Lending Library
“The Lending Library was wonderful! My husband and I would highly recommend this class to friends and family. Thank you!” — Class participant.
The Center has an extensive, up-to-date Lending Library on a wide variety of topics related to the childbearing year and the promotion of healthy families. The collection includes videos, dvds, and cds in addition to books. All books required to complete DONA International birth and postpartum doula certification are available. Topic areas include: nutrition, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, breastfeeding, postpartum depression, grief and loss, vaccines and informed choice, herbs, homeopathy, yoga, exercise, women’s health, parenting, adoption, midwifery, anthropological studies, small business development, and more.
Recently Expanded Library Collection!
- The Business of Being Born DVD
- It’s My Body, My Baby, My Birth DVD
- Joining the Family DVD
- Baby Talk DVD
- Infant Massage: The Power of Touch DVD
- Labor Support: A Comfort Guide DVD
- Laugh and Learn About Newborn Baby Care DVD
- Toolbox for New Dads DVD
- American Heart Association Family & Friends First Aid DVD
- Vaccines: The Risks, the Benefits, the Choices DVD
- Vaccines: What CDC Documents and Science Reveal DVD
- HypnoBirthing Book & CD
- Pushed!
- Born in the USA
Please Note:
Our Lending Library is open most weekdays and is self-serve. Just follow the posted instructions at the Center. We ask that you borrow no more than one DVD or videotape at a time and return it within one week please. Book borrowing is limited to three per family for a maximum of three weeks. Please don’t allow the Center’s library materials to collect dust in your home for weeks, months, and years on end. Someone else is waiting to use them! They can be returned to the drop box inside the front door of the Center, so return them at your convenience, any time of the day or week.
You are invited . . .
. . . to write up a brief, critical review of any of these items and we will publish your review on the website. If there is an item in the Lending Library that you found particularly helpful, or that you would like to comment on, write it up for the benefit of others. Be the first to contribute to what we hope will become a thriving online community!
Resource Center
In addition to the Lending Library, available resources include:
- community resources, including bulletin boards and display areas for events, brochures, and business cards
- a variety of free catalogs and magazines
- a recycle bin for newsletters, magazines, and journals of interest
- knowledgeable staff
At-A-Glance Schedule of Classes (2008)
Childbirth Preparation – Everything You Need to Know
- November 4–December 16 (7 Tues, 7–9:15pm)
Breastfeeding Basics – Tools for Success
- December 10 & 17 (2 Wed, 6:30–8:45pm)
Combining Work & Breastfeeding
- November 20 (Thur, 6:30–9pm)
Infant CPR, First Aid, & Safety
- December 11 (Thurs, 6:30–9pm)
Vaccinations & Informed Consent
- November 19 (Wed, 7–9:30pm)
Postpartum Support Groups
Mothering Arts
- Mondays, 10–11:30am, ongoing; join anytime
The Breastfeeding Cafe
- Fridays, 10–11:30am, ongoing; join anytime
At-A-Glance Schedule of Classes (2009)
Childbirth Preparation–Everything You Need to Know
- January 20–March 3 (7 Tues, 6:30–8:45pm)
- March 31–May 12 (7 Tues, 6:30–8:45pm)
- June 16–July 28 (7 Tues, 6:30–8:45pm)
- September 8–October 20 (7 Tues, 6:30–8:45pm)
- November 3–December 15 (7 Tues, 6:30–8:45pm)
Childbirth Prepartion–Focus on Labor & Birth (Condensed Series)
- January 17 & 24 (2 Sat, 1–4:30pm)
- March 15 & 22 (2 Sun, 1–4:30pm)
- June 13 & 20 (2 Sat, 1–4:30pm)
- August 2 & 9 (2 Sun, 1–4:30pm)
- October 25 & November 1(2 Sun, 1–4:30pm)
Newborn Care 101
- February 4 (Wed, 6:30–9pm)
- March 19 (Thurs, 6:30–9pm)
- April 27 (Mon, 6:30–9pm)
- June 11 (Thurs, 6:30–9pm)
- August 26 (Wed, 6:30–9pm)
- October 12 (Mon, 6:30–9pm)
- December 2 (Wed, 6:30–9pm)
Breastfeeding Basics–Tools for Success
- January 31(Sat, 12:30–5pm)
- March 17 & 24 (2 Tues, 6:30–8:45pm)
- May 26 & June 2 (2 Tues, 6:30–8:45pm)
- July 11 (Sat, 12:30–5pm)
- August 29 (Sat, 12:30–5pm)
- September 26 (Sat, 12:30–5pm)
- October 19 & 26 (2 Mon, 6:30–8:45pm)
- December 9 & 16 (2 Wed, 6:30–8:45pm)
Combining Work & Breastfeeding
- February 2 (Monday, 6:30–9pm)
- April 8 (Wednesday, 10am–12:30pm)
- June 9 (Tuesday, 6:30–9pm)
- August 24 (Monday, 6:30-9pm)
- October 7 (Wednesday, 10am–12:30pm)
- December 9 (Wednesday, 6:30–9pm)
Infant CPR & Safety
- January 26 (Mon, 6:30–9pm)
- March 12 (Thurs, 6:30–9pm)
- April 20 (Mon, 6:30–9pm)
- June 18 (Thurs, 6:30–9pm)
- July 27 (Mon, 6:30–9pm)
- September 10 (Thurs, 6:30–9pm)
- November 19 (Thurs, 6:30–9pm)
Infant/Child/Adult CPR & First Aid
- March 14 (Sat, 9am—2:30pm)
- May 30 (Sat, 9am—2:30pm)
- August 1 (Sat, 9am—2:30pm)
- November 7 (Sat, 9am—2:30pm)
Vaccinations & Informed Choice
- January 28 (Wed, 6:30–9pm)
- May 27 (Wed, 6:30–9pm)
- September 30 (Wed, 6:30–9pm)
When Should I Register for Classes?
