New Classes by Stacey

LEAN Essentials:
May 20^th: 6:30-8:30 p.m.

$20.00 per couple

Come learn how to live a L.E.A.N. lifestyle that will help you through your pregnancy and parenting.
L.E.A.N. Workshops for Parents are filled with practical solutions for parents to be to help their pregnancy be healthier and smoother AND are:
*Full of simple and time saving ideas that make a parent’s life easier
*Interactive and fun
*Packed with innovative activities to keep parents and kids moving
What they are NOT:
*Boring lectures
*Calorie or point counting programs
*Physical exercise regimens

This two hour will introduce you to the LEAN experience and help you learn about other workshops that can make you a healthier, more active, positive parent!
Contact: Stacey Scarborough, L.E.A.N. Coach www.preparingtheparents.org
619-583-1129

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Reality Check: Surviving the first 6 weeks of parenthood: May 27^th 6:30-8:30

$30.00 a couple

Come learn how life will change as new parents: The joys, the challenges, the realty! This 2 hour class will help to prepare you as you journey into parenthood: Taught by Postpartum Doulas

· Preparing to bring baby home: what to purchase (and what NOT to buy)

· How to let visitors know how to be the BEST visitors

· Realistic information of baby’s eat and sleep patterns

· Mom’s recovery suggestions

· Guidelines for Partner’s-how they can help AND MUCH MORE

Contact: Stacey Scarborough, CCE, CLE, Birth and Postpartum Doula www.preparingtheparents.org 619-583-1129

Eat Right for Pregnancy, Not More!

When you found out that you were pregnant, was one of your first thoughts (after, “OH boy, I’m having a baby!”) “Oh goody, I get to eat anything I want for the next 9 months!”???

It’s not uncommon for expecting women to think that pregnancy gives them license to eat as much as they want because they are ‘eating for two’. In the last few months, there has been a noticable shift in the thinking of how much and the type of food you are eating. The awareness that you are now eating for your growing child should be the first thought in your mind as you decide what to eat, not “I get to eat whatever I want”. We are seeing the signs of proper nutrition all around: from nutritional guidelines in the super markets, to Michelle Obama promoting breastfeeding as the best choice for our growing babies.

I am recently certified as a L.E.A.N. Coach. What is “L.E.A.N.”? It is a program based upon scientific research and designed by Dr. William Sears, “America’s pediatrician”. The letters L.E.A.N. stand for Lifestyle, Exercise, Attitude and Nutrition. These four areas work together to make families healthier-at any age and any stage of life. L.E.A.N. means understanding and living a healthy, active lifestyle. Now more than at any time of a woman’s life, she should become L.E.A.N.

The average weight gain for a pregnant woman is between 25-35 pounds and 35-45 pounds if carrying multiple babies. But it is not just how much you can eat. A pregnant woman needs to remember that whatever she eats her baby is getting also, so the better the nutritional value of her food, the healthier the baby will be in utero. Moms-to- be who practice L.E.A.N.:
*Make lifestyle choice that protect their babies and give them the best possible start in life.
* Gain the right amount of weight by eating the right kinds of nutrient-dense foods and avoid foods that are high in saturated or trans-fats and sugar.
* Take care of their minds and bodies through exercise
* Pass L.E.A.N. principles on to their children.

So what are some of the concepts of a LEAN lifestyle and how can you get started?

Dr. Sears feels that the USDA Food Pyramid focuses too much on the quantity of food, and his program specifically addresses and focuses on the quality of food. His method of teaching about this is called “Traffic Light Eating” and is a simple, easy way to remember how to choose wisely. Classes are available that will provide you with tools to help you make good choices as you are shopping and eating. L.E.A.N. coaches teach this concept of Traffic Light Eating:

Green Light Foods are GO foods: eat as much and as often as you would like: all grown, not manufactured, and include all and any vegetables and fruits.

Yellow Light Foods mean SLOW DOWN : these foods make up the bulk of what helps to comprise a balance of nutrients, carbohydrates, proteins, and means to eat these every day, but not too much.

Red Light Foods are STOP and THINK: these are foods that should be avoided by making a healthier choice and these include foods high in fats, sugar, hydrogenated oils, eg: cookies, candy, fatty meats, white bread, etc.

Along with nutrition information for a growing baby and healthier children, the classes also focus on ways to get the kids moving, instead of sitting so much. With the growing obesity rate in our country, it is important for parents to set a proper example of ways to get active and incorporate exercise, or how we like to call it: PLAY in to the everyday life.

