that does not and should not define us. “What if people decided to claim their trauma as an experience, instead of taking it on as an identity?” she queries. “Maybe it would be the start of defining ourselves by who we have become and who we are becoming.” As Jarvis well knows, there are, in her words, “powerful forces” pushing us to do just the opposite. In 2005, she found herself in the same position as her friend, having recovered from cancer and trying to sort out what it all meant. “We don’t all have to start a foundation or write a book,” to

claim meaning for ourselves, she says. “Maybe we make one small decision that can bring about a big change.” For some, this has meant exchanging a disease-prone view of themselves for a more inspired outlook. Too often, though, mustering the humility to adopt such a perspective can seem just as difficult as climbing down from whatever tortuous experience we’re clinging to. Yet, it’s essential. As those familiar with the Bible know, a central event of Jesus’ life, his crucifixion, was followed by his even more compelling resurrection, a term that thought leader Mary Baker Eddy describes as “spiritualization of thought; a new and higher idea of immortality, or spiritual existence; material belief yielding to spiritual understanding.” The good news is that such transformation is not exclusive, but available to anyone. Whether it’s at the urging of a chaplain or another counselor or our own divine inspiration that’s encouraging us to move on, we owe it to ourselves to begin discovering who and what we really are. Eric Nelson is a Christian Science healing practitioner from Petaluma, CA, who writes on the link between spiritual consciousness and health. Find more articles at norcalcs.org. natural awakenings

May 2015

Keep it fun, so that your kids will try new things like vegetables. Remember, it takes 12 times before a baby actually prefers a new food, so don’t give up!

healthykids

~Veronika Van de Geer Buckley, Maine mother

KIDS ¤ VEGGIES How to Instill Healthy Lifelong Habits by Clancy Cash Harrison

Starting at conception, the early years of a child’s life are a perfect window of opportunity to establish a foundation of healthy eating.

ant a child to love veggies? Here are simple tips parents can practice in the first three years to establish lifelong good eating habits. Start early. We all know that eating healthy during pregnancy will help a baby grow, but many may not realize that an infant can taste flavors in utero and through breast milk. Eating a variety of fresh produce during pregnancy and breastfeeding helps shape a healthy diet later in life. Treat weaning as a time for the infant to explore the texture, taste and aroma of an array of foods. After six months of exclusive breastfeeding, food can be introduced, although breast milk is still the primary source of nutrients. Small, repeated exposures to many foods during this stage will help minimize refusals to try or accept foods in the toddler years. Children’s foods should be exploding with nutrients. Offering a variety 14

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of organic produce ensures optimal nutrition and decreases chemical exposure. Research reported by the Harvard Medical School and the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, among others, shows that richly colored foods help build dense bones, powerful brains and tough immunity. Good candidates include butternut squash, sweet potatoes, leafy greens, carrots, broccoli, berries and citrus. Also go for those naturally high in iron, such as peas, leafy greens, apricots, raisins and legumes. Avoid anything high in sugar and other sweeteners, hydrogenated oils, artificial colorings and other harmful additives. Another important yet often overlooked foundation of healthy eating is encouraging a child to self-regulate his or her calorie intake. Self-regulation starts on the first day of breastfeeding and is carried through adulthood. Respecting a child’s decision to end a

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meal allows them to control their own food intake. Common signals infants use to end a meal include turning their head away, arching back, throwing food on the floor and showing an interest in other activities. To encourage self-regulation, always serve meals and healthy snacks on a schedule and allow the child to feed himself when possible. As early as 7 months of age, most healthy infants are developmentally ready to do this, which should optimize nutrient consumption, increase participation in family meals and contribute to a less stressful mealtime. Appropriate foods for self-feeding should easily melt in an infant’s mouth and be a safe size, such as soft fruits and cooked vegetables. To prevent choking, avoid round, hard and sticky foods such as whole grapes, peanuts, popcorn and nut or seed butters. Don’t be afraid to add mild herbs and spices to a child’s food. An easy way to teach healthy flavor preferences, develop taste buds and reduce pickiness when they’re older is to expose children to many foods, textures and aromas. A dash of cumin in smashed avocado or freshly chopped mint mixed with diced strawberries introduces new perspective on a favorite food. Food refusal is inevitable, normal behavior. Children will love a food one day and hate it the next. Rethinking the definition of variety empowers parents to reintroduce a not-so-favorite food many times. If children don’t like the way an item feels or looks, they may not taste it. The refusal of a carrot doesn’t necessarily doom carrots. They can be coined, minced, mashed, puréed and diced to change the texture, plus they can be served cold, at room temperature or tepid.

A child’s early adventurous eating increases the willingness to experiment with a wider range of less familiar foods as a young adult in a multicultural foodscape. Kids are not born reciting an alphabet; it takes time and practice to read and learn a new language. Similarly, it requires time and patient practice to establish a healthy foundation for eating. Have faith in the family’s ability to make eating together enjoyable for everyone. Clancy Cash Harrison is a mother of two, pediatric feeding therapist, registered dietitian and author of Feeding Baby: Simple Approaches to Raising a Healthy Baby and Creating a Lifetime of Nutritious Eating. Connect at FieldsOfFlavor.com.

Kid Feeding Tips by Clancy Cash Harrison n Holding off on fruits as a first food to prevent development of a sweet tooth is a myth. A sweet taste preference is engrained in an infant’s DNA (Annual Review of Nutrition; Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care). n Restricting foods high in sugar and fat increases a child’s preference for them. Then, when sweets are made available, the child feels compelled to overeat them (Appetite; The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition; Proceedings of the Nutrition Society). n Most children will refuse a new food and by age 2, become afraid of anything new. Therefore, introduce a large variety of foods early in life (Appetite; International Journal of Obesity). n Infants and children can regulate calorie needs based on current growth patterns and age. Some days an infant will eat large amounts of food, on others very little. n Pressuring a child to eat is a behavior associated with unhealthy eating habits. Not only does it set them up for long-term food aversions, it teaches them to distrust their internal feelings of hunger and fullness, often leading to a habit of overeating. natural awakenings

May 2015

Easy Kid-Pleasing Recipes T

hese recipes are designed to build dense bones, powerful brains and tough immunity by strategically pairing foods to increase the absorption of vital nutrients. Even toddlers love to use the creamy recipes as dips for their favorite vegetable sticks. To encourage self-feeding with a thinner-texture recipe, place food on a spoon and let the infant lean into it or pull the spoon to their mouth.

Cinnamon Smashed Sweet Potatoes

2 Tbsp smashed organic sweet potato Dash organic cinnamon Bake sweet potato until its center is soft. Remove flesh from peel. Smashing with a fork, mix in cinnamon. Add breast milk to thin as needed.

Strawberry and Almond Purée

8 raw, soaked almonds 4 large organic strawberries, diced 1 tsp fresh chopped organic herbs (basil, cilantro or mint)

Sweet and Chunky Avocado

½ ripe organic avocado, mashed with a fork ½ ripe organic banana Pinch of organic cinnamon (optional) Mix ingredients well until smooth and creamy. Add breast milk to thin as needed. For more texture, dice the banana and gently mix into mashed avocado.

Pulse almonds in a blender until finely chopped. Add strawberries and herb of choice. Mix until well blended.

Basil and Banana

1 tsp finely chopped fresh organic basil ½ diced organic banana

Banana and Coconut Ice Cream

In a blender, mix all ingredients until smooth. Add breast milk to thin as needed.

4 frozen organic bananas (without peels) ½ cup unsweetened organic coconut milk 1 tsp organic vanilla extract

In a blender, mix all ingredients until smooth. Top with fresh organic berries.

Recipes and photos courtesy of Clancy Cash Harrison from Feeding Baby: Simple Approaches to Raising a Healthy Baby and Creating a Lifetime of Nutritious Eating.

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greenliving green living

ters works well; cast iron brackets add flair. Matching or complementary paint colors will make the pieces look like they belong together. Broken pieces of furniture can live on if cobbled together. A coffee table’s sturdy legs and frame, an old window and a little paint combine to furnish a unique table with built-in storage. To protect fragile glass and create an even surface, top with a sheet of Plexiglass or sturdy beveled-edge glass. Look beyond what is there and imagine what it could be. Ideas are everywhere, especially with spring cleanouts, garage sales and flea markets. Expect upcycling to become an obsession, because everything will become a possibility.

Upcycled Décor Old and Oh-So-Stylish by Avery Mack

Search the words recycled, repurposed and upcycled on Pinterest, Etsy or any search engine to picture results ranked from simple-to-do to how-in-the-world astonishment. Light fixtures can be made from almost anything. Cookie jars and books turn into lamps, wine bottles become a chandelier—go homespun or industrial, follow a theme or incorporate a hobby. Freshen lamp shades using old sewing patterns, vintage fabrics or ribbon applied as découpage. A coat of paint transforms tacky, tarnished brass chandeliers into elegant décor. At a flea market, look for boxes of stainless forks, knives and spoons— avoid costly sterling silver that can tarnish. A drill, frame, wiring and bulb later, we can have an intriguing hanging light or lamp. Combining a chafing dish, silverware and assorted tea cups in a chandelier creates artful lighting.

Seating

Chairs are plentiful in garage and whole-house sales, flea markets and on Craigslist. Sometimes all that’s needed is

Storage

Old dressers and desks are frequent throwaway finds. Often big and bulky, scratched and ugly, it’s easier to set them out for pickup than list them for sale. Paint can transform a desk that shows its age into a welcome addition to a home office. For added interest or to hide imperfections, découpage with maps, postcards, kid’s artwork, pages from beyond-repair cookbooks or old sheet music. Need a shelf above the desk? A pair of old shut-

Connect with freelance writer Avery Mack at AveryMack@mindspring.com.

Finders Keepers by Avery Mack n Take cash to garage sales. Flea markets are more apt to take credit cards. Discounts may by possible with cash, which saves the seller the transaction fee.

photo courtesy of Jessica-Allyn.com

Lighting

a coat of paint and fun fabric. New cushions, bought or made, are easy upgrades. Recovering a padded seat only requires the right amount of fabric and a sturdy staple gun. Mismatched chairs, painted a neutral color and redone with the same fabric, turn a mishmash of styles into a coordinated set. Chevron (zig zag) or checkerboard patterns in black and white are popular—understated, yet posh. Bright colors in a pop art style or 70s florals brighten any room and give the owner style points. Benches created from a bookcase, shortened dresser or car parts can be padded or plain and incorporate storage capacity. A child’s bench may have been a skateboard in its former life. When buying reclaimed wood, ask about its origin; factory pieces might still retain unhealthy contaminants. photo courtesy of Lit for a Queen/Etsy

ld furniture used to go to college dorms and student apartments. At graduation, it was moved to the curb to be picked up by incoming students or the trash man. Now, with the influx of TV shows like Flea Market Flip and American Pickers, the DIY Network, HGTV and complementary books and magazines, vintage and mid-century recyclables barely touch the curb before being reinvented. Lighting, storage and seating provide ample opportunities for one-of-a-kind creations of imagination, vision and innovation.

n Negotiate. It’s expected and half the fun. But don’t offer an offensively low price. Ask, “What is the best you can do on this?” Then, making a slightly lower counteroffer is often acceptable. n Although the general theory of, “Buy it when you see it,” is sound advice, be prepared to walk away. n Set a budget and stick to it, especially at an auction. Smartphones can help research what price to offer. n Watch for posted signs around town; search “garage sale finder” or “flea market finder” (there’s an iTunes app for that). Locate auction and estate sales the same way, as well as in a local newspaper. Churches and organizations like the Veterans Administration, Elks Lodge, Lions Club and Scouts often organize sales as fundraisers. n Shop early for the best selection. Shop late for the lowest prices.

natural awakenings

May 2015

RETHINKING BREAST HEALTH Natural ways to keep breasts smooth, pain-free and firm, while reducing the risk of cancer. by Lisa Marshall

e’ve been conditioned to narrowly define breast health in terms of pink ribbon campaigns, cancer awareness marches and cold, steel mammography machines. Nearly 30 years after anticancer drug maker Imperial Chemical Industries (now AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals) established the first National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October 1985, many women have come to equate healthy breasts with cancer-free breasts, and assume the most important thing they can do is undergo regular screening. But amid this chorus, some women’s health advocates are striving to get a different message across: There are a host of steps women can take to not only fend off disease in the future, but keep their breasts in optimal condition today. “We need to change the conversation about our breasts from how to avoid breast cancer and detect it early to how to have healthy breasts and enjoy them,” says Dr. Christiane Northrup, an obstetrician and gynecologist from Yarmouth, Maine, and author of the new book Goddesses Never Age: The Secret Prescription for Radiance, Vitality, and Well-Being.

Healthy Breasts, Healthy Body

In adolescence, breast changes are the first to signal the arrival of womanhood. When she’s aroused, a woman’s nipples harden and change color. When a woman gives birth, her breasts fill with life-giving milk. “In all these ways, your breasts are deeply connected to your femininity, compassion and sensuality,” says Hawaiian Naturopathic Doctor 18

Rochester, NY

Laurie Steelsmith, co-author of Natural Choices for Women’s Health. Because breasts are extremely sensitive to hormonal fluctuations throughout the body, they can also serve as a barometer of overall health. “If you’re having chronic breast symptoms, it can be your body’s wisdom saying, ‘Help. Something’s wrong.’ Women need to listen.” While some premenstrual swelling and tenderness is normal, exaggerated or persistent pain is often a sign of systemic estrogen dominance in relation to progesterone. It’s common in the years leading up to menopause, but can also hint at impaired thyroid function, because low levels of thyroid hormones have been shown to boost estrogen in breast tissue, advises Steelsmith. Large, fluid-filled cysts or fibrous lumps, while non-cancerous, can also be a reflection of overexposure to harmful chemicals and toxin buildup, combined with poor lymph flow, notes Dr. Elizabeth Vaughan, an integrative physician in Greensboro, North Carolina. “If a woman has lumpy, bumpy breasts, they probably contain too many toxins, and those toxins are primarily estrogenic.” Addressing such symptoms is important not only to relieve discomfort, but also

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because excess estrogen can fuel future cancer risk, says Vaughan. Any new, suspicious lump should be evaluated by a professional. Also, severe breast tenderness combined with nipple discharge could be a sign of infection or a problem with the pituitary gland, so it should also be checked. But typically, subtle natural healthcare steps can go a long way toward restoring breast wellness. For nipple tenderness, Steelsmith recommends chaste-tree berry (175 milligrams [mg] of powdered extract or 40 drops daily). The herbal supplement mimics naturally occurring progesterone in the body, helping to counter estrogen dominance. Vitamin E (400 to 800 international units [IU] per day) and evening primrose oil (1,500 mg twice a day) have also been shown to alleviate breast tenderness. For fibrous or cyst-filled breasts, Vaughan advises supplementing with iodine (up to 12.5 mg per day via kelp, seaweed or oral tablets) or applying an iodine solution to the breasts at night. A key constituent of thyroid hormones, iodine helps the liver convert unfriendly forms of estrogen into friendlier forms and flush toxins out of lymph nodes in the breast. Also, steer clear of chocolate and coffee, because caffeine is

believed to interact with enzymes in the breast, exaggerating pain and lumpiness. Also consider ditching the bra, says Vaughan. Brassieres can constrict lymph nodes and hinder blood circulation in breasts, locking toxins in and aggravating fibrocystic symptoms. The link between bras and breast cancer risk remains hotly debated, with one 2014 U.S. National Cancer Institute study of 1,400 women concluding unequivocally that, “There’s no evidence that wearing a bra increases a woman’s risk of breast cancer,” while smaller studies from the United States, China, Venezuela, Scotland and Africa suggest a link. Vaughan, the founder of BraFree.org, says the science is compelling enough that she has chosen to keep her own bra use to a minimum and advises her patients to do the same. “Obviously, there are certain sports where you should wear a sports bra and there are certain dresses that only look right with a bra,” says Vaughan. At a minimum, avoid wearing a bra to bed and steer clear of underwires and overly tight bras that leave red marks. “This is not about guilt-tripping women into never wearing a bra. It’s about wearing a bra less.”

