Unique National Initiative Aims to Unite America Around The Essential Role that Home Plays as the Bedrock for Thriving Lives, Families, and a Stronger Nation

 The National NeighborWorks® Association joined a coast-to-coast coalition in announcing on Capitol Hill the launch of Home Matters™, a unique national initiative that aims to unite America around the essential role that Home plays as the bedrock for thriving lives, families, and a stronger nation.

The initiative emerged from a growing coalition of housing and community development organizations across the country whose leaders believe that the importance of Home, as a core building block for America, is not sufficiently recognized. As it grows, Home Matters will go beyond housing and illuminate the connections between stable housing and other important facets of American life such as:

• Individual Success: Home recharges adults and children alike for the day ahead.
• Education: Children in stable homes learn and achieve more in school.
• Health: Healthy habits take root more easily in stable affordable homes.
• Public Safety: Stable homes make communities safer.

Home Matters is spearheaded by a coast-to-coast coalition of leaders, community groups, nonprofit organizations, companies, and the public at large. That coalition includes regional and local organizations providing housing and related services in 26 states – from California to Vermont, Florida to Washington – as well as national entities like the National NeighborWorks Association, Citi Community Development, and Wells Fargo.

The launch took place on Capitol Hill with hundreds of leaders of housing and community development organizations gathered from all over the nation. Launch events include a gathering with Members of Congress on Capitol Hill and a keynote address by U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan.

“Home is crucial to the success of all Americans,” said NNA Board President Chris Krehmeyer, President and CEO of Beyond Housing in St. Louis. “It’s time to recognize and appreciate how much Home Matters.”

“Home is fundamental to the strength of our nation,” said NNA Executive Director Dave Brown. “It’s at the core of having strong families, schools, neighborhoods, and an effective workforce for the 21^st century. That’s why it’s so important that its role be understood.”

In raising public awareness of the importance of Home, Home Matters will do the following: educate, highlighting the benefits of Home; collaborate, bringing disparate organizations and industries together; engage, rallying local leaders and mobilizing the public; advocate, encouraging policymakers to protect and support Home and related initiatives; support, raising funds and increasing investments to sustain the work that makes Home a reality for more Americans; and, celebrate, promoting and honoring the extraordinary impact of Home.

More information on Home Matters is available at www.HomeMattersAmerica.com.

About National NeighborWorks® Association

National NeighborWorks Association unites housing and community development practitioners to advocate for affordable housing and economic opportunities for individuals, families, communities and neighborhoods throughout the United States.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard has been named the 2012-13 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year, it was announced today by the NBA.

Lillard, 22, led NBA rookies with 19.0 points and a team-high 6.5 assists to go with 3.1 rebounds and 38.6 minutes in all 82 games. Portland selected Lillard with the sixth overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft out of Weber State.

Lillard becomes just the fourth unanimous NBA Rookie of the Year in league history, joining Blake Griffin (2011), David Robinson (1990) and Ralph Sampson (1984).

“The Rookie of the Year Award validates the dedication and commitment to excellence Damian exhibited all season in games, at practice and in the community,” said Trail Blazers General Manager Neil Olshey. “His willingness to take ownership and be held accountable for the high expectations placed upon him since last year’s draft are vital components in building a championship caliber roster. With his work ethic and passion for the game, Damian’s historic rookie season is the first step in what will be a long and distinguished NBA career.”

The 6-foot-3 guard joined Oscar Robertson and Allen Iverson as the only three rookies in NBA history to record at least 1,500 points and 500 assists.

Lillard broke Stephen Curry’s NBA rookie record for 3-pointers made in a season, finishing with 185 3-pointers on the year. He continued his historic rookie season by becoming the first rookie to lead the NBA in total minutes played (3,167) in a season since Elvin Hayes in 1968-69.

“I am very proud of what Damian accomplished this season,” said Trail Blazers Head Coach Terry Stotts. “It is a testament to his talent, character and work ethic that he played at a very high and consistent level throughout his rookie season. Along the way, his name was mentioned along with some of the greats to have ever played in the NBA.

