Naperville Illinois: naMAMAste Doula Services. Providing pregnancy & birth support, education and fitness in Chicagoland's Western Suburbs

Call the #Midwife to Air in US #TV @namamaste .com

namamaste — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:29:18 +0000

Wanted to share some news about a new show, “Call The Midwife” a critically acclaimed BBC drama that will air on PBS this fall. Based on the best-selling memoirs of Jennifer Worth, CALL THE MIDWIFE is a moving and intimate story of midwifery in London’s East End in the 1950s. The first season follows a young Jenny Lee as she and her fellow midwives, attached to an order of nursing nuns, navigate the crowded East End streets teeming with children, workers and a culture remarkably different from the wealthy English countryside where Jenny was raised.

Check out a preview clip here

#Giveaway #Breastfeeding From @LeadingLadybras Info @namamaste .com

namamaste — Thu, 03 May 2012 23:25:15 +0000

This spring, Hollywood Leading Ladies Jenna Elfman, Kelly Preston and Laila Ali hosted an afternoon teahttp://www.leadinglady.com which celebrated moms and moms-to-be, and educated them about raising healthy babies. Leading Lady was proud to be a presenting sponsor of this first ever celebrity breastfeeding and toxin-free living event to raise awareness for the not-for-profit organizations Best for Babes and Healthy Child Healthy World.

We had our very own lactation consultant Amy Berry on hand to fit moms with pretty, stylish and comfortable Leading Lady nursing bras, while offering advice and tips on breastfeeding. Guests, including a glowing Vanessa Lachey, left the event with an incredible Swag Bags full of breastfeeding and eco-friendly products so heavy that they had to have help carrying them to their cars.

WIN IT: Leading Lady is continuing the celebration through Mother’s Day by kicking off our Celebrity Breastfeeding and Toxin-Free Living Swag Bag Giveaway!

Staring May 3^rd, Leading Ladies from Harrisburg to Hollywood can enter to win this luxe, eco-friendly gift bag — valued at $1,500 — featuring a five bra wardrobe from Leading Lady, as well as products from additional event sponsors Ameda, Moby Wrap, Motherlove, Cariboo, Seventh Generation, PumpEase, Fairhaven Health, Mamas and Papas, Happy Family, and more.

Check us out on Facebook, enter to win and tell us what you love about being a mom! New Facebook fans will receive a special 10% discount code to use at any time*.

Leading Lady is also celebrating Mother’s Day with a site-wide 15% discount (some items up to 70% off) on Sunday, May 13. We welcome you to share this chance to win the ultimate Mother’s Day gift bag and our Mother’s Day sale with your new mom and moms-to-be readers, fans and followers.

Good Luck and Happy Mother’s Day!

*Not valid with other offers. See official rules.

Dosed: The #Medication Generation #ADHD #Depression Information @namamaste .com

namamaste — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 19:53:53 +0000

Over the past quarter century, the number of children and teens taking psychotropic medication to ease the symptoms of mental illness has grown exponentially. From ADHD and depression to OCD and anxiety, medication has been increasingly prescribed as a solution to behavioral and psychological difficulties in the young. Now, the first generation of Americans to have grown up taking psychotropic medications are becoming adults, raising questions about how their prescriptions have shaped their experiences, their personalities, and their sense of themselves.

In DOSED: The Medication Generation Grows Up, Kaitlin Bell Barnett explores the history of mental health treatment for children and teens, and talks to the young adults who are dealing with the repercussions of the psychopharmacological revolution.

Though the effect of long-term medication use is often evaluated in a lab, the voices of the patients themselves are rarely heard. In DOSED, Bell Barnett, who at the age of seventeen began taking medication to treat her own depression, set out to document the personal accounts of young medicated patients. “Now that the first generation of medicated kids is entering adulthood,” she writes, “we have an invaluable opportunity to hear about their experiences with psychotropic drugs, and their assessment of those experiences.”

