Dear friends,
I want to thank the folks who've donated so far:
Thanks to Jennifer Foxworth for contributing $15 after recently losing
her job!
To my new friend and doula mama Brenda for her loving $15 :)
Paul~ your $60 is super appreciated.
Claudia Serrato, newly pregnant
mama for your precious$100.
AMC~ Incite! contributed $40 :)
To my friend Carol Downer, a special thank you for her $125 donation!
Because it's taken quite a while to collect what I have so far, I haven't been able to buy the plane ticket yet and now it's close to $500--- so please please consider contributing to my paypal @ chuladoula@gmail.com
I'm writing to share with you that a workshop I proposed to the Allied Media Conference http://alliedmedia.org/ was accepted! The conference is in Detroit, Michigan from June 23rd-26th, 2011. I was inspired to propose this workshop after I had attended the CIMS (Coalition for Improving Maternity Services) Conference in March in North Carolina. Specifically the workshop was called Through the Looking Glass: Breastfeeding in the Media and the presenter that moved me to action was Katherine A. Foss, PhD, Professor of Journalism, Middle Tennessee State University. As a Media Studies major myself, I realized I have the basic skills and technology to produce short quick mini-videos. My friend Karla Chueh-Mejia insisted that I find a way to participate in AMC this year, and soon I made the connection between the need for videos representing the underrepresented and the forum of AMC as a place where this need can be co-created.
It's called, "Representing Ourselves via DIY Videos" and here is the description: Entertainment-based education increasingly shapes our views about breastfeeding, birth, and more. On TV and YouTube,
representations focus on white people in a hospital setting, extreme cases, and dependency on medical experts, thus increasing the disconnect—especially for communities of color—from simple,
traditional approaches to breastfeeding. In this workshop, we'll discuss of issues of media representation and breastfeeding/birth topics, and then work together to CREATE videos about our own experiences with breastfeeding and birth-related topics to change the landscape of what is visible and accessible.For accurate representation babies and children will be needed for this workshop, so I'm asking participants to please bring theirs, along with their knowledge as mamas and parents!
The workshop is cross referenced in these tracks at the conference:
INCITE! / ¡INCITE!
Eco-Media for Survival & Sustainability / Eco-Medios para la
sobrevivencia y la sustentabilidad.
Health is Dignity, Dignity is Resistance / Salud es dignidad,
dignidad es Resistencia.
In short, I am really pleased that my ideas and even more about the
powerful ways they will evolve and be shaped and enriched by other
people, going forward.
I am writing to ask you, as my community and as those who know my work
and commitment to it so well, to help me pay for the costs of
traveling to and staying in Detroit during the conference. As many of
you know, I recently injured my hand. As someone who works with my
hands, this injury has prevented me from earning as much income the
last couple of months. So, in addition to asking the AMC folks for
some money to offset costs, and at the urging of a friend, I am asking
you to help support me directly in this work and in building capacity
in our larger community.
I need to raise $1,000 to be able to attend the conference, which
includes my plane ticket, food and lodging for 5 days. Could you give
$25 or more toward this amount? If you have a mileage ticket or miles you could donate, I
would be grateful for those, too.
If I am successful in my fundraising, I will be writing and posting
about my experience at the AMC throughout my trip and would also be
glad to present a talk about the experience or to re-create the
workshop for you, your organization or community in return for your
support.
You can give a contribution in two ways:
- Through a secure transaction at Paypal.com (my account name is
chuladoula@gmail.com)
- By mailing a check to me at 5001 Lincoln Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90042
I know everyone has felt the economic pinch in some ways the last few
years and understand if now's not a great time for you to give money.
I want you to know that your non-financial support - your enthusiasm,
encouragement and friendship - has been and will always be appreciated
beyond measure.
With great thanks,
Pati
Monday, June 13, 2011
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
SHODHINI Workshop Series~Woman Researcher! JUNE
In this three part Shodhini Workshop for Women, by Pati Garcia, CSB. We will learn how to be able to take control of our bodies with precise anatomic self-awareness, to let go of fears, reclaim our uterine power, and live confidently. Shodhini's from the first series will be assisting.
We will meet 3 times over a 5 week period in order to research through at least one moon cycle. We will participating in group self-exam and uterine size-checks.
Tentative Outline...