“This is just the beginning of what is sure to be an outstanding NBA career. I know that Damian is already working on ways to get better for next season.”

Lillard becomes the fourth Trail Blazer in franchise history to take home the Eddie Gottlieb trophy alongside Brandon Roy (2007), Sidney Wicks (1972) and Geoff Petrie (1971). Portland is the only NBA city to garner four Rookie of the Year awards since the team was founded in 1970.

“Not only is he a talented player on the court, he’s also become an admired ambassador for the Portland community, the Trail Blazers and the entire NBA,” said Chris McGowan, Trail Blazers President & CEO. “We are thrilled about his unanimous selection as the 2012-13 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year. This is another proud moment in Trail Blazers history.”

He swept Kia NBA Western Conference Rookie of the Month honors for all six months, becoming one of just eight players to sweep NBA Rookie of the Month honors since the inaugural award in 1981-82, joining Ralph Sampson, David Robinson, Tim Duncan, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.

As part of its support of the Rookie of the Year Award, Kia Motors America (KMA) will donate a new 2014 Kia Sorento LX CUV to LifeWorks Northwest, a leading non-profit, community-based prevention, mental health and addiction agency committed to supporting a healthy community in the greater Portland metro-area. Kia Motors will present a Sorento to the charity of choice of each of five 2012-13 season-end award winners as part of “The Kia NBA Performance Awards.” Following this season, Kia Motors will have donated a total of 26 new vehicles to charitable organizations since its support of the NBA’s prestigious season-end honors began in 2008.

Forget Me Not Mother + Child pendant, Courtesy Fred Meyer Jewelers

Portland Family is SUPER excited to present A PRIZE GIVEAWAY EVERYDAY IN MAY. This month, each day, we’ll post a prize on our Facebook page that could be yours. All you have to do is

1. “like” the post
2. send the answer to the associated trivia question to publisher@portlandfamily.com.

Winners will be picked and announced at the end of each day. We want to expand the Portland Family fan page, so PLEASE, get your friends to “like” the Portland Family facebook page too, for their chances to win!

Prizes Include: tickets to Celebrating Balanchine at Oregon Ballet Theater, movie passes for Academy Theater, family passes to Dozer Day event, concert tickets to see Heart (courtesy of KEX Radio), brow waxing services at Brow Betty, family packs to North Clackamas Aquatic Park, Elephants Deli gift cards, Spa, Stay and Concert certificates for McMenamins, Oregon Zoo family passes, tickets for the Ansel Adams exhibit and the World Forestry Center, a Forget Me Not Collection Mom + Child pendant from Fred Meyer Jewelers and many more!

Help Portland Family expand our facebook community! Win amazing prizes with our A PRIZE GIVEAWAY EVERYDAY IN MAY!

One winner per household and eligible for one prize only throughout the month of May. Prizes can not be redeemed for cash.

Seems like there are a few things Portlanders can’t get enough of: farm-fresh sustainable ingredients, delicious cuisine prepared by exceptional chefs, robust wine, sunshine and innovative community events where these all come together. If you silently nodded “yes” to any of the above, then pack your bag (though it can be light) for the Ka’anapali Fresh event that happens on Maui towards the end of summer.

Before we share all the goodness that is Ka’anapali Fresh, here’s a word about the glorious Ka’anapali Beach Resort where the event takes place. Ka’anapali Beach recently received the prestigious accolade of being named TripAdvisor’s “#1 Beach in the Nation,” and this year the resort celebrates its 50th anniversary. Besides its multi-mile stretch of white sandy beaches hugging a glistening turquoise sea, the property also features a fabulous array of restaurants, shops, hotels and condos, all catering to a true family vacation experience.

Kids of all ages are welcome wherever you go; it’s not uncommon to see moms and dads pushing strollers or towing along toddlers on a stroll down the boardwalk. Teenagers bounce balls and toss Frisbees on the sandy beaches. Grandparents kick back under oversized umbrellas, relaxing and admiring their frolicking grandkids. Because nearly every hotel offers day-long cultural and social keiki (kids) programs, parents can sneak away for a round of golf, a massage or a few hours of uninterrupted shopping. Open-air restaurants have fantastic kids’ menus and it’s true, they really do offer something to please everyone’s taste buds.