Beautiful Breasts Naturally Too small or too big, lopsided or riddled with stretch marks… it seems almost every woman has a complaint about the appearance of her breasts.

That’s a problem, says Northrup, because, “Healthy breasts are breasts that are loved. We have to stop beating them up.” According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the number of women getting breast implants for cosmetic reasons ballooned from 212,500 in 2000 to 286,254 in 2014. Physicians—including Northrup— claim that modern implants don’t, in the majority of cases, promote disease like older silicone implants did. Yet even plastic surgeons warn that having implants should be fully thought out, and at some point they’ll probably have to come out. “They are manmade devices, and are not intended to be lifelong. At some point, you will probably have to have further surgery,” says Dr. Anureet Bajaj, an Oklahoma City plastic surgeon. Bajaj notes that implants can rupture, forming scar tissue and lending irregular shape to the breast. Often, as a woman ages and her body changes, the larger breasts she chose in her 20s no longer look right and may cause back and shoulder pain. In some cases, implants can also lead to loss of nipple sensitivity. For these and other reasons, 23,774 women—including actress Melissa Gilbert and model Victoria Beckham—had their implants removed in 2014, often following up with a breast lift (using their own tissue) to restore their shape.

breathe

natural awakenings

May 2015

Vaughan sees breast implant removal as a wise and courageous choice to restore optimal breast health. Better yet, don’t get implants in the first place. “There are a lot of other things you can do to improve the appearance of your breasts,” she advises. Vaughan recommends breastperking exercises like dumbbell bench presses and flys that tone the pectoral muscles beneath the breasts, making them more resilient and look larger. To prevent or reverse sagging, she again urges women to go bra-free. “We have ligaments in the upper outer quadrant of our breasts called Cooper’s ligaments, and they’re responsible for holding our breasts up. Just like your muscles atrophy when you put your arm in a sling, your Cooper’s ligaments atrophy if you wear a bra all the time.” In one unpublished, yet highly publicized 2013 study, French Exercise Physiologist Jean-Denis Rouillon measured the busts of 330 women ages 18 to 35 over a period of 15 years and found those that regularly wore a bra had droopier breasts with lower nipples than those that didn’t. In another, smaller, Japanese study, researchers found that when women stopped wearing a bra for three months, their breasts perked up. Those worried about stretch marks also have options. They can be a sign of inadequate copper, which promotes collagen integrity and helps skin stretch without injury, says Steelsmith. If rapid weight gain is occurring due to adolescence, pregnancy or for other reasons, try taking copper supplements or applying a topical copper spray on the breasts. Remember to massage your breasts daily, not only as a “search and destroy mission” for early detection of cancerous lumps, says Northrup, but as a way to get waste products flowing out and loving energy flowing in. “It concerns me that women feel pressured to think of their breasts as two potentially pre-malignant lesions sitting on their chests,” Northrup says. “These are organs of nourishment and pleasure for both ourselves and others. We need to remember that, too.” Lisa Marshall is a freelance health writer in Boulder, CO. Connect at LisaAnnMarshall.com. 20

Rochester, NY

Bust Musts for Cancer Prevention by Lisa Marshall

ccording to the American Cancer Society, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and nearly 40,000 will die annually of the disease. But at least 38 percent of those diagnoses could be prevented via diet and lifestyle changes, affirms the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR). “For decades, the dominant public message about breast cancer has been about early detection,” says Medical Doctor Robert Pendergrast, an associate professor at the Medical College of Georgia, in Augusta, and author of Breast Cancer: Reduce Your Risk with Foods You Love. “Screening is important, but not nearly enough attention is being paid to prevention.” Here’s what we can do to keep cancer at bay or from recurring. Eat more veggies: Cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, are loaded with indole-3-carbinol, or I3C, a potent anticancer compound that helps break down excess estrogen and convert it into a more friendly, or benign form, says Steelsmith. One study in Alternative Medicine Review found that women that ate high amounts of cruciferous vegetables were 30 percent less likely to develop breast cancer over 30 years. I3C can also be taken as a supplement (300 milligrams [mg] per day). Eat more fiber, especially flax: Fiber, via whole grains, fruits and vegetables, helps flush out toxins including unfriendly estrogen. Flax contains cancer-fighting compounds called lignans, which block the effects of excess or unfriendly estrogen on cells. Drink less alcohol: Alcohol boosts estrogen levels in women and is broken down in the liver to acetaldehyde, a known toxin that causes cancer in laboratory animals, notes Naturopath

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Laurie Steelsmith. According to the AICR, a woman that has five drinks per week boosts her risk by 5 percent. Two or more drinks per day boosts such risk by more than 40 percent. Skip the barbecue: Charring meat produces carcinogenic compounds called heterocyclic amines. A study of 42,000 women, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, found that those that routinely ate welldone hamburger, beef or bacon had four times the risk of those that opted for medium or medium-rare. Keep weight in check: Excessive estrogen, which lives in fat cells, fuels cancer risk. According to the AICR, a woman with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 (obese) has a 13 percent higher risk of cancer than a woman with a BMI of 25 (slightly overweight). Spice up life: Curcumin from the turmeric plant has been shown in many studies to have potent immune-boosting and anticancer properties, reactivating sleeping tumor-suppressor genes that can kill cancer cells. De-stress: Growing evidence that includes studies from Ohio State University suggest that stress can boost the risk of breast cancer and recurrence, plus heighten its aggressiveness by altering hormones and impairing immunity. One study from Finland’s University of Helsinki followed 10,808 Finnish women for 15 years and found as much as double the rate of breast cancer among those that had experienced a divorce or death of a spouse or family member. Drink green tea: It’s loaded with epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a potent antioxidant believed to suppress new blood vessel growth in tumors and keep cancerous cells from invading healthy tissue.

healingways

Giving Birth Naturally Conscious Choices Lead to Less Intervention by Meredith Montgomery

1960 it rose to 97 percent. Currently, midwives attend less than 8 percent of births here, and fewer than 1 percent occur outside a hospital. Natural labor and delivery in a hospital is possible, but, “It’s hard to have an unmedicated birth in many hospitals if you don’t know your rights, understand your physiology and have a doula by your side helping you avoid unnecessary interventions,” says Ina May Gaskin, a pioneering midwife and author of Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth. Key factors to discuss include fetal monitoring, intravenous tubes and the option to eat or drink during labor.

Benefits of Home Births

abor and delivery tions where a vaginal Most births is a natural process birth would have posed should be viewed a relatively low risk to that can be enjoyed. “It’s not something the health of mother and as a natural life to be afraid of,” says child. Entirely natural process instead childbirth is now rare Mel Campbell, author of The Yoga of Pregnancy. here compared with of a potential “It’s a wonderful and other countries, but that beautiful experience. We medical emergency. wasn’t always the case. need to remember that In 1900, 95 percent of ~Abby Epstein, The all U.S. births took place the body is designed for Business of Being Born in the home; when more giving birth.” Natural childbirth moved to hospitals here uses few or no artificial medical interin the early 20th century, midwives still ventions such as drugs, continuous typically handled the delivery in other fetal monitoring, forceps delivery or countries, sometimes without a doctor episiotomies (cuts to enlarge the vaginal present. In America, obstetrics became opening). According to the U.S. Centers a profession and a doctor-attended birth for Disease Control (CDC), 32.7 percent in a hospital was promoted as a safer of deliveries were by Cesarean section alternative. By 1938, half of domestic in 2013—most performed in situabirths took place in hospitals, and by

Women choose home births and homey birthing centers because they labor there more comfortably, feel more in control of the process and can more easily avoid interventions. Many moms seek out a midwife’s services because they don’t want to repeat the conventional hospital experience that accompanied their first baby’s arrival. When actress Ricki Lake gave birth to her second child in her home bathtub with the assistance of a midwife, she felt empowered by doing it on her own terms. “Giving birth wasn’t an illness, something that needed to be numbed. It was something to be experienced,” she says. When women let their bodies naturally lead, labor can last as little as 20 minutes or as long as two weeks, and the spectrum of pain intensity is equally broad. A healthy prenatal lifestyle that prepares a mom-to-be for a natural physical, emotional and spiritual experience of childbirth is highly beneficial.

natural awakenings

May 2015

Compassionate Self-Care

By 2006 Cesarean delivery was the number one surgical procedure in American hospitals.

the surge of energy to build stamina and strength, while open“Pregnancy’s not the ing the heart, hips time to overexert and pelvis. yourself; let go of the Completemptation to overmentary relaxation achieve and instead ~U.S. Centers for techniques for labor practice breathing Disease Control include breathing and mindfulness,” practices, visualizaadvises Campbell. “If tion, meditation and massage. When you’re experiencing morning sickness, a mother isn’t connected to monitors try to embrace it and how it serves you. and tubes, she’s free to experiment with By doing so, you’ll be more in tune positions and props such as balls, bars with your body. These lessons are gifts and pillows, plus a warm shower or you can take with you into labor.” bath. If a hospital birth is planned, GasShe reminds women that the baby is kin notes that labor often slows once always getting nourishment from all that a woman leaves the comfort of home, mom eats and breathes in, and also feeds and recommends laboring at home as off of her feelings and emotions. “The long as possible. more we can feel at peace with ourselves There is no way to predict the and incorporate the baby into our becourse of labor and delivery when ing, the more we feel a connection and women let nature take the lead. Campunion,” she says. “It’s vital that you let bell, a mother of three, says, “I tried to your body’s innate wisdom be your guide focus on the intention of what I wanted and respect any cues it may give.” for my birthing experience, while also Campbell guides expectant surrendering expectations, knowing that mothers through a yoga practice that I would have whatever type of birth I embraces the changes occurring each was supposed to have.” She adds, “The trimester. For example, a more physical breath is the most important thing—it practice in the second trimester utilizes

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Conscious Childbirth Resources The Yoga of Pregnancy Week by Week: Connect With Your Unborn Child through Mind, Body and Breath by Mel Campbell Natural Hospital Birth: The Best of Both Worlds by Cynthia Gabriel Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin Spiritual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin Your Best Birth by Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein The Business of Being Born a film by Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein Mothering Magazine’s Having a Baby, Naturally by Peggy O’Mara

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There is a great deal of fear and ignorance about allowing labor and birth to proceed without disturbance. Rates of routine intervention are so high, most nurses and physicians rarely see a fully natural birth. ~Ina May Gaskin keeps us in the moment, helps us to relax and supports us through labor.” While the home birth option is important to America’s new generation of trailblazing women, it’s also significant on a macro level. Gaskin explains, “It’s hard for staff to change routine practices in hospitals but home births make innovation possible.” Home births demonstrated that women don’t require routine episiotomies and have shown how maternal mobility and position changes can help labor progress and free badly stuck babies (earlier methods often injured mother and child). Gaskin has found, “Wherever and however you decide to give birth, your experience will impact your emotions, mind, body and spirit for the rest of your life. No one should have a home birth who doesn’t want one, but it must be one of the choices.” Meredith Montgomery publishes Natural Awakenings of Mobile/Baldwin, AL (HealthyLivingHealthyPlanet.com).

please recycle

A Mother’s Guide to Natural Childbirth by Meredith Montgomery

etermining the best birth setting for a mother necessitates sound planning. If an unmedicated birth is a goal, these insights may help in making decisions. Home birth takes place in the comfort of home, typically with the assistance of a midwife, and is suitable for a healthy woman with a low-risk pregnancy. She is able to wear her own clothing and eat as she pleases. Because monitoring of mother and baby is done intermittently, she is free to move around. Confirm the midwife’s training and experience; ask how many home births she’s attended and which obstetricians she consults. Discuss the signs and symptoms that might necessitate a move to the hospital and how quickly it can be done. While a midwife’s fee is often far less than the cost of a hospital birth, not all insurance companies cover home births. A birth center provides personalized, family-centered care in a homelike environment for healthy women. Practitioners follow principles of problem prevention, sensitivity, safety, appropriate medical intervention and cost-effectiveness. A midwife typically delivers the baby, but the collaborative practice team also includes obstetricians, pediatricians and other specialists.

Mothers experience personal freedoms similar to a home birth, and tubs for water births are usually available, plus other birthing props such as squatting bars, stools and balls. The center should be accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Birth Centers. Inquire what the protocol for care will be if complications arise, learn what the center’s charges for care cover and confirm if the family’s insurance policy will pay for the services provided. A hospital generally has access to the latest medical technology, making it a preferred option for medium-to-highrisk pregnancies. With proper preparations, an unmedicated birth is possible in this traditional setting. Investigate their rates of Cesarean births and episiotomies and the determining parameters. To allow for an active labor, request intermittent fetal monitoring, avoid intravenous fluids and ask about the availability of birthing props. Become familiar with hospital policies, such as who can be in the delivery room and whether the baby will stay with mom after the birth. If a nurse midwife is not on staff, consider hiring a doula to assist in preparing for and carrying out the family’s birth plan. natural awakenings

May 2015

pre/postnatalspotlights Acupuncture Offers Safe and Alternative Pregnancy Care

erinton Family Acupuncture offers optimal healthcare services and supports the health of expectant mothers during pregnancy, complementing their care when medications are contraindicated. Acupuncture has been used to treat women’s health—including issues that arise during and following pregnancy—for thousands of years. Perinton offers optimal complementary healthcare alternatives and supports the health of expectant mothers during pregnancy, without the use of harmful medications. Research has shown that Chinese medicine can enhance the health of women, reduce complications during pregnancy and help with the development of a healthy baby. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine have been shown to be clinically helpful in treating expectant mothers with morning sickness, depression, back pain and turning breech babies. “Pregnant mothers truly enjoy their acupuncture treatments knowing they are coming to a comfortable and relaxing environment while receiving a natural and safe treatment that will help them and their baby,” says Renee Nearpass, licensed acupuncturist and owner of Perinton. Acupuncture can also treat fatigue, incontinence, heartburn and hemorrhoids during pregnancy, and it has been used to induce labor after the due date has passed and during labor to help reduce pain and calm the mind during delivery. Postpartum, acupuncture can be helpful for regaining strength and energy, as well as treating issues of depression and sleep difficulty. Women also seek acupuncture and Chinese medicine for insufficient lactation. Perinton Family Acupuncture offers complimentary consultations. Location: 6800 Pittsford Palmyra Rd., Ste. 350, Fairport. For more information, call 585-598-3866 or visit PerintonFamilyAcupuncture.com. See ad, page 8.