First Session Sunday June 5
- menstruation/womb story sharing
- redefinition of the clitoris
- Signs of Arousal and Engorgement
-Introduction and slideshow of Self-Exam
- Group Self Exam and Uterine Size Check, for those who are ready- not mandatory.
-beginning your own Orgasmic Yoga Practice.
Second Session Sunday June 19
- Orgasmic Yoga report back
- Group Self Exam and Uterine Size Check
- Fertility Awareness Natural Birth Control Methods
Third Session Sunday July 3
- Pap Smear Discussion
- Vaginal Infections and Natural Remedies
- Massage for Uterine Health
- Group Self Exam and Uterine Size Check
Participants to bring: yoga mat, cushions, blanket, snacks, journals, item for altar.
Dates & Times:
Sunday June 5th
Sunday June 19th
Sunday July 3rd
Location: TBA (Pasadena or Los Angeles)
Cost:
$375
- includes three days of workshop (total 12 hours)
Materials(a $50 Value):
- A New View of Woman's Body book ($20)
- Hot Pants 'zine ($5)
- personal self-examination kit (speculum, flashlight, mirror, instructions, and bag). ($25)
<>
$350 if you pay in Full by JUNE 2nd- THURSDAY.
$300 if you pay in Full by JUNE 2nd and have all Materials.
{Class size is limited to 12 participants only}
Limited partial-scholarships are available: please inquire via contact info below.
Payment Methods: Paypal to chuladoula@gmail.com, or by check, made out to 'Patricia Garcia'.
For More Information: Pati Garcia at chuladoula@gmail.com, or (510) 363-0160.
We will meet 3 times over a 5 week period in order to research through at least one moon cycle. We will participating in group self-exam and uterine size-checks.
Tentative Outline...
First Session Sunday June 5
- menstruation/womb story sharing
- redefinition of the clitoris
- Signs of Arousal and Engorgement
-Introduction and slideshow of Self-Exam
- Group Self Exam and Uterine Size Check, for those who are ready- not mandatory.
-beginning your own Orgasmic Yoga Practice.
Second Session Sunday June 19
- Orgasmic Yoga report back
- Group Self Exam and Uterine Size Check
- Fertility Awareness Natural Birth Control Methods
Third Session Sunday July 3
- Pap Smear Discussion
- Vaginal Infections and Natural Remedies
- Massage for Uterine Health
- Group Self Exam and Uterine Size Check
Participants to bring: yoga mat, cushions, blanket, snacks, journals, item for altar.
Dates & Times:
Sunday June 5th
Sunday June 19th
Sunday July 3rd
Location: TBA (Pasadena or Los Angeles)
Cost:
$375
- includes three days of workshop (total 12 hours)
Materials(a $50 Value):
- A New View of Woman's Body book ($20)
- Hot Pants 'zine ($5)
- personal self-examination kit (speculum, flashlight, mirror, instructions, and bag). ($25)
<
$350 if you pay in Full by JUNE 2nd- THURSDAY.
$300 if you pay in Full by JUNE 2nd and have all Materials.
{Class size is limited to 12 participants only}
Limited partial-scholarships are available: please inquire via contact info below.
Payment Methods: Paypal to chuladoula@gmail.com, or by check, made out to 'Patricia Garcia'.
For More Information: Pati Garcia at chuladoula@gmail.com, or (510) 363-0160.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Allied Media Conference Acceptance!
I submitted my proposal for the Allied Media Conference http://alliedmedia.org/ was accepted!
The conference is in Detroit, Michigan from June 23rd-26th, 2011. I was inspired to propose this
workshop after I had attended the CIMS (Coalition for Improving Maternity Services) Conference in March in North Carolina. Specifically the workshop was called Through the Looking Glass: Breastfeeding in the Media and the presenter that moved me to action was Katherine A. Foss, PhD, Professor of Journalism, Middle Tennessee State University. As a Media Studies major myself, I realized I have the basic skills and technology to produce short quick mini-videos. My friend Karla Chueh-Mejia insisted that I find a way to participate in AMC this year, and soon I made the connection between the need for videos representing the underrepresented and the forum of AMC as a
place where this need can be co-created.