Having the proper attitude is important also. Parents who live a healthy lifestyle of activity and good nutrition will feel better, be happier and allow their bodies to work in the most efficient state, which will allow for an easier delivery, faster recovery, and healthier babies that will grow into healthier adults! One of the best gifts you can give to your children!

For more information on where to find a LEAN Coach and classes in your area, please refer to www.drsearslean.com

Stacey Scarborough is a certified Childbirth Educator, Lactation Educator, Labor and Postpartum Doula and a Doula trainer through DONA, Int. She recently completed her certification as a L.E.A.N. Coach and is excited to teach expectant and new parents about the L.E.A.N. program in San Diego and Southern California. She can be contacted at doulastace@cox.net and her website is www.preparingtheparents.org

A Note from Rosemary

Dear doulas,

As you can see when I am not on the road teaching women to become DONA approved postpartum doulas. I am on vacation. When most of you read this I will be in Cabo San Lucas for my husband’s 60^th birthday.

Who would have guessed that over 16 years has passed since becoming a doula. I met a wonderful group of women when I became a certified childbirth educator, then again as a birth doula. My proudest accomplishment was in 1994 when I, along with some exceptional women, started the first doula group “Beautiful Beginnings” in San Diego. For without the support of Beautiful Beginnings birth and postpartum would be a very different experience for the women in San Diego. In 1998 I started my own company North County Doulas. In 2006 I was an approved DONA postpartum doula trainer. In 2007 I was asked to join the advisory board for our own Postpartum Health Alliance and since 2008 I am teaching postpartum doula workshops all over the country. I am having the time of my life!

What a wonderful 2 years it has been on the road teaching. I have been to over 50 cities around the U.S and Canada. I have met over 200 of the most amazing women and they astounded me with their enthusiasm and dedication to this profession This year I plan on visiting another 25 cities and I invite you all to attend any city I am teaching to share a room and co teach with me

The weather has been a fun topic for this “California girl” who has been waiting to see some “WEATHER” but every time I get to a city that normally gets snow I get heat! “Oh what unusually warm weather we are having” They say or “you should have been here last week we had four feet of snow or high winds or buckets of rain” Yeah, Yeah, I never get to see anything but SUN maybe a little snow on the ground, but never falling. Oh well maybe this year.

I have visited small towns with two to four doulas and large cities where there are over 100 doulas. I love teaching a small group of four. It reminds me that I started my doula career as a group of four. I remind them that even four can change the way women think about their birth and postpartum experience.

I have met grandmothers, granddads and new moms on planes, and trains. They all say the same thing… “What a wonderful job you have!” I smile and say

“Yes, I do have the best job in the world”

In the doula spirit,

Rosemary Mason, CCE,PCD(DONA),CLC

www.northcountydoulas.com FB: Rosemary Mason

Preparation for birth: preparation for parenting, so important for both!!!

I am writing this blog while sitting in a dorm at the University of California-Davis. I sit here in disbelief. Just 19 years ago I was pregnant with this child that whom I am moving home today. She has just finished her first year at college. This college is over 500 miles away from home.
No one prepares you for this experience. The work of hauling home 9 months worth of accumulated clothes, room supplies, and assorted trinkets, not to mention an older, wiser and (hopefully) more mature child. For me, it has been 9 months of freedom-no disagreements, no having to discipline, no extra kids hanging out at the house. For her, it has been 9 months of freedom: no disagreements, no discipline, and lots of kids hanging around, lots of new experiences, lots of memories. For the two of us, we are both un-prepared for what’s next…the new schedule (for her), the new person in the house (for me) and this next lifestyle change.

As a childbirth educator, I prepare new parents for their changing lifestyle that comes after baby is here, and even through the next 18 years!

One of the topics that comes out at the first childbirth class is: “how is the baby going to change our life?” or “We already can’t do the things that we use to. When will our life get back to normal?” I prepare them for all this, and more! I guide them to information that will help them understand their choices and options, not only for birth, but also for parenting. Becoming a parent means not only a major lifestyle change, but also taking on the responsibility of raising a new human being: one, that someday, will be going to college.

Being a parent is hard work. So is labor. There are emotional highs and lows of parenting- when you are pregnant we refer to those highs and lows as ‘mood swings’.
When you are pregnant, your body changes and accommodates a growing fetus. When you’re a parent, you have to work on getting your body back to where it use to be.
When you’re pregnant, you begin to fully realize that the female body was designed to go through these normal pregnancy changes and is fully capable of nourishing a baby. When you’re a parent, your child’s accomplishments will nourish your soul.
When you’re pregnant, your partner learns to understand and appreciate what the mother is going through and learns how to help mom with physical and emotional comfort techniques. When you’re a parent, the pregnancy process brings you together as a couple which helps make being parents easier.