Beautiful Birth Choices Provides Education for All Stages of Pregnancy

eautiful Birth Choices (BBC) works to help inform expectant mothers in Rochester about pregnancy, birth and postpartum, empower them in their choices for birth and support them in their birthing and parenting journey. They provide full-circle support for the childbearing year. BBC is focused on being a place where women and their partners can explore the world of birth, ask questions freely, share birth experiences and gain perspective from others. Classes and services offered by BBC include prenatal yoga, family-centered childbirth education, doula support, B4Birth prenatal sessions, intro to breastfeeding class, Mom2Mom postpartum group, new siblings classes and more. Location: 1100 University Ave., Entrance B, Ste. 310, Rochester. For more information, call 585-484-1972, email Info@bbcRoc.com or visit bbcRoc.com. 24

Rochester, NY

RochesterAwakenings.com

Parenting Village Offers Support and Connection to Local Families

e’ve heard the adage, “It takes a village to raise a child,” yet Americans are far less socially and geographically connected today than they were just one generation ago, leaving many people to feel alone and unsupported in their transition to parenthood. Parenting Village is a nonprofit in the Rochester area that seeks to mitigate these various challenges of modern-day parenting. Through its services and programs, Parenting Village creates a vibrant, dynamic and well-connected community for local parents. They offer groups, peer-support visitation programs, classes, workshops and cross-sector collaborations among various parenting-related resources to give parents the opportunity to create the ‘village’ that they truly need. Their signature event, the Parenting Village Summer Bash, a fun way to learn more about the organization and meet local businesses and services, will be held from 2 to 6 p.m., July 26. The event will include fun activities for children, information and connections for parents, mini classes and live music. The Parenting Village parents’ circle meets every Friday from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. at 1815 South Clinton Avenue, Building 600, Suite 630, in Rochester. The group will be adding a weekend circle in the coming months and is working on launching the Nurture Program, which is a peer-support, home-based visitation program for families with new babies. For more information, call 585-270-1832, email Emily@OurParentingVillage.org or visit OurParentingVillage.org.

pre/postnatalspotlights Rochester Chiropractic and Pregnancy Treats Women and Children

r. Nicole Clemente, doctor of chiropractic and birth doula, specializes in helping pregnancy-related physical aliments, such as hip pain, lower back pain, pubic pone pain and round ligament pain. Clemente has years of experience treating women throughout their pregnancies using methods that are safe, gentle and effective. In addition to helping relieve and prevent the common discomforts experienced in pregnancy, chiropractic care has also shown to reduce the need for pain medications and medical interventions during pregnancy and delivery. Clemente is certified in the Webster Technique, which is a chiropractic assessment tool and treatment used to identify a misalignment within a woman’s pelvis that may be contributing to the discomforts of pregnancy and preventing the baby from obtaining a head down or vertex position for birth. The technique reduces nervous system interference and creates balance within the pelvic structures, muscles and ligaments, which in turn may allow the baby to get into the best possible position for birth. Clemente also specializes in pediatric chiropractic techniques that are safe and adequate for common infant and childhood complaints, such as colic, ear infections and constipation. Currently practicing chiropractic medicine in the village of Spencerport, Clemente is certified through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association to treat pregnant mothers and children of all ages. She is also a member of the American Pregnancy Association. Clemente is a board certified chiropractor in the state of New York and certified by the Academy of Family Practice and Council of Chiropractic Pediatrics. Location: 2139 N. Union St., Ste. 7A, Spencerport. For more information, call 585617-3494, or visit ChiropracticAndPregnancy.com.

Midwifery Group Cares for Women During All Stages of Life

elcome Home Midwifery (WHM) works to form a collaborative partnership between midwife and the women, babies and families in Monroe and surrounding counties. While the midwives work with expectant mothers throughout the childbearing year, they also provide gynecologic care and other healthcare services for women of all ages. “Midwives are often associated with pregnancy and birth only, but an important part of our midwifery practice is providing well-woman gynecologic care from adolescence to menopause and beyond,” says Martha Boudakian, a certified nurse midwife at WHM. Throughout the pregnancy, the midwives give personalized care in a highly interactive, respectful manner. WHM provides the mother with individualized prenatal care, including education and counseling, as well as skilled and attentive care during labor and delivery and the postpartum period. A strong emphasis is placed on wellness, including nutrition, exercise, stress management and more. WHM provides services including annual gynecological exams—pelvic and breast—pap testing, family planning, preconception counseling, STI testing and treatment and wellness counseling. Location: 2425 Clover St., Rochester. For more information, call 585-271-7501 or visit WelcomeHomeMidwifery.com.

Integrative Doctor Offers Holistic Approach to Preconception Health

esley James, M.D., a board certified integrative and family physician, is one of the few local physicians who have completed Lesley James the two-year Fellowship in Integrative Medicine at University of Arizona—under noted physician Dr. Andrew Weil. Her extensive training also includes functional and herbal Medicine. Preconception care is of particular interest to James, as this is the ultimate form of prevention, able to impact generations. “Preconception health is often neglected. I would love to see more women six months to a year before they are considering getting pregnant,” says James. James’ mission is to enrich conventional medical practice with a more natural approach to prevention and healing in one holistic practice. Rather than waiting for something to cure, or treating one symptom at a time, James stands at the intersection of traditional evidence-based medicine and effective alternative (or preventative) medicine for a healthy, ongoing lifestyle. James can also serve as a bridge between doctors and specialists and a patient’s overall lifestyle. Within her integrated ‘whole person’ approach, her passion is prevention and her means to this end is a keen focus on nutrition and anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle. Location: 2851 Clover St., Pittsford. For more information, call 585-6417102, email Lesley@LesleyJamesMD. com or visit LesleyJamesMD.com. natural awakenings

May 2015

pre/postnatalspotlights Climb Out of the Darkness with Postpartum Progress

limb Out of the Darkness is an annual event organized by Postpartum Progress Inc. (PPI), a nonprofit, online community of support and educational materials for mothers, their families and medical professionals. The event—which aims to raise awareness and fight the stigma of prenatal and postpartum mental illness—will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., June 20, at the Orchard Grove Shelter at Ellison Park. The free event, a casual, 1.5-mile walk through the park, occurs on the summer solstice—the longest day of the year—as it symbolizes the light that those suffering will see again as they recover from their illness. Over 100 climbs, including Team Rochester, will take place that day. Participants must register either beforehand or at the event. Though not required, participants may raise funds for PPI as part of their walk. Food and beverages will be provided. “This is my third year leading Team Rochester in their ‘climb’ out of the darkness. The first year, I was still in the throes of my postpartum anxiety, but working on and participating in the climb helped me overcome the stigma attached to postpartum illnesses and talk openly about my struggle,” says Abby Cantwell, leader of Team Rochester. “Being able to address my fears about the illness, along with learning more about all postpartum illnesses, I have been able to educate others and grow the Climb from three people year one, to over 20 in 2014. I have hopes that this year, Team Rochester will be at least 50-people strong.” PPI began as a blog in 2004 by Katherine Stone during her battle with postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder. In 2011, PPI was formed and has grown into a large, online resource of educational information about postpartum mental illnesses in “plain mama English”, and offers various ways for readers to meet others and feel less alone. Register online at Tinyurl.com/PostpartumClimb. Location: Ellison Park, 395 Richs Dugway Rd., Rochester. For more information, call 585-750-2588, email Abster. Mae@gmail.com or visit PostpartumProgress.org.

RABN Strives to Keep Women Well-Informed of Childbirth Options

he Rochester Area Birth Network (RABN) believes that birth is a normal, healthy process—not an illness or disease. The group advocates for health, safety and informed options in childbearing. RABN provides the Rochester area community with important information about evidence-based maternity care and options that women and families have regarding childbirth. They also offer networking opportunities for professionals, parents and others interested in birth. “While encompassing a broad range of political and religious perspectives, RABN’s members agree that birth is a normal, natural and healthy process and that every family should have the opportunity for a healthy, joyous birth experience with minimum interventions,” says Dianne Cassidy, co-leader of RABN. The group believes that maternity care should be evidence-based and woman-centered, and that women are entitled to complete and accurate information on all options for pregnancy, birth, postpartum and breastfeeding. Women have a right to make healthcare decisions for themselves and their babies. RABN is an official chapter of BirthNetwork National, a nonprofit organization comprised of a network of professionals and parents that know the importance of informed options and alternatives in childbearing. The group supports the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative, a wellness model of maternity care issued by the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services, a group of individuals and national organizations with concern for the care and well-being of mothers, babies and families. Location: 395 Canterbury Rd., Rochester. For more information, email DianneCassidy@Rochester.rr.com or visit rabn.org.

Rochester, NY

RochesterAwakenings.com

Adolescence Through Menopause Care at UR Medicine Midwifery

ith three locations in Rochester and 10 certified nurse midwives, UR Medicine Midwifery Group offers individualized care for women throughout their lifespan. Since 1992, the group has helped women during their journey to motherhood and beyond. UR Medicine Midwifery Group offers services throughout pregnancy, birth and beyond, including preconception counseling, prenatal care, choosing a birth method, postpartum care and breastfeeding help. The group provides care to women throughout life, offering gynecologic care from adolescence through menopause. The Rochester Adolescent Maternity Program (RAMP), located at the Culver Road location, is a specialized program specifically for adolescents in need of maternity care. The program provides pregnancy testing and counseling, medical care during and after pregnancy, education and information about nutrition, labor and birth, and social work services for teens in Monroe County. An expectant mother that selects UR Medicine Midwifery Group will have her baby at Highland Hospital, which has highly skilled, experienced staff focused on the care and comfort of mother and child. Midwives offer emotional and physical support throughout labor, birth and any care beyond. After the birth, UR Medicine Midwifery Group helps with breastfeeding as well as providing postnatal care and GYN visits. Locations: 125 Lattimore Rd., Ste. 150; 500 Red Creek Drive, Ste. 210, 585-487-3330; 909 Culver Rd., 585275-7892. For more information, visit Midwifery.urmc.edu. See ad, page 2.

Network with Other Parents Through Holistic Moms Network

he Holistic Moms Network (HMN) is a nonprofit organization connecting parents interested in holistic health and green living. The group encourages moms to trust their instincts, parent from the heart, use their innate sense of what is best for their children, live in balance with the Earth and learn about the pros and cons of all healthcare and parenting options. HMN of Rochester is a local chapter of a national nonprofit organization that supports families on their journeys in the holistic/alternative environment. At the group’s monthly meetings, professional practitioners speak on a variety of topics, such essential oils, adrenal fatigue and dealing with picky eaters. There are also group discussions with fun themes to encourage open questions and camaraderie between parents. “The HMN Chapter of Rochester is a great resource for families looking to learn from others about alternate lifestyles in a nonjudgmental friendly environment,” says Wendy Filiaci, co-leader of HMN. “Living healthy and living green is not an endpoint but an ongoing journey. No matter where you are on your parenting or holistic living journey, you are welcome at HMN. We are a diverse and open-minded community, a place where your choices are respected and where you can learn and become informed.” The group includes those that are new to this journey, as well as more experienced parents. Anyone can benefit from the wisdom, support and resources that HMN offers. Meetings are held the second Monday of each month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Christ Episcopal Church, in Pittsford. Free babysitting is available in the church nursery. For more information, visit HolisticMoms.org or Facebook.com/RochesterNYChapter.

Support Group for Miscarriage and Infant Loss

ace 2 Face Rochester is a peer support group dealing with miscarriage, stillbirth and infant loss. The group was founded out of a need by three moms—Stephanie Brown, Melissa Ippolito and JennRose Stremich—who met at the cemetery where their children are buried. According to Acog.org, up to 15 percent of all known pregnancies will result in miscarriage, yet the topic of pregnancy and infant loss is taboo. Face 2 Face was created to help families deal with this type of loss. Pregnancy and infant loss happens more than many people realize, yet it is not talked about as openly as other types of loss. Face 2 Face works to make sure that others are not alone in their grief. “When we [the co-founders] suffered our losses, there was no one to turn to. We so desperately needed to hear ‘me too’, to have someone validate our feelings,” says co-founder Ippolito. “It wasn’t until we started to meet that we were able to move forward in our grief.” The group meets from 6 to 9 p.m., on the second Tuesday of the month, at The Legacy, 40 Willow Pond Way, Penfield, as well as from 6 to 8:30 p.m., the fourth Tuesday of the month, at Lifetime Care, 3111 Winton Road, Henrietta. All are welcome to attend—not just parents. For more information, call 585-454-9299, email F2FRochester@gmail.com or visit Face2FaceRochester.com. natural awakenings

May 2015

pre/postnatalspotlights Chiropractic Care for Pregnant Women and Children

regnancy is a difficult time on a woman’s body and spine. Chiropractic is designed to detect and correct any imbalances in the pelvis and elsewhere in the body that could contribute to pregnancy discomfort or possible neuromusculoskeletal problems. Doctors Phil and Paula Derleth, of Derleth Family and Sports Chiropractic, are certified in the Webster Technique, as well as many other gentle techniques designed to treat pregnant women, as well as children. Chiropractic care prior to conception promotes optiPhil and Paula Derleth mum bodily function, which means a more regular menstrual cycle and optimal uterine function. “Surprisingly, many people who have self-diagnosed or have been told they are infertile have been helped by restoring proper nerve supply to reproductive organs using chiropractic care,” says Paula. Mothers that get adjusted during pregnancy often require less medical intervention and report shorter, less traumatic births. With a proper nerve supply and a fully functioning musculoskeletal system, well-timed contractions help move the baby more easily through the birth canal. Post labor and delivery, it is important to promote proper alignment and function in the body. Ideally, problems brought on during pregnancy should be treated before the structures return to their pre-pregnancy state to prevent progression of the vertebral subluxation complex, muscle tension, headaches, rib discomfort and other problems. Parents take their children to see a chiropractor for a variety of reasons, such as to encourage brain and nerve development, strengthen a child’s immunity, promote body balance—posture, asthma, allergies and bed-wetting—and resolve issues with breastfeeding and colic. “Your child’s health is their greatest asset and including chiropractic as part of their wellness routine has been shown to be gentle, safe and effective,” says Paula. “When combined with a healthy lifestyle, chiropractic is a true wellness enabler.” Location: 625 Ayrault Rd., Fairport. For more information, call 585-598-3535, email DerlethChiropractic@gmail.com or visit DerlethChiropractic.com. See ad, page 16.

Boutique Event Tailored for New and Expectant Moms

or the third consecutive year, Beyond the Bump brings together more than 70 local organizations that cater to pregnant women, new mothers and their babies. Beyond the Bump 2015 is a boutique event, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., June 6, at the DoubleTree Hotel, in Rochester. The fun, educational day out includes nearly 20 expert-led seminars and demonstrations on topics related to pregnancy, childbirth, motherhood and babies. “We hope women will walk away from this event feeling empowered to take on all aspects of having a baby, and know there is an abundance of resources and support available in our community,” says Monica Infante, cofounder of Beyond the Bump. The event includes a pediatrician meet-and-greet, a market with handmade products for mom and baby, a babywearing test drive area and more. There will also be a raffle to benefit March of Dimes and gift bags filled with products and special offers. Beyond the Bump attendees can expect to meet with other new and expectant moms, gain information to help make decisions that are aligned with their values and beliefs, and learn about businesses and resources that cater to them and their babies. Cost: $25; must pre-register online. Readers of Natural Awakenings save $5 with code RNA15. Location: DoubleTree Hotel, 1111 Jefferson Rd., Rochester. For more information, call 585-2442040 or visit Beyond-The-Bump.com. See ad, page 31.

