A Mother's Worth Birth Services

Big Brothers and Sisters

2011-12-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

When my family was expecting our youngest baby girl, one of our major concerns was how our twins would react to a new sibling. So talked, read books, and took a local big brother/sister class. The adjustment was smooth, and we were thankful that we were proactive. The blog below has some great suggestions for getting your little ones ready for the little, little one.

http://www.sweetpeabirths.com/blog/2011/10/04/Preparing-Siblings-for-New-Baby.aspx

Yes, Breastmilk Counts!

2011-12-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

I recently discovered a darling and informative breastfeeding website geared toward new moms. There's a great breastfeeding plan you can download, ways to prepare for nursing, and helpful tips and techniques. Check it out!

http://www.breastmilkcounts.com/index.php

Can You See It?

2011-12-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

I've been seeing some really cute cervical dilation visual aids around the 'net lately. I'm sharing my favorite.

Let Them Eat Dates?

2011-12-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

A recent study shows a correlation between eating dates in the last 4 weeks of pregnancy with lower induction rates and improved labor outcomes. All this, plus they're yummy?! I say, eat up!

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21280989

Delayed Cord Clamping: Should You Consider It?

2011-12-01T22:09:00.000-07:00

Delayed Cord Clamping has been getting a lot of press lately. Simply by waiting 3-4 minutes to clamping and cut your baby's umblical cord you could be giving your child a great headstart. Penny Simkin, a giant in the childbirth world, explains the practice in the video above. Below is an article about a recent study that shows that delayed cord clamping is beneficial for babies.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/29/health/research/delay-in-clamping-umbilical-cord-has-benefits-months-later.html

I AM LAMAZE!

2011-09-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

I am so pleased and honored to announce that your favorite childbirth educator (ME!) is now a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator. After a long process of verifying my teaching hours, completing online learning modules, and a 150 question exam, I am apart of the oldest and one of the most well-respected birth organizations in the World!

Standing in Support of Breastfeeding Moms

2011-07-01T21:56:00.000-07:00

I was so happy to see that a Black, breastfeeding mama is being celebrated for her courage after she was asked get off a Detroit city bus for nursing her newborn. Moms and advocates have come together and staged a nurse-in in protest of the mistreatment nursing moms, and our society's distorted view of breastfeeding. I love it! With the dismal numbers of breastfeeding moms of color, how dare anyone discourage them!

Read about it HERE.

Close to the Heart: Breastfeeding our Children, honoring our values

2011-05-17T18:39:00.000-07:00

The ABC’s of Bonding with Your Baby

2011-03-15T21:56:00.000-07:00

Allow your motherly instincts to flow-You know what your Baby needs.

Breastfeed your Baby.

Cue led feeding is best. Feed you Baby when you see signs of hunger.

Daddy duty! Men and women interact differently with Baby-Babies needs both.

Everyday, that’s when you should take time to interact with your little one.

Follow your Baby’s led when it comes to active play. Watch for signs of overstimulation.

Get the rest you need in order to feel refreshed and relaxed while taking care of your Baby.

Handle your Baby with gentle, loving care.

I love you, say it everyday to your Baby.

Jump around and dance with your Baby. It’s great exercise for you!

Kangaroo care, holding your Baby skin to skin helps brain development.

Let your Baby create the routine. Do the research before considering letting your Baby “cry it out”.

Massage your little one. Infant massage is a great addition to a bed time routine.

No excuses allowed when it comes to bonding. You can do it right now even if your Baby is still in the womb.

Open your heart to embracing other cultures in finding ways to bond with your Baby.

Play music! R-n-B, hip hop, jazz, reggae, classical-what ever you chose your Baby will love it.

Quickly build your Baby’s communication skills by using sign language.

Read, Read, Read and read some more with your Baby!

Sing to your Baby even if you can’t. The Baby won’t mind.

Tummy time is important. Use it as opportunity to play with your Baby.

Use everyday activities as a way to interact with your Baby-point out everything and talk your way through the day.

Venture out and try new things. Go to the zoo or a museum. They are never too young!

Wear your Baby-use slings and wraps to keep your Baby close.

X-tra care should be taking when choosing toys and activities to share with your Baby.

You can not spoil a Baby-give him what he needs!

Zoom in on your Baby’s likes and dislikes. Make her life safe, fun, and enjoyable. She’ll thank you later!