Studies have shown that people who take Childbirth Preparation classes feel more prepared not only for the birth process but also for the parenting process, and in fact, are better parents.

To quote Bill Cosby (comedian), “Childbirth is a natural thing. Intellectuals go to class to study ‘natural child birth.” Correct! With all the negative, scary, and over dramatization of childbirth on TV, it is easy for pregnant couples to become scared of the process, or to think that they can learn what they need to know from TV. They come into the hospital scared of pain, concerned of the well-being of the mom and baby, and unaware of their options. Most of this negative association can lead to more complications during the birth experience.

Childbirth education leads to easier births. We recognize the process of what nature has allowed to happen. There is an absolute reason to learn breathing techniques, cleansing breaths, slow deep breathing, and focused breathing. There is a reason a woman needs to master relaxation and recognize when she’s holding tension in her shoulders, jaw line or hands. There is a reason labor support is so important to the process.
You will still need breathing and relaxation techniques as a parent-we all remember being teens, correct???

Since there is no set schedule or plan for birth, the idea of being flexible and releasing control can be extremely overwhelming for many people (especially the pregnant mom!) This is a huge subject that comes up in childbirth classes. I love to prepare my couples for just this subject, because I know that the information allows them to process this change over the months of pregnancy. Education during pregnancy allows the parents time to discuss these lifestyle changes and begin to adapt them into their current lifestyle.
Parenting is 18 years of constant change!

There are many choices for your birth: where to deliver, what type of delivery, who will be attending the birth, and parenting styles.
Part of managing some of these issues is to be informed as to what you can do, what you can ask for, what choices and options are available. This is one of the most important subjects in a childbirth preparation class and can help to empower the couple’s birth experience, especially when changes arise. As couples attend childbirth classes together, they learn how to communicate, they learn empathy for each other and they recognize the importance of each of their roles.
Childbirth Preparation classes teach you options (flexibility) for your birth. Labor can empower you as a person. Support from your partner brings you closer together.
Parenting requires you to be strong, flexible, and work as a team.

My daughter is almost finished cleaning her room. Soon, we will be making the 9-hour drive home. I am prepared for her to be home again for the next 3 months, and then it’ll be back up here for another year of college-and the possibility that she may not come home next summer.

Once again, my life is changing.
We prepared her to be an adult. I am slowly working my way towards the realization that she is moving out, moving on, becoming a strong young woman. I prepared her well, thank goodness I am prepared for this…..
I am taking slow, deep breaths….


Stacey Scarborough is a certified childbirth educator and teaches for 2 major hospitals in San Diego, CA, as well as teaching privately in couples’ homes. She is also a certified lactation educator, fitness instructor, labor and postpartum doula, and co-owner of Beautiful Beginnings. She is a DONA, International approved Labor Doula Trainer. She has been married for over 30 years and has 3 wonderful adult children. Her personal website is www.preparingtheparents.org

Welcome to our new blog!

My first attempt at blogging.

I know, I sound so old-fashioned, and honestly, I feel it sometimes: the internet, social media, networking and twitter and facebook, oh my! But in order to keep up, this is what I gotta do, so here goes!

About this blog and Beautiful Beginnings. This is a journal for our doulas and others to contribute to with thoughts, ideas, ah ha moments, etc. We hope that you will check back often and comment as needed. We hope you enjoy our new website and the information that we are providing the San Diego community.

Beautiful Beginnings likes to think of ourselves as the “biggest little doula group in San Diego”. Our goal is to be completely local: the ‘Farmer’s Market’ versus Trader Joes, so to speak. Local doulas, local resources, local links, non-medical or even controversial, just a comfortable site for everyone who enjoys information on parenting, childbirth, doulas, and wellness for pregnancy!

As far as my “ah ha moment” for my first blog: I was recently at a home birth…my first to witness as a childbirth educator and doula. I am constantly amazed at the strength of women, the normalness of birth when left on it’s own, and the power to allow both to happen. And when it does happen that way for the parents, how wonderful a choice it was for them to make.

I am also keenly aware of knowing what’s important to the woman: her birth experience, her memory of her birth, who was at the birth, how it unfolded, what was said and done and what choices she made for herself and her family. That is powerful also. Follow what is important to you, and you will find the power in your hands, your words and your choices.