The book focuses on five case studies: Claire-whose story starts at age eleven -suffered from symptoms of depression and insomnia and had a family history of mental illness; Elizabeth-who is introduced at age twelve-is the child of a protracted divorce who is left without much supervision of her medication for depression and ADHD; Paul-whose story starts at age five-is caught up in the foster care system and an abundance of instability in his home life leads to him being heavily medicated for anger and hyperactivity issues; Caleb-whom the book introduces at age twelve-is an only child who was the victim of severe bullying at school which leads to post traumatic stress disorder and the later diagnosis of bipolar disorder; and Alex-introduced at age eighteen-who was emotionally abused by a step-parent and suffered a relapse of the OCD and depression that he had been diagnosed with as a child.

Just as each mental illness brings with it its own difficulties and struggles, Bell Barnett reveals that each medication comes with long term consequences as well. Issues of self-identity, the pain of relapse, and physical side effects, ranging from diabetes and migraines to sexual difficulties and risks of birth defects for pregnant women, are all coming to light as this first generation of medicated kids comes of age.

About the author:
Kaitlin Bell Barnett is a freelance writer whose articles have appeared in numerous national and regional newspapers and magazines, including the Boston Globe, New York Observer, Atlanta-Journal Constitution, and Prevention Magazine. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband.

#SNIP.IT ANNOUNCES #CONTEST FOR #EARTH DAY #iPad Great for #Homeschool Project @namamaste .com

namamaste — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 19:27:40 +0000

SNIP.IT ANNOUNCES CONTEST TO SPREAD AWARENESS FOR EARTH DAY

Social Curation Site Asks Users to Submit Environment-themed Content Collections;

Vinod Khosla to Lead Judges’Panel with Zem Joaquin, Avital Binshtock Andrews, Chip Giller and Diana Dehm

The Earth Challenge:
To help spread awareness for Earth Day, Snip.it is inviting users to submit collections of articles, videos and images about the environmental issues they are most passionate about. Topics may range from Clean Tech to Water, Energy Conservation and Sustainability.

How to Enter the Contest:
To participate, users can submit one collection to Snip.it’s Earth Day contest page (http://snip.it/earthday) from now until Friday, April 20^th at 5 pm Eastern. Users are encouraged to enter their collections earlier in the contest so that they have time to gather votes (Facebook likes on their collection page).

Choosing the Winner:
A panel of judges, headed by environmental thought-leader and preeminent clean tech investor Vinod Khosla, will evaluate the collections on breadth and depth of content, originality of thought, votes (Facebook likes), and how successful the collection is at spreading awareness on the issue or solution of choice. Snip.it will choose a winner on Earth Day (April 22, 2012). The judges’ panel will also include noted green journalists Zem Joaquin, Avital Binshtock Andrews, Chip Giller and Diana Dehm.

The Winning Prizes:
First Place: iPad 3 + $200 donation to an environmental nonprofit of your choice
Second Place: $250 cash prize + $100 donation to an environmental nonprofit of your choice
Third Place: $150 cash prize + $50 donation to an environmental nonprofit of your choice

About Snip.it
Snip.it is a popular new social curation site that lets you discover, capture, share and lend your voice to important topics and stories as they evolve through articles, video, images and other online content. The site has been featured in several high profile news outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, TechCrunch, Mashable and AllThingsD. The company is funded by Khosla Ventures, True Ventures, Charles River Ventures, and SV Angel. Visit http://snip.it to sign up for a free registered account.

#Chicago Survey Results Reveal Low #Fertility Awareness Information and Events @namamaste .com

namamaste — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 19:25:57 +0000

Chicago Survey Results Reveal Low Fertility Awareness

Fertility Centers of Illinois conducts survey testing fertility awareness and offers educational events during National Infertility Awareness Week

April 11, 2012 (Chicago, IL) – In response to National Infertility Awareness Week on April 22-28, Fertility Centers of Illinois conducted survey research to test public fertility knowledge. Survey findings revealed respondents were largely unaware of the prevalence of infertility, and unclear on the definition of infertility as it relates to age, gender and cause.

