Birthline: More than just layettes…

by: Jena Hartman

As Birthline continues to work with many area social service agencies to assist low-income families with layettes and baby equipment, the Birthline staff and I have come to realize that it is often beneficial for the Birthline clients that we share with them information regarding other resources for services, additional clothing and equipment.  One of those resources is the Walk-In- Breastfeeding Clinic.

Each Wednesday from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m., Kathy McCoy, RN, IBCLC, conducts a free-of-charge breastfeeding clinic here at the Catholic Center.  First of all, let me share a bit about Kathy.  The “alphabet soup” after her name indicates that she is a registered nurse and a certified lactation specialist; she is on staff at Methodist Hospital.  Also, she is married and the mother of five adult daughters and the grandmother of 14!  Knowing that about her, tells that she has seen or experienced just about everything both as a mother and grandmother as well as professionally in the realm of babies and breastfeeding.  Kathy is one of the most kind, caring, patient, generous, loving and knowledgeable people that I have ever had the privilege of calling “friend.”  Kathy also volunteers one afternoon each week here at Birthline.

The Walk-In-Breastfeeding Clinic is one of several offered here in the Indianapolis area; but it is special in many aspects.  There is no charge for coming to this clinic.  The mothers are welcome to come as many times as they want to come. (Others are only one or two classes.) Kathy also carries her cell phone with her to assist anxious moms.  She will answer a call except while working or in church to help resolve the issue at hand for mom and baby.

Kathy believes that having a baby and choosing to breastfeed is a “family event.”  For that reason, dads are welcome at Kathy’s clinic. (Dads are not allowed to attend most other classes.)  She has observed that the dads are so involved with their own baby that they are oblivious to the other mothers and their babies in the session.

For many of the moms who come to Kathy’s clinic, purchasing a breast pump is not an option.  When a breast pump is donated to Birthline, we have no idea if it is complete or in working order.  By giving it to Kathy, she is able to sterilize it at her home and complete it with spare parts from her “collection.”  This is a winning situation for everybody  --  a happy mom receives a working, sanitized piece of equipment and instruction from a knowledgeable person at no charge.

Birthline often receives other breastfeeding specific items.  By giving them to Kathy, she is able to share them with the mothers who attend the clinic who need and will use these items.

Recently, I had a social worker share an experience with me.  This particular social worker had a mother who very much wanted to breastfeed her new infant.  The mom had had the one class offered by the hospital, but was not being successful at home.  The baby was not doing well, the mom was frantic and as a “last recourse” the social worker brought the mom and baby to Kathy’s clinic.  I one hour’s time, Kathy taught the mom correct techniques, soothed the baby to enable successful nursing and the social worker was amazed!  A relieved social worker, a grateful mom and a peacefully sleeping baby with a full tummy happily left the Breastfeeding Clinic. 

If Kathy knows in advance that a Spanish-speaking mother would like to come to the Clinic, she can arrange for a Spanish-speaking nurse to join them.  Kathy’s goal is to have healthy, nourished babies and happy mothers, regardless of their economic status or their language/culture.  I have dropped in several times, and it is a roomful of happiness and friendship.

The Walk-In-Breastfeeding Clinic is a personal ministry of Kathy’s.  She does not receive any grant money or other funding.  But the benefit that she provides to the attending mothers and their babies is priceless.  Birthline is happy to include The Walk-In-Breastfeeding Clinic as part of our resource list for the mothers who come to us for layettes.  Kathy McCoy has touched hundreds of new mothers and babies and their lives are happier and healthier.  Kathy is a blessing to many, many people! J   

Sometimes It’s the Little Things

As someone who works for the Church, I’m always looking for ways to evangelize and to engage individuals in the faith.  One way to reach people is through social media, such as Facebook, blogposts, Twitter, and Instagram.  As an office team, we are preparing to leap into another social media platform – podcasting! So a few weeks ago, I spent time contacting a number of companies that host podcasts.  The criteria I laid out for my search included the following:

1)      The cost of the service could be paid by check

2)      A company which offers important technical features such as integration into iTunes, mobile options, ability to embed episodes, etc.

3)      A company which is friendly and encouraging of non-profit organizations

4)      A company which has a variety of plan options that one could “grow into”

5)      The cost of the service fit the budget

When I reached out to Buzzsprouts.com to learn more about their company, Alban from the customer service department responded immediately and let me know that the monthly bill could only be paid by credit card.  When I replied to thank him for his e-mail and told him that I would be investigating other options, Alban wrote back and communicated to me that in 2008 Buzzsprouts was launched to help churches and non-profits spread their message online.  After further conversation where I described how we would be using podcasts to evangelize in the area of pro-life and family life, Alban graciously worked with me to provide a podcast plan to the Office of Pro-Life and Family Life that fit all of my criteria.