Rochester, NY

RochesterAwakenings.com

Finger Lakes Birth Connection Serves Families and Professionals

ast April, Tara Rice, Ellen Derby and Heather Brennan decided to fulfill their dream of creating a group for birth workers in the Finger Lakes area. Childbirth educators, birth and postpartum doulas, breastfeeding counselors and midwives joined them, and The Finger Lakes Birth Connection was born. Collectively, they work to foster connections between professionals working in the childbirth field, and create and encourage connections between childbearing families and the professionals who serve them. The Finger Lakes Birth Connection has 13 active members and several associated professionals that serve this area and the Greater Rochester region. The group has plans for informational gatherings for parents, building connections with adjunct professionals and organizing educational events for others in birthing occupations. “We’re building a network of professionals that respect and trust each other,” says co-founder Derby. “We are excited to work together, raising awareness of choices in childbirth and services available to families. Everyone is very supportive of one another.” Members of Finger Lakes Birth Connection are making it easier for families in this rural area to find the services they want from nearby providers. Moms and dads can connect with the group’s Facebook page or website and find a friendly, educated professional offering exactly the kind of help they want—even something as uncommon as placental encapsulation or birth tub rental. The Finger Lakes Birth Connection meets the last Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m., in the Finger Lakes Community College cafeteria lounge. Interested birth professionals and curious mothers are welcome to join. Families looking for a certain service or birth information can view member profiles on the website, including services offered and contact information. For more information, call 607-868-7555, email BlossomD@Rochester.rr.com or visit FingerLakesBirthConnection.net or Facebook.com/FingerLakesBirthConnection.

Experience a Family-Centered Approach to Care

t Highland Family Medicine, physicians provide maternity care for expectant mothers, as well as primary health care for newborns, children and adults. The providers offer a holistic, familycentered approach to care with a one-stop shopping model for the whole family. For those seeking a more natural or “gentle birth” experience, their providers will support expectant mothers through this process. Pregnant patients are frequently connected with doulas and offered other resources such as prenatal classes and yoga. The office also includes trained lactation counselors that can assist women that may experience breastfeeding difficulties. Other offered options include Centering Pregnancy prenatal groups. Those that choose maternity care at Highland will see the same doctor throughout pregnancy, labor, delivery and postpartum visits. The office provides 24-hour phone access to a doctor for urgent calls and same-day or next-day appointments for urgent health care needs. Highland is an affiliate of University of Rochester Medicine’s Highland Hospital and Strong Hospital. Location: 777 S. Clinton Ave., Rochester. For more information, call 585-279-4800 or visit Highland.urmc.edu/FamilyMed.

Try Physical Therapy to Stay Active During and After Pregnancy

reedom Therapy, in Rochester, provides individual exercises and hands-on manual treatment in a personal, caring environment for women both during and after pregnancy. Passionate about women’s health, Freedom Therapy created the Forever Beautiful women’s health program to focus on the unique healthcare needs of women during all stages of life—including pregnancy. “Remaining active during pregnancy helps to prepare a woman’s body for labor and delivery. Physical therapy can help women have an active pregnancy,” says Theresa Hunter, a physical therapist at Freedom Therapy who specializes in women’s health physical therapy. Exercise and physical therapy, which is covered by most insurance plans, can aid women in regaining the strength and stamina needed to care for a newborn. “During pregnancy, 50 to 70 percent of women experience back pain,” says Hunter. “Physical therapy can effectively relieve pregnancyrelated back and pelvic pain.” Postpartum physical therapy can also be an effective treatment for back and pelvic pain, urinary incontinence and painful intercourse. Freedom Therapy specializes in pelvic floor physical therapy. A physical therapist can provide individualized exercises to treat pregnancyrelated pains, urinary incontinence and painful intercourse. They provide a wide variety of therapies and education for many of the challenges women may face throughout life. Location: 2050 S. Clinton Ave., Rochester. For more information, call 585-720-9608 or visit FreedomTherapyServices.com. natural awakenings

May 2015

pre/postnatalspotlights

Yoga Studio Promotes Prenatal Naturopathic Doctor Focuses and Postnatal Wellness on Moms and Babies

r. Laura Sleggs, a naturopathic doctor, uses nutrition and natural medicine for fertility and pre- and postnatal care. She specializes in preventing illness in the baby, such as allergies and ADHD, and preparing for an optimal birth. Sleggs supports women in fertility by restoring the body’s natural processes, helping many women to become pregnant. Laura Sleggs Using a variety of natural therapies and lifestyle interventions, including herbal medicine, homeopathy and clinical nutrition, Sleggs focuses on finding and resolving the root cause of illness and stimulating the body’s ability to heal itself. Sleggs believes that having a healthy pregnancy and baby starts with a healthy mother. “The risk for many childhood illnesses and diseases can be decreased through lifestyle changes and supplementation during pregnancy,” advises Sleggs. Treatments during pregnancy are usually preventative to ensure the health of mother and child. She focuses on preparing mothers for natural childbirth—mentally, emotionally and physically. Sleggs offers infant and childcare for prevention of illness, such as colds and flu, diaper rash, ear infections and urinary tract infections. Other childhood conditions treated with naturopathic medicine include ADHD, autism, colic, constipation or diarrhea, delayed speech or motor skills, eczema, asthma, allergies, teething, yeast infections (thrush) and tantrums. Practicing naturopathic medicine since 2007, Sleggs received her doctorate in naturopathic medicine from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto, Ontario, after completing her Bachelor of Science Degree in exercise science at University at Buffalo. Sleggs is a trained Defeat Autism Now practitioner. Locations: 2425 Clover St., Rochester, and 10773 Poags Hole Rd., Dansville. For more information, call 607-661-5497 or visit DrLauraND.com. See ad, page 26.

lower City Yoga, of Pittsford, specializes in pre- and postnatal classes, including prenatal yoga, Baby and Me yoga, infant massage instruction classes and toddler yoga. The yoga studio is passionate about supporting women through healthy pregnancies and building strong parent-child attachments. “Flower City Yoga creates a safe and accepting environment for you to bond with yourself, your baby and other new moms, during and after pregnancy,” says Nora Doebrich, owner and instructor. “We are passionate about aiding women through the amazing journey into motherhood and offering a place to build a strong support network.” A healthy and secure parent-child bond begins in utero and impacts a child’s continued growth throughout life. Flower City Yoga provides new and expecting moms with essential tools and a relaxed environment to build upon attachment with their child and improve overall wellbeing. Prenatal yoga can be effective in strengthening the muscles needed during and after childbirth, potentially making the entire birthing experience more enjoyable for mom and baby. Infant massage instruction and Baby and Me yoga provides dedicated time to focus solely on that special bond between mother and child. These classes promote relaxation and offer baby relief from daily stress or discomfort related to constipation, trapped gas or teething. Location: Barn Bazaar, 2851 Clover St., Pittsford. For more information, call 585264-1166 or visit FlowerCityYoga.com.

Rochester, NY

RochesterAwakenings.com

Chiropractic Practice Helps Prepare Women’s Bodies for Giving Birth

r. Yasellyn Diaz-Vega and Dr. Edwin Vega, the chiropractors of Vega Chiropractic, in Rochester, believe that women will have the best birth experience if the pelvis is properly aligned, the uterus and pelvic floor are balanced and there is a clear communication between the brain and body. They offer services to properly align and balance the body during pregnancy. Edwin Vega and “There is physical, mental and emotional preparaYasellyn Diaz-Vega tion necessary in order to be fully engaged in the birth process,” says Dr. Yasellyn Diaz-Vega. “Can a baby be born without that preparation? Yes. In fact, it happens every single day. But it will be a lot easier, safer and rewarding if you prepare your body and mind for this life-changing event.” A chiropractic adjustment can be a step toward clarity, physical balance and the improvement of communication between the brain and the body. Diaz-Vega is certified in the Webster Technique, a special method to relieve uterus and sacral constrains, allowing the baby to get into the best possible position for birth. The use of this technique helps bring better alignment and balance to the body so that both mom and baby can experience a safer and more comfortable birth. Vega Chiropractic also educates clients to be more proactive in having a healthy pregnancy and preparing for birth—including how to avoid needing some common birth interventions. Beginning at 5:30 p.m. on May 19, they will be offering Happy Healthy Pregnancy, Birth and Child workshops. The registration fee of $10 includes entrance to the workshop and a gift bag of pre- and postnatal products worth at least $15. Another workshop will be held at the same time on June 16.

If I had my life to

live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. ~Nadine Stair

Location: 1732 E. Ridge Rd., Rochester. For more information, call 585-266-2782 or visit VegaChiropracticWellness.com.

natural awakenings

May 2015

No matter what, breastfeeding needs support. Support from family, providers, community and peers.

The Benefits of Breastfeeding by Dianne Cassidy

espite falling out of popularity during the mid-century, breastfeeding—the most natural, normal and healthy way to nurture a baby—is making a comeback. The Millennial Generation, which includes people born between 1980 through 2000, has higher breastfeeding rates than Generation X babies born during the mid-1960s through 1980. Breastfeeding rates are continuing to rise, and organizations, such as the Center for Disease Control and American Academy of Pediatrics, are recognizing breastfeeding as a pathway to lifelong health. Breastfeeding brings with it countless benefits for the baby, as well as the mother, family and the environment.

When babies receive breastmilk for the first six months of their lives, they are likely to have less illness overall. Breastfeeding can also benefit mothers. A December 2014 report in The Telegraph states that researchers studied women on four continents and found that breastfeeding can cut cancer by one fifth. It also reduces risk of of osteoporosis, Type 2 diabetes, ovarian cancer and cardiovascular disease. Consider the cost factor of formula versus breastfeeding. Even with the most basic formula, as well as bottles and nipples, costs can run more than $1,200, which is a lot of money for a new family. Most insurance plans now cover the cost of a new breast pump, so breastfeeding is more economical.

In 2011, the Surgeon General’s Call to Action was in support of breastfeeding. The call addressed the environmental advantages attached to breastfeeding, stating: “For every one million formula-fed babies, 150 million containers of formula are consumed. While some of those containers could be recycled, many end up in landfills. In addition, infant formulas must be transported from their place of manufacture to retail locations, such as grocery stores, so that they can be purchased by families.” Because breastfeeding has become more popular over the last several years, hospitals and providers have also increased their efforts to encourage new mothers to nurse their babies. Lactation consultants have become a necessity among new families, and support groups are growing. While some people mention that they feel pressured or guilted into breastfeeding, with increased awareness comes increased emphasis, and knowledge is power. It’s important to have all the information needed to make an informed decision. No matter what, breastfeeding needs support. Support from family, providers, community and peers. More and more, we are seeing businesses include breastfeeding benefits for employees, and lactation consultants are present in hospitals to ensure a successful start at birth. Providers offer breastfeeding counseling to mothers during pregnancy, as well as after delivery. It shouldn’t end there. It is important to find support and use it as often as needed. It will make all the difference. Dianne Cassidy is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and owner of Dianne Cassidy Consulting. For more information, call 585-261-4834 or visit DianneCassidyConsulting.com.

Rochester, NY

RochesterAwakenings.com

Choosing a Doctor: Family Physicians and Natural Births from Cradle to Grave Care by Amy Haas

regnancy can be an exciting time filled with many important choices, such as selecting a doctor. While many women choose their regular gynecologists for their pregnancies, some may wish to consider a family physician for prenatal care and delivery. Family physicians offer care for the whole family, as well as during pregnancy, labor, birth and postnatal care. According to Dr. Amy Potter, of North Ponds Family Medicine & Maternity Care, located in University of Rochester’s Primary Care Network, “Family Medicine has a philosophical alignment with midwifery care and medical training that aligns with obstetricians.” They are a great option for those who medically need or who are more comfortable with seeing a doctor, as opposed to a midwife. This allows higher-risk women to have normalized care. Information compiled by Childbirth Connection, a program of the National Partnership for Women and Families, show that women that utilize a family physician have less chance of needing a cesarean section. Most family physicians cannot do surgery and thus have a vested interested in preventing the need for surgery. Today, some are trained in surgery and can safely conduct a cesarean surgery if truly medically needed. Even so, generally their cesarean rates are much lower, and vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) rates are higher than that of obstetricians. Through most of the 20th century, women were traditionally cared for by their family doctor during pregnancy,

labor and birth. Within the last 50 years, obstetrics became a separate specialty. Some family physicians continue to attend births while caring for the whole family, and this continuity of care provides knowledge of the family as a unit and an understanding of what care would be appropriate. Family physicians approach pregnancies as a normal part of a woman’s life cycle, and they generally take more time with each patient. Seeing the woman as part of a family unit that influences her health often results in happier patients. Supporting natural birth means following evidence-based maternity care practices, therefore leading to better outcomes. Family physicians tend to have lower intervention rates than obstetricians, and less intervention is often healthier for both mom and baby.

A great way to find out if a provider is practicing evidence-based maternity care is to schedule a get-acquainted appointment, using the Ten Questions to Ask guidelines provided by Coalition for Improving Maternity Services (MotherFriendly.org). Family physicians also receive extensive training in breastfeeding. This allows them to support a nursing mother and her family with accurate information, leading to higher rates of breastfeeding success. According to Dr. Scott Hartman, who is a family practitioner at Highland Family Medicine and an assistant professor at University of Rochester Medical Center, “Family physicians are trained to focus on self-empowerment and engagement in care for their patients. They are trained to emphasize mind-body-spirit connections and consider integrative approaches to care.” Approximately 25 percent of family physicians provide maternity care and attend births. They may work together with an obstetrician or refer to an obstetrician if a complication arises. In the long run, they offer a more family-centered model of care. To find a family physician in the Rochester area that supports natural birth, go to Rochester Area Birth Network’s provider guide (see rabn.org). Amy Haas has been a childbirth educator, writer, consultant and lecturer in the field of pregnancy and birth for almost 20 years. She often writes for Midwifery Today, and she is the education chair for Rochester Area Birth Network. Visit her at HealthyBirth.net.

“Family physicians are trained to focus on self-empowerment and engagement in care for their patients. They are trained to emphasize mind-body-spirit connections and consider integrative approaches to care.” ~Scott Hartman natural awakenings

May 2015

The Importance of Childbirth Education by Amy Haas

here are many choices facing expectant parents, one of which is finding a childbirth education class that fits the family’s needs. The best childbirth classes are going to be ones that are most thorough and comprehensive. Short hospital classes are offered in most communities, but remember that hospital classes sell hospital services to the attendees of those classes. Also, hospitals around the U.S. do not practice evidence-based medicine and certainly don’t have comprehensive, evidence-based classes. All too often, women end up with medically unnecessary interventions that cause additional problems because they don’t know what their options are or how they can impact labor. Taking both an independent childbirth class series and the hospital class can be an effective way to compare which is the best fit. People are amazed by how little they learn in the hospital classes and how much they learn in independent childbirth classes. It takes 10 to 12 weeks for a human being to truly assimilate a new thought process, nutrition or exercise plan.

