Nurse Midwifery Week
Nurse Midwifery Week is October 03-October 10, 2004. In observation of this special week, our office has two special events scheduled. The first event will be our yearly "Patient Get Together" scheduled for Monday, October 04, 2004 from 6-8 PM. This is a great opportunity to meet other clients of our service. This evening will also be the start of our Blankets for Babies Campaign being held the entire week in honor of Nurse Midwifery Week. Patients and their families are being asked to donate blankets to be donated to local shelters in the area. Donations will continue to be accepted in our office through October 10, 2004 For the older children in attendance we are sponsoring a Poster Contest where children are asked to develop a poster of what Family Means To Them. These posters will be displayed in our office during the month of October. Patients who come to the office will be asked to cast their votes. Cake, drinks and paperware will be supplied by the practice and those attending are encouraged to bring a covered dish or snack to share with others. For those camera buffs, pictures of this event are always great to post on our website or to display in our office. The event will be held in Founders Hall, ground floor of Mercy Jeannette Hospital
On Thursday, October 07, 2004, our office will host a "Consider Your Options" Orientation evening. This will be an opportunity for those who wish to know more about midwifery to stop by for some valuable information. We would also like to organize a group of story tellers who would like to share their childbirth experience. These stories are very helpful to women who are expecting their first child or who have not utilized a midwife for their previous births and can help remove fears and provide inspiration. If you are interested in volunteering, please let Sue know. There will be written information and a video presentation. The evening starts at 6:30 and is open to all those interested in learning more about midwifery.

The Birth of Sweet Baby James
For a variety of reasons, such as desire to be helped and supported in having a "natural birth", to labor at Mercy Jeannette Hospital and to use the birth tub; and not least of all, to avoid the problematic receptionist at my previous OB/GYN group practice, we chose to go to the midwives for our second pregnancy. (Really, I chose them because my husband pretty much lets me decide this kind of thing), I first heard about the midwives years before through my friend whose sister had had her baby with them. At the time I thought that the idea of midwives was too radical for me and I would stick with the conventional doctor delivery when I had a baby. This is exactly what I did, with sort of disappointing results. After attending La Leche League meetings since the birth of my first son and hearing month after month about wonderful birth experiences at the Family Nurse Midwife Associates, I thought that maybe I too would like to see what the midwives had to offer.
In January 2002 after being late for my period I suspected that I might be pregnant again and it just happened that the midwives were having a "Consider Your Options Orientation Meeting" right around then. I attended and discovered through my free pregnancy test given to me by the awesome Sue, that yes, I was pregnant again. I also learned about the philosophy of midwifery and realized that La Leche League had opened my mind to new things that I previously thought were radical. So, I scheduled an appointment, and began a wonderful relationship with the "baby ladies" as I named them for the benefit of my one year old, Michael.
I never had to wait for my appointments with the midwives. I never had to schedule inconvenient appointment times. I never had to pay for parking. I never had to drag around a cup of pee with me all day or any of the other minor, but annoying problems of my first pregnancy. Sue allowed me to take an active part in my pregnancy by teaching me how to do the urine test and write down my own weight. Gretchen and Sandy gave me all the time I needed to ask questions and answered them with the patience and non-authoriativeness that made me feel at ease. I was always welcome to bring my toddler along to appointments and he loved playing with all the great toys in the playroom. I appreciated the many resource books and videos that were free to borrow. I had a great pregnancy, which was made even better by the "baby ladies".
The baby, who at this time we knew was a boy, was due to arrive on September 20, 2003. Our first son was born 9 days early, so I kept saying that this baby would be born 9 days early too, on.....September 11. I teased that we should name him Liberty or Patriot, but we decided to name him after both of our maternal grandfathers.
My water broke at about 9 PM on the 10th and I called and told my husband Bruce who had just gone into work. I also had Gretchen paged and she said that because I was Group B Strep Positive, I should come to the hospital as soon as possible. I called Bruce again and told him to come back home and we got to the hospital around 10:40. My mom was already there waiting for us. I was having no labor pains whatsoever, so at about 1:00 AM, we all went to bed.
The next day I was still having no pains. Bruce and I walked the halls of the hospital and still nothing. Gretchen suggested that I be hooked up to a breast pump since nipple stimulation sometimes brings on labor. We tried that twice, but still nothing. At 11:00 AM, I was only 3 cm dilated and 50 percent effaced. Since I had GBS, Gretchen said that I really needed to deliver within 24 hours of my water breaking. We were anxious to meet our new baby, so at 12:14 we agreed to have pitocin. Boy, did that bring on the pain!!! I labored in all sorts of positions from 2:30 on, but was not allowed to use the birth tub because of the pitocin. At 3:20 Gretchen checked me and said that everything looked good to go. I started pushing at 3:55 and our sweet baby James came out to meet us at 4:12 PM. I was so glad to be able to have the semi-natural birth where I did not feel like I had "copped out" by taking pain relief. I was gently guided and supported by my husband, Gretchen and the nurse every part of the way. My mom, who had been such a wonderful help filming our first son's birth and supporting me with my birth, figured that like the first time I would be a while, so she left to run an errand at around 3:00. When came back at 5:00, she saw she had missed the whole main event this time. James Clarence was very healthy at 8lbs 5 5ozs and was 21 inches long and began nursing right away. He had a head of dark hair and absolutely no "stork bites". My aunt who was one of our first visitors, having 5 children and 5 grandchildren of her own, said that he was the most beautiful baby that she had ever seen.
So, we have a wonderful event to associate with a day most people only think of as tragic. We also have a wonderful family and we will be adding to it in November. I am so glad that I switched to the midwives and I tell everyone that will listen to me about how great they are. I was glad to be going back to seeing them regularly again, because I was really missing them.
Thank you so much Gretchen, Sandy and Sue for all that you have done for us.
Chris, Bruce, Michael and James Bair,
New Stanton, Pa

