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2007 Birth Expo Class Information and Presenter Bios

• “Real Life Birth Stories” Facilitated by Tammy Braaten (Co-Leader, ICAN of SW VA)
  Come and hear the real experts talk about labor and birth. Listen to local women share their wide variety of birthing experiences, from hospital births, cesareans and forceps to unmedicated labors and homebirths. You will learn about what factors influence the place of birth, and the precious uniqueness of every birth. There will be lots of time for questions and answers, making this presentation beneficial to anyone interested in or anticipating childbirth. This presentation is too important for anyone to miss!

 

• “Hypnosis and Childbirth” Presented by Alicia King (Childbirth Educator, doula, midwife apprentice)
  No swinging watches or strange mutterings here! Alicia King ­ childbirth educator, doula, and student midwife ­ will share exiting non-drug methods to ease labor and birth. Learn about the wonderful synergy between mind and body and how visualization can result in physiological responses. You won’t come out quacking like a duck, but as happy as a clam with some great tools for reducing pain and avoiding childbirth complications.

 

• “Midwifery Model of Care” Presented by Karen A. Winstead (RN, CNM, MSN)
  What is a midwife? You mean they’re still around? Why? Why would I want one instead of a doctor? What kind of training does a midwife have? The answers to all these questions and more are waiting for you in this presentation. With many years experience as a labor and delivery nurse, and her certification as a Nurse

  Midwife, Karen Winstead (RN, CNM, MSN) is wonderfully prepared to teach us the midwifery model of care and to show how it differs from the medical model. Follow the historical journey of developing midwifery care in the U.S. Consider the underlying philosophies that direct midwifery care. And learn about the different types of midwives and the care they provide. As the laws are changing to allow women to choose their caregiver, come for cutting-edge information on this invaluable field of maternity care.

 

• “The 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding” Presented by Lynda Cook Sawyer (RN, BSN/MBA, IBCLC)
  Discover the “Yellow Brick Road” of breastfeeding. Lactation Consultant Lynda Cook Sawyer (RN, BSN/MBA, IBCLC) discusses Unicef's proven steps to successful breastfeeding. Parents and professionals alike will learn how to implement these simple tips for an optimal breastfeeding experience. Click your heels and join us for this jewel of a presentation.

 

• “Benefits of Chiropractic in Pregnancy”
  Presented by Michael Burgoon (DC, FICPA, CCEP)
  Pregnancy is a time of great joys, new discoveries- and all too often- a myriad of nagging aches and pains. But you don't want to take medication that will pass to the baby...So what's a girl to do? Parents and professionals alike simply must not miss this amazing presentation! Learn how chiropractic care cannot only help the symptoms of pain, but also address the underlying causes- all in safe, natural, drug-free ways. How can a breech baby be turned without even touching the mother's belly? How can you ease early labor pain? Moms, Dads and support people, both lay and professional, will be introduced to these great techniques through hands-on practice and a question and answer time. Can't wait to see you there!

 

• “Homebirth” Leslie Payne (CPM, LM)
  Can you believe that homebirth is actually a safe option? Maybe even safer than the hospital? What could be more natural? And why is it so foreign in our culture? Licensed and Certified Professional Midwife, Leslie Payne (CPM, LM) shares with us the studies that have been done regarding the safety of homebirths. Learn the differences between hospital and homebirths and how each mother can make her own best choice of birthplace.

 

• “Maternal Rights ­ How To Take Action” Presented by Freeda Cathcart (BA, FLMI)
  You don’t have to chain yourself to courthouse steps or burn undergarments to make a difference for birthing women across the country! Freeda Cathcart (BA, FLMI), Founder of Mothers United for Midwifery (MUM), introduces us to the Maternal Civil Rights (MCR) Movement. Come and learn why MUM started, and the benefits mothers have received from the MCR. Find out what you can do as a woman, parent or professional to help the MCR movement gain momentum.

 

• “Nutrition in Pregnancy” Presented by April Yancy
  Your baby is what you eat!!! Everyone seems to know that expectant mothers should “eat right.” But what does that mean? Why is it so important? And most importantly, in the midst of today’s rush of hectic schedules, how is a busy, tired mother supposed to accomplish this? Explore how to choose the right foods and the right vitamins to achieve the best health for moms and babes. Presenter April Yancy will include Dr. Weston Price’s nutrition research. There will be something for everyone at this informational buffet.