Many women go into childbirth very fearful, assuming that they will want or need lots of drugs. However, studies show that for low-risk moms, the need for truly medically necessary interventions is less than 20 percent. We have been socialized by the media into believing that birth is a horrible, painful thing that needs lots of medical intervention. But when women have proper support and learn about labor and birth and natural ways to deal with it, then they don’t find medication as necessary as they assumed they would. Most women desire to have a loved one, such as a husband or partner, trained as their primary labor assistant, or at least thoroughly educated so they know what to expect and be prepared to attend and participate without running screaming from the room or passing out. The fact is that men or partners can bring their own fear into the birthing room, making things more difficult for the mother. When including the partner or husband present, make sure they are well prepared. Find a childbirth class that specifically trains a woman’s partner in how to act as a primary labor assistant

and educate them enough to understand how the process works. They learn the benefits of normal, natural labor for both the mother and the baby, and how they can best facilitate that. Occasionally a woman’s partner cannot act as the primary labor assistant but can help hire a doula to take on the role. The education is not wasted in either way, as the woman’s partner can still be present and helpful. But it is most important that they have an understanding of what is normal during labor and why. They can also assist with decision making, if necessary, as a woman’s legal partner is the one that may be asked to make serious choices if the woman is unable to do so for herself. The primary focus of any childbirth class should be a healthy baby and mom, which are best achieved through a healthy, natural birth. Any course should teach specific techniques to achieve this goal and give the family the information they need to make important decisions that are right for them and their individual circumstances. It is important to research thoroughly when choosing one. Different classes will appeal to different families.

If birth is so natural, then why take classes? Contact the local birth network and ask if they have a list of independent childbirth educators. Rochester Area Birth Network (RABN) is a nonprofit organization that supplies the community with free information and referrals to many independent birth related professionals in our area. Comprehensive education results in much lower intervention rates, half the cesarean rates and healthier moms and babies. Regardless of the type of childbirth class chosen, the most important factor is a healthy, positive birth experience. Amy Haas has been a childbirth educator, writer, consultant and lecturer in the field of pregnancy and birth for almost 20 years. She often writes for Midwifery Today, and she is the education chair for Rochester Area Birth Network. Visit her at HealthyBirth.net.

Rochester, NY

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Benefits of Pre- and Postnatal Chiropractic Care by Paula Derleth

hiropractic to promote proper care can be alignment and advantafunction. Ideally, geous for all stages problems brought of pregnancy. Prior on during pregnancy to conception, it should be treated promotes optimum before the structures bodily function, return to their prewhich means pregnancy state to a more regular prevent progression menstrual cycle of the vertebral suband optimal uterine luxation complex function. Many (nerve irritations), people that struggle muscle tension, Paula Derleth and Daughter with infertility have headaches, rib disbeen helped by chiropractic care, as it comfort and other problems. restores proper nerve supply to reproNatural births can stress a baby’s ductive organs. spine, and breastfeeding problems Pregnancy can be difficult on a can arise if the baby is unable to comwoman’s body and spine. Many women fortably turn its head. It is extremely seek chiropractic care to relieve neck or important to have a chiropractic spiback pains that can result from weight nal checkup for your newborn as soon gain and altered biomechanics during as possible. pregnancy. Chiropractic is designed to Vertebral subluxations occur as detect and correct any imbalances in a part of normal daily life. They may the pelvis and elsewhere in the body result from physical, chemical and that could contribute to pregnancy emotional stressors or insults to our discomfort or possible neuromusculohealth. Some research suggests that skeletal problems. even before these lifestyle stressors Mothers that get adjusted during have an impact, nerve irritation may pregnancy seem to require less medioccur in the uterus from awkward posical intervention. Chiropractic, specifically the Webster Technique, can help the baby assume an optimal birthing position and reduce the risk of having a breech birth, resulting in shorter and less traumatic births. With a proper nerve supply and a fully functioning musculoskeletal system, well-timed contractions help move the baby more easily through the birth canal. Chiropractic care has also been shown to help after childbirth, and possibly longer if nursing. For about two months following labor and delivery, the ligaments that loosen during pregnancy begin to tighten up again. It is important

tioning and restriction of movement in the womb. Subluxations may also occur from birth complications such as long labors, very fast labors or forceps or caesarean delivery. Babies should be checked very soon after birth, using special techniques that have been developed to carefully correct any subluxated or restricted areas. Adjusting babies requires no cracking or clicking, but gentle movements. Parents bring their children in for chiropractic care for many reasons: encouragement of good neural plasticity (brain and nerve development); to support first-class nerve communication throughout the body, which promotes health and well-being; to help strengthen a child’s immunity; to help resolve breastfeeding issues and colic; to encourage digestive strength; to diminish nerve interference, which may impact their child’s capacity to learn and concentrate; promote body balance and help to resolve poor posture, asthma, allergies and bed-wetting; and to help kids’ bodies accommodate as they learn to sit, crawl, stand and walk. The child’s health is their greatest asset, and including chiropractic as part of their wellness routine has been shown to be gentle, safe and effective. When combined with a healthy lifestyle, chiropractic is a true wellness enabler. Doctors Phil and Paula Derleth are the owners of Derleth Family & Sports Chiropractic, located at 625 Ayrault Rd., in Fairport. For more information, call 585598-3535 or visit DerlethChiropractic. com. See ad, page 16.

natural awakenings

May 2015

An Integrative Approach to Preconception Health by Sandra Yeyati

very expectant mother hopes her newborn will be a perfect little baby with all 10 toes and no diseases or complications. According to board-certified family physician Lesley James (LesleyJamesMD.com), there are several measures women can take six months to one year before conception to give their baby the best chance for good health. James, who is also board certified in integrative medicine, takes a threepronged approach to preconception health, focusing on nutrition, gut function and toxin levels. “Think of it as preventative health,” she says, adding that these measures can also improve the child’s IQ and neurological development. James does comprehensive nutritional testing to make sure that the right levels of key nutrients are present in a prospective mother’s body, including magnesium, B vitamins, essential fatty acids, folate and iodine. If she finds deficiencies or imbalances, she will recommend foods and supplements to get levels back on track. According to James, no one diet is right for everyone. From vegan to pa-

leo diets, there are many paths to healthy eating, but some measures are good for all women planning to conceive. She recommends lowering the intake of processed foods and sugar; avoiding additives, food coloring and trans fats; and eating plenty of vegetables. Having the right intestinal microflora is also important, because babies acquire their own microflora during the birthing process and while breastfeeding, James says. This impacts the development of a baby’s immune system and can affect a host of conditions from mental health to obesity. She prescribes probiotic supplements and foods to encourage the growth of good bacteria in the gut. James is convinced that environmental toxins sabotage our health. She encourages all women to eat organic, but thinks it’s particularly important during the six months to one year before conception. She also tests for hazardous levels of mercury and lead. “You can’t detoxify these metals out during a pregnancy. It’s dangerous. So you want to have time to be able to get

that out, and then not add any more in,” she says, noting that swordfish and tuna should be avoided. Other toxins can be found in insecticides, fertilizers, household cleaning and personal hygiene products and cosmetics. “Phthalates, which are used in plastics and also appear in anything that says fragrance, can alter the sex development of boys,” James warns. “You also want to avoid BPA [bisphenol A, commonly found in plastics] and triclosan [an antimicrobial additive], which can disrupt the body’s microbiome and thyroid.” James seeks to normalize a woman’s breast health, blood sugar levels, thyroid function, stress, inflammation and allergies, all of which can impact her baby’s health. Prescription drugs taken before conception can affect babies, too. “I’m not anti-medicine, but things like an antidepressant can increase the risk of ADHD in your baby, so I’ll discuss the risks and benefits of medicines with people, if they still need to be on them, and whether there are better alternatives,” she says. For James, preconception health is imperative. “The field of epigenetics has shown that our genes can be affected by factors, such as stress, age, diet, smoking and chemicals in the environment,” she says. “If a woman is smoking or not eating the right foods or is exposed to toxins that turn on or off certain controller genes, she could be affecting not only her next generation but also the one after that. When you’re carrying a baby, you’re also carrying the genetic potential of your grandchild, too.” Sandra Yeyati is a frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings Rochester.

Aim for the moon. If you miss, you may hit a star. ~W. Clement Stone

Rochester, NY

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healthykids

Choosing a Birth Attendant by Amy Haas

e are all told we need proper prenatal care during pregnancy. It seems to be looked at as one of those magic pillsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;get good prenatal care and all will be well. Unfortunately, prenatal care is not magic, and it can be limited. It is up to us to be proactive in our health care and that of our babies. Choosing a doctor or midwife to care for the mother during pregnancy can be one of the most difficult decisions a family can make.

additional pain and risk. Even women that do not want medications will receive them, as that is what many doctors and hospitals do.

Choosing a Prenatal-care Provider Carefully research care providers that best fit the familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s birth philosophy. Get recommendations and interview them. Contact the local birth network, such as Rochester Area Birth Network (rabn.org). Dr. Marsden Wagnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s book Born in the USA: How a Broken MaterTrust Me nity System Must be Most pregnant Fixed to Put Women women trust their and Children First Be well educated doctors to know states that midwives what is best; howand have intelligent and are experts in normal ever, doctors also natural birth. Be informative discussions aware that some have training biases, as well as focuses to help make decisions may be medically and limitations one oriented if that is the that are right for must be aware of. only manner and Many patients trust training they have the mother their doctors to do experienced. and family. what is best because Schedule a they feel providers get-acquainted visit would not recomwith each care promend a medical intervention unless it vider in consideration. Do research was medically necessary and safe. Con- and create a list of questions. Be versely, if a woman requests medication aware of the legal rights as a patient for the pain, she trusts that her doctor and take steps to prevent situations will tell her if it is not safe. that may place mother and care proIt is important to realize that obvider in antagonistic positions. stetricians are highly trained surgeons Medical interventions are rarely that specialize in medically managed medically necessary for low-risk moms, labor and delivery. They believe it but they are administered more than is their job to accept the risk for the 80 percent of the time. Choosing a care patient. It can become a cascade of provider who respects the mother and medical interventions with serious makes sure she is well educated about risks that were probably not necessary each test, procedure or medication can to begin with. Medical interventions help to prevent an adversarial relationduring birth are rarely needed, and ship. Be informed and ask questions interventions themselves can create before signing consent forms.

It is up to us to be proactive in our health care and that of our babies.

If the mother discovers that the care provider is not on the same page, then she has the right to make a change; the care provider is employed by the mother and has to respect herchoices. Be well educated and have intelligent and informative discussions that help make decisions that are right for the mother and family. Amy Haas has been a childbirth educator, writer, consultant and lecturer in the field of pregnancy and birth for almost 20 years. She often writes for Midwifery Today, and she is the education chair for Rochester Area Birth Network. Visit her at HealthyBirth.net.

Recommended Reading Born in the USA by Dr. Marsden Wagner Creating Your Birth Plan: The Definitive Guide to a Safe and Empowering Birth by Dr. Marsden Wagner with Stephanie Gunning Having a Baby? Ten Questions to Ask compiled by Coalition for Improving Maternity Services MotherFriendly.org/downloads natural awakenings

May 2015

Having Healthy Babies at Home by Sandra Yeyati

aving a baby is one of the most natural things a human can do, and for thousands of years, it was considered a woman-centric community event. In recent times, developed countries began to treat the process like a medical crisis in the highly supervised setting of a hospital, subject to rules and procedures over which women have little control. These new practices were deemed necessary to make birthing safer for all, and certainly many tragic outcomes were averted. But when a baby and her mother are healthy and the pregnancy is by all accounts normal, alternative options are available that can restore a woman’s and her family’s power to create the birthing experience they desire. At Welcome Home Midwifery, in Rochester, two women are helping families do just that. “I love seeing how women and their families grow and bloom with the empowerment that they get from home birth

Rochester, NY

where they are making the decisions about their care,” says owner Meg Grindrod, a New York state licensed certified nurse midwife (CNM), who has been facilitating home births for 38 years. Her colleague Martha Boudakian agrees. “I feel very deeply committed to making the work that I do in the world meaningful to women and their families, and to be a part of women finding their voice and exercising their rights,” she says. Boudakian, a 17-year CNM with a master’s degree in midwifery from the University of Pennsylvania, has practiced with Grindrod for the past two years. In New York, midwives are licensed to maintain an independent practice and perform full gynecologic care, including annual exams, menopause treatment and family planning. “Under this model, the patient is an agent in their care. A midwife helps that person explore options and make decisions, instead of having a highly medical model where

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an expert is telling you what to do,” explains Boudakian, noting that they offer both natural solutions and prescription medications when needed. They perform complete prenatal care, ensuring that both mother and child remain healthy throughout the pregnancy, explaining the pros and cons of certain tests and addressing any health issues that come up. “People that choose the homebirth option often are looking to maintain wellness during the pregnancy using natural means-such as optimal nutrition, a healthy lifestyle, supplements and holistic therapies-like chiropractic, acupuncture and massage,” says Grindrod. “What I love about home birth is the interactive process of being someone’s midwife during the pregnancy, birth and postpartum period,” says Boudakian. “I love that women can have the type of comfort and familiarity to really let their bodies birth. The intimacy that it fosters is quite amazing.”

“I feel deeply committed to making the work that I do in the world meaningful to women finding their voice and exercising their rights.” ~Martha Boudakian With home birth, a woman can have freedom of movement, choose who gets to be there and set up the environment to make it more comfortable for her. She doesn’t have to go through the process of transferring into a hospital during labor and increase the risk of exposure to unnecessary germs and interventions. “We monitor the mom and the baby very carefully using low-tech tools during the pregnancy, labor and birth itself,” says Boudakian. “In hospitals, an electronic fetal monitor gets strapped around the mom’s belly and can limit movement. We listen to the baby’s heartbeat with a fetal stethoscope.” According to Grindrod, home deliveries seldom occur on the bed. “People prefer all sorts of positions, including standing, on hands and knees, squatting, side-laying and leaning back in a semi-laying position. A lot of women we work with choose to

give birth underwater in a birthing tub,” she says, adding that in hospitals, the mother’s default position is restricted to lying down on her back, especially when the woman has an epidural and can’t get up or walk around. A midwife brings oxygen, an IV bag, a blood pressure cuff, stethoscope, scale and syringes for emergency injections. “We have medications to use for postpartum hemorrhage or to resuscitate a baby, but we don’t administer medications to speed up labor. We also don’t use pain medication at home because a baby that’s been medicated doesn’t have normal reflexes and doesn’t necessarily breathe as well,” Grindrod says. Non-pharmacological methods for pain relief include massage, back pressure, immersion in a tub and specific body positioning. “After the baby is born, we’ll stay for two or three hours until we know that the mom is stable and not bleeding, the baby is maintaining its temperature and nursing and everybody is healthy and okay,” says Grindrod. The midwife returns in about 24 hours to check on the baby and the mom and again between the third and fifth day. “There’s some blood testing that’s done on the baby at that point,” says Grindrod. “If the baby gets jaundiced or the mother is worried about anything, we make extra visits. We file for a birth certificate and a social security number and the mom comes back to see us in the office four to six weeks afterwards. We take care of well babies for the first week only and then communicate with the pediatrician.” There are some preexisting medical conditions that make home birth unsafe, and risk screening is one of midwifery’s hallmarks. Says Grindrod: “Anything that’s not normal with a baby, we would take the baby to the hospital; similarly with the mom. The most frequent reason that we transfer moms to the hospital is when a first-time mom’s labor takes a long time and she gets exhausted and decides to go to the hospital to speed it up or get pain relief.” Welcome Home Midwifery is located at 2425 Clover St., in Rochester. For more information, call 585-271-7501 or visit WelcomeHomeMidwifery.com.

pre/postnataldirectory ACUPUNCTURE PERINTON FAMILY ACUPUNCTURE

6800 Pittsford-Palmyra Rd, Ste 350, Fairport 500 Helendale Rd, Ste 185, Rochester 585-598-3866 PerintonFamilyAcupuncture.com Acupuncture can help with problems during and after pregnancy when medication is contraindicated. Specifically, it can help ease morning sickness, back pain, headaches, sleep difficulty, constipation, heartburn, restless legs, edema, pelvic pain, breech position, post-term labor induction, post-delivery healing and strengthening, depression and insufficient lactation. See ad, page 8.

