Montrose Area Birth Resources

And the Western Slope

This list is under construction.

Aromatherapy & Herbs

I carry to each birth a small arrangement of essential oils known to be helpful during labor.  Many herbs and oils can be beneficial during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum when used with wisdom and experience.  I have listed a few great local and online shops for such things.  I am not a certified herbalist and therefore do not bring any oils that are known to do anything but relax and revitalize.

Cups for Pleasure (was Garden Goddess Creations) - bulk herbs, tea.  Owner was a doula in Austin.  Lena St and Sherman in Ridgway, 970-626-3272

HoneyCombs - Montrose, 970-240-4719

Natural Life Herbs - 1038 S 1st St, Montrose, 970-249-4117

Shining Mountain Herbs - bulk herbs, salves, oils, and extracts.  Ridgway, 970-626-2212

Wish Garden Herbs - great selection of natural remedies for regular ailments of pregnancy and postpartum. 

Young Living Essential Oils

Birth Locations

It is in a mother's and newborn's best interest for the birth location to be carefully chosen after understanding all options and the risks and benefits of each option.  Despite popular belief, research has shown again and again that a low-risk woman and baby attended by a professional midwife is just as safe, if not safer, birthing at home than she is at the hospital.  This does not mean that all hospitals are more dangerous than any homebirth scenario.  It simply means that statistically, women and babies suffer fewer injuries and poor outcomes at home than they do in hospital.  A family should carefully weigh all risks and benefits for any choice in birth and parenting.  I am not anti-hospital, in fact I feel that the hospital is the perfect location for many women for a number of reasons and for some women who live in rural areas of the Western Slope, hospitals may feel like the only logical option.  This is not always the case and it is worth speaking with homebirth midwives just to explore your options.

Home - See "Midwives" Below.  If you live within 30 minutes of a hospital and you are considered "low risk," birth in your home might be an option.  If you do not live within 30 minutes of a hospital, consider asking someone for the use of their home or asking the midwives of a location they recommend.

Montrose Memorial Hospital

Delta County Memorial Hospital

Blogs & Forums of Interest

Saffron Doula - my blog

The Birth Blog - a blog spot for birth

MotheringDotCommune - the Mothering Magazine's online forum

Breastfeeding - click here for information from Saffron Doula

Grand Junction LLL - meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 6:00-8:00 PM.  Barbara 970-243-4247 or Tracie 970-858-1211

Montrose LLL - Connor 970-872-2138

Ask Dr. Sears - leading author and doctor's thorough resource for information on breast and bottle-feeding, common problems, and more

Center for Disease Control - what the CDC has to say about breastfeeding

Dr Jack Newman - online videos, information, and other resources for nursing mothers who want to learn and see how it's done

La Leche League International - the premier resource for breastfeeding mothers

Breech Babies

Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to safely birth many breech babies vaginally and it is legal in Colorado.  There are a few doctors in Denver who will deliver breech babies presenting in certain ways.  You do have choices and it will benefit your peace of mind to research them. If you do wish to birth your breech baby vaginally, it is well worth seeking out a practitioner who is comfortable with your decision, as having an uncomfortable practitioner is not advantageous to obtaining the birth you want in any circumstance. 

I have taken short courses on options for women with malpositioned babies, and I am happy to explore these with my clients.

Optimal Foetal Positioning - British article on how to help your baby get into the best position for birth

Spinning Babies - easy to read resources on optimal positioning for your baby

GentleBirth.org - Gentle Birth's resource page on vaginal breech birth

Caesareans & VBAC

While cesarean sections can and do save lives in some circumstances, the World Health Organization has stated that a cesarean rate higher than 10% in developed countries results in higher risk to mothers and babies than would be present without those additional cesareans.  The evidence is undeniable that cesarean sections are dangerous to mothers and babies and should not be resorted to unless medically necessary.  The most recently reported c-section rate for the U.S. was 31.1%. 

International Cesarean Awareness Network - for statistics, support, VBAC promotion, advocacy links, and just about everything else you could want on cesareans.

ICAN's White Papers - writings & information, including how to avoid unnecessary cesareans, breastfeeding after a cesarean, choices and options, debated topics, post-surgery recovery, fact sheets, etc.

Chiropractors Specializing in Pregnancy & Pediatrics

Natalie Liesman - Pediatric and Webster Technique (turning breech babies) certified.  Grand Junction  970-245-1263

Bryce Christianson - Pediatric & Webster Technique certified.  Grand Junction  970-241-5585

Wesley Sheader - specializing in infants and children.  Grand Junction  970-254-2954

Circumcision

A Jewish Woman Denounces Circumcision A must-read for anyone faced with the circumcision decision.

BabyBoy

Boystoo.com We wouldn't even think of circumcising a girl--why not protect boys too?

Circumcision.org

Doctors Opposing Circumcision An organization of traditionally trained medical doctors and others who are working to educate the public about how circumcision is medically unnecessary and how the mutilation of another person's body is inexcusable.

Mothers Against Circumcision An organization for awareness and education regarding routine circumcision.

NOCIRC An educational non-profit organization committed to securing the birthright of male, female, and intersex children and babies to keep their sex organs intact.

NoHarm

SexuallyMutilatedChild.org A site dedicated to children whose lives have forever been changed by circumcision mistakes and 'accidents'.

Doulas

CAPPA - Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association, I am a member

Colorado Doulas Association - I am a member

DONA - Doulas of North America, I am a member

Labor Prep (my personal recommendations)

Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn by Simkin, Whalley, and Keppler

Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin

Birthing From Within by Pam England

Midwives

Childbirth Awareness -  William Dwelley, Montrose 970-249-5125‎

Full Circle Midwifery - Paonia 970-527-8566

Mountain Birth - Rebecca M. Pugh, Rico 970-708-1298 or 970-967-6288

Natural Birth, Natural Living

Birthing Naturally

The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth

Mothering Magazine

Nutrition

Brewer Diet for Pregnancy

Postpartum Depression & Baby Blues - click here for information from Saffron Doula

Pregnancy Assistance

Life Choices Pregnancy Center - (Montrose) a Christ-centered ministry which promotes life-affirming options by providing practical assistance, free education and material services to all those making decisions about their relationships, sexuality and pregnancy.

Pregnancy Resource Center - (Delta) 560 Meeker St  (970) 874-5733‎

Presentation (position of baby).  Also see "Breech"

Optimal Foetal Positioning - British article on how to help your baby get into the best position for birth

Spinning Babies - easy to read resources on optimal positioning for your baby

Vaccinations

AskDrSears.com - the site of the man who literally wrote the book on vaccinations.  His book is FANTASTIC and should be read by everyone who has any interest in vaccines for any reason, whatsoever.

Centers for Disease Control - CDC's vaccination web site

VAERS - Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System.  Use this to look up adverse reactions or to report your child's adverse reactions.

World Health Organization - WHO's vaccination, immunization, and biologicals site, in English.

Other Resources

Babies Online Free Birth Announcements - Create a web site for your baby! Stuff for new & expectant parents

Birthing Naturally Directory

Pregnancy Place Directory