A Mother’s Worth Birth Services

Assisting Mothers in Birthing a New Worth

amothersworth@yahoo.com

The Birth of Nur Al-Huda

2010-12-15T21:45:00.001-07:00

My most recent and very sweet doula clients have given me permission to share their birth story. Enjoy!

The Birth of Nur Al-Huda . . .

On the morning of Thursday, November 4, 2010 around 9 am, DeAndrea and Hannibal went to Banner Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix, AZ for a non-stress test. During this test, the nurse found DeAndrea’s blood pressure to be slightly high. After a call to the doctor, the decision was made to induce labor at 3 days past her due date of November 1. After waiting quite a while for an available room, the couple was admitted to Room 332. Since the doula had arrived, Hannibal made a quick trip home to pick up the pre-packed hospital bags, a few extra items like food, lotion, and movies, and to print out the birth plan. After his return, the resident doctor checked DeAndrea’s cervix. She and the charge nurse, Rhonda, agreed she was “closed and thick,” but the baby was head down. At 12:50 pm, DeAndrea decided to get up and move to help her baby make her way down. Shortly after, the day shift nurse, Shawna, arrived and introduced herself. She had a warm spirit and was very supportive of the couple’s natural approach. At 2:15, Shawna placed the drug, cervidil, which would help to soften the cervix in preparation for labor. The cervidil had to be in place for 12 hours. The couple advocated for themselves and DeAndrea was able to get of bed and walk every other hour. A few hours later, Dr. Sharon Thompson, the couple’s obstetrician, came by to briefly explain the process and stated she would check back in the morning. DeAndrea was vigilant about walking. She counted down the minutes until she was able to get up and move, all in the hopes of making the baby’s arrival easier. At 7:15, the night nurse, Bailey, came on duty. During the 8 pm break, the couple shared a conversation and some special time while on the birth ball. There was lots of kisses and hand holding. Around 9:30 pm, DeAndrea got into the shower and tried some natural techniques to get the contractions going which were coming, but not very strong. By 10:30, we were in contraction city! This was the turning point of the labor, because the contractions kept coming, longer and stronger as the hours passed. Hannibal was a rock for DeAndrea, supporting his wife through each contraction with massage, encouragement, affection, and his undivided attention. He was a role model support person.

Some of the natural comfort measures that helped DeAndrea were:

Position changes
Slow dancing
Massage tools
The birth ball
The peanut ball
The rebozo
Tennis balls
Dum dum suckers
A rolling pin
Heating pads

DeAndrea kept describing what she felt as pressure. She never said the word, pain. At 2:10 am, the cervidil was removed and DeAndrea had dilated 4 cm! At 2:30 am, she got a heplock IV placed while standing with Hannibal holding her in his arms. In the meantime, DeAndrea developed a case of the shakes. This was a sure sign that her body was preparing to deliver this baby. DeAndrea’s cervix was checked again when she requested pain medication. She was given Stadol through the IV and found that within the past hour she had dilated another 2 cm. It was at this time that the nurse noticed the baby’s heart rate dropping during contractions. Recommendations were made, but once again the couple advocated for themselves. With oxygen and IV fluids, Dr. Billie Zoby determined that birth was imminent. After having her water broken and internal monitors put in place, DeAndrea dilated to 8 cm while shaking uncontrollably. She fought though the next few contractions in her husband’s arms. While Hannibal was suiting up to catch their baby, DeAndrea felt the urge to push. With 4 big warrior mama pushes, Nur Al-Huda Maryam Muhammad was born into her father’s waiting arms at 4:47 am, November 5, 2010. When DeAndrea, who was still pushing, opened her eyes and saw her beautiful baby girl for the first time, her smile could have rivaled the sun. She gleamed with pride at the work she had done. After being placed on her mom’s chest, Nur promptly peed! The couple soon discovered their daughter weighed 6 pounds 11 ounces and was 19 ½ inches long. Even after enduring a rough repair, the brand new mother’s only thoughts were getting her baby to the breast.