Here's the description of my workshop, which is part of the Shawty Got Skills Skillshare. It's called, "Representing Ourselves via DIY Videos" and here is the description: Entertainment-based education increasingly shapes our views about breastfeeding, birth, and more. On TV and YouTube, representations focus on white people in a hospital setting, extreme cases, and dependency on medical experts, thus increasing the disconnect—especially for communities of color—from simple, traditional approaches to breastfeeding. In this workshop, we'll discuss of issues of media representation and breastfeeding/birth topics, and then work together to CREATE videos about our own experiences with breastfeeding and birth-related topics to change the landscape of what is visible and accessible.For accurate representation babies and children will be needed for this workshop, so I'm asking participants to please bring theirs, along with their knowledge as mamas and parents!
The workshop is cross referenced in these tracks at the conference:
INCITE! / ¡INCITE!
Eco-Media for Survival & Sustainability / Eco-Medios para la
sobrevivencia y la sustentabilidad.
Health is Dignity, Dignity is Resistance / Salud es dignidad,
dignidad es Resistencia.
The conference is in Detroit, Michigan from June 23rd-26th, 2011. I was inspired to propose this
workshop after I had attended the CIMS (Coalition for Improving Maternity Services) Conference in March in North Carolina. Specifically the workshop was called Through the Looking Glass: Breastfeeding in the Media and the presenter that moved me to action was Katherine A. Foss, PhD, Professor of Journalism, Middle Tennessee State University. As a Media Studies major myself, I realized I have the basic skills and technology to produce short quick mini-videos. My friend Karla Chueh-Mejia insisted that I find a way to participate in AMC this year, and soon I made the connection between the need for videos representing the underrepresented and the forum of AMC as a
place where this need can be co-created.
Here's the description of my workshop, which is part of the Shawty Got Skills Skillshare. It's called, "Representing Ourselves via DIY Videos" and here is the description: Entertainment-based education increasingly shapes our views about breastfeeding, birth, and more. On TV and YouTube, representations focus on white people in a hospital setting, extreme cases, and dependency on medical experts, thus increasing the disconnect—especially for communities of color—from simple, traditional approaches to breastfeeding. In this workshop, we'll discuss of issues of media representation and breastfeeding/birth topics, and then work together to CREATE videos about our own experiences with breastfeeding and birth-related topics to change the landscape of what is visible and accessible.For accurate representation babies and children will be needed for this workshop, so I'm asking participants to please bring theirs, along with their knowledge as mamas and parents!
The workshop is cross referenced in these tracks at the conference:
INCITE! / ¡INCITE!
Eco-Media for Survival & Sustainability / Eco-Medios para la
sobrevivencia y la sustentabilidad.
Health is Dignity, Dignity is Resistance / Salud es dignidad,
dignidad es Resistencia.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
The Womb I Come From
For my birthday today, my 31st, I thought I’d share the story of my birth and the womb I came from.
Before I landed in my mother’s womb, two siblings came before me. Because of lack of support and shame in Peru, they weren’t able to come all the way through. So I’m conscious of the life that existed before me in my mother’s womb, and I carry them within me.
When my mother discovered she was pregnant with me, she was thrilled to be in the USA far from her family and able to carry my life in, regardless of the circumstances. The culture of Peru had been so difficult to withstand that my mother had considered suicide in the past. Here she knew no one would judge her, point out her faults; she’d be able to get ahead with her baby on the way.
At first, she thought she was going to have a boy because people kept commenting that with the size and position of her belly, it showed her baby would be all boy. Then one day she was walking on the street going home, she was always walking and taking buses. She was coming back from adult school and she found a pink rattle on the sidewalk. In that moment, she knew she was having a girl.
On Tuesday March 12th, she went in for her regular check-up and the doctor said she was 2cm dilated, and that she would deliver any minute because that was the due date. But she told me in utero to not be born yet and to wait until Friday or Saturday to come out, she wanted to work the full week so she could have more time off post-partum. Apparently I was a good listener and stayed put.
Saturday March 15th she went grocery shopping to stock up before giving birth. She cooked dinner and ate with her roommates, took a shower around 9pm and went to sleep. At midnight her water broke, she felt the rip of the water bag. She described feeling exhilarated that I was coming; she jumped in the shower. Then she called a taxi cab to take her to the hospital, and she gave him directions all the way there. She was having contractions every 5min, got to the hospital at 2am.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Happy Valentine's! Three Tips to Keep Sex Hot After Childbirth
Oh! What an opportunity! Check out this video from Jaiya Ma and Ellen Heed, my colleagues. They break it down on how to get HOT after having kids. If you're interested in learning how to help people get their sexy back after birth go to this site and you'll get access to more instructional videos and maybe you'll consider the online course https://rsvp.infusionsoft.com/go/RSVPJV/PGarcia/
COME ON EVERYBODY! Sex is what keeps us going! It's as important as meals!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Birth Doula Story Feb 2009
I had the pleasure of Doula-ing again. This was a first time single mama who's main goal in hiring a doula was to avoid an unnecessary cesarean. Mission accomplished.