Recent Book Donations to our Library

The following books were recently donated to our library
What to Expect when You are Expecting
donated by Lynna Thomas
Welcome to our World
donated by Jodi Spenillo
Our practice greatly appreciates all donations. Our library is open to all of our patients and in order to continue lending out books, it is very important that any books borrowed from our office be returned in a timely manner.

Help!!! Our Pirate Men are Missing
It has come to our attention, that our Pirate Men are missing from our Castle and Ship in our Play Area. Please check to see if your children may have inadvertently taken them from our office and please return them as soon as possible. Many children enjoy playing in our toy area and these men are a very important part of their play experience. Thank you
How To Calculate your Due Date
The average pregnancy lasts 280 days or 40 weeks from the first day of your last menstrual cycle. Most people think of pregnancy as nine months, but it is close to 10 lunar months. That is why pregnancy is spoken to in terms of weeks rather than months. Pregnancy is dated from the first day of your last period, as it is a date that is usually known. Whereas, the conception date is a guess. Therefore when your midwife tells you that you are 12 weeks pregnancy, the baby is actually 10 weeks old
For example, your LMP was June 10, 2004, subtract three months which is March 10th, then add 7 days. Your due date would be March 17, 2005. If your cycles are longer than 28 days, say 32 days, simply add four days. In your cycles are less, say 21, then subtract 6 days. If you are unsure of your last period or have irregular periods, the midwife may order an early sonogram to establish your due date.
What does this due date mean? Only one in 20 women give birth on their due date. Most women will deliver two or three weeks early or two weeks late. The due date is simply an estimated date of delivery.

Infant Massage Workshop Scheduled
Our next Infant Massage Workshop is scheduled for Friday, November 05, 2004 from 9:30-11:30. Class is taught by Certified Infant Massage Instructor, Connie Caper. Registration is required no later than 5 PM on Thursday, November 04, 2004 by calling 724-527-9159. Class is a great way to learn ways to bond with your baby.
Many Thanks to Jessica Bruni of Gateway Publications for the wonderful article written on our practice in August 2004. The midwives and the interviewed patients very much enjoyed talking with her about midwifery and their own birth experiences. Article is currently available on our website and our bulletin board.

Childbirth Crash Course to Continue
Due to our past success of our Childbirth Crash Courses, Jan Mallak, has agreed to continue to offer them at our office site. These classes are also open to the public and not exclusively to clients of FNMA. These classes include such topics as Labor and Birth Basics, Positioning and Movement, Progress Enhancement, Pain Management, Doula Tips, Tools and Techniques and How to Create a Birth Vision. Jan Mallak is an internationally certified birth instructor, certified birth and post partum doula, trainer, author and speaker with over 24 years experience. Our practice is lucky to have someone who has worked "in the trenches" and knows how the birth process works to provide this valuable service to our clients. Her class schedule is as follows
November 10 and November 17
January 19 and January 26
March 16 and March 23
May 18 and May 25

