A lively game of preparation and final review for expectant parents, childbirth classes and doulas. This Game Teaches, Reviews and Reinforces: -The practice of embracing what is -Assessing (not judging) the situation -A solution-focused mindset (rather than a problem- or avoidance-focused mindset) -Considering all possible solutions from cards held in their hands (ranging from common sense, parent-can-do solutions to what the medical model might offer) -Finally, doing what needs to be done next...without striving for a particular outcome.
Labor and postpartum situations presented in this game are mostly ordinary and always brief; there are no happy or sad endings to any of the scenarios that would suggest that "choices" made by the players lead them to achieve a desired outcome. The situations presented are created in part by the childbirth teacher/mentor and partly by the random drawing of face-down Birth Fairy and Time cards.
The cards are printed in color on sturdy glossy card stock, 2.75" x 4.75", and fit in a black 5x7" draw-string velour bag. Each of the 141 "Next Best Thing" cards belongs to one of the following categories:
Things Parents Can Do ( e.g., Drink Fluids, Walk)
Medical Support (e.g., IV, Pitocin)
Birth Fairy (situations that arise, e.g., Water Breaks)
Time (e.g. An Hour Later)
This game was conceived of and illustrated by Pam England.
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**NEW** Labyrinth of Birth $13.95
JUST RELEASED!
Pam England, author and founder of "BIRTHING FROMWITHIN," is reviving a nearly forgotten tradition of using labyrinth meditations, ceremonies and great stories in childbirth preparation and healing. She wrote this book in response to a growing yearning among new parents for ceremony and personal growth during the childbearing year.
The timeless and powerful symbol of the labyrinth forms the core of this collection of fourteen meditations and ceremonies designed to transform the experience of the childbearing year. A variety of labyrinths, including childbirth labyrinths from many cultures and traditions, are presented in this book, along with the history and symbolism of the labyrinth and black-and-white illustrations and photos on nearly every page. Beautiful instructions for drawing and making a variety of labyrinths are included.
This book is essential for pregnant women and anyone who works with women in the childbearing year. Makes a lovely gift for a mother-to-be: the perfect companion to "BIRTHING FROMWITHIN."
Mentors and parents love using these cards. Each card has thought-provoking comments and questions to help parents reflect on and learn from their birth art process. Nine colorful, attractive cards are printed on 4" x 6" glossy card stock and bound together on a ring.
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Birth Fairy $12.00
This delightful soft finger puppet enhances and enlivens childbirth classes. The Birth Fairy invites non-threatening discussion about the unexpected and unwished-for events that can arise during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. She can also be affixed to a stick to create a Birth Fairy wand. She stands 7" tall, with a wing-span of 10". (Fairy may vary: there are 2 different kinds.) Add To Cart
Birthing From Within $19.95
This is book that is electrifying the birth world! The BIRTHING FROMWITHIN approach prepares a mother to birth from within. She needs insights into what labor and birth will be like from her perspective, and preparation to be in labor and give birth as a mother. BIRTHING FROMWITHINoffers guidance through the emotional, spiritual, psychic and social mists which enshroud birth in our culture. Highlights include: proven pain-coping techniques, inner exploration through journaling and birth art, birth from the father's perspective, how to ask questions and get information, compassionate use of drugs, and spiritual cesarean birth. Discover your own wisdom and birth power: Read BIRTHING FROMWITHIN!Add To Cart
Birthing From Within (box of 10) $160.00
BIRTHING FROMWITHIN available at a discount for boxes of 10. That's only $16 each. Save $39.50!
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Birthing From Within (case of 20) $280.00
Case of 20 BIRTHING FROMWITHIN books. $14.00 each is 30% off cover price. Save $119! Perfect for resale or for gifts!
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CD: Birth Tiger Safari $12.00
**SALE** (regularly $20)
This excellent CD contains two parts, and is designed for BIRTHING FROMWITHIN Mentors and other birth professionals. Refresh what you learned at your Introductory (Level 1) workshop, deepen your understanding of "Tigers" and strengthen your facilitation of this process (also known as "Drawing on Your Coping Skills"). This live recording features Pam England at a Level 1 workshop in London. In the first part, she teaches Mentors how to do the process, and in the second part she demonstrates how to do it with actual expectant parents. A must for every BIRTHING FROMWITHIN Mentor!
