2013 Schedule of Events

Events took place throughout the day at the Iowa City Public Library, Willowwind School, Heartland Yoga, and Eastwind Healing. All events were free and open to the public.

ICPL - Meeting Room A

10:00 am - Maternal and Infant Health in the Philippines
Moira Saporita, CPM from the Mt. Vernon area shares her slideshow of her recent service trip and mission to assess care needs in this impoverished region.

10:45 am - Film Screening: “Freedom For Birth”
15-minute version of documentary about access to safe choices for maternity care as a universal human right with discussion to follow.

11:30 am - Conscious Choices with the Birthing Plan Process: Prenatal, Postpartum, & Beyond
with Heather and Josh Weber of The Conscious Living Center.

12:30 pm - Exercise and Babywearing for a Healthy and Pain-Free Birth and Beyond
with Kim Blackwell-Esch, Physical Therapist with Progressive Rehabilitation Associates

1:15 pm - Acupuncture for the Childbearing Years
with Alice Spitzner-Claussen of Twig and Needle Chinese Medicine

2:00 pm - The Wellness Pregnancy
Dr. Ron Robinson of Robinson Family Wellness will offer complementary care information, discussing his specific, gentle techniques for proper alignment and preparation for natural birth as well as nutrition and postpartum care for the whole family.

3:00 pm - Doulas and Hospital Practitioners
Q &A Panel hosted by Jenn Bowen, birth and postpartum doula of Monarch Birth Services.

4:00 pm - Film Screening: "Birth Story"
Special preview screening of a new documentary about Ina May Gaskin and the midwives of The Farm in Tennessee.

5:30 pm - Meet the Home Birth Midwives and Families
hosted by the Iowa Midwives Association.

Heartland Yoga

11:00 am - 12:30 pm - Prenatal  Yoga
with Abby Burns. Prenatal Yoga is designed to aid mothers during the natural yet sometimes challenging process of accommodating the needs of the shifting and evolving pregnant body. Utilizing specific yoga postures and meditative practices, this class will relieve stress, strain and anxiety as well as cultivate physical strength and mental peace to carry you through pregnancy and labor.  In addition to attention to the body and mind, time will be devoted to discussion of the many questions and topics that surround pregnancy and parenthood from a welcoming and supportive perspective.

12:45 pm - 1:45 pm - Simple Stretches for Pregnancy
with Jenn Bowen, Iyengar Yoga teacher-in-training and labor and postpartum doula of Monarch Birth Services.

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm - Preparing for Birth with Art
with Monica Basile, Mindful Birthing instructor. Because giving birth is a creative act, birth art is a powerful tool for preparation and discovery. Experience a birth art exercise designed to help you connect more deeply to your own innate strengths and wisdom for birthing. Birth partners are welcome.

3:00 pm - 3:50 pm - Prenatal Yoga
Join Rachel Cornett-Olsson, Certified Prenatal Yoga teacher of Sweet Feet Yoga, for this free sample class -- a nurturing yet challenging yoga practice for the body, mind, and baby. Whether you are a new or experienced yoga student, Rachel will guide you gracefully through meditation, breathing, and movement. You'll benefit from much-needed relaxation, while strengthening the muscles that support your baby during pregnancy and labor. Build body and breath awareness while bonding with  your baby, and meeting other mamas!  This sample class is an example of the Prenatal Yoga classes that are offered on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings at Sweet Feet Yoga in Coralville, IA.

Willowwind School

10:00 am - Storytime
The Conscious Birth Summit, in conjunction with Willowwind School, is offering a story time for "new to be" brothers or sisters. Conscious Birth attendees and children ages 2-5 will have the opportunity to use their bodies, voices and imaginations to tell the story of My Friends and Me. Craft will follow.

ICPL - Children's Room

1:00 pm - Siblings at Birth
For parents considering having their other children present at a new baby's birth. Monica Basile and Kathy Devine of Mother and Child Midwifery will discuss ways to prepare children and incorporate them into the birth experience in positive ways for the whole family.

2:00 pm - Baby & Me Yoga
Join Dana Robinson and sample Sweet Feet Yoga’s BABY & ME class with your little one newborn-crawling, or bring a baby-doll or stuffed animal to try out this nurturing class before your baby has arrived! Our Baby & Me class includes several unique poses for your baby which improve sleep, promote  good digestion, and build body awareness and strength as your baby works towards eventually crawling, standing, and walking. Yoga poses for new moms are also included to relieve tension and stress, as well as infant massage and time to relax with your little one. A great way to bond with your baby! This sample class is an example of the Baby & Me classes offered at Sweet Feet Yoga on Monday mornings and Tuesday evenings.  Come play with us!

ICPL - Meeting Room D

12:00 pm - Birth After Cesarean - A Heroine's Journey
with Kelly Fischer of ICAN. The International Cesarean Awareness Network is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve maternal child health by preventing unnecessary cesareans through education, providing support for cesarean recovery, and promoting vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). There are currently 5 chapters serving Iowa families; ICAN of Northeast Iowa, ICAN of Cedar Rapids, ICAN of the Quad Cities, ICAN of Central Iowa, and ICAN of Sioux City.

2:00 pm - Strong Parent, Happy Child: How a Parenting Coach Can Help Families Start Strong
with Mary F Lukas, speech language pathologist and certified parent educator for The Happiest Baby on the Block and Brazleton Touchpoints.

3:00 pm - Film Screening: "The Greater Good"
Documentary exploring the use and safety of childhood vaccines.

Eastwind Healing

3:00 pm - How to Use Health Insurance for Home Birth
Kathy Devine, CNM of Mother and Child Midwifery, will explain the ins and outs of insurance reimbursement for home birth services. Bring your questions!