The Essential Ingredient: Doula

2010-12-06T20:07:00.000-07:00

2011 Childbirth Education Group Class Schedule

2010-11-08T15:42:00.000-07:00

2011 Childbirth Education Class Schedule

Winter Classes
Monday Evenings 6:30-9 pm

January 10-31 March 7 -March 28

Sunday Afternoons 2-4:30 pm

January 30-February 20

Spring Classes

Monday Evenings 6:30-9 pm

April 4-25 May 16-June 13

(No class on Memorial Day, May 30th)

Sunday Afternoons 2-4:30 pm

March 20-April 10

Summer Classes
Monday evenings 6:30-9 pm

July 11-August 1

Fall Classes

Monday evenings 6:30-9 pm
September 26-October 17 November 14-December 5

Sunday afternoons 2-4:30 pm
October 23-November 13

Class Policies
All classes are 4 weeks long and last for 2 ½ hours each. The cost for all 4 classes and materials is only $100 for the expectant mother and her support person. Full payment is due at the beginning of the first class.

Make-ups-- If you have to miss one of the 4 classes in a series, you are welcome to come to that class in another series if there is space available.

Please register by phone or email for the day and time that suits your needs at least 2 week prior to the beginning of the class series. Ask about doula services and Dancing for Birth (TM) classes as well!

Wanted: Fathers, Real Fathers

2010-10-27T22:05:00.000-07:00

A recent study proved that the involvement of fathers in the pregnancy and birth process improved birth outcomes. Wow! Guess what segment of the population could benefit the most from these new findings? Black pregnant women and their families, of course, would benefit. But in order to benefit, we need our brothers to come home. We must end the baby mama/daddy epidemic! The birth of a child is the birth of an answer. A solution to the social problems we face as a community. We must begin to welcome our solutions with the open arms of a mother and a father backed by a community of support.

As the saying goes, steel sharpens steel, so we must identify the strong fathers among us and urge them to go after those of our men who need a role model father. Nope ladies, we can't make our men fathers. We can, however, encourage them to fulfill their role by doing everything we can to celebrate the small steps they take. As frustrating as it may be to with an absentee man in your life--cussing, arguing, and holding your child hostage really won't help matters. The role model fathers in our community need not be perfect, but have a willing spirit to help strengthen those men who may have never had a father themselves. These men may have never been shown affection, therefore they don't know how to give it. What nature or nurture may not have taught our brothers can be modeled for them to emulate.

I can't personally say enough about the joy of having a supportive partner during pregnancy. My first pregnancy was with twins, and it was difficult. I was in and out of the hospital. When I wasn't in the hospital, I was on bedrest. My husband cooked, cleaned, cared for me, and never once complained all while working and maintaining our home. I don't even want to imagine the stress I would have faced without him. My second pregnancy was as normal as they come, but the security and comfort my husband provided was invaluable.

So who will answer the call? The need is so great, but the laborers are so few. Step up, Black man and take your rightful place at the head of the family table.

Healthy Birth Your Way - Introduction

2010-10-05T15:47:00.000-07:00

Let Labor Begin On Its Own - Step 1 of 6

2010-10-05T15:46:00.001-07:00

Walk, Move, and Change Positions - Step 2 of 6

2010-10-05T15:46:00.000-07:00

Have Continuous Support - Step 3 of 6

2010-10-05T15:45:00.000-07:00

Avoid Unnecessary Interventions - Step 4 of 6

2010-10-05T15:44:00.000-07:00

Get Upright and Follow Urges to Push - Step 5 of 6

2010-10-05T15:43:00.000-07:00

Keep Your Baby With You After Birth - Step 6 of 6

2010-10-05T15:42:00.000-07:00

2010-09-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

A Mother's Worth participated in a Pregnancy Pause Health Fair. Pregnant women were asked to pause and think about drinking alcohol during pregnancy. I shared information about preconception health, fetal development, and babywearing.

World Breastfeeding Week Celebration

2010-09-17T11:48:00.000-07:00

The hardworking breastfeeding peer counselors of WIC Native Health celebrated World Breastfeeding Week with a health fair. I was there to share information about babywearing and doulas. I had a fabulous time!

Teen pregnancies are up, but WHY?

2010-09-02T22:41:00.000-07:00

Teen pregnancies are up, but WHY?