“The need for fertility awareness and education is critical,” says reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Brian Kaplan. “I see couples unintentionally hinder their chances of success by waiting too long for treatment, or misunderstanding the impact of age on fertility potential. If couples understand fertility basics, they will exponentially increase their opportunities for success.”

Respondents were given a 10 question multiple choice survey with basic questions on infertility.

Fertility Survey Results:

72.9 % did not know infertility affects 6.1 million people in the U.S.
81.8 % did not know 1 in 6 couples are affected by infertility
84.8 % did not know a woman has 400,000 eggs at puberty
32.5 % did not know infertility under 35 is defined as a couple who has been trying for 1 year
44.5 % did not know infertility over 35 is defined as a couple who has been trying for 6 months
29.6 % did not know a couple has a 20-25% chance of conception in any given month
46 % did not know that 50% of couples become pregnant after 6 months
28.1 % were not aware fertility declines rapidly for a woman after 35
37.1 % did not know ovulatory disorders are the most common cause of female infertility
68.4 % did not know that men and women experience infertility issues equally

National Infertility Awareness Week Events & Info (April 22-28)

Monday, April 23^rd (7:00-8:30 p.m.)

Behind Closed Doors: Under the Microscope

Join FCI physician Dr. Christopher Sipe and FCI embryologists Jill Mathews and Elissa Pelts to learn what goes on in FCI’s state-of-the-art embryology lab. Our seasoned professionals will take you on an embryo’s day-by-day journey from fertilization to implantation.

Location: Fertility Centers of Illinois

900 N. Kingsbury, Suite RW6 Chicago, Illinois 60610 *on the river walk

Tuesday, April 24^th (7:00-8:00 p.m.)

Fertility Financial Options Webinar

Covering the cost of fertility treatment can be confusing to navigate, but FCI is here to help. Attendees will learn about fertility financing options by discussing the fertility treatment costs, medication costs and loan options.

Wednesday, April 25^th(6:00-8:30 p.m.)

Keeping it Spicy! & Yoga Date Night

Trying to conceive can lessen the romance and intimacy in a relationship. Psychologist Dr. Marie Davidson will help couples keep the spark in their relationships while Beth Heller of Pulling Down the Moon can offer fertility-boosting yoga moves that promote calm, relaxation and mindfulness. Attendees will learn (and practice!) how to keep their relationship loving, tender, and even a little bit steamy. Attend one or both presentations.

Location: Fertility Centers of Illinois/Pulling Down the Moon

900 N. Kingsbury, Suite RW6 Chicago, Illinois 60610 *on the river walk

Thursday, April 26^th (6:00 – 7:30 p.m.)

Fertility Open Forum

Dr. Eve Feinberg, board certified reproductive endocrinologist with Fertility Centers of Illinois, will offer an informal evening of discussion on all aspects of reproductive medicine and fertility. Dr. Feinberg will answer questions on treatment options, diet, lifestyle, fertility preservation and more.

Location: Tiffani Kim Institute

310 W. Superior St, Second Floor Chicago, IL 60654

Friday, April 27^th

Get Involved In Community Events

There is a wealth of infertility support available to you.

Race for the Family 5K – Palatine, IL June 23 (8:00 – 11:00 a.m.)

Join us for a 5k supporting the Tinina Q. Cade Foundation, an organization that provides $10,000 grants to families struggling with infertility. Attendees can also enter a raffle for an IVF cycle.

www.ilraceforthefamily.com

Halsted Market Days – Chicago, IL August 11-12

FCI will be supporting the GLBT community at Northalsted Market Days.

http://www.northalsted.com

Birdies for Babies – Naperville, IL September 29

Join us as we golf and support those with infertility. Charity proceeds and an IVF cycle are donated to a couple struggling with infertility.

http://www.golfinvite.com/bfb

Saturday, April 28^th

Mindfulness Training for Fertility (10:00 – 11:30 a.m.) *6 week class

Women struggling with infertility often experience negative thoughts that contribute to feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and hopelessness. Mindfulness training for fertility combines well-tested techniques from psychology and meditation. The goal is to achieve deep relaxation and self-insight, and to help in managing negative thoughts and feelings. For women at any stage of the fertility journey.