Pam England offers a taste of BIRTHING FROMWITHIN's history and unique approach to working with parents. This introductory 50 minute audio CD is designed for people who have an interest in learning about how to mentor with BIRTHING FROMWITHIN's philosophy. People who register for all "Introduction to BIRTHING FROMWITHIN" workshops will receive one of these CDs in advance of the workshop (time allowing).
CD: Pain-Coping Practices for Parents (box of 6) $55.00
**SALE** (Regularly $72)
This wonderful CD for parents gives them the opportunity to deepen their understanding and practice of BIRTHING FROMWITHIN's proven pain-coping practices. We offer boxes of 6 CDs to birth professionals at a reduced price of $84 to sell or give to parents. That's only $9 each! Save $17!
CDs: Pain-Coping Practices: How to Teach Parents (3 CD set) $40.00
**SALE** (regularly $75)
If you are a birth professional who loves the BIRTHING FROMWITHINbook, then this three-CD set is just for you! Step-by-step, you learn how to motivate and prepare parents to cope with the intensity of labor, using proven pain-coping practices. This three-CD set will refresh and reinforce what you learned at your Introduction to BIRTHING FROMWITHIN (Level One) Workshop. A must-have for all Mentors and birth professionals! Featuring: Pam England teaching pain-coping practices to birth professionals, and include live demonstrations of Pam working with expectant parents. CDOne (52 min.): Introduction to Pain-Coping Practices, Scaling, Baseline, Breath Awareness. CD Two (59 min.): Non-Focused Awareness, Finding the Center CD Three (50 min.): Ovarian Breathing, Coyote Circle
Find cool, useful gifts and clothing emblazoned with the BIRTHING FROMWITHIN labyrinth logo at our CafePress store. Products include: mugs, t-shirts, baby clothes, bags, stickers, and more!
In search of an image that would convey the universal, introspective feeling of gestating motherhood during pregnancy and early postpartum, Pam England made this pastel drawing in 1998. Living in the Southwest, Pam England's art is influenced by visits to ancient pueblo sites where some ancient peoples built kivas, round underground rooms for ceremonies (some kivas were built above ground). Kivas are entered through a hole in the roof. There is usually a hole in the floor called a sipapu, which for Pueblo people symbolizes the connection with Mother Earth from birth, and the spot from where the First People emerged. During soulful transitions, we move between two worlds. Moving between taking care of worldly responsibilities and descending into daydreaming, prayer, or meditation is represented by the ladder.
Pam's beautiful, classic pastel drawing is reproduced as a 5" x 7" greeting card. Comes with envelope.
Pam England's intense and thought-provoking painting reflects three levels of consciousness and history surrounding birth in our culture. See the Birth Art section of the website for a detailed description of this work. Reproduced as a 5" x 7" card, and comes with an envelope.
Pam England's stunning oil painting depicts the fleeting, unforgettable moment she envisioned herself a powerful, ferocious roaring lion while pushing her second baby out at home. The painting is reproduced as a 5" x 7" greeting card. Comes with an envelope.
Pam England tells the story that inspired her painting: "In March of 2000, in a flood that took 700 lives and left millions more homeless, Sofia Pedro gave birth to her daughter, Rosita, while clinging to branches high up in a tree over muddy flood water from the Limpopo River in Mozambique, Africa." Her oil and acrylic painting that pays homage to the strength and resourcefulness of birthing women is reproduced as a 5" x 7" card. Comes with envelope.
Use this single tone chime to clear your mind and bring yourself into focus. BIRTHING FROMWITHIN Mentors use this chime to signal the beginning and end of class activities and to time "contractions" during pain-coping practices. Wood base with 1 metal chime. Mallet included.
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Elk and The Epidural DVD $20.00
How to Have an Epidural in Awareness: a teaching DVD
This 15-minute video/DVD, featuring Pam England's colorful and whimsical pastel drawings, illustrates the truthful and typical experience of labor with an epidural. Parents learn about the advantages, disadvantages, and the cascade of medical support that accompanies epidurals. The message to parents is to develop and maintain a solution-focused, non-judgmental mindset, so that if an epidural (or any medical support) becomes necessary, they can stay present emotionally and spiritually for the birth of their child.
"The video has exactly the tone I was hoping it would. There's no soft-pedaling on the potential drawbacks and side effects of epidurals, and yet that information is very non-threatening and accessible. I was totally impressed by the tremendous amount of information packed into a relatively short video. Two thumbs up!" ~ Eileen Sullivan, BIRTHING FROMWITHIN Mentor
**OUT OF STOCK** This beautiful spiral-bound journal was designed by Pam England to accompany the storytelling of Inanna's Descent, Initiation, & Return. It contains select portions of the ancient story, excerpted from the translation by Samuel Noah Kramer and Diane Wolkstein in their book, Inanna: Queen of Heaven and Earth. There are exercises and processes for personal growth.