As for accommodations, there is such a wide range of options to fit every style, preference, budget and need. From romantic couple suites to large condo-style accommodations for larger families or reunions, you can find it at Ka’anapali Beach Resort. Oftentimes hotels will offer amazing specials and package deals, so if you look online or read about someplace you’re interested in staying, it’s encouraged to check the website regularly, sign up for any e-newsletter and “like” them on Facebook to get the most up-to-date deals and specials. Two places we tried and can recommend are the Ka’anapali Alii (condos) and the Royal Lahaina Resort (hotel). (See sidebar.)

Indeed, the excitement of Ka’anapali Beach Resort could keep you and your family entertained any time of year. For the last-of-August/first-of-September stretch, however, we suggest you come to Ka’anapali Beach Resort with the intention of immersing yourself in the culinary glory known as Ka’anapali Fresh. (Note: Most activities are for those age 21 and over, so for a few days, intermittently, younger kids could stay behind with grandparents or older siblings, while you attend the 21-and-over events. Or for the sake of fully enjoying the festival, this could be the Maui trip you take without young kids.) If you want delicious … if you want amazing … if you want to discover the creativity and class that can be the heart of a grand food and wine experience, then this is your festival.

2012 was the inaugural year of Ka’anapali Fresh, a weekend-long culinary festival celebrating the best “Grown on Maui” farm products, wine, spirits and Maui-inspired cuisine, all lovingly prepared by some of the island’s hottest and brightest chefs. Starting on a Friday evening and continuing throughout a weekend, the festival immerses you in flavors grown by local farmers, fresh-caught seafood, and the experience of meeting world-class chefs face-to-face, as you are exposed to a realm of new flavors.

The first day of Ka’anapali Fresh, Friday, begins with learning how to craft the perfect tropical cocktails at a “Mixology” class taught by an esteemed restaurant and bar expert, using flavors and ingredients found on the islands. Once your taste buds have been taught then teased, you’ll join hundreds of other party guests for a progressive feast, donned “Double Culinary Grande with a Shot of Jake.” The goal is to showcase the creativity and innovation of award-winning chefs from Ka’anapali’s restaurants and hotels and share how they utilize local produce, poultry, meat and dairy for maximum flavor.

Friday night ends at the Westin Maui Resort & Spa. Depending upon the final menu, you can expect delicious platters of fresh-caught shrimp, oysters, crab and lobster, sushi, Kalua pork and/or locally raised seared beef, accompanied by fresh produce such as Lomi Kula tomatoes, Hamakua mushrooms, local kale and Maui onions. Everything is so beautifully prepared, you almost feel guilty about eating it!

All this glamour and gourmet cooking takes place right alongside the beach, so as you sip on a fantastic wine and nibble on some mouthwatering dish, you get to feel the warm breeze and gaze out to a golden setting sun highlighted by wisps of pink clouds.

It’s suggested you leave room for dessert, because the next part of the evening is mighty sweet. Either a brief walk or shuttle will deliver you to the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, which showcases yummy sweets such as pineapple and coconut cakes, mini-cheesecakes, chocolates  and a live performance under a moonlit sky by Jake Shimabukuro, Hawai’i’s award-winning ukulele virtuoso. Eddie Vedder, Pearl Jam singer and songwriter, has been quoted as saying, “Jake is taking the instrument to a place that I can’t see anybody else catching up with.” If you’ve not yet listened to ukulele music under the moonlight, this could perhaps be even more satisfying than the tasty desserts.

Waking up the next morning, you might have a bit of a food hangover — nothing some juicy Maui gold pineapple can’t cure. We Northwesterners love our farmers’ markets and at the “Grown on Maui” farmers’ market, you will have a great opportunity to meet and chat with the local farmers who work so hard to cultivate and expand an agricultural livelihood.