The first call was around 1am. She called to let me know that her bag of waters had begun to break. Water was clear, no foul scent, so she was in the clear to labor at home. No surges as of yet, so she decided to go back to sleep and wait for the surges to come on.
I was definitely on call at this point. I happened to be at the 24hr Korean Spa. Something in me had lead me there, to replenish, refresh, and rest. Maybe it was the full moon on the 9th. I was definitely in the space to gear up for a day of doula-ing.
At 6am she called to let me know that she was beginning to feel labor. No set pattern of surges just yet, but at least they were not stopping. Thy were lasting about 30 to 40 sec, and were 6/5/4 minutes apart. I assured her that she was in early labor and to let me know when they got longer and closer together and I'd come to join her.
I went home, packed my doula supplies, and took a nap. At 9am I called to check in and she was feeling ready to go to the hospital and wanted me to meet her at her home.
I drove to her home and met her in her bedroom. She shared that she had gone on a long walk with her mother the day before and felt that this is what brought on her labor. Wise move! So we began to talk about her surges, she showed me how she kept track on a website called http://www.contractionmaster.com/ It's such a handy tool! I could see right off of the bat that she was still in early labor, so I shared with her the pro's and cons of heading to the hospital at that very moment. She thought of her options and decided to stay home until her surges were at least 60 seconds and within 5 minutes of each other.
To cope with each surge we used different positions. One leg on the bed, like a lunge, then on her hands and knees to relieve the back, slow dancing with pressure on her low-back from her mother. We focused on using the surge to allow opening, I asked her to visualize herself opening with each in breath, taking the breath down to her crotch. Lots of crotch opening visualization!
She handled each surge earnestly, with fear, with peace, with calmness, with disbelief. It's amazing the range of emotions and varying degrees of faith in oneself- all a woman goes through in this intense process. My role is to reassure her strength, never giving up on her power.
Towards the end of laboring at home I suggested that she squat during her next surge. She felt an extreme amount of pressure in her crotch, she expressed that she felt like her pelvic floor was being smashed. She went through about 2 or 3 surges this way. When she got up her surges were stronger than ever. We went back to the computer to track the next 6 surges. BAM! Out of 8 surges six were well over a minute, and occurring between every 3-5 minutes. She was beginning to give into the idea that she couldn't do it anymore, that she wanted medication. So we would focus on just getting through the next one.
We grabbed our things and headed out to the hospital. On the way there her surges were so strong she would tense up and yell out. Limp and Loose became the mantra. Pretty soon she got the hang of her breathing and began to use the energy of yelling out, inward. She began to focus on making deeper sounds and allowing her jaw to open.
We arrived at the hospital at 12:30p and she was at 7cm. The nurses offered medication (epidural) and she definitely considered it. I just reminded her that she was almost done, and when she's done, she's completely done. I guess it sounded okay for her to continue, and she passed on the drugs. By 1:30p she was 9.5cm with an anterior lip. I suggested she wiggle her hips around and around to get the cervical lip moved out of the way. At 2pm she was 10cm and ready to push. She pushed until 2:21p and her lovely daughter was born. A healthy girl. 7lbs 8oz, 19 3/4 in. 2/10/09.
Mama was elated that she had accomplished such a challenging feat. She was amazed that she got through it. She was glowing with pride and astonishment. I was so happy to have been able to assist and be a witness to a woman's natural power.
The first call was around 1am. She called to let me know that her bag of waters had begun to break. Water was clear, no foul scent, so she was in the clear to labor at home. No surges as of yet, so she decided to go back to sleep and wait for the surges to come on.
I was definitely on call at this point. I happened to be at the 24hr Korean Spa. Something in me had lead me there, to replenish, refresh, and rest. Maybe it was the full moon on the 9th. I was definitely in the space to gear up for a day of doula-ing.