 

• “ICAN Class: Preventing a Cesarean”
  Presented by Dawn Kubik (Leader, ICAN of SW VA)
  Healthy women with uneventful pregnancies can and do end up having a cesarean. Most expectant mothers enter the hospital “hoping” to not have a Cesarean Section, and yet over 30% will wind up with one. Many don’t realize the risks of this major abdominal surgery, or that anything could have been done to prevent it. Dawn will share the significant risks of a cesarean delivery (to mother and baby) over vaginal birth. Learn how both pregnant women and care providers can take steps before and during labor to forgo a visit to the OR.

 

• "Taking Responsibility for Your Births”
  Presented by Doran Richards (Self Studying Student Midwife, Founder of Blessing God’s Way, LLC)
  For this vital presentation, Doran Richards will explain how we, as a culture, have given our responsibility for birthing over to the medical “system.” But with responsibility went the privileges of making our own best choices for birth. Now it is our privilege and responsibility as women to reclaim that power by educating ourselves on the process and design of birthing. Dust off your confidence, and don’t miss it!

 

• “Newborn Care” Presented by Kimberly Dulaney (MD)
  Congratulations! You’re a new parent! . . . Now what? From the celebrity-status of pregnancy, you now find yourself as slave to a tiny, mysterious creature whom you love more than you ever thought possible. Dr. Kim Dulaney will cover common concerns about newborns and how to care for them. Learn about your options concerning newborn treatments. Both parents and care providers will learn how to encourage bonding with the new baby and how to approach this joyous, perplexing time.

 

• “What Pregnant Women Want” Presented by Lynda Cook Sawyer (RN, BSN/MBA, IBCLC)
  Lynda Cook Sawyer shares with us two known mother satisfaction surveys as they relate to laboring, birthing and breastfeeding women. We will learn the three methods of evaluating health care outcomes, and how published research dovetails with mother's survey findings. Discover with us the evidence-based major “wants” of mothers, and how to better serve these amazing women.

 

• “Erasing Fear/Celebrating Birth”
  Presented by Doran Richards (Self Studying Student Midwife, Founder of Blessing God’s Way, LLC)
  This presentation explores the Biblical view of childbirth and discusses why there is such a problem of fear surrounding birth in our culture. Doran Richards will share different ways to celebrate birth. Come and join us as we participate in parts of a Blessing God’s Way celebration.

 

• “Healthy Mommy, Healthy Baby: The holistic benefits of Traditional Asian Medicine”
  Presented by Sheila Guarnagia (M.Ac., L.Ac., Dipl. Ac., Dipl. C.H.)
  To many of us, acupuncture and the teachings of traditional Asian medicine are, well, foreign! Come and hear Sheila Guarnagia as she opens to us the concepts of this approach to health and wellness. Sheila’s background of assisting birthing women provides her with unique insight into the issues important to mothers and new families. So make like Marco Polo and come discover the secrets of the Orient!

 

• “Birth": Learn about how the choices you make as an adolescent, affect your future children's health.
  Presented by Lynda Cook Sawyer (RN, BSN/MBA, IBCLC)
  This class is for pre-teens and teens, designed to empower girls to establish healthy eating and exercise habits while they are young. This class educates the girls about the difference between a Midwife and an Obstetrician, the benefits of breastfeeding and why educating oneself about birth issues now will improve their life later. The class is specifically designed for girls age 11 and up and has been developed with sensitivity to this fact. Parents and troop leaders are welcome and encouraged to attend with their daughters. The class is on Sat, Sept 29 from 3:45-4:45pm.

 

“Postpartum Depression” Presented by Andrew Matzner (MA, LCSW) and PPD survivors Sandra Cothran and Jennifer Johnson.
Attendants will learn the symptoms of Postpartum Depression and how it differs from baby blues, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and postpartum psychosis. Understand what causes PPD and how to prevent or minimize the effects and know when to get necessary help. In addition, Sandra and Jennifer will share their stories of experiencing and overcoming postpartum depression.

 

Presenter Biographies

• Alicia King (Childbirth Educator, doula, midwife apprentice)
  Founder of Well Rounded, Inc, a 501c3 organization dedicated to improving society with much focus on pregnant/parenting women and teens. Alicia is a Certified Childbirth Educator, Doula, Hypnobirth instructor, and midwife apprentice.

 

• Karen A. Winstead (RN, CNM, MSN)
  Karen Winstead is a licensed, certified nurse-midwife currently working as a registered nurse. She attended Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, TN, received a BSN from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, and a MSN from Case Western Reserve University and the Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing. She has over 20 years experience as a nurse and currently volunteers with the Roanoke Valley Blue Ridge Perinatal Council and the Blue Ridge Women’s Center. She is a member of the American College of Nurse-Midwives. One of her chief objectives in life is to introduce midwifery and out-of-hospital birth to the Roanoke Valley. See the exhibit booth for New Life Birth Center.