GALI RIDDLE, LAC, MSAOM 555 N Winton Rd, Rochester 585-802-9027 EbbandFlow5@yahoo.com

Gali is a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist who is committed to helping people by integrating Eastern medicine, diet, nutrition and exercise to achieve optimal health. She works with pre/postnatal women dealing with nausea, sleep issues and anxiety.

AROMATHERAPY SWEET & WOODSY AROMATHERAPY

Mindy MacLaren, Certified Aromatherapist 625 Ayrault Rd, Fairport SweetAndWoodsy.com Info@SweetAndWoodsy.com Aromatherapy-based products designed to be both safe and effective for pregnancy and infancy by nationally certified aromatherapist and mother of twins, Mindy MacLaren. See ad, page 19.

BABY PRODUCTS LUVABOOS BABY BOUTIQUE

683 N Winton Rd, Rochester 585-319-4981 Info@Luvaboos.com Facebook.com/LuvaboosRochester Luvaboos Baby Boutique is a unique shop offering baby carriers, safe toys, teething supplies, nursing bras and accessories, cloth diapers and many other products. They also offer “baby and me” classes, support and more.

BIRTH RESOURCES BABY BUMP ACADEMY

349 W Commercial St, Rochester 585-261-3743 BabyBumpAcademy.com The only studio in Rochester dedicated to supporting your needs and empowering you as a complete woman before and throughout pregnancy in preparation for labor and becoming a rock star mom. From specific, safe exercise to optimal nutrition and stress management, we help you to feel your best. See ad, page 15.

BEAUTIFUL BIRTH CHOICES

1100 University Ave, Entrance B, Ste 310, Rochester Christy Muscato: 585-576-0665 Julia Sittig: 585-613-1051 BBCRoc.com Beautiful Birth Choices is designed to help inform, empower and support women and their families in the childbearing year through family-centered childbirth education, doula services, prenatal yoga, breastfeeding support, postpartum groups and more.

BIRTHFUL MATERNITY SERVICES Adriana Lozada, CD (DONA), CSC(IMI) 585-454-9898 Birthful.com Adriana@Birthful.com The Birthful Podcast on iTunes

Pregnant? Have a newborn? Reduce anxieties and increase confidence to enjoy birth and postpartum. Let Adriana help you take on whatever maternity sends your way. Offering doula services, life-with-a-newborn education, and healthy child sleep consultations.

FINGER LAKES BIRTH CONNECTION FingerLakesBirthConnection.net Facebook.com/FingerLakesBirthConnection

Your connection to friendly and kind providers of childbirth education, birth doulas, postpartum doulas, breastfeeding counseling, placental encapsulation and birth tub rental. Serving the Finger Lakes and greater Rochester.

PARENTING VILLAGE

585-270-1832 Connect@OurParentingVillage.org OurParentingVillage.org Facebook.com/ParentingVillageRochester Parenting Village offers meaningful connection and crucial support to people on their parenting journeys, so that they may in turn offer the best of themselves to their children.

Sandra Yeyati is a frequent contributor to Natural Awakenings Rochester. natural awakenings

May 2015

pre/postnataldirectory ROCHESTER AREA BIRTH NETWORK Amy Haas and Dianne Cassidy AHaas@rabn.com DianneCassidy@Rochester.rr.com rabn.org

Rochester Area Birth Network is a resource that advocates health, safety and informed options in childbearing. RABN supports the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative, a wellness model of maternity care issued by the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services, a group of individuals and national organizations with concern for the care and well-being of mothers, babies and families.

THE BRADLEY METHOD OF CHILDBIRTH Amy Haas Fairport • 585-425-7105 Webster • 585-259-4537

AVHaas@Rochester.RR.com IncrediBirth@gmail.com HeathyBirth.net

Childbirth Education classes, Labor Support, Research, Writing, and Community Referrals. Rochester area Bradley instructors. Healthy babies, healthy mom, positive birth experience.

BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT LA LECHE LEAGUE OF ROCHESTER Facebook.com/LLLofRochesterNY Sites.google.com/site/LLLRochesterNY

La Leche League of Rochester is a nonprofit breastfeeding support group open to all pregnant and breastfeeding women. We have many monthly meetings in and around the Rochester area.

CHIROPRACTIC

ROCHESTER CHIROPRACTIC AND PREGNANCY Dr. Nicole M Clemente 2139 N Union St, Ste 7A, Spencerport 585-617-3494 ChiropracticAndPregnancy.com

Let Dr. Clemente show you the many benefits to undergoing chiropractic care throughout pregnancy and after, with safe, gentle and effective methods to help alleviate the common aches and pains associated with a woman’s changing body. Chiropractic has also shown to reduce medical intervention during birth and delivery.

VEGA CHIROPRACTIC

Edwin Vega, Jr, DC, & Yasellyn Diaz-Vega, DC 1732 E Ridge Rd, Irondequoit 585-266-2782 Info@VegaChiropracticWellness.com VegaChiropracticWellness.com Dedicated to analyzing, correcting and improving the nervous system health and committed to educating and providing quality chiropractic care to families so as to achieve optimal wellness.

Chiropractic services that focus on pregnancy, pediatrics and athletes, as well as many other ailments. The goal is to assist patients in achieving optimal health and wellness through the use of chiropractic. See ad, page 16.

Rochester, NY

607-868-7555 BlossomD@Rochester.rr.com BirthAndMothersMilk.com DoulaMatch.net/profile/820/Ellen-Derby Ellen is a certified birth doula, certified lactation counselor and postpartum doula. Her favorite part about working with families as a new baby arrives is helping moms gain that feeling of confidence and accomplishment that comes when they feel supported and achieve their goals. She also facilitates birth tub rental.

FAMILY MEDICINE HIGHLAND FAMILY MEDICINE 777 S Clinton Ave, Rochester 585-279-4800 Highland.urmc.edu/FamilyMed

At Highland Family Medicine, you will discover maternity care for expectant mothers, as well as primary health care for newborns, children and adults.

LESLEY JAMES, MD

2851 Clover St, Pittsford

585-641-7102

COUNSELING SERVICES FULL CIRCLE COUNSELING AND WELLNESS 585-935-7122 Emily.FullCircleWellness@gmail.com FullCircleCounselingAndWellness.com Facebook.com/FullCircleCounseling AndWellness

At Full Circle Counseling and Wellness, Emily Horowitz, MA, LMHC, supports you to find balance and grace through life’s many transitions, including pregnancy. Offering a wide spectrum of services for adults, children and families.

DERLETH CHIROPRACTIC

Drs. Paula and Phil Derleth 625 Ayrault Rd, Fairport 585-598-3535 DerlethChiropractic@gmail.com DerlethChiropractic.com

ELLEN DERBY

DOULAS BLUE HERON DOULA

Kimberly Henderson 7958 State Rte 21, Naples 607-661-8051 KimHendersonDoula@gmail.com Facebook.com/BlueHeronDoula Kimberly Henderson is an experienced, capable, compassionate doula who helps expectant mothers achieve their best birth possible. She will empower you to have whatever type of birth you desire, whether it’s a natural, intervention-free birth or a high-tech birth with all the latest that technology can offer.

RochesterAwakenings.com

LesleyJamesMD.com Dr. James’ mission is to enrich conventional medical practice with a more natural approach to prevention and healing in one holistic practice. She pays special attention to preconception health and provides natural treatment and guidance as well as functional and integrative medicine for ailments and issues of all kinds, with a focus on nutrition and an anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle.

LACTATION CONSULTANT DIANNE CASSIDY CONSULTING

585-261-4834 DianneCassidyConsulting.com Facebook.com/DianneCassidyConsulting Dianne Cassidy Consulting gives prenatal and postpartum education and lactation support. Home and office visits are available, as well as breastfeeding and return-to-work classes.

MASSAGE THERAPY MASSAGE HEIGHTS PERINTON HILLS 6687 Pittsford Palmyra Rd, Fairport 585-598-1198 MassageHeights.com

Pregnancy is a natural process that carries unique needs. Massage Heights’ trained therapists are here to provide you with the specialized therapeutic relaxation that you deserve.

MIDWIVES UR MEDICINE MIDWIFERY 125 Lattimore Rd, Ste 150 500 Red Creek Dr, Ste 210

585-487-3330

PLACENTA ENCAPSULATION KAREN MICELI CIES, CD, CH 585-335-5909 BirthingServices-NY.com Miceli@PeoplePC.com

Many mothers are choosing to consume their placenta postpartum for the benefits, physically and mentally. It can help prevent and lessen the risk of postpartum depression and post-birth anemia. Miceli earned her certification as a Placenta Encapsulation Specialist in 2008 from Placenta Benefits and received further education in 2012 with Full Circle Encapsulation.

PHYSICAL THERAPY

909 Culver Rd

585-275-7892 Midwifery.urmc.edu

FREEDOM THERAPY

UR Medicine’s Midwifery Group provides high-quality, individualized personal reproductive health care for women of all ages. Deliveries occur at Highland Hospital, which has highly skilled and experienced staff focused on the comfort of you and your baby. See ad, page 24.

2050 S Clinton Ave, Rochester 585-720-9608 FreedomTherapyServices.com Freedom Therapy specializes in pelvic floor physical therapy. A physical therapist can provide hands-on manual therapy and individualized exercises to treat pregnancy-related back and pelvic pain, urinary incontinence and painful intercourse.

WELCOME HOME MIDWIFERY 2425 Clover St, Rochester 585-271-7501 WelcomeHomeMidwifery.com

SUPPORT GROUPS BORN WITH WINGS

Welcome Home Midwifery (WHM) works to form a collaborative partnership between midwife and the women, babies and families in Monroe, Ontario and Livingston counties. Midwives work with expectant mothers throughout the childbearing year, and WHM also provides gynecologic care and other healthcare services for women of all ages.

NATURAL MEDICINE

Tisha Temple Facebook.com/groups/BornWithWings BornWithWings.BWW@gmail.com As a mom to 5 boys, Tisha never expected her 4th son to be stillborn, full-term, on April 16, 2010. From grief, a support group was created for moms experiencing stillbirth/infant loss/miscarriage. No one knows this community exists until they are part of it. The group is supportive to every mom while grieving and beyond. It’s a welcoming confidential family environment and also open to family and friends.

LAURA SLEGGS, ND

FACE 2 FACE ROCHESTER

D r. L a u r a S l e g g s , Naturopathic Doctor, uses nutrition and natural medicine for fertility and pre/postnatal care. She specializes in preventing illness in the baby—such as allergies and ADHD, and preparing for an optimal birth. See ad, page 26.

Face 2 Face Rochester is a peer-led support group dealing with miscarriage, stillbirth and infant loss. We host two meetings a month. Check the website for locations.

2425 Clover St, Rochester 10773 Poags Hole Rd, Dansville 607-661-5497 DrLauraND.com

585-454-9299 F2FRochester@gmail.com Facebook.com/Face2FaceRochesterNY Face2FaceRochester.com

HOLISTIC MOMS NETWORK

HolisticMoms.org Facebook.com/RochesterNYChapter The mission of HMN is to generate national awareness, education and support for holistic parenting and green living by providing nurturing, open-minded and respectful local community networks that encourage families to share these ideals and learn from each other.

POSTPARTUM PROGRESS PostpartumProgress.org

This online, nonprofit resource focuses on maternal mental health with three key focus areas: raising awareness, fighting stigma and providing peer support for pregnant and new mothers.

ROCHESTER HOME BIRTH CIRCLE RochesterHomeBirthCircle.com

Rochester Home Birth Circle is a free, mother-to-mother support group for families considering or planning a home birth. We meet the fourth Sunday of each month from 1 to 3 p.m., at Beautiful Birth Choices on University Ave.

YOGA FLOWER CITY YOGA

Barn Bazaar, 2851 Clover St, Pittsford 585-264-1166 FlowerCityYoga.com Flower City Yoga specializes in prenatal yoga, baby and me yoga, infant massage instruction classes and toddler yoga. We are passionate about supporting women with healthy pregnancies and building strong parentchild attachments. A safe and accepting environment for moms of every phase to bond with themselves, each other and their little ones.

Motherhood:

All love begins and ends there. ~Robert Browning

I’m interested in women’s health because I’m a woman. I’d be a darn fool not to be on my own side. ~Maya Angelou natural awakenings

May 2015

FIND THE RIGHT BALANCE In Life and Business

calendarofevents NOTE: All calendar events must be received via email by the 10th of the month and adhere to our guidelines. Email Publisher@RochesterAwakenings.com for guidelines and to submit entries. No phone calls or faxes, please. Or visit RochesterAwakenings.com to submit online.

FRIDAY, MAY 1 Kentucky Derby Fundraiser – 6:30pm. Children Awaiting Parents is hosting a Kentucky Derbythemed fundraiser to help waiting youth find adoptive families. The event will feature derby-inspired races, live jazz music, mint juleps and locally donated prizes. Register online or by phone. $50/person; $90/couple. Ballroom 384, 384 East Ave, Rochester. 585-232-5110. ChildrenAwaitingParents.org. Men’s and Women’s Eastern Association of the Deaf Bowling Tournament – May 1-3. Hosted by Rochester Recreation Club for the Deaf. AMF Empire Lanes, 2400 Empire Blvd, Webster. Registration and information available at RochesterDeafClub.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 2 Imagine RIT: Innovation and Creativity Festival – 10am-5pm. Experience the breadth and depth of RIT’s creative students through interactive presentations, hands-on demonstrations, exhibitions and research projects set up throughout campus. Multiple performance stages with live music and entertainment are also a hit. Free. Rochester Institute of Technology, 1 Lomb Memorial Dr, Rochester. 585-475-2411. RIT.edu.

MONDAY, MAY 4

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Natural Awakenings’ Body Work and Balanced Man June Issue

Choosing Plants for Container Herb Gardens – 7-8pm. Gallea’s Tropical Greenhouse and Florist will explain how to plant a container garden. Bring gardening questions to this discussion-based program. RSVP. Pittsford Community Library, 24 State St, Pittsford. 585-248-6275. GJaviercerulli@TownOfPittsford.org. Sound Healing & Guided Meditation – 7-8:30pm. Sound healing creates vibrations that affect overall health and wellness. It can help reduce stress and anxiety, clear sinuses and lower blood pressure. Sound can show significant improvements in health conditions, from increasing cancer survival rates to reducing pain in chronic sufferers. RSVP. $8.

