Charis "Labor Support" Workshop

Was held Saturday, October 11, 2014
At LifeSong Midwifery in North Port, Florida

Rachel Steppe, Kristin Schuchmann, Betsy Salvador, Kim Donaldson,
Andrea Kuntze (with baby Betsy), Rose Schuchmann, Nicole Richard, Terri Henady

What a blessed and educational time we all had at the Charis “Labor Support” Workshop!   The ladies who attended can't wait to put into practice all that they learned!  Birth professionals, students and others gathered at LifeSong Midwifery in North Port, Florida, improving their abilities to support laboring women with excellence. The day was filled with interactive, hands-on, fun, and interesting activities taught from a Christian perspective, giving God the glory for His marvelous creation and how He so wonderfully created women to bear children.

We made new friends and became more skilled in knowing how and when to use many techniques to bring a woman comfort during each phase of labor, understanding the science behind why the comfort measures work, creating an environment conducive to the natural progression of labor, recognizing when a woman is beginning to panic and helping her regain control, gently encouraging a woman to effectively push out her baby while taking advantage of the natural physiology of second stage, assisting a woman in breastfeeding for the very first time, and so much more.

In addition to the valuable skills acquired at the workshop, we also took home a beautiful “labor support bag” filled with an assortment of tools to help successfully support, serve, and bring comfort to future clients as they labor.
 

Friday night before the workshop many of the ladies gathered at Café Evergreen in Nokomis, FL.

Kim Donaldson, Kristin Schuchmann and Rachel Steppe
enjoying the beach after dinner as evening settles in.

Photographing the sunset after dinner.

As the sun sets on the beautiful Gulf coast, we look forward to a good night's rest
in preparation to for a full day of learning adventure!

Our director, Kristin Schuchmann, opening the morning with the workshop overview.

Spending time with these fabulous ladies at the recent Charis workshop was a tremendous blessing to me!  I am amazed and humbled by the incredible women who are part of the Charis family!  Looking forward to next time! ~Kristin Schuchmann, CPM, LM, Executive Director, Charis Childbirth, Inc.

Rachel Steppe, Betsy Salvador, Kim Donaldson and Terri Henady
with manuals open and ready to learn.

Resting during a mid-morning break.

Can you find the acupressure points?

Our pulse slows as we slowly exhale!

The labor support workshop was more than informative, it was empowering. I feel ready to apply the knowledge and tools I learned to the next birth I attend. Being able to support a mom in labor is a challenging task for every person in attendance. With the various ways to support a mom to allow her to have the most supportive birth with the most ease as possible. It was a pleasure to connect with many supportive women during the workshop and build important relationships. Kristin is especially good on educating and listening to our questions. ~Andrea Kuntze, Charis Administrative Assistant

Everyone opening their labor support "birth bags" full of tools of the trade.

I was privileged to attend the Charis Labor Support Workshop!  What a wonderful group of ladies to spend the day with!  Kristin teaches enthusiastically and in such detail about birth and making it the best experience for both mom and baby. She got us up and moving and hands-on practicing with each other. I have a completely new understanding of pain and resources to help lesson and or alleviate it.  And I've learned many different concepts and tools to use in the aid of birth.  It was a very productive and encouraging day.  I can't wait until the next one! ~Betsy Salvador, birth assistant in training

       
Kim Donaldson and Rachel Steppe admire the treasures they will be taking home.
 

Learning rebozo techniques, this is the "sifting" maneuver.

Kristin demonstrated many uses for the rebozo.

Terri Henady practices rebozo techniques on Nicole Richard.

I benefited from the knowledge of how pain relief techniques affect the physiological process of birth.  Acupressure and other techniques connected to the physiology are very important and will benefit childbirth education in my community in understanding how it works and why. ~Terri Henady, Charis CE/Doula Student

Learning techniques to help moms experiencing “back labor”.

Everyone gets a hand massage!

Nicole Richard and Rachel Steppe practicing the massage techniques we learned.

I learned so much at this workshop! I learned about the Gate Theory, Stress Response, Endorphins and Catecholamines, Touch Techniques and Comfort Measures, just to name a few.  I loved getting to know all the wonderful Charis women and hearing everyone's opinions on different subjects, learning what works best for them during births.  I can't wait to learn more and get to know more of the amazing women of Charis. ~Rachel Steppe, Charis CE/Doula student

Betsy Salvador and Kim Donaldson experiencing the benefits of pressue
 to various points in the body, learning how it can positively assist labor and birth.

Discussing the benefits and drawbacks of various pain relieving options.

I loved getting to meet other women who are training and serving as doulas. The enthusiasm was contagious and fostered a great environment for learning through the presentation, the hands-on activities and the extra "chatter" of varying insights, ideas and experiences. I have been practicing the hand massages since I returned home. That skill will be a great way to connect with expectant mamas plus the bonus is my daughters think it feels great too.  ~Kim Donaldson, Charis CE/Doula student

 

Nicole, Rachel, & Betsy

Nicole Richard

It was wonderful to participate in the Charis Labor Support Workshop. Even though I've been attending births for awhile and have been to other birth support training workshops it was a very enriching experience. I gained new depth of knowledge and a greater understanding of the reasons behind some of the things that we do to support women. Some particular things that stood out to me were an understanding of the relationship between Genesis 3:16 and John 3:16, The Gate Theory and the reasoning behind certain comfort measures, the Pancake Maneuver and other ways to help with a posterior baby, the importance of firm pressure and continuity of hands, and a chance to practice with the Rebozo. Kristin has so much wisdom to offer and it was a special chance to bond with such an amazing group of birth workers, I am grateful to have been a part of it! ~Nicole Richard, doula and birth assistant

Practicing squatting…..

Betsy agrees that the birth ball is a great tool!