 

• Lynda Cook Sawyer (RN, BSN/MBA, IBCLC)
  Lynda Cook Sawyer is a wife, mother of 4, author, and educator. For over 20 years, Lynda has been and continues to be a sincere advocate for women and families. She helps families achieve their healthiest pregnancies, births, lactation and early childhood parenting. Lynda is a Registered Nurse with a Baccalaureate degree in Nursing and a Masters Degree in Business Administration. She has been an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant for 14 years. Currently, Lynda is the Director of the Mother/Baby and Wellborn Units at Carilion's Medical Center in Roanoke.

 

• Michael Burgoon (DC, FICPA, CCEP)
  Dr. Burgoon has a B.S. in Biology from Empire State University of New York and graduated with honors from New York Chiropractic College. He has been practicing in Roanoke, VA for ten years and has completed post graduate programs in extremity adjusting, scoliosis treatment, and pediatric chiropractic. Monica Burgoon, his wife, is a registered dietician with a Master’s degree from Cornell University in nutritional science. She provdides nutrition services at the chiropracitc office. Also, Dr. Burgoon is certified in the Webster technique which is used to relieve uterine constraint in women with breech presentation. He has used this gentle chiropractic adjustment successfully with several pregnant women allowing their babies to turn naturally.

 

• Leslie Payne (CPM, LM)
  Leslie is a Certified Professional Midwife and licensed to practice by the state of Virginia. She is privileged to serve families desiring home births in the Lynchburg area. She was appointed by Governor Warner to serve on theAdvisory Board on Midwifery to the Board of Medicine in 2005. The Advisory Board has written the Rules & Regulations currently governing the practice of Licensed Midwives in the Commonwealth and continues to work toward the careful integration of midwifery into the state's health care system. Her current passion is the careful education of local communities in regards to home birth and Licensed Midwifery. She has been happily married for over 30 years and has five mostly-grown children.

 

• Freeda Cathcart (BA, FLMI)
  Freeda is a Parent Educator for CHIP. She is the Founder of Mothers United for Midwifery, who organized the first Maternal Civil Rights Conference that took place in Roanoke and was a presenter at the 2007 National Summit for the Rights of Pregnant Women.

 

• April Yancey is a Holistic Health & Nutrition Counselor certified by the AADP and Columbia University Teachers College. She is a graduate of the Institute Of Integrative Nutrition in New York. April specializes in supporting transitions onto a whole foods or gluten free diet as well as other dietary restrictions. In addition she offers individual & group programs for body image/self worth, increasing energy, reducing stress, reducing cravings, improving personal relationships and communication, and much more. She works with clients supporting them in reaching their health and wellness goals.

 

• Dawn Kubik (Leader, ICAN of SW VA, MBA)
  Founder and Leader of ICAN of SW VA with lots of knowledge on cesarean prevention and VBAC expertise through self-study and mentorship. Dawn also serves as the Development Director for ICAN National. She is a member of the Blue Ridge Perinatal Council. Dawn has 2 children, ages 6 and 4.

 

• Doran Richards (Self Studying Student Midwife, Founder of Blessing God’s Way, LLC)
  Founder of Blessing God’s Way, LLC and co-author of A Celebration of Pregnancy! Doran has done extensive self study in the field of midwifery and childbirth education through different means. She has attended births for almost 20 years for family and friends and is now studying midwifery independently with the hopes of obtaining certification in a later season. She speaks at conferences to women and daughters about their God-given cycles which include Maidenhood, Maternity and Menopause.

• Sheila Guarnagia (M.Ac., L.Ac., Dipl. Ac., Dipl. C.H.)
  Holds a Master of Acupuncture from the New England School of Acupuncture, and completed a three year program in Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine. Completed over 4 years as an apprentice home birth midwife in Arizona. Her area of specialty is women’s health care, with a particular emphasis on providing support for menstrual disorders, fertility and preconception issues, healthy pregnancy, natural childbirth, postpartum rejuvenation and lactation, and healthy menopause.

 

• Andrew Matzner (MA, LCSW) Andy is a therapist in private practice, and an adjunct professor in Women's Studies at Hollins University. He also co-leads a postpartum stress support group in Roanoke.

  Sandra Cothran (PPD survivor) Sandra experienced PPD after the birth of herfirst child. After recovering she became a moderator for an online postpartum depression support group, and now also co-leads a local PPD support group.

  Jennifer Johnson (PPD survivor) Jennifer enjoys spending time at home with her husband, daughter and two dogs. She currently works in the mental health field and practices judo in her spare time.