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Rochester, NY

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Healthy Alternatives, 458 Stone Rd, Rochester. 585-663-6454. HealthyAlternativesRochester.com.

THURSDAY, MAY 7 Aromatherapy – 6:30-8:30pm. Learn how to convert your medicine cabinet using essential oils. See demonstrations on how essential oils are used with the Vita Flex technique to build the immune system. Learn how to prevent the flu using essential oils. Aromatherapy benefits ADD/ADHD, fibromyalgia and many other conditions. $8. Healthy Alternatives, 458 Stone Rd, Rochester. 585-663-6454. HealthyAlternativesRochester.com.

MONDAY, MAY 11 The Essentials of Essential Oils – 6:30-8:30pm. In this seminar, aromatherapist Mindy MacLaren will answer questions on the basic dos and don’ts of essential oils while speaking on the importance of where to get information of use and knowhow. She will also speak about what it means to be a nationally certified aromatherapist and how it pertains to health and safety. Christ Episcopal Church, 36 S Main St, Pittsford. HolisticMoms.org. HolisticMomsRoc@gmail.com.

savethedate TUESDAY, MAY 12 Pregnancy and Beyond – 10-11am & 6:307:30pm. Guest Speaker Vanessa Hansen shares her own experience using essential oils for health and comfort to address pregnancy and postpartum issues. Free sample of CPTG essential oil. 640 Kreag Rd, Pittsford. 585-797-4660 or 585797-7435. WildOrange.eventbrite.com.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13 Are You Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired? – 6-7pm. In pain, tired, not feeling well or having

much energy? Nutrition expert Ann Treacy warns of the toxic dangers in today’s modern diets. Learn exciting ways to reverse the trend. Free. For location, visit 123CreateHealth.com/presentations.html. 585-704-3844. 123CreateHealth.com. Holistic Wellness: Herbal Remedies – 6:30-8pm. Learn several herbal remedy ideas/recipes that can be created with items found in the local grocery store, kitchen and/or with essential oils. This class also provides information on some basic herbs, what they are generally used for and how to brew herbal teas. Learn how to live a healthier and more holistic lifestyle. RSVP by May 12. $15. LA Shear Designs, 1726 Long Pond Rd, Ste 1, Rochester. 585-426-5944. LAShearDesigns.com. Tinker Nature Preserve – 7-8pm. John Colagosso will present a brief history of the Tinker property located along Calkins Road, including its transformation to the Tinker Homestead and Farm Museum. He will also discuss its herb and flower gardens. Call to RSVP. Pittsford Community Library, 24 State St, Pittsford. 585-248-6275. GJaviercerulli@ TownOfPittsford.org. Concepts of the Conscious Mind – 7-8:30pm. This class discusses various enlightened topics, such as ego vs. soul, authentic self, inner voice, personal vibration, intention, manifestation and energy. Free. Awakenings, 625 Ayrault Rd, Fairport. 585-6156427. Spiritual-Awakenings.org. Wellness Wednesdays: Candle Making – 7:15pm. We will be making nontoxic candles with Young Living Essential Oils and other organic materials. Set the mood right with candles full of wellness, rather than toxicity. Everyone will go home with their own scented candles and knowledge along with tools to make candles at home. $12/advance; $15/drop-in. Yoga DrishTi, 159 Caroline St, South Wedge. 585-270-5927. YogaDrishTi.com.

THURSDAY, MAY 14 Tone Up for Summer – 6:30-8pm. Tighten, tone and firm in as little as 45 min with natural and botanically based wraps. Decrease facial wrinkles and dark circles or stretch marks, varicose veins, scars and psoriasis. Come learn more about hair growth products, sample detoxing Greens, Greens Chews and other supplements. RSVP. $25/facial or body wrap. 400 Embury Rd, Rochester. 585-663-6454. HealthyAlternativesRochester.com.

FRIDAY, MAY 15 Sound Healing & Guided Meditation – 7-8:30pm. Sound healing creates vibrations that affect overall health and wellness. It can help reduce stress and anxiety, clear sinuses and lower blood pressure. Sound can show significant improvements in health conditions, from increasing cancer survival rates to reducing pain in chronic sufferers. RSVP. $8. Healthy Alternatives, 458 Stone Rd, Rochester. 585-663-6454. HealthyAlternativesRochester.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 16 Cure Your Own Allergies in Minutes – 9am-1pm. This technique involves tapping specific acu-points in the Chinese meridian system to eliminate allergy, virus and infections and increase tolerance. It can also help with an anaphylactic reaction while awaiting medical attention. Learn how to muscle-test yourself/others, test for allergy and/ or tolerance, types of tapping and more. RSVP by May 11. $95. Lori’s Natural Foods Center,

900 Jefferson Rd, Rochester. 585-443-0585. Deb4HealthNHarmony@hotmail.com. Retreat on Transformative Power of Gratitude – 10am-3pm. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improves health, deal with adversity and build strong relationships. The overnight retreat will include workshop and dialogue on gratitude, group meditation, qigong, movie and quiet time to reflect and contemplate the beautiful grounds. $170. Notre Dame Retreat House, 5151 Foster Rd, Canandaigua. 585-442-8141. TheAwakenedLife.net. Wellness Consultation with Zyto Compass Technology – 11am-1pm. Receive a personalized wellness consultation with the Zyto Compass to find out which essentials oils and supplements your body needs to feel overall balance. RSVP by May 15. $35. LA Shear Designs, 1726 Long Pond Rd, Ste 1, Rochester. 585-426-5944. LAShearDesigns.com.

SUNDAY, MAY 17 Manifest, Creating the Life You Really Want – 1-2:30pm. This class outlines the concepts that are crucial to manifesting goals and turning dreams into reality. $10. Awakenings, 625 Ayrault Rd, Fairport. 585-615-6427. Spiritual-Awakenings.org.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20 Are You Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired? – 1-2pm. Are you in pain, tired, not feeling well or having much energy? Nutrition Expert Ann Treacy warns of the toxic dangers in today’s modern diets. Learn exciting ways to reverse the trend. Free. For location, visit 123CreateHealth.com/presentations. html. 585-704-3844. 123CreateHealth.com.

IT JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER! Natural Awakenings’ healthy living, healthy planet lifestyle app has a new look and more features. • Updated every month with new content • Search the healthy products in our National Directory • Find your local magazine • Read feature stories En Español • Sign up for Promotions and Newsletters • So much more! • And it’s FREE!

Rational Remedies for the Home – 6:30-8pm. Stomach ache, seasonal issues, sunburn, bug bites and bee stings, feel the peace that comes with knowing what you can do when these issues arise in your home. Nurturing Hands Massage and Wellness Center, 640 Kreag Rd, Ste 202, Pittsford. 585-7974660. RiversongMassage.MassageTherapy.com.

SUNDAY, MAY 24 Energetic Tools Workshop – In this workshop with Willis Mitchell, learn and explore energetic tools and techniques, such as smudging, setting an intention, chakras, meditation/breathing techniques and crystals. $20/advance; $25/drop-in. Yoga DrishTi, 159 Caroline St, South Wedge. 585-270-5927. YogaDrishTi.com.

THURSDAY, MAY 28 Learn to Balance Your PH – 6-8pm. Learn the importance of balancing your PH at this free informational session to determine if the body is acidic and how to improve diet to positively impact PH and gain more energy. RSVP. Healthy Alternatives, 458 Stone Rd, Rochester. 585-663-6454. HealthyAlternativesRochester.com.

savethedate SATURDAY, JUNE 20

Search “Natural Awakenings” and download

Rochester Deaf Festival – 11am-4pm. Exhibits, food vendors, entertainment, activities for children and much more. Festival admission is free and registration is required. Genesee Valley Park, off Elmwood Ave. 585-286-2199. RochesterDeafFestival.com.

natural awakenings

May 2015

ongoingevents sunday Yoga for Athletes – 9-10am. This heated athletic yoga class is designed to burn calories while improving strength, agility and flexibility. Real Life Food and Fitness, 1290 University Ave, Ste C, Rochester. 585-441-9441. RealLifeFoodAndFitness.com. Couple’s Floatation Therapy – 9:30am-7:30pm. Discover the healing power of zero-G in the only couple’s float tank in New York. Available every day of the week, except Mondays. Bodymind Float Center, 622 Park Ave, Rochester. 585-413-0616. BodymindFloatCenter.com. Adorn-Asana Yoga – 10:30am-noon. This deeply rooted and adorned practice with essential oils, rose petals and mantras is a true celebration of self and alignment with the natural rhythms of nature. $15. Yoga DrishTi, 159 Caroline St, Rochester. 585-2705927. YogaDrishTi.com. Long Seasons Winter Farmers’ Market – 1-4pm. Brookside Community Center. 220 Idlewood Dr, Brighton. After May 24 renamed Brighton Farmers’ Market. Located at Brighton High School parking lot, 1150 Winton Rd, Brighton. 585-269-8918. BrightonFarmersMarket.org. Rochester Home Birth Circle – 2:30-4:30pm. Learn about and support home birth. Fourth Sun of the month. Locations vary; contact for meeting location. RochesterHomeBirthCircle.com/meetings. Athlete Meditation & Stretch – 4:30-5:30pm. Colleen Flaherty supports athletes’ active recovery with a guided meditation to keep them focused while learning how to deeply care for their bodies. $15. Awakened Athlete, 349 W Commercial St, Ste 1980, Rochester. 585-261-3743. AwakenedAthlete.co. Open Flow All Levels – 5:30-6:30pm. Setting the practice to music, poses are linked together in a graceful and flowing sequence, promising to be a fun, energetic way to welcome the upcoming week. Molly’s Yoga Corner, 713 Monroe Ave, Rochester. 585-202-1347. MollysYoga.com.

monday Open Enrollment – Learn about Cobblestone School and its open enrollment for new students, pre-K through 6th grade. Small class sizes, mixed age groups and affordable, sliding-scale tuition. Call to make an appointment. Cobblestone School, 10 Prince St, Rochester. 585-271-4548. Cobblestone.org. Yin Yoga – 9:30-11am. $15. Molly’s Yoga Corner, 713 Monroe Ave, Rochester. 585-202-1347. MollysYoga.com. Gentle Yoga – 6-7pm. This class is appropriate for all students seeking the benefits of a gentle and relaxing yoga practice. Gentle yoga poses improve range of motion and joint mobility, reduce pain and the effects of stress. $10. Qi Gong Institute of Rochester, 595 Blossom Rd, Ste 307, Rochester. 585-732-7012. VesnaSanders.com. Holistic Moms Network – 6:30-8:30pm. Second Mon of the month. Christ Episcopal Church, 36 S Main St, Pittsford. HolisticMomsRochester.blogspot.com.

Rochester, NY

Sound Healing Guided Meditations – 7-8:30pm. Sound energy healing focuses on creating vibrations that alter brain states, which can effect overall health and wellness. It can help reduce blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, depression, migraines, pain and more. 1st Mon of the month. Must call to RSVP. $8. Healthy Alternatives Wellness Center, 458 Stone Rd, Rochester. 585-787-6954. HealthyAlternativesRochester.com.

tuesday Reiki for All – Enjoy the benefits of holistic health by aligning energy back to its nature with an individual Reiki session. Reiki can help reduce stress and anxieties and promote wellness. Call to schedule a session. Yoga DrishTi, 159 Caroline St, Rochester. 585-270-5927. YogaDrishTi.com. Rochester Public Market – 6am-1pm. 280 N Union St, Rochester. 585-428-0907. Yoga for All – 10-11am. $15. Molly’s Yoga Corner, 713 Monroe Ave, Rochester. 585-202-1347. MollysYoga.com.

wood Ave, Rochester. Gary Jones, 585-273-3786. Awareness Yoga with Vesna – 6:30-7:30pm. Learn how to enhance awareness of body and mind through a series of basic and intermediate yoga poses, as well as simple yoga breathing and meditation techniques. Appropriate for both relatively new and more experienced students. $13. Nu Movement, 716 University Ave, Rochester. 585-732-7012. VesnaSanders.com. Peace Meditation Circle – 7:15-8:30pm. The group practices various methods of meditation from every spiritual practice on the spectrum, which may include a vast array of guest facilitators, labyrinths, mandalas, sound, chant, guided visualizations and always includes group participation. Beyond Center for Yoga, 67 Main St, Brockport. 585-690-9714. Tinyurl.com/WorldPeaceMeditation.

thursday Rochester Public Market – 6am-1pm. 280 N Union St, Rochester. 585-428-0907.

Face 2 Face – 6pm. A peer-to-peer friendship group, supporting each other when having faced a miscarriage, stillbirth or infant loss. Second and fourth Tues of the month. The Legacy, 40 Willow Pond Way, Penfield. 585-454-9299. F2FRochester@gmail.com.

Foundations Yoga – 7:30-8:30am or 5:45-7:15pm. Explore a common theme that can range across the mind, body and spirit spectrum. Alignment focus will be emphasized to sustain, build, cultivate and explore your foundation. $13. Yoga DrishTi, 159 Caroline St, Rochester. 585-270-5927. YogaDrishTi.com.

Bradley Natural Childbirth Classes – 7pm. Every Tues. Fairport. Email AHaas@rabn.org for more info. HealthyBirth.net.

Grassroots Yoga – 9:30-10:45am. $15. Molly’s Yoga Corner, 713 Monroe Ave, Rochester. 585-2021347. MollysYoga.com.

wednesday

Cesarean Birth Support Group – 11am-noon. Open to all women and their families, to give support, share stories and encourage growth. Led by birth doula Kim Guck. First Thurs of the month. Eastside Wellness Center, 625 Ayrault Rd, Fairport. 585-729-2278.