If you are thinking about starting a podcast, consider Buzzsprouts. They have stellar customer service, a Podcasting 101 Guide with tips and best practices, and flexible pricing options.  They met all my criteria and more!

The Office of Pro-Life and Family Office staff is currently working on Chapter 3 of the Podcasting 101 Guide – Creating a Solid Plan.  Stay tuned for our first episode.

Beyond the Puppy Dogs and Rainbows

by Scott Seibert, Marriage and Family Enrichment Coordinator

In many ways one can consider February to be the month of love.  While one can argue that Valentine’s Day is too secular or notorious in our culture, Valentine’s Day is a wonderful time to reflect on the true meaning of love.  When speaking of love, it seems that one of two extremes is usually emphasized.  Either the limerence phase of love where two lovers are infatuated with one another is promoted as the meaning of “true love,” or love is regarded as painful, short lived, and not worth the heartache.  Within all of this, a beautiful middle ground that lays hidden deep below the surface.  The beautiful reality of love is that it is enduring, merciful, ever richer, and full of discovery.  Does that mean that love never hurts?  On the contrary, love is full of heartache, pain, and suffering.  Yet, that’s not the end of the story with love.  Too often in our humanity, suffering is seen as something to be avoided, as a sign that things are wrong.  In its deepest sense, one could make a case for that being true.  Yes, we are a fallen race, but we are also a redeemed race!  As Christians, we know that suffering is the path our Lord chose for redemption.  In the same way that eating healthy and exercising is the painful path towards wellness, perseverance and forgiveness is the path towards relationship wellness.  The end game is beautiful, despite the struggles along the way.  Suffering, if done with faith, hope, and love, is often the path towards deeper intimacy and connection. 

In Pope Francis’ morning meditation on Wednesday, July 3, 2013, the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle, our Holy Father reflected on the encounter between Thomas and Jesus after the resurrection in the gospel of John.  In the Pope’s meditation, he reflects on the apostle touching the wounds of Christ.  It was only after St. Thomas touched the wounds that he was able to proclaim Jesus as Lord and God.  In much the same way, it is only after we touch the wounds of our loved ones, so-to-speak, that we are truly able to see the depths of our loved ones’ beauty, of who they truly are.  We must take the time to share our wounds, and learn to grow together, to heal together, and learn to recognize Christ Jesus’ presence in all of it!

This month, do more than chocolates and flowers, and instead, take the time to share your wounds and practice the power of forgiveness.  Below is an outline of a Couples Examen, based in the Ignatius Spiritual Tradition that can offer a moment of meditation for you and your loved one to pray a little bit deeper, to share a little bit deeper, and to forgive a little bit deeper. 

Couple’s Examen (BAKER)

Begin by inviting the Holy Spirit into your time of prayer with your spouse.  Sit in silence for a moment and direct your thoughts on your marriage.  You can use this Examen to reflect on your day, week, month, or any other moment in time, but keep it centered on your relationship with your spouse.

1.       Blessings

a.       What blessings and graces are present in your marriage past and/or present?

b.      What are you thankful for? Particularly, what qualities, attributes, and experiences in and with your spouse are you thankful for?

2.       Ask

a.       Continuing from blessings, what are the fruits of your marriage?  Where have you seen growth?  Where is it easy to see Christ’s presence in your marriage? 

b.      What are the areas of hurt or areas that need work?

c.       Pray together for the Spirit to reveal to you His answer to these questions.

3.       Kill

a.       Our sins crucified Jesus, so here we reflect on our own sins.

b.      Where have I hurt, or how have I hurt (aka. Killed) the dignity of my spouse and our marriage?

c.       What are the sins I have committed and am I committing?

4.       Embrace

a.       Allow God’s love to pour through you to your spouse. 

b.      Embrace your spouse as s/he is in this moment.

c.       If the hurt is too painful, in this moment ask for the grace to be able to forgive now or in the future. 

5.       Resolution

a.       What are those areas we are going to work on together and resolve to do better?  Make them as concrete as possible. 

End this moment of prayer with a simple heart prayer, Our Father, or Hail Mary.

A few days to keep in mind

• February 5 – Day of Prayer for the African American Family
• February 7-14 – National Marriage Week
• February 12 – World Marriage Day
• February 14 – Valentine’s Day