Location: Fertility Centers of Illinois/Pulling Down the Moon

900 N. Kingsbury, Suite RW6 Chicago, Illinois 60610 *on the river walk

Receive Inspiration & Support from Organizations

Find out more about these organizations. Be inspired, share your journey, and find support.

Tinina Q. CADE Foundation, Inc. www.cadefoundation.org
Center on Halsted www.centeronhalsted.org
The American Fertility Association www.theafa.org
RESOLVE www.resolve.org

# # #

Fertility Centers of Illinois, S.C., is one of the nation’s leading fertility treatment practices, providing advanced reproductive endocrinology services in the Chicago area for more than 30 years. FCI physicians, embryologists and support staff are stringently chosen based on educational background, medical skills and their ability to collaborate. With a team of 11 nationally and internationally recognized reproductive physicians who treat thousands of patients each year, the practice has earned a reputation for overcoming hard-to-solve fertility issues. FCI is dedicated to medical and clinical excellence and continues to invest in the latest technologies and research. FCI offers a comprehensive range of fertility treatment options including intrauterine insemination, in vitro fertilization, donor egg, gestational carrier, and preimplantation genetic diagnosis, as well as extensive resources to address financial and emotional needs. Fostering a culture for continuous innovation has made FCI home to the annual Midwest Reproductive Symposium which attracts experts in the field of reproductive endocrinology from around the world. FCI has 10 offices conveniently located throughout the Chicagoland area (Buffalo Grove, Chicago/River North, Crystal Lake, Glenview, Highland Park, Hoffman Estates, Lindenhurst, Naperville, Oakbrook Terrace, and Orland Park). FCI is a member of the Attain Fertility Network which provides discounted fertility treatment programs. For more information visit www.fcionline.com

Hereditary #Breast Cancer #Ovarian #Cancer Stories @namamaste .com

namamaste — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 02:19:11 +0000

13 Breast and Ovarian Cancer Stories You Haven’t Heard

At some point in their lives, every woman considers her risk for cancer – be it age, lifestyle or family history. But the more than two million women who are at increased risk for breast or ovarian cancer because of family history or genetic mutation face decisions no one should have to make alone. From early screening, such as mammograms much earlier than those at average risk, to preventive surgeries, the choices are many and all of them scary. And yet, hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) is an extremely under-reported story.

For 13 years, FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered has been the voice of experience and empowered cancer survivors and those at high risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer by providing support, education and awareness to help patients and their families know their health care options and make informed decisions.

FORCE has collected 13 compelling stories detailing the brave fight some of its members are waging against hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC). As the first and the most established leader in providing information on HBOC, FORCE hopes that sharing these amazing stories will inspire other women to investigate their family history. As The Downey sisters pointed out, “Knowledge is power,” and could be the difference needed to save a life.

FORCE provides support, education and awareness to help those facing hereditary breast and ovarian cancer know their options and make informed decisions.

Study Shows 77% of Autistic Children Dramatically Improve Through NAET #AUTISM @namamaste .com

namamaste — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 20:12:15 +0000

Study Shows 77% of Autistic Children Dramatically Improve Through NAET

NEW YORK (APRIL 9, 2012)—Seven years ago, Jacob and Laurie Teitelbaum Family Foundation funded a study to help children with autism worldwide. This month, their pilot research was featured in Integrative Medicine—A Clinician’s Journal, showing the efficacy of the NAET technique for treating autism and allergy-related conditions.

Jacob Teitelbaum, MD

Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, first heard about Dr. Nambudripad’s technique in 1998 and became intrigued after witnessing an autistic child in his office recover using the NAET protocol. The hypothesis of the newly published study is that food and nutrient sensitivities play a major role in autistic disorders.