Art Reminiscent of Birth

2010-08-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

Taken at the Heard Museum of Native American History

Why Childbirth Education . . . in the Black Community

2010-07-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

As we look at the social ills we face in our communities, many of us pray for help. We pray for solutions. From whence will this help come? Our prayers will and always have been answered through the womb of a woman. This is, essentially, A Mother's Worth. A childbirth education course is intended to prepare both mothers and fathers for what should be a most joyous event, the birth of an answer. This event should be full of the spirit of love and hope, free of anixety of fear.
By informing parents-to-be of their birth options, educating them of what baby's journey into this world will entail and finally empowering them to make decisions with informed consent, we, as a community, are welcoming the answer to our prayers in the form of an innocent, beautiful baby.
We must know that a healthy pregnancy requires more than just eating right and not abusing drugs, mama's environment and mind set leaves a mark of our answers as well. Mothers can eliminate the fear of the unknown by enrolling in a childbirth education course.
As a call to action, let us as a community encourage pregnant women to educate themselves for the birth of our answers. Let us form around them a circle of love not to broken by negativity and shame. Let us uplift those with child. She is forming the brain, the heart, and the character of our solutions.

Bellydance for birth

2010-07-26T18:41:00.000-07:00

I love this video! Muha Al Musa relates bellydance to birth so beautifully. Enjoy.

Dancing for Birth

2010-07-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited! At the end of this month, I'm beginning the process of becoming a certified Dancing for Birth instructor! Inactivity plagues many women of color, myself included. This sedentary lifestyle is leading to negative birth outcomes for many of us. So I saw this and thought what a great opportunity to provide pregnant women a opportunity to exercise safely and interject childbirth education. It's a win-win! Exercise during pregnancy can

Ease or prevent back pain and other discomforts
Boost your energy level
Prevent excess weight gain
Reduce the risk of gestational diabetes, pregnancy-related high blood pressure and postpartum depression
Increase stamina and muscle strength, which helps you prepare for labor (Source)

Here's some guidelines to exercise for pregnant mamas from the American Pregnancy Association.

If you are just starting an exercise program as a way of improving your health during your pregnancy, you should start very slowly and be careful not to over exert yourself.
Listen to your body. Your body will naturally give you signals that it is time to reduce the level of exercise you are performing.
Never exercise to the point of exhaustion or breathlessness. This is a sign that your baby and your body cannot get the oxygen supply they need.
Wear comfortable exercise footwear that gives strong ankle and arch support.
Take frequent breaks, and drink plenty of fluids during exercise.
Avoid exercise in extremely hot weather.
Avoid rocky terrain or unstable ground when running or cycling. Your joints are more lax in pregnancy, and ankle sprains and other injuries may occur.
Contact sports should be avoided during pregnancy.
Weight training should emphasize improving tone, especially in the upper body and abdominal area. Avoid lifting weights above your head and using weights that strain the lower back muscles.
During the second and third trimesters, avoid exercise that involves lying flat on your back as this decreases blood flow to your womb.
Include relaxation and stretching before and after your exercise program.
Eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables and complex carbohydrates.

Until next time, ask yourself, do you know your worth?

Relax, Relate, Release!

2010-07-18T19:58:00.000-07:00

I have heard that if you don't have any stress, you're dead. While a sad statement, it is certainly true. We all operate under some level of stress on a day to day basis, but would you believe that Black people live under an inordinate amount due to racism? So much stress that it affects the birth outcomes of Black women? Well research has shown that that is exactly the case. In a workshop sponsored by South Phoenix Healthy Start and Family Tree Healthcare, I was introduced to the work of Dr James Collins Jr., Dr Richard David, and Dr. Micheal Lu through a PBS documentary entitled, Unnatural Causes. Studies have shown that over time (20-30 years, childbearing age maybe) high levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, begin to affect the integrity of the organs of the body, weakening them. These organs would have to include the uterus. Inordinate levels of cortisol before and during pregnancy can and do lead to premature birth. Premature birth can and does lead to infant mortality--death. This is the reason that prematurity affects all Black women regardless of socioeconomic status or educational background. Birth outcomes actually worsen with high income and status levels. (Blaming every negative birth outcome on "poor, uneducated Black mothers" really irks my nerves, but that's an another post.)
While ending the disease of racism and all the systems set in place to preserve it may be a tall order, there are ways we can help ourselves by reducing stress in our lives especially while pregnant. We, Black women, must come to the realization that pregnancy is one of the most scared times of life. We are at work with the Creator himself to shape, mold, and bring forth new life. This is not just in the figurative sense, but we are literally building a new person which is why nutrition is so key. This is not the time for foolishness. We must seek a way to tap into an inner peace. Think don't sweat the small stuff, or the big stuff either. Is arguing with your baby daddy at the club really worth the health and well being of your unborn child? If finances (or usually the lack there of) have you up at night, pray and turn it over to God. Black people have and will always be a spiritual people. Pray, pray, pray! Turn your stress over to our Creator by whatever name you chose to call upon him. I just thought of an episode of the tv show, A Different World. (Watch it on Youtube)You may remember the one where Whitley (Jasmine Guy) found out that her ex, Julian, was getting married. She flipped out! Her therapist (Debbie Allen) suggested that she just let it go, Relax, Relate, and Release! Well, during your pregnancy and in general take a tip from Whitley, Relax, Relate, and Release.