Rich in metaphor, symbols and wisdom, this Great Story parallels the story of your labor, postpartum, and other important life transitions. Inanna’s Descent also holds tremendous relevance to birth-related professionals who use this Journal to teach mothers how to prepare for the inner journey of birth and the Return postpartum.
During the storytelling, parents and others can use the blank pages to jot down notes, journal personal reflections, and draw or paint emerging images.
This box contains six teaching items essential for BIRTHING FROMWITHIN Mentors: Pam England's limited edition Lucy sculpture, "The Elk and The Epidural" video (DVD), a Birth Tiger, a Birth Fairy, The Next Best Thing game, and chimes.
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Narrative Medicine - The Use of History and Story in the Healing Process $20.00
Lewis Mehl-Madrona's Narrative Medicine examines the foundations of the indigenous use of story as a healing modality. Citing numerous case stories that demonstrate the profound power of narrative in healing, the author shows that when we learn to dialogue with disease, we come to understand the power of the story we tell about our illness and our possibilities for better health. This approach also includes examining our relationships to our family and extended community to find underlying disharmony that may need healing. Mehl-Madrona points the way to a new model of medicine-a health care system that draws its effectiveness from listening to the healing wisdom of the past and also to the present-day voices of its patients.
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Online Course: Teaching Birth Art $95.00
Available 2010 sessions:June 14 - July 22: **FULL**Sept. 29 - Oct. 27: For our BFW Mentors & Doulas only
This fantastic and very popular online distance course is designed by Pam England for people who work with pregnant women and their partners. You will be guided in the nuts-and-bolts of making and teaching from birth art in both private sessions and group classes. Lessons are lively, fun, and very informative.
Our interactive course is offered in two formats: one session for our BFW Mentors and Doulas (four weeks), and one for everyone else (five weeks)! Each session includes lessons, weekly assignments, interactive forums and live online chats with your peers and Pam England and/or Virginia Bobro. Each session includes two group conference calls. You will come away with a myriad of skills and processes to enhance your work and personal awareness!
Past sessions have sold out two months in advance, so register early! Enrollment is limited to ensure personal attention. When you register, please indicate WHICH session you want.
Before you register, be sure you can participate fully for the entire length of the session. Assignments include holding birth art sessions during the session, so if you are on a solo boat voyage around the world, that won't really work! Online chats are held once a week, usually on Wednesday at noon (Pacific time). All chats and calls are optional and archived, so they can be accessed later. Once the course has begun, the fee is non-refundable.
16 contact hours available through CA Board of Registered Nursing, provider #12800.
This poster features Pam England's beautiful, classic pastel drawing of a pregnant woman sitting meditatively in a kiva. It has a white border, with the pink BIRTHING FROMWITHIN logo tastefully printed along the bottom edge. Suitable for framing. Perfect for midwives or doctors to hang in their offices, or for parents who desire an elegant reminder to "Birth from within". Poster is 11"x17".
Pam England writes about her birth and this painting: "When I was pushing on my bed, on hands-and-knees, I raising up my head and made ferocious growling and pushing sounds as my son's head was being born. For a fleeting moment I envisioned myself a roaring lion--and felt empowered by this image. The white jagged line represents the Force of Life surging through me, assisting in the expulsion of my baby. The darker earthy colors in the lower half of the painting represent being immersed in the Dark Feminine. In Mesopotamia where lions were plenty and hunted, the lion symbolized an attribute of the goddess; the lion is generally associated with the power of God, courage and the guardian of the tomb." Suitable for framing, this high-quality poster makes a striking statement in an office, birthing center, or private home, reminding all who see it of the power of the birthing woman. Poster is 11"x17".
By Michele Cassou, author of Life, Paint and Passion. Helpful questions to awaken your creative power to the fullest. A great resource while creating art and mentoring parents' doing birth art. This booklet presents a series of ready-made questions to stimulate inspiration and dissolve creative blocks. It will guide you through the different stages of the creative process. Recommended use after reading Life, Paint and Passion and Point Zero Painting
Click here for more info about Michele Cassou and Process Painting.