After 1 year of treatment, 23 of the 30 autistic children in the NAET treatment group were able to return to regular school classes with their healthy, non-autistic peers, as opposed to none of the 30 children in the untreated control group. The full study and more information on NAET may be found at http://www.endfatigue.com/health_articles_a-b/Autism-study-abstract-treating-autism-with-naet.html.

Prevalence of Children with #Autism Increasing; No One Factor to Blame, Researcher Says @namamaste .com

namamaste — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 19:26:45 +0000

Prevalence of Children with Autism Increasing; No One Factor to Blame, Researcher Says

Story Contact: Jesslyn Tenhouse, TenhouseJ@missouri.edu

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The number of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has increased nearly 80 percent in the past decade, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced. Currently, one in 88 children receives an ASD diagnosis, and of those children diagnosed, boys outnumber girls 5-to-1. Janet Farmer, director of academic programs at the University of Missouri Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, says many factors have contributed to the increase.

“It’s difficult to pinpoint one cause, yet one explanation for the dramatic increase is that the diagnostic criteria for ASD have expanded,” Farmer says. “Children with normal intellectual functioning who previously would not have met the criteria now are receiving ASD diagnoses.”

Early detection and better record keeping by school administrators and health providers also have added to the growing numbers of children the CDC has identified with ASD, Farmer says.

The CDC reported the largest increases in prevalence were found among Hispanic and black children.

“Children in these groups have tended to be diagnosed later than those in other groups, and now better screening and diagnosis may be available to them,” Farmer says. “However, the increase in diagnoses among minority groups did not account for the total rise because all racial and ethnic groups showed an increase.”

The Missouri Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) site found one in 72 of all 8-year-old children in the St. Louis area have an ASD, which is notably higher than the national average.

“It is unclear why more children in the St. Louis region are diagnosed with ASD,” Farmer says. “Some speculate that families have better access to specialty care in that region than in other areas of the nation, which would facilitate diagnosis.”

The CDC’s report should serve as a reminder of the need for improved services and high quality research on ASD, such as research that investigates the causes of autism and identifies better interventions, Farmer says.

“Not all children with autism look alike or behave similarly,” Farmer says. “At the MU Thompson Center, we’re looking for ways to identify specific subgroups of children with autism so we can develop tailored ways to treat individuals in each group. Parents want to know what they can do today to improve the lives of their children now, and they want to know what will help their children have better lives down the road. Research will help us improve the lives of individuals and families affected by ASD.”

The Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders at the University of Missouri is a national leader in confronting the challenges of autism and other developmental conditions through its collaborative research, training and service programs. For additional information, visit http://thompsoncenter.missouri.edu.

View this news release on the Web at:
http://munews.missouri.edu/expert-comment/2012/0402-expert-available-prevalence-of-children-with-autism-increasing-no-one-factor-to-blame-mu-researcher-says/

Celebrities, Doctors Team Up To Fight the World’s No.1 #Birth Defect #Chicago #Events Info @namamaste .com

namamaste — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 19:19:01 +0000

Celebrities, Doctors Team Up To Fight the World’s #1 Birth Defect

A Documentary that Gets to ‘The Heart of the Matter’

Very few people realize that the number one birth defect in the world goes – all of whom are children. One out of every one hundred babies is born with a congenital heart defect (CHD) – the underlying cause of most sudden death cardiac events.

Armed with an understanding that the general public is widely unaware of the prevalence of CHD’s and treatments available for infants born with them, Emmy award-winning director, Ted Kay, decided to do something. Starting by seeking the advisement of The Children’s Heart Foundation and their medical board of internationally-renowned physicians, Kay embarked upon a journey that would result in the documentary film, “The Heart of the Matter.”

Narrated by Golden Globe-nominated actor Chris O’Donnell, “The Heart of the Matter” takes a hard look at the epidemic of congenital heart disease, examining the causes, treatments and legislative action that can be taken to improve care for children and adults living with a CHD. Interviews with the country’s leading cardiac physicians, celebrities like Brian Littrell of The Backstreet Boys and Chicago Bears’ cornerback Charles Tillman well as families and children who have been affected by a CHD punctuate this poignant.