Empowering Lifestyle Workshops – 10-11am or 6:30-7:30pm. Find real solutions for real health concerns. Classes include fitness, doTERRA essential oils, green cleaning, 30-day detox/cleanse and more. Nurturing Hands Massage and Wellness Center, 640 Kreag Rd, Ste 202, Pittsford. 585-7974660. RiverSongMassage.MassageTherapy.com. Lunch Hour Yoga with Molly – Noon-1pm. Spend your lunch hour stretching, relaxing and energizing with yoga. Molly’s Yoga Corner, 713 Monroe Ave, Rochester. 585-202-1347. MollysYoga.com. Walk-In Wellness Consultation – 2:30-5:30pm. Have a question about our essential oil, massage or fitness services? Stop by the office Wednesdays in April for a complimentary wellness consultation, a $75 value. Nurturing Hands Massage and Wellness Center, 640 Kreag Rd, Ste 202, Pittsford. 585-797-4660. University of Rochester Farmers’ Market – 3-6pm. Medical Center, Flaum Atrium, 601 Elm-

RochesterAwakenings.com

Tea-Licious Trendz – 3-7pm. Tea-rific Thursdays. Participate in weekly events and informational sessions. Topics include essential oils, raindrop therapy, massage, reflexology and more. Learn while enjoying organic loose-leaf teas. 489 Plank Rd, Webster. Cynthia Evans, HealthyTeaz@gmail.com. Fluid Motion Exercise Class – 6-7pm. A movement class designed for people returning to exercise after surgery, cancer treatment or that want to get moving. Taught and created by physical therapists, the class includes warm-up, breathing, balance, range of motion and stretching, all set to upbeat music. $60/6 classes. Callan-Harris Physical Therapy, 1328 University Ave, Rochester. 585-482-5060. chptusa.com. Intro to Gluten-Free Baking – 6:30-7:30pm. This intro class demonstrates the basic principles of gluten-free baking. Instructors Blossom Fox and

Calvin Eaton make gluten-free baking easy and fun. Ages 10 and up. $15. Pieters Family Life Center, 1025 Commons Way, Henrietta. 585-487-3500. TheGlutenFreeChefBakery.com. The Rochester Doula Cooperative – 7-9pm. Offers information and support in order to make informed decisions and have the best birth experience possible. Second Thurs of the month. Luvaboos, 683 N Winton Rd, Rochester. 585-234-0164. DoulaCooperative.org.

friday XTX Elite Class – 12:15-1:15pm. This class is designed for the athlete or trainee that wants extreme adventure in their workout, which may include running an obstacle trail or pushing a tire. Great for those interested in Tough Mudder and Spartan Race events. Real Life Food and Fitness, 1290 University Ave, Ste C, Rochester. 585-441-9441. RealLifeFoodAndFitness.com. Intuitive Readings – 1-7pm. Tony Armignacco will offer medium, psychic and tarot readings every Fri. Healthy Alternatives Wellness Center, 458 Stone Rd, Rochester. 585-787-6954. HealthyAlternativesRochester.com. Portraits at Healthy Alternatives Wellness Center – 1-7pm. Our photographer will be available to take family, senior and headshot portraits every Fri. Appointments recommended. Healthy Alternatives Wellness Center, 458 Stone Rd, Rochester. 585-7876954. HealthyAlternativesRochester.com. Facial and Body Wraps – 5-7pm. Tighten, tone and decrease stretch marks with herbal wraps. Great for weddings and proms or just to look great. Every Fri. $25. Healthy Alternatives Wellness Center, 458 Stone Rd, Rochester. 585-663-6454. HealthyAlternativesRochester.com. Candle Light Yoga – 6-7:30pm. $15. Molly’s Yoga Corner, 713 Monroe Ave, Rochester. 585-202-1347. MollysYoga.com. Sound Healing Guided Meditations – 7-8:30pm. Sound energy healing focuses on creating vibrations that alter brain states, which can affect overall health and wellness. It can help reduce blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, depression, migraines, pain and more. Third Fri of the month. Must call to RSVP. $8. Healthy Alternatives Wellness Center, 458 Stone Rd, Rochester. 585-787-6954. HealthyAlternativesRochester.com.

saturday Rochester Public Market – 5am-1pm. 280 N Union St, Rochester. 585-428-6907. Family Yoga – 1-2:30pm. Teaching of alignment will be brought through not only poses but philosophy, breathing and unique family activities. Taught by Melanie MacDonald, RYT, and Reiki master, along with her two daughters. First Sat of the month. $20/pair, $5/each additional. Yoga DrishTi, 159 Caroline St, Rochester. 585-270-5927. YogaDrishTi.com. Restorative/Gentle Yoga – 2:30-3:45pm. Settle in on Saturdays with a gentle yoga session that will provide a solid foundation and ease tensions. The class focuses on restorative poses combined with gentle asana movements. $13. Yoga DrishTi, 159 Caroline St, Rochester. 585-270-5927. YogaDrishTi.com.

naturaldirectory Connecting you to the leaders in natural health care and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Directory, email Publisher@RochesterAwakenings.com to request our media kit.

ACUPUNCTURE

CHIROPRACTIC

PERINTON FAMILY ACUPUNCTURE

DERLETH CHIROPRACTIC

6800 Pittsford-Palmyra Rd, Ste 350, Fairport 500 Helendale Rd, Ste 185, Rochester 585-598-3866 PerintonFamilyAcupuncture.com

East Side Wellness Center Drs. Paula and Phil Derleth 625 Ayrault Rd, Fairport 585-598-3535 • DerlethChiropractic.com DerlethChiropractic@gmail.com

As a licensed acupuncturist, expertise includes Chinese Herbal medicine, tui na (Chinese medical massage), qigong and Eastern dietary therapy. Other services include pain management, women’s and pediatric health care and much more. See ad, page 8.

AROMATHERAPY

CONSULTING

SWEET & WOODSY AROMATHERAPY

CRYSTAL CLEAR CONSULTING

Offering a line of natural essential oil-based products for home and family as well as consultations to address a wide range of health issues through aromatherapy, with a focus on pregnancy and children. Classes also offered. See ad, page 19.

Do you want to make more money in 2015? With the right business consultant, you have the ability to melt obstacles and facilitate possibilities. Call today for your free business consultation with Jill Bates at Crystal Clear Consulting.

Mindy MacLaren, Certified Aromatherapist SweetAndWoodsy.com Info@SweetAndWoodsy.com

ATHLETICS AWAKENED ATHLETE

Colleen Flaherty 585-261-3743 • AwakenedAthlete@gmail.com AwakenedAthlete.co Injury prevention and support is on the mind of every parent and coach. Busy lives means you can’t do everything. Let Colleen empower you and your athletes.

BIRTH EDUCATION ROCHESTER AREA BIRTH NETWORK Amy Haas and Dianne Cassidy Ahaas@rabn.com DianneCassidy@Rochester.rr.com • rabn.org

Rochester Area Birth Network is a resource that advocates health, safety and informed options in childbearing. Rochester Area Birth Network supports the MotherFriendly Childbirth Initiative, a wellness model of maternity care issued by the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services, a group of individuals and national organizations with concern for the care and well-being of mothers, babies and families.

Jill Bates 585-385-0074 Jill@CCConsulting.biz CrystalClearConsulting.biz

DENTIST CONTEMPORARY DENTISTRY

Dr. Arlene Messer and Dr. Anna Belous 2052 S Clinton Ave, Rochester 585-244-3337 DentistryWithAHeart.com At Contemporary Dentistry, we care about your total health, offering an individualized approach for cavity prevention, including saliva testing, bio-compatible materials, safe mercury filling removal, laser and minimally invasive dentistry. See ad, page 28.

ENERGY HEALING AWAKENINGS

Lori Smith 625 Ayrault Rd, Fairport 585-615-6427 • LPSmith@Awakenings.cc Spiritual-Awakenings.org Offers a variety of energy healing services, including Reiki and Integrated Energy Therapy. Provides an authentic approach to wellness t h r o u g h E n e rg y, W h o l e Foods Nutrition and Self-Awareness. Classes also offered. See ad, page 36.

natural awakenings

May 2015

LIGHT & INFORMATION MEDICINE

Monica Manni 585-218-0766 Monica@LightAndInformationMedicine.com LightAndInformationMedicine.com Offering Reconnective Healing, The Reconnection and Spiritual Response Therapy to reconnect you with your true essence and facilitate a return to balance, allowing physical, mental, emotional or spiritual challenges to dissolve. See ad, page 35.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES

LESLEY JAMES, MD

INTERNAL MEDICINE

2851 Clover St, Pittsford 585-641-7102 LesleyJamesMD.com

ROCHESTER HOLISTIC CENTER

Dr. James’ mission is to enrich conventional medical practice with a more natural approach to prevention and healing in one holistic practice. She pays special attention to preconception health and provides natural treatment and guidance for ailments and issues of all kinds, with a focus on nutrition and an anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle.

Wi t h o v e r 3 0 y e a r s ’ e x p e r i e n c e in tr e a tin g patients, using a combination of Western methods that include progressive and holistic protocols. He treats both acute and chronic conditions. See ad on back cover.

FUNCTIONAL NUTRITION

KINESIOLOGY

ROCHESTER HOLISTIC CENTER

ROCHESTER GREENOVATION

1199 E Main St, Rochester 585-288-7564 • Info@RochesterGreen.org RochesterGreen.org Services include deconstruction, disassembling and collecting material for reuse; green clean out reusing and recycling items left behind after a move; event hosting, rent affordable space for an event; and recycling, keeping items out of the landfills.

ESSENTIAL OILS

Kimberly Kavanagh 890 Westfall Rd, Ste C, Rochester 585-690-3782 • RochesterHolisticCenter.com

ROCHESTER HOLISTIC CENTER

Michele Rueckwald VanAuker 585-202-6358 EssentialOilTouch@gmail.com

As a wellness advocate, Michele educates on the uses of essential oils. See ad, page 12.

FAMILY MEDICINE HIGHLAND FAMILY MEDICINE 777 S Clinton Ave, Rochester 585-279-4800 Highland.URMC.edu/FamilyMed

HEALTH KINESIOLOGY Debra Lee Pecora Canadice 585-443-0585

HK uses muscle testing to determine what is stressing the body from an energetic perspective. Energetic corrections are made to reduce these stresses and eliminate blocks to healing. See ad, page 30.

With more than 20 years’ experience, Kim helps patients by identifying and correcting nutrition deficiencies that have resulted in chronic health maladies. Specialties i n c l u d e d e p r e s s i o n , a n x i e t y, a r t h r i t i s , autoimmune conditions and many more. See ad on back cover.

INTEGRATIVE PSYCHIATRY

DOTERRA ESSENTIAL OILS

Shivender Thakur, MD 890 Westfall Rd, Ste C, Rochester 585-690-3782 • RochesterHolisticCenter.com

Mahipal Chaudhri, MD 890 Westfall Rd, Ste C, Rochester 585-690-3782 • RochesterHolisticCenter.com Dr. Chaudhri is an integrative psychiatrist offering alternative treatments for mental health, including Tr a n sc r a n i a l M a g n e t i c Stimulation. He uses supplements, nutrition and metabolic workups in addition to a traditional medicinal approach. See ad on back cover.

MINDBODY BODYMIND FLOAT CENTER 622 Park Ave, Rochester 585-413-0616 BodymindFloatCenter.com Info@BodymindFloatCenter.com

Floating offers various ways to relieve many conditions— such as joint and muscle pain—reduces stress, soothes pregnancy discomfort, depression and sleep disorders, enhances creativity and much more. See ad, page 19.

Ne Sh w op W , Re Ou eb de r Sto sign re ed

At Highland Family Medicine, discover maternity care for expectant mothers, as well as primary health care for newborns, children and adults.

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Rochester, NY

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NATUROPATHIC LAURA SLEGGS, ND

2425 Clover St, Rochester 10773 Poags Hole Rd, Dansville 607-661-5497 • DrLauracs@gmail.com DrLauraND.com Dr. Sleggs is a NYS licensed naturopathic doctor. She uses applied kinesiology and provides nutrition counseling and supplements to help individuals improve health in a natural way. See ad, page 26.

SURVIVING NATURALLY

Sandra Miceli, RN, FNP 75 W Main St, Webster 800-664-0613 Thriving@SurvivingNaturally.com Surviving Naturally provides services in the areas of integrative family health; natural skin, nail and hair care; and counseling services for individuals and families. See ad, page 21.

NUTRITION CREATE HEALTH WITH ANN TREACY Ann Treacy, NC, CHHC 220 Fairport Village Landing, Fairport 2112 Empire Blvd, Webster 585-704-3844 • 123CreateHealth.com

Ann Treacy is a nutrition consultant and health coach offering education, guidance and support for those seeking better techniques to reach their health and wellness objectives. Her knowledge of nutrition and coaching skills empower clients to achieve the results they desire. See ad, page 19.

ORGANIC SALONS LA SHEAR DESIGNS

Salon, Spa & Wellness Center Linda Allen, Owner/Cosmetologist 1726 Long Pond Rd, Ste 1, Rochester 585-426-5944 • Linda@LAShearDesigns.com LAShearDesigns.com Offering full-beauty, health and fitness services, including massage, Reiki, wellness consultations, health coaching and personal training. The safest, most natural, nontoxic products are used, caring for the client’s overall well-being.

PARENTING HOLISTIC MOMS NETWORK

THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE

THERMAL IMAGING DYNAMIC THERMAL IMAGING Carol Knapp, CCT, Office Manager 550 Latona Rd, Bldg D, Greece 585-734-6083 • NYDTI.com

Provides radiation-free, noninvasive clinical imaging for detecting and monitoring overall health as well as a number of diseases and injuries. 100 % safe, FDA-approved and available to women, men and children. Take responsibility for your own health and be proactive with Dynamic Thermal Imaging. See ad, page 38.

MICHAEL BIANCHI, LMT

500 Helendale Rd, Ste 155, Rochester 585-739-3575 MichaelBianchiLMT@gmail.com MichaelBLMT.MassageTherapy.com Committed to providing in-depth, personal, customized care and healing. Specializing in acute and chronic pain relief, deep tissue, and sports massage, headaches/ migraine relief, TMJ, aromatherapy and relaxation.

JANESSA M. BOTTICELLI, LMT & CHARLENE M. BOTTICELLI, LMT

640 Kreag Rd, Ste 202, Pittsford 585-797-7435 Charlene.Massage@yahoo.com RiverSongMassage.MassageTherapy.com Empower yourself with naturally safe, effective and affordable health solutions. Free classes for weight loss to seasonal distress to more serious health issues. Massage and Aromatherapy Treatments for stress and pain reduction and body balancing. Wellness consultations for personalized health plans.

ONONDAGA SCHOOL OF THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE

Tom Gallagher, Director of Admissions 302 N Goodman St, Ste 200, Rochester 585-241-0070 RocAdmissions@OSTM.edu • OSTM.edu Committed to providing students with training in the science of massage. OSTM has helped hundreds of individuals get training, qualifications and professional support. See ad, page 32.

ROCHESTER HOLISTIC CENTER Sara Jones, LMT Sara@RochesterHolisticCenter.com

YOGA FLOWER CITY YOGA

Barn Bazaar, 2851 Clover St, Pittsford 585-264-1166 FlowerCityYoga.com Flower City Yoga offers classes for adults, kids, teens and toddlers. They specialize in prenatal yoga, baby and me yoga and infant massage instruction classes. Vinyasa, gentle yoga, happy hour/open studio and active yoga are also offered. Flower City also offers personal, private training sessions.

MOLLY’S YOGA CORNER Molly Huff 585-202-1347 Information@MollysYoga.com MollysYoga.com

With two locations—in Fairport and on Monroe Avenue, Molly and her staff teach an array of yoga styles in a fun, relaxed, non-competitive atmosphere. See ad, page 26.

YOGA WITH VESNA

Vesna Sanders 585-732-7012 Vesna.Sanders@gmail.com VesnaSanders.com Vesna Sanders, certified yoga and prenatal yoga teacher, offers ongoing yoga classes at two different locations, as well as regular and prenatal yoga privates. Her classes are accessible and well-rounded, and appropriate for both relatively new and more experienced yoga students. See ad, page 21.

With a goal to encourage the body to heal itself naturally while increasing blood flow and eliminating toxins, we offer a wide variety of painrelieving techniques to accommodate individuals with different levels of discomfort. Specialized treatment plans are created for those with fibromyalgia, digestive issues, trigger points, lymphedema and other chronic or acute concerns. See ad on back cover.

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www.rochesterholisticcenter.com ● 585-690-3782 890 Westfall Road, Suite C, Rochester, NY 14618 48

Rochester, NY

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