A compelling intention of Ka’anapali Fresh is to help expand awareness about how vital farming is to the tourism base and economic prosperity of the islands. Indeed, the agricultural component of the islands is a substantially expanding sector. Locally grown coffee, flowers, taro, herbs, produce and pineapple are all among the cornucopia of farming life on Maui, and will be key in building a more sustainable, diversified economy moving into the future.

As you peruse the “Grown on Maui” Farmers Market, you will be impressed with the color, quality and variety of flavors available. One of the greatest pleasures is having the chance to connect with the farmers themselves and hear the stories about their land, families and products.

Perhaps one of the most humble farmers you’ll ever meet will be Kimo Falconer, president of MauiGrown Coffee, a globally recognized brand. Ka’anapali Fresh participants have the opportunity to head up the mountainside of Ka’anapali, to the 500-acre farming estate to learn about the art and science of coffee cultivation, from seed to cup. The views of the ocean and neighboring islands from the plantation are stunning.

Ka’anapali coffee is strong in 2013 as it celebrates 200 years of cultivation in the islands. First planted on O’ahu by Don Francisco de Paula Marin in 1813, and related to Hawai’i’s beloved gardenias, coffee has been an important part of island culture ever since, and is currently grown on all the major islands, with about 6,300 acres harvested statewide. About 40 farms produce Maui coffee.

MauiGrown Coffee is the largest individually operated coffee grower in the United States, and the only major producer of 100% Maui origin coffee in the world. Kimo walks you through the trees, explaining the entire cycle of the bean and how it ultimately ends up as a tasty cup on your table. The tour is intimate and informational, and you feel incredibly welcomed.

Saturday night is when all of these lessons, connections and tasty treats culminate in the beautiful “Farm to Table” ultimate outdoor dining experience. Set against the famed third hole of the Royal Ka’anapali Golf Course, dangling lanterns blow in the breeze, delicate tableside candle lights dance like jarred fireflies and Ka’anapali’s top locavore chefs come together with Maui farmers to present true “farm to table” cuisine. In addition, Southern Wine & Spirits of Hawaii selects, then pairs, fabulous varieties with individual dishes. Chefs compete for Best of Show awards, which are judged by an esteemed local panel of experts.

An important part of the night is West Maui’s popular silent auction to benefit Maui agriculture and the Maui County Farm Bureau, a grassroots organization of farms, ranch families, agricultural industries and associated alliances dedicated to supporting agriculture on Maui. Restaurants, resorts and local merchants collectively donate lots of Maui-only items that you can bid on to help strengthen the local economy and keep Maui sustainable.

Once you’ve perused the auction items with a glass of something special in your hand, you can saunter through the festivities. Stations are set up, each showing the produce and ingredients used; the farm they came from; the chef’s designing of the ingredients paired with pork, beef, poultry or fish; and finally, the wine that was selected for each dish. There are so many incredibly unique, exotic and innovative choices, your taste buds will traverse a whole new plane of amazing. Pacing yourself is an absolute, because you will definitely want to try everything!

Between the giant, drifting clouds above you, tropical ambiance, scrumptious food platters lovingly prepared and presented, fantastic wine and the magic in the air, it feels like being dropped in the middle of a foodie fairyland.

The night continues on and consists of some world-class entertainment. As you dine, you will be serenaded by performances from award-winning, internationally renowned Hawai’ian artists Amy Hanaiali’i Gilliom and Makana. Amy Hanaiali’I remains Hawai’i's top-selling female vocalist of all time, and her success as a recording artist includes a multitude of awards and acknowledgments, including five Grammy nominations for Best Hawaiian Music Album. Makana is the internationally acclaimed slack key guitarist, singer and composer recognized by peers and audiences as being one of the youngest, most talented in his craft. All the lovely Hawaiian music sets a true tropical tone under the stars.

As Portlanders, we understand the importance of sustainability. We appreciate fine food, farms and flavors, which is exactly why Ka’anapali Fresh is such a dream-like event to attend. It’s encouraged that you take a closer look and consider making this a go-to event each year, especially as it expands in scope.

Everyone from the chefs and farmers, to resort hospitality staff and entertainers are warm and friendly. They work very hard to ensure a most memorable occasion, in the hopes of letting visitors know that Ka’anapali, Maui, offers much more than  amazing resorts and beaches. Culinary delights, farm-fresh ingredients and innovation in agriculture are all aligned to be showcased and shared with you.

