Celebrating 30 Years of ICAN: 30 Crafts–Belly Cast Decorating Ideas
So now that you’ve made yourself a belly cast what on Earth are you going to do with it? There are some great options! First, consider where you would like to display at as that will dictate what the first steps might be. If you plan to hang it on a wall, make sure you […]
Celebrating 30 Years of ICAN: 30 Crafts–Welcome Mat
You can create a simple but meaningful keepsake for your baby with a photo mat, which can be found inexpensively at most craft stores. I placed one of our baby’s ultrasound images into an autograph mat, which is designed to hold a small photo (4×6) within a large frame (8×10.) This leaves extra mat space […]
Celebrating 30 Years of ICAN: 30 Crafts–Labor Jewelry
During labor it can be very meaningful for women to wear a piece of jewelery with special significance to them. This could be a beaded bracelet made at a blessingway, a family heirloom, or a gift from their partner. Whether purchased or handmade, this tangible reminder of love and support can be incredibly encouraging through […]
Celebrating 30 Years of ICAN: 30 Crafts–Birth Day Cake
As you try to stay busy during early labor or while older siblings are eagerly waiting, why not bake a Birth Day cake? Whether from a mix or scratch, baking and decorating can keep you occupied while working through those early contractions. For excited big siblings, a cake is also a great way to pass […]
Celebrating 30 Years of ICAN: 30 Crafts–Postpartum Herbal Bath Mix
by Heidi Thaden-Pierce Reprinted with permission from her webpage. I didn’t try an herbal bath postpartum until our sixth baby and then I LOVED it. There are a variety of herbs that can be useful for postpartum healing, and if you bring your baby into the bath the herbs will also aid in the healing […]
Celebrating 30 Years of ICAN: 30 Crafts–Tie Dye Onesie
When you hear the words “tie dye” you probably get an image in your mind of a rainbow spiraled shirt. Or perhaps the image of many colors of dye all over your house creating an horrific mess! But a variation on the classic tie dye – using a single color dye – can be a […]
Celebrating 30 Years of ICAN: 30 Crafts–Decorating Onesies (with siblings)
by Heidi Thaden-Pierce Reprinted from her website with permission. A fun activity to do with siblings or at a baby shower/blessingway is decorating onesies. You can find a five pack at the store for around $10 and grab some fabric paints (about $1/bottle) then get creative! Here’s a collage our birth photographer assembled of what […]
Celebrating 30 Years of ICAN: 30 Crafts–Birthing Wreath or Basket
Mother Blessing Ritual: Birthing Wreath or Basket The creation of a birthing wreath or basket can be done in place of the Birthing Necklace or in addition to it. You can either make your own wreath or buy one from a craft store. If you choose to do a basket, you most likely will want […]
Monthly Research Review
By Karen Troy VBACResearchposts@gmail.com Co-Leader, ICAN of Chicago Welcome to the first monthly installment of our new blog feature – VBAC Literature Update. Each month I will provide a list of new peer reviewed literature that has been published with the past 30 days on the topic of VBAC. I will also provide some commentary […]
New Feature on the Blog!
We are very excited to tell you about a new feature we think you’ll find really useful on the Blog! Karen Troy, Co-Leader of ICAN Chicago, will be guest posting monthly, reporting on the latest published and peer-reviewed literature on VBAC. She will also be including some of her own commentary on the articles, hopefully […]
Celebrating 30 Years of ICAN: 30 Crafts–Love Letters
“Love Letters” In honor of Valentine’s Day, today’s #30Crafts theme is focused on LOVE. Although technically the idea is really more of an activity, it can easily be turned into a project of “Love Letters.” During my Bradley Method childbirth class, our teacher had us do a wonderful exercise with our partner: to list 5 […]
Optimal Fetal Positioning
Optimal Fetal Positioning by Amy Fuller Reprinted with permission from Doula Momma’s site. Original link can be found here. ‘Optimal Fetal Positioning‘ (OFP) is a theory developed by a midwife, Jean Sutton, and Pauline Scott, an antenatal teacher, who found that the mother’s position and movement could influence the way her baby lay in the […]