“The Heart of the Matter” will premiere with a red carpet event in Chicago on May 1, 2012. The film will air nationwide on May 6^th.

About ‘The Heart of the Matter:’ Armed with the knowledge that America’s number one birth defect goes undiagnosed in nearly a majority of patients, Emmy award-winning director, Ted Kay of TMK Productions, set out to make a film that would save lives by increasing awareness and educating the public. In addition to interviewing families whose children have been diagnosed with congenital heart defects, Kay sought the advisement of The Children’s Heart Foundation and their medical board, which consists of some of the country’s top cardiac and pediatric physicians. The result of Kay’s efforts is the powerful, eye-opening documentary film, ‘The Heart of the Matter.’

Handling #Separation #Anxiety #Parenting Tips @namamaste. com

namamaste — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 15:11:46 +0000

Separation Anxiety:

At Home and Out of Sight

~ Tips from The No-Cry Separation Anxiety Solution

Do you find it impossible to take a shower, work at your desk or even use the bathroom without your little one tagging along, or crying if you leave the room without him? This aspect of separation anxiety is very common. The good news is that all children eventually outgrow this phase, but you can move things along by using some of the following ideas.

Play the door game
You can practice safe separation by playing a game. Start by making animal noises. Have your child guess the animal, if pre-verbal encourage him to echo you. Once he has the gist of the game, sit him on the floor near a door and hide behind it. Play the game and pop out with each sound. Then play again with the door closed. Once this becomes familiar can make a few noises if you’re in another room. Not only will he have fun, it will show him that you can be in the room with the door closed and everything is just fine.
Have practice sessions
Rather than wait until you must be separated from your child, set up short practice sessions throughout the day. Allow another person to engage your baby in playtime. Then slowly back up and sit a few feet away – smiling but unengaged. After a few minutes get up and leave the room for a minute or two, coming back before your child gets upset, and making a happy entrance, “Looks like you two are having fun!” Slowly build up the time to five minutes, fifteen minutes and so on. A few practice sessions each day will help your child deal with longer necessary separations.
Get your child occupied in play
Before you leave the room get your child involved in an activity, then have another adult take over while you step back. A great activity is looking out the window at the trees, neighborhood or wildlife, as your child’s focus will be outside and away from you. Once they are engaged, you can make your exit and allow the two of them to continue playing.
Allow your baby independent time
Throughout the day encourage your baby’s independent play. Often babies are so endearing to us that we don’t realize that there are times we can and should encourage a bit of independence – it’s good for your baby to learn that she can entertain herself. Begin to notice when your little one is happily occupied with a toy without your direct involvement. When you see this, step away from her. These solo-play sessions will pay off when you take that one step further and she can’t see you in another room.
Create a special box of toys
Decorate a cardboard box, or purchase a small colorful box with a lid. Fill it with an assortment of new and interesting toys. Pull out this surprise box of toys only when you need to separate at these times, such as when you are working in your hom office or showering. When you are done close up the box and put it away for next time. Rotate the items in the box so that it always contains something new and interesting. Make it an exciting part of your routine and soon your child will be looking forward to it.
Allow others to have more time with your child
Very often a child becomes particularly needy with one parent above all other human beings. This is often because that is the person who tends to his basic needs nearly all of the time. If this is the case, that one person becomes a security object, so it’s unfair to be the daily constant in his life and then ask him to separate from you happily when you need him to. If you find that nearly all of your child’s waking hours are spent with you, try to find ways to have your spouse, partner, babysitter or grandparent spend more time alone with your child. Experience will build security and your child will come to know that other people are also capable of meeting his emotional and physical needs.

~~~~

Excerpted fromThe No-Cry Separation Anxiety Solution (McGraw-Hill) by Elizabeth Pantley

To receive a set of parenting articles at no charge send a request to elizabeth@pantley.com