This poster features Pam England's beautiful, classic pastel drawing of a pregnant woman sitting meditatively in a kiva. It has a white border, with the pink BIRTHING FROMWITHIN logo tastefully printed along the bottom edge. Suitable for framing. Perfect for midwives or doctors to hang in their offices, or for parents who desire an elegant reminder to "Birth from within". Poster is 11"x17".
*Poster-Roaring the Baby Out!
Pam England writes about her birth and this painting: "When I was pushing on my bed, on hands-and-knees, I raising up my head and made ferocious growling and pushing sounds as my son's head was being born. For a fleeting moment I envisioned myself a roaring lion--and felt empowered by this image. The white jagged line represents the Force of Life surging through me, assisting in the expulsion of my baby. The darker earthy colors in the lower half of the painting represent being immersed in the Dark Feminine. In Mesopotamia where lions were plenty and hunted, the lion symbolized an attribute of the goddess; the lion is generally associated with the power of God, courage and the guardian of the tomb." Suitable for framing, this high-quality poster makes a striking statement in an office, birthing center, or private home, reminding all who see it of the power of the birthing woman. Poster is 11"x17".
Slightly damaged Roaring the Baby Out! posters $3.00
**SALE** Posters have minor damage in the corners
Pam England writes about her birth and this painting: "When I was pushing on my bed, on hands-and-knees, I raising up my head and made ferocious growling and pushing sounds as my son's head was being born. For a fleeting moment I envisioned myself a roaring lion--and felt empowered by this image. The white jagged line represents the Force of Life surging through me, assisting in the expulsion of my baby. The darker earthy colors in the lower half of the painting represent being immersed in the Dark Feminine. In Mesopotamia where lions were plenty and hunted, the lion symbolized an attribute of the goddess; the lion is generally associated with the power of God, courage and the guardian of the tomb." Suitable for framing, this high-quality poster makes a striking statement in an office, birthing center, or private home, reminding all who see it of the power of the birthing woman. Poster is 11"x17".
Author Allan Hardman, following in the footsteps of his teacher don Miguel Ruiz (author of "the Four Agreements"), explains and expands upon the Toltec model of personal growth and transformation. This model has inspired a new direction in BIRTHING FROMWITHIN's understanding and use of archetypal imagery and language. This book helps to explain the archetypes of Victim, Judge, and Love Warrior in a straightforward manner which helps bring compassion and self-acceptance to your life and work.
This limited edition silicone wristband is available in bulk at half-price, for re-selling or gift-giving. Makes a great gift for pregnant women! All proceeds go to our fledgling Mentor Scholarship Fund. $15 for 10 wristbands--only $1.50 each!
**NEW COLORS** We have just introduced our new vibrant wristband colors for 2007: orange and pink. When you order, please specify which color(s) you want. You can combine colors for the quantity discount.
To remind women to "birth from within", we now offer this limited edition silicone wristband is a deep red color. Embossed with "Birthing From Within" on the outside, and "Labor is hard work, it hurts, and you can do it!" on the inside. This affirmation wristband is durable, waterproof and comfy, and is perfect for women and their birth companions to wear during labor and birth. Makes a great gift for pregnant women! All proceeds go to our Mentor Program scholarship fund.
Mentors and parents love using these cards. Each card has thought-provoking comments and questions to help parents reflect on and learn from their birth art process. Nine colorful, attractive cards are printed on 4" x 6" glossy card stock and bound together on a ring.
This delightful soft finger puppet enhances and enlivens childbirth classes. The Birth Fairy invites non-threatening discussion about the unexpected and unwished-for events that can arise during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. She can also be affixed to a stick to create a Birth Fairy wand. She stands 7" tall, with a wing-span of 10". (Fairy may vary: there are 2 different kinds.)
This is book that is electrifying the birth world! The 
Use this single tone chime to clear your mind and bring yourself into focus. 
This box contains six teaching items essential for 
Lewis Mehl-Madrona's Narrative Medicine examines the foundations of the indigenous use of story as a healing modality. Citing numerous case stories that demonstrate the profound power of narrative in healing, the author shows that when we learn to dialogue with disease, we come to understand the power of the story we tell about our illness and our possibilities for better health. This approach also includes examining our relationships to our family and extended community to find underlying disharmony that may need healing. Mehl-Madrona points the way to a new model of medicine-a health care system that draws its effectiveness from listening to the healing wisdom of the past and also to the present-day voices of its patients.
Available 2010 sessions:June 14 - July 22: **FULL**Sept. 29 - Oct. 27: For our BFW Mentors & Doulas only