If the last time you visited Disneyland was when you were a kid, be forewarned: this is not the theme park of your youth. Now there are Fast Passes, Extra Magic Hours, phone apps, new attractions and significantly more people.

Here are ten tips to maximize your family’s 21st century Disneyland fun. Some require preparation before departure and others are helpful once you find yourselves roaming Main Street.

1. Consider staying at a Disneyland resort hotel. It is no secret that the Disney hotels are more expensive than those off of the Disneyland campus. But for families traveling with small children, the cost may be worth it. Staying at one of the resorts, especially the Grand Californian, allows for easy access to the hotel room for naps, snacks, and some downtime. The newly renovated Disneyland Hotel is second closest to park entrances, but the walk through downtown Disneyland from the park entrance seems long and daunting at the end of the night, especially when toting toddlers and small children.
2. See the new (and popular) attractions during the Extra Magic Hour. Families staying at hotels on the Disneyland campus have access to the parks one hour earlier than general admission — the Extra Magic Hour. Learn from my family’s mistake on our first morning: be prepared to line up at the security gates at least a half-hour before the Extra Magic Hour begins. General admission lines begin to form up to an hour before the gates open, and you don’t want to be stuck in those. Once inside the park, go to the newest and most popular attractions first — that Extra Magic Hour goes by quickly.
3. Use the Disney apps. Rarely will you see a character roaming freely around the parks anymore, but there are apps that will tell you when they’re at their stations ready for photos. Other apps help track Fast Pass distribution and line times, and provide reminders for shows. Check out the iPad app Disneyland Explorer, or the mobile apps Disneyland Mouse Wait Times and Disney Mobile Magic.
4. Bring healthy snacks. Though it appears some effort has been made to offer healthy food choices (think grilled chicken sandwiches, apple slices, string cheese and yogurt), for families visiting parks for longer than two days, the pickings are slim. Downtown Disneyland does offer some additional choices, but sit down meals take up a lot of time (and money).
5. Schedule downtime. Most families obviously want to maximize their time at the Disney theme parks, but children (and adults) need a rest from the stimulation. Disneyland is crowded and hot (if traveling during the spring, summer or early fall). Schedule downtime into the day, preferably when your children would normally have a rest. If your children are too old to nap, plan to see one of the shows, ride the Disneyland train around the entire park, or sit on the California Adventures waterfront spacing out to calliope music.
6. Accept that it is expensive, and let it go. It is expensive, but you’re going, and the cost is just part of it. Don’t be the parent standing at the pickle kiosk, flabbergasted that they charge $6 for a pickle (anything under $10 is a good deal).
7. Talk with your kids about their expectations. If your family is visiting the parks for one or two days, it is very difficult to see everything (especially if you’re getting a Park Hopper pass and visiting both parks). Help your children make a priority list. The official Disneyland website (Disneyland.disney.go.com) offers interactive maps and ride details. Once you get to the parks, do what is most important on the kids’ priority lists — everything else is a bonus.
8. Schedule an (early) character breakfast. Character breakfasts are expensive, and for older children or teenagers, most likely not worth it. The value for younger children is in having contact with the characters. We splurged on the Grand California Chip and Dale breakfast. We made reservations that allowed us a leisurely breakfast with time to get to the Extra Magic Hour. If you have small children who would enjoy more exposure to characters, this is the best time to do it. Schedule it really early and have the place (nearly) to yourself. No lines waiting for character hugs and photographs.
9. Be prepared to split up. Our two sons (ages three and four) were Disneyland opposites. One wanted fast rides, the other wanted to see shows. Tentatively plan the day so each child can do what they’d like and then meet up to do things as a whole family.
10. Watch their faces. Disneyland is fun and exciting — and intense. With small children, it was the antithesis of relaxing. But watching their faces — on rides, with the characters, walking down Main Street, turned up to the sky for fireworks — made it all worthwhile. To them it truly was the happiest place on Earth.