All classes are two three hour sessions and pre-registration is required by contacting Sue at 724-527-9159 or Jan at 724-327-6063
Moms Group to Resume Meeting This Fall!!
Our practice will again be hosting various guest speakers to provide information on a wide variety of topics. This is a great night out for all moms and a great way to network. The meetings are as follows
Thursday, October 14, 2004-Russene Horansky will be talking about the linkage between many household products and certain health problems You will learn what ingredients are toxic and safe alternatives
Wednesday, November 03, 2004-Dr. Volosin , chiropractor, will talk about the importance of the development of the nervous system in children and the stress to children during the birth process
All meetings will begin at 6:30 PM. Guests are also welcome. For the courtesy of our speakers, please RSVP before 4 PM on the scheduled date

Birth Announcements
Welcome Caden Michael Cioffi on March 29, 2004 at 1:56 AM. He weighed 8lbs 3ozs and was 21 inches long. Great big thanks to Gretchen, Sandy and Sue for a job well done!!! Providing me with choices was very empowering. Although there were a lot of tears, crying and yelling, I followed through with my vision of a drug free birth. The prize is a beautiful vibrant little boy. Caden joins his Mom, Dad and big sister Leah, who turned three on April 10, 2004. Also. thanks to the nursing staff at Mercy Jeannette for their support (especially Barb).
Michael, Quinn and Leah Cioffi, Greensburg, Pa
Yasmine Nicole Ballantyne was born August 02, 2004 at 12:00 AM. She weighed 6lbs 15ozs and was 19 inches long.
Rochelle Ballantyne, Irwin Pa
Erik and Rosemary Fedor are proud to announce the birth of their son, Dominik Michael Fedor. Dominik was born on April 19, 2004 at 7:57 PM. He weighed 7lbs 12 ozs and measured 21 inches long. Dominick has a big brother, Patrick. A very special Thank You to Gretchen for all of her support and encouragement during labor and delivery of our son
Eric and Rosemary Fedor, New Salem Pa
Tracy and Ed Voit are proud to announce the birth of their second son, Alexander James Voit. born on June 14, 2004. Four year old Nikole is an excited big sister
Ed and Tracy Voit, Jeannette,Pa
Kevin and Trina Gill lovingly announce the birth of Kyle Everett Gill born on Friday, August 13, 2004 at 7:49 AM. He weighed 7lb and was 21 inches. Kyle joins big sisters Lauren (3 years) and Mia (9 months)
Kevin and Trina Gill, Jeannette, Pa
Our practice strives to provide a high level of quality care and in order to do so, we want to know what changes can be made to make it even better. Please take the time to complete your post partum questionnaire and return it to our office

Nurse Midwives Provide Alternatives to Traditional care
An increasing number of expectant parents are utilizing certified nurse midwives during their pregnancy and delivery. According to the American College of Nurse Midwives, nearly 10 percent of all vaginal births in the United States are now attended by Certified Nurse Midwives and they are currently the most common maternity caregiver worldwide.
Certified Nurse Midwives are nurses who have additional certification by the American College of Nurse Midwives. They provide prenatal care, delivery, post partum care and breast-feeding support. They act as a "sympathetic female companion" monitoring the physical, psychological and social well being of the mother, providing the mother with individualized education, counseling, and continuous hands-on assistance during labor and delivery.
The care available from a CNM includes detection of abnormal conditions in the mother and child, procurement of medical assistance and execution of emergency measures if necessary. Nurse midwives are well qualified to care for healthy women who expect to have a normal birth.
Typically, mothers under the care of a nurse midwife are less likely to have a cesarean delivery, an episiotomy or other interventions. Through non-medical means CNMs are often able to help the mother cope with the discomfort of labor including continuous support, massage, relaxation, laboring in water and changing labor positions.
Beyond maternity care many midwives also provide well woman care which includes gynecological checkups, pelvic and breast exams and pap smears. Pre-conception counseling and lactation services are also available.
For more information about midwives and the benefits they provide, call the office of Family Nurse Midwife Associates at 724-527-9159. Informational packets will be mailed upon request.
Extending Office Hours
Due to the recent growth in our practice, our office will be offering appointments every other Friday morning starting in mid-September. Remember that our office does not double book and the time scheduled is time set aside just to meet with you. If you can not keep your appointment, please call ahead so we can offer that time to another patient