At what point in your pregnancy should you register for classes?
Plan ahead! You are encouraged to take Childbirth Preparation classes beginning anytime after your fourth to fifth month of pregnancy. Since the full series is seven weeks in length, you don’t want to back it up too close to your due date or you will run the risk of missing the last class or two if your baby comes early. As class sizes are limited, parents are encouraged not to wait until the last minute to register, though we will accommodate you if we possibly can.
The following classes can be taken prior to your baby’s birth or after the birth with the baby in tow:
- Breastfeeding Basics — Tools for Success
- Newborn Care 101
- Combining Work & Breastfeeding
- Infant CPR, First Aid, & Safety
- Vaccinations & Informed Consent.
The Infant Massage class and all of our support groups are designed to be taken with your baby.
All About Midwives
In the State of Michigan, consumers have great freedom of choice regarding midwifery care. If you are just beginning on a path of looking into your choices regarding birth attendants and place/setting for the birth of your baby, then these choices may be a little confusing. We will attempt to clarify here.
Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs)
CNMs are credentialed through the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM). They are RNs with additional Masters-level training in midwifery. Nurse midwives can attend births in hospitals, free-standing birth centers, and homes, though they are primarily found working in hospitals. You may find nurse midwives in solo practice, small group practices of two or three midwives, or large practices of ten or more who rotate being “on call.” Large practices may assign one midwife who you see for prenatal care, but it is potluck at your birth. Most insurance companies will reimburse for their services. They work with doctor back-up and abide by medical protocols that may mandate consultation with, or transferral of care to, the back-up doctor in some circumstances. CNMs, for example, cannot be the primary care provider for women expecting breech or twin deliveries. Ask your prospective nurse midwifery service about their protocols regarding transferral of care and insurance coverage.
Direct-Entry Midwives
Direct-entry midwives — also known as “lay,” homebirth, or traditional midwives — are an eclectic group in Michigan. There is no government oversight regarding licensure or certification of direct-entry midwives in this state. The practice is considered “a-legal” in that it is neither prohibited by law nor sanctioned by the state. Compared to some states in the country where direct-entry midwifery is against the law, or other states where it is licensed and regulated, the status of Michigan direct-entry midwives allows for maximum consumer choice regarding birth attendants.
Direct-entry midwives may attend homebirths or out-of-hospital birth center births. Typically they work with low-risk, healthy women who desire a normal, non-medicated birth. A complete homebirth or birth center service package should include prenatal care, attendance at your labor and birth, and postpartum care, with phone consultations as needed.
Direct-entry midwives may participate in a national certification process through the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM). A midwife who has completed experiential skills training and passed the NARM exam earns the Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) credential. This credential is used as the requirement for licensure in 22 of the 24 US states which license direct-entry midwifery. Some direct-entry midwives may have a nursing background and RN credential, but practicing midwifery is outside the scope of nursing licensure. Direct-entry midwives who lack credentials may nevertheless be highly experienced and qualified, and have sound reasons why they have chosen not to pursue the CPM credential. Most direct-entry midwives are apprenticeship trained and self taught. Some have attended midwifery schools or undertaken a home study course. “Lay” midwife technically means a person with no experience or training who attends births.
Theoretically, there are no complications that a birth center midwife can handle without medical backup that could not also be handled at home. While a birth center may convey a greater sense of safety, this, in and of itself, is an illusion. However, if the birth center attendant is more skilled, that is not an illusion. When emergencies happen at a homebirth or in an out-of-hospital birth center, 911 is called and the woman and/or baby is transported to the nearest hospital. In Michigan, physicans do not back up direct-entry midwives in the same sense that they back up nurse midwives. However, ERs cannot refuse care and many direct-entry midwives have friendly doctor “back up” to the extent that a physician may order necessary tests for the midwife or be willing to consult with her if needed.