“My daughter was screaming and struggling to latch on,” Helmick said. Within a few days she got help from the Birthingway Breastfeeding Center, part of the Birthingway College of Midwifery in East Portland.

“Within 20 minutes they said, ‘Your daughter has tongue tie issues,’” Helmick said. “That was so reassuring, after they diagnosed it.”

Tongue tie, or ankyloglossia, is often described as “extra webbing” under the tongue. It is characterized as “anterior,” near the tip of the tongue or “posterior,” further under the tongue. Treatment is a frenectomy, clipping of the frenulum.

Dr. Bobby Ghaheri, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Specialist with The Oregon Clinic, says he treats three to seven tongue ties a week. “Almost every single one of these is related to breastfeeding,” he said.

Ghaheri’s second daughter was diagnosed with tongue tie as an infant. Since then he’s become informed on how tongue tie can affect breastfeeding and is supportive of parents who decide to intervene. But Helmick found not all ENT doctors are supportive.

“He said, ‘Yeah, I’ll do it,’” said Helmick, of her own ENT physician when she requested the procedure. “But he was dismissive of the purpose and helpfulness of it.”

Why the interest in tongue tie?

A study conducted at the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford University in 2000 showed that of 1041 tested, 50 babies had tongue tie, or 4.8 percent.

Some doctors and lactation consultants believe that more of these cases are coming to light because more International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC), as well as nurses and doctors, are learning how to identify tongue tie and how it impacts breastfeeding.

“We now know what to look for. We know how to access the movement of the tongue and whether or not babies can or can’t follow the finger,” said Adrienne Fuson, IBCLC with the Birthingway Breastfeeding Center.

Others believe that while knowledge of tongue tie in association with breast feeding is spreading, it hasn’t meant an increase in cases.

“More parents bring up the concern much more often than they did five or ten years ago, but I haven’t seen an increase in the incidents,” said Deborah Meyers, IBCLC with Kasier Permanente. “This is a new topic in lactation but not in medicine. This is a period of time when it’s more in the forefront. There are ebbs and flows in all walks of life and this is in the front of people’s minds at this time.”

Is tongue tie overlooked?

Tongue tie is not the only reason a baby could have trouble breast feeding. A child may be born early and start feeding late, or a mother may just need some advice, said Lisa Johnson, IBCLC with Legacy Health.

But Ghaheri and Fuson believe that in many cases the trouble is tongue tie, and too many of these cases are still going unnoticed.

“The pediatrician does not do an oral evaluation as part of a new baby check-up. Lactation consultants at hospitals don’t have time to do a full oral evaluation. It doesn’t get caught at the hospital,” Fuson said.

In addition to tongue ties, Ghaheri said lip ties, which often accompany tongue ties and prevent the upper lip from flanging out at the breast, are also overlooked. “Almost all practitioners ignore the upper lip ties that accompany tongue ties,” he said.

ENT doctors  are not trained in the function of the tongue as it relates to breastfeeding, Ghaheri added.

“Our education about tongue tie was quite sparse. There’s no formal education on breastfeeding mechanics either,” he said

Ghaheri had a unique introduction to tongue tie when his second daughter was diagnosed. “My first daughter had pain, pain, pain with nursing but no lactation consultant found it. My second daughter had similar problems but because we home birthed and our midwives knew about it, we were sent to a lactation consultant who knew about it,” he said.

“It’s variable, but the vast majority of doctors, nurses and lactation consultants aren’t equipped with the necessary information to identify a tie or to determine its impact on the latch. Until it affected my own family I didn’t really study it or understand it.”

Most commercial insurances cover frenotomy, Ghaheri said. But the Oregon Health Plan, Family Care and CareOregon don’t cover the procedure.

“If Medicaid covered this simple procedure, a tremendous amount of money would be saved in preventing diseases that are typically helped by longer breastfeeding,” he said.

Does clipping a tongue tie work?

Little in the way of scientific evidence has been collected to validate the effectiveness of clipping tongue ties to enable breastfeeding.