Read more about stress, race, and birth outcomes here.

Until next time, ask yourself, do you know your worth?

The Crisis in the Crib--A Call to Action

2010-07-02T20:22:00.000-07:00

Every year 8,000 African American children die during their first year of life.

Every year 8,000 African American children die during their first year of life.

Every year 8,000 African American children die during their first year of life.

These words rang in my ears as I viewed an unfortunately rare documentary, The Crisis in the Crib, produced by Tonya Lewis Lee, the wife of famed movie maker, Spike Lee. The documentary addressed the staggering infant mortality rate affecting the Black community. Black babies are twice as likely to die in the first year of life than white babies. My heart ached for the mothers. My heart ached for the fathers. My heart ached as I looked in the faces of my own 3 children, and thought to myself, “It could have been you.” And as tears streamed down my face, my mind settled on one thought –And what are you going to do about it?

As a childbirth educator, I am continuously immersed in the details of labor, delivery, interventions, etc. I now believe so much immersed that I missed the point. I got caught up in home vs hospital. Miss Passion for Birth was lost in the quest for promoting water birth as a gentler, kinder delivery, distracted by which baby carrier is best. All topics certainly worth my attention, but still I totally missed the mark. Black women are in need of the knowledge to keep their babies ALIVE.

Here’s what I (and we) can do to address the issues I view as paramount:

• I will educate women on the importance of improving our overall health before conception with special attention on reducing stress. Research has found that the stress of racism affects the birth outcomes of Black women.
•I will work to restore the Black family structure thus ending the Baby Mama epidemic. Fathers/Husbands are important, and recent research has proven it.
•I will utilize speaking engagements to stop the prevalence of SIDS in our community. Black babies are more than two times as likely to die of SIDS than white babies.
•I will promote breastfeeding as a means of ensuring the health of our babies for the first year of life and beyond.

Lastly, in the documentary as apart of the A Healthy Baby Begins with You campaign, we saw the mobilization and empowerment of college students as ambassadors of health and childbirth education in the Memphis community. Genius. Sheer Genius. In an age where the media perception of Black youth strikes fear in the hearts of most, to see beautiful young Black men and women hit the streets, going door to door imploring their peers to take a stand for their health and the health of our communities' unborn blessings brought me so much pride. Another action item is to replicate this program in cooperation with local maternal-fetal health groups.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll explore these crucial actions items more extensively and share what I’m doing to wage war against the unnecessary death of Black babies.

This post was inspired by a mini blog carnival sponsored by The Unnecesarean.

Reaching Our Community ~ Juneteenth 2010

2010-06-24T16:45:00.000-07:00

Nothing gives me more joy than talking to and interacting with the community I serve.

Beautiful Inspiring Home Birth from Kindred the Family Soul

2010-05-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

Six is It- Episode 6 (The Birth) from Sixisit Episodes on Vimeo.

Alternative Ways to Relieve Labor Pain with Penny Simkin

2010-05-18T12:57:00.001-07:00

Doulas are for (Women who Have) Birth Partners!

2010-05-11T14:46:00.000-07:00

I came this great blog and an outstanding article about doulas. I just had to share!