Insurance & Fees
As a rule, insurance companies do not cover out-of-hospital birth attended by direct-entry midwives, but there are some exceptions. Women on Medicaid or covered under HMOs will not be able to get reimbursement for direct-entry midwifery services. Check with your insurance provider regarding the feasibility of homebirth coverage. Midwives should also be able to tell you the providers with whom their clients have had success in gaining reimbursement or partial reimbursement. You should expect to pay the midwife’s fee up front, out of pocket, and then gain her help in generating a proper receipt suitable to submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement. Midwifery fees in Michigan currently range from $1,000 (very low-end for midwives attending rural, religious, or Amish communities) up to $4,00 or more. If you have a high-deductible insurance plan, it is quite possible that the midwife’s fee would equal the amount of your co-pay for a hospital birth. Healthcare Spending Accounts (HSAs) or “Flex” accounts can be used as well.
Choosing a Midwife
The practice of midwifery is not the practice of medicine, and medical procedures such as pitocin induction, epidurals, and surgical procedures should take place only in hospitals. Some homebirth midwives may be skilled in working with herbs, homeopathics, and nutrition. Prevention is a hallmark of good midwifery care, and supporting, rather than interfering with normal processes often prevents complications. Midwives can vary in their approaches to midwifery care. For example, some midwives may choose to use dopplers to listen to fetal heart tones, while others may use the low-tech fetoscope. Just because a midwife attends births in a birth center or at home does not guarantee her practice of midwifery is non-interventive.
Clients should interview midwives carefully to find the approach to care that is a good match for their needs. How many births has she attended as the primary midwife? (This should be distinguished from “years in practice” which is essentially meaningless; i.e., someone can claim 25 years’ experience, but have very limited experience as a primary midwife. Hint: Most midwives worth their salt will have a ready and precise answer to this question and it should not be rounded off to the nearest hundred. Do you trust the claim she is making?) Which potential complications can the midwife handle? How is she prepared to handle them? What percentage of her clients give birth with their perineums intact? What are her practice protocols for pre-term or post-term babies? Under what circumstances will she transfer care to medical backup? What percentage of her clients end up with a hospital transport? Is water birth an option? The answer to these questions will vary, depending upon the individual midwife and the practice setting. By asking the right questions, you should be able to find the midwifery practice that is most closely in alignment with your beliefs and preferences.
Careful interviewing of prospective midwives is in order! Ask around. Good word of mouth about a birth center or homebirth practice is important. Midwives who are dishonest, irresponsible, or unskilled get weeded out pretty quickly, but there may be a few out there who are mis-representing their level of training and experience. Create your own list of questions prior to interviewing midwives, a list that reflects your values and priorities, and hire someone who has her act together. Trust your instincts AND check her references/credentials.
How to Register
Pre-registration is required for all classes. Registration is limited and will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. To reserve your spot, send a minimum payment of $100 (or the full fee if tuition is less than $100). Balances are due on the first day of class. A limited number of more flexible payment plans or work/study opportunities are available upon request, but must be approved in advance. Once we receive your check, we will mail you a letter of confirmation providing directions and other information. Last-minute registrations may be accepted, space permitting.
Discount for Multiple Classes
Sign up for more than one of any of the childbirth and parenting classes and support groups and take a 5% discount off the price. In order to qualify for the discount, you must pay the full fee at the time of registration.
Make-Up Policy
We are not able to accommodate the many requests we receive to allow people to make up classes in a series for which they have schedule conflicts. Our classes are usually full and there simply is not the space to do this. If you have to miss a class, it is fine for you or your partner to come alone. If you both have to miss, the teacher can point you in the direction of reading and audio/visual materials that cover similar information. If you anticipate multiple conflicts, you may want to consider private classes which can be designed to meet your unique needs.
Refund Policy
A full refund, minus a $25 processing fee, will be provided upon request up until one week before any class begins. After that time, refunds will not be issued, though students may use their credit (minus $25) to enroll in a future class or support group. Once we are within 24 hours of a class beginning, no refunds or credits will be issued.
Payment by Check
When sending in payment, please include the following information:
- your name and name of one person who will be attending the classes with you
- address, phone number, and email address
- due date
- the class names and dates in which you are enrolling
Please make checks payable to:
Center for the Childbearing Year
Mail to:
Patty Brennan
Center for the Childbearing Year
722 Brooks St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Payment by Credit Card
We accept VISA and Mastercard over the phone. A $10 fee will be assessed for credit card refunds. This is in addition to the $25 cancellation processing fee detailed above.
Questions?
Call (734) 663-1523 or Email Patty.
Midwifery Model of Care
The Midwifery Model of Care is based on the fact that pregnancy and birth are normal life processes. It includes:
- monitoring the physical, psychological, and social well-being of the mother throughout the childbearing cycle;
- providing the mother with individualized education, counseling, and prenatal care, continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery, and postpartum support;
- minimizing technological interventions; and
- identifying and referring women who require obstetrical attention.
The application of this woman-centered model of care has been proven to reduce the incidence of birth injury, trauma, and cesarean section.