At 6am she called to let me know that she was beginning to feel labor. No set pattern of surges just yet, but at least they were not stopping. Thy were lasting about 30 to 40 sec, and were 6/5/4 minutes apart. I assured her that she was in early labor and to let me know when they got longer and closer together and I'd come to join her.
I went home, packed my doula supplies, and took a nap. At 9am I called to check in and she was feeling ready to go to the hospital and wanted me to meet her at her home.
I drove to her home and met her in her bedroom. She shared that she had gone on a long walk with her mother the day before and felt that this is what brought on her labor. Wise move! So we began to talk about her surges, she showed me how she kept track on a website called http://www.contractionmaster.com/ It's such a handy tool! I could see right off of the bat that she was still in early labor, so I shared with her the pro's and cons of heading to the hospital at that very moment. She thought of her options and decided to stay home until her surges were at least 60 seconds and within 5 minutes of each other.
To cope with each surge we used different positions. One leg on the bed, like a lunge, then on her hands and knees to relieve the back, slow dancing with pressure on her low-back from her mother. We focused on using the surge to allow opening, I asked her to visualize herself opening with each in breath, taking the breath down to her crotch. Lots of crotch opening visualization!
She handled each surge earnestly, with fear, with peace, with calmness, with disbelief. It's amazing the range of emotions and varying degrees of faith in oneself- all a woman goes through in this intense process. My role is to reassure her strength, never giving up on her power.
Towards the end of laboring at home I suggested that she squat during her next surge. She felt an extreme amount of pressure in her crotch, she expressed that she felt like her pelvic floor was being smashed. She went through about 2 or 3 surges this way. When she got up her surges were stronger than ever. We went back to the computer to track the next 6 surges. BAM! Out of 8 surges six were well over a minute, and occurring between every 3-5 minutes. She was beginning to give into the idea that she couldn't do it anymore, that she wanted medication. So we would focus on just getting through the next one.
We grabbed our things and headed out to the hospital. On the way there her surges were so strong she would tense up and yell out. Limp and Loose became the mantra. Pretty soon she got the hang of her breathing and began to use the energy of yelling out, inward. She began to focus on making deeper sounds and allowing her jaw to open.
We arrived at the hospital at 12:30p and she was at 7cm. The nurses offered medication (epidural) and she definitely considered it. I just reminded her that she was almost done, and when she's done, she's completely done. I guess it sounded okay for her to continue, and she passed on the drugs. By 1:30p she was 9.5cm with an anterior lip. I suggested she wiggle her hips around and around to get the cervical lip moved out of the way. At 2pm she was 10cm and ready to push. She pushed until 2:21p and her lovely daughter was born. A healthy girl. 7lbs 8oz, 19 3/4 in. 2/10/09.
Mama was elated that she had accomplished such a challenging feat. She was amazed that she got through it. She was glowing with pride and astonishment. I was so happy to have been able to assist and be a witness to a woman's natural power.
Full Spectrum Doula Network . org
Laurel Ripple Carpenter reached out and invited me to join the Full Spectrum Doula Network while I was in Australia. It was so enticing to have a potential community of radically minded doulas come together in a virtual space. It's something that I had been developing on my own, mostly of Facebook, and in my head. I was so happy to see it come to life. Here we are able to find doulas doing prison births, queer allies, transmen doing birthwork, abortion support- just a complete range of leftist, anarchist, women of color, gender non-conforming folks out to connect and build.
It's been a welcoming forum for me where I've been able to share my real life approaches to empowering folks through feminist anatomy education, d.i.y. abortion, self-exam, and networking. People at FSDN are interested in hands on ways to cause revolution of the mind, body and spirit. Collectively we are sharing our resources and networking on a national level. Never before has there been a way to connect in such a concise and purposeful manner. To me it's part of the shift in feminism where abortion and birth rights are finally one in the same. Finally, we are manifesting real reproductive justice and putting feminism into motion.
It's been a welcoming forum for me where I've been able to share my real life approaches to empowering folks through feminist anatomy education, d.i.y. abortion, self-exam, and networking. People at FSDN are interested in hands on ways to cause revolution of the mind, body and spirit. Collectively we are sharing our resources and networking on a national level. Never before has there been a way to connect in such a concise and purposeful manner. To me it's part of the shift in feminism where abortion and birth rights are finally one in the same. Finally, we are manifesting real reproductive justice and putting feminism into motion.
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