Trailer for Formula Fed America

2010-04-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

BlackPublicMedia.org: A Doula Story

2010-04-29T11:06:00.000-07:00

BlackPublicMedia.org: A Doula Story

The Wonders of Raspberry Leaf Tea

2010-04-29T10:52:00.000-07:00

Raspberry leaf tea is the most popular herb used during pregnancy, and is particularly useful during the third trimester. Its astringent and stimulating properties strengthen and tone the uterine and pelvic muscles, while its soothing properties relax the uterus. Raspberry leaf tea also tones the mucous membranes, soothes the kidneys, allays diarrhea, stops hemorrhage, quells nausea, sedates, and relaxes.

Raspberry leaves have been used throughout history to encourage safe, easy childbirth, to speed recovery from birth and to stimulate milk production afterwards. The tonic and relaxing action of the leaves reduces the pain of uterine contractions and makes them more effective and productive, thereby easing and shortening the duration of childbirth.

To make the tea
1. Fill a teapot with cold water and bring to a boil.
2. Meanwhile, fill a clean teapot with hot water from the tap. Let it sit until the water boils, then empty the teapot.
3. Place 2 tablespoons dried raspberry leaves or 4 tablespoons fresh raspberry leaves into the teapot.
4. Add 1 pint of boiling water to teapot.
5. Steep for 10 minutes.
6. Strain, pour into a cup and sip slowly.
To make a cup of tea, use half the amount of leaves and water. Drink 1 cup a day during your second trimester, and three cups a day during your third trimester.

Source: Mothering Magazine

What Can You Except in A Mother's Worth Class?

2010-04-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

If the mention of childbirth classes brings to mind heavy breathing and birth videos featuring furniture and hairstyles from the 70s. You are in for a pleasant surprise at A Mother’s Worth.

What’s so different? We have fun! Prepare yourself to move, interact, laugh, and of course, learn. You’ll leave more equipped with the knowledge you need to create a peaceful birth experience. You and your support team will gain confidence as we dialogue, and share up-to-date, evidence based information. Come prepared to see, do, think, and apply.

In our 8 week class series, you will

· Gain an Understanding of the Stages of Labor and Birth from a Physical and Emotional Perspective

· Sort through the Facts and the Myths and Draw Your Own Conclusions about Childbirth

· Explore the Mind-Body Connection of Birth and the Formation of New Life

· Learn Why Eating the Best Food is so Important During Pregnancy

· Benefit from a Full Class Dedicated to Labor Coping Techniques

· Get Accurate Information About Medical Interventions and Learn Your Options

· Prepare your Birth Team: All Support People are Invited to Attend the Classes

· Learn the Latest and the Tried and True Methods for Caring for Your Newborn

· Become Prepared for Breastfeeding Your New Bundle of Joy

Lastly, understanding the responsibility and importance of birthing children is paramount to changing the world as we know it. My focus is prenatal education and helping mothers to create a peaceful, holistically positive birth experience. We hope to serve all mothers and help them understand their limitless value.

Working at the Matthew Henson Project Reunion

2010-04-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

My Philosophy for Childbirth Education

2010-04-01T14:41:00.000-07:00

In the United States, the infant mortality rate is 6.3% for every 1,000 live births.

According to the March of Dimes, more than 540,000 babies are born too soon in the US.

One in every three laboring women is receiving a cesarean section.

With these heartbreaking statistics facing childbearing women today, the role of the childbirth educator is a vital one. As a birth advocate for the community, a childbirth educator seeks to open the minds of and empower expectant mothers and their families during a time considered the most precious and memorable of their lives. The educator has the opportunity to serve as a friend, a mentor, and an information source. She is a constant reminder that as women; we are powerful, strong, loving, nurturing, and capable of anything we set our hearts toward.

A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

Proverbs 10:1

I believe a childbirth educator is also responsible for imparting to parents the importance of positive thinking and prenatal bonding. Baby’s life begins at conception. What mom thinks, eats, hears, sees, and comes into contact with all makes an impression upon her unborn child. While creating new life, an expectant mother should only consume the best the Earth has to offer, strive to maintain a peaceful, stress-free environment, and be mindful of her thoughts and state of mind.

Expectant mothers should be encouraged to talk to their unborn children, sing to them, read to them, and even play with them. Bonding can take place now! Mothers should be asked to contemplate what contribution they would like their unborn child to make to society. Ask them, “Who will your baby be?” Encourage them to read to him about people who possess the character and moral values he should have. That beautiful, innocent child is the answer to our prayers. Love her, protect him, and cherish the fruit of the womb.