“There have been some recent papers that have come out, but basically, research in this area is hard because there’s no placebo,” Ghaheri said. “You can’t ethically do a sham tongue clipping to compare it to the real procedure and so it introduces some bias.”

Fuson believes better data and information is just around the corner. “There’s not that much research on the benefits of tongue clipping, although there will be,” she said. “Tongue tie is here to stay. More practioners will have training.”

Lactation consultants say that about 50 to 75 percent of parents find the procedure helpful, but not always immediately, and not without also working with a lactation consultant to help the mom and baby work together as the baby retrains the tongue.

Fuson recommends visits before and after with a pediatric chiropractor.

Parents must also massage under the baby’s tongue post-procedure to prevent the development of scar tissue. “The development of scar tissue can mimic the original problem,” Ghaheri said.

Should all tongue ties be clipped?

Lucina Armstrong, Breastfeeding Center Coordinator at Birthingway, is skeptical about the sudden surge in increases of tongue clipping without information about the long-term effects.

“Usually the mom is immediately more successful, and that makes you feel like we should we be doing more clipping,” Armstrong said. “But I feel skeptical about clipping everyone has who a tongue tie. It’s invasive surgery and we do it to babies that don’t have a say.”

The need for treatment can depend on the severity and location of the tie, Meyers said. “Some moms and babies sail right through with a tongue tie. Not all moms and babies need to be clipped. The tongue can do its job despite the tongue tie.”

IBCLCs agree that tongue clipping is never the first recourse. “It’s possible that body work can free up the tongue on its own when done beforehand,” Fuson said.

Is tongue clipping dangerous?

ENT physicians and IBCLB practitioners say the risk associated with the procedure is very low. “With proper technique, less than a teaspoon of blood is lost,” Ghaheri said.

Johnson recommends finding an experienced practioner. “With ENTs that are very familiar with doing the procedures, we haven’t had complications,” she said.

“It can be painful if the practitioner isn’t used to doing them, or they don’t use the proper medications,” said Ghaheri who uses gel, injection and ice chips to numb the area.

Others just use topical gel, Fuson said. It’s a good idea to ask about how pain is managed when making an appointment for the frenectomy, she said.

“Anytime you put scissors on skin there is a risk of infection,” Fuson said. “But breast milk has immune system components in it, thoroughly cleansing the mouth every time the baby nurses.”

Not an Easy Decision

For Helmick, like many parents, deciding to clip her 2-week-old daughter’s tongue tie was not an easy decision.

“I had a home birth with no intervention, so to have this little person who was brought into the world with no intervention and then to be told to cut her, I was like, what?” Helmick said. “I had reservations, had to think about it.”

Helmick decided that the chance to breastfeed her baby was worth giving it a try. “I fed my first child to 14 months. The idea that I wouldn’t be able to it do with my second was taking something away from me,” she said. “Sadness doesn’t describe it appropriately. I was heart-stricken and crying a lot.”

After few weeks of continuing to work with her lactation consultant post-frenectomy, Helmick was able to breastfeed her baby.

Carrie Schmid is a freelance writer from Portland, OR.

Prenatal care is better than ever, but in the one-on-one model, it’s estimated that on average, a woman may only spend about 10 to 20 minutes with her care provider per appointment, for a total of only two to four hours during her entire pregnancy.

A relatively new model of care is rapidly gaining popularity as women and women’s health professionals alike recognize that group prenatal care can fill the information and support void. This safe, enriching and effective alternative to one-on-one care is called CenteringPregnancy™.

Developed in the early 1990s, CenteringPregnancy cares for 8 to 12 women of the same gestational age in a group setting and works in conjunction with visits to the mothers’ OBs. Not only does this model allow women to get to know their health care provider better, it also provides an opportunity to learn from and develop relationships with other expectant mothers and their partners who will have children the same age as their own. What’s more, the Centering method includes discussions led by certified nurse midwives about pregnancy-related issues, childbirth and newborn care.

How it Works

After meeting one-on-one with a physician or midwife for her initial appointment, a woman begins group appointments at around 16 weeks. She chooses whether she comes alone or with her birth partner. Each appointment is two hours, for a total of 20 hours during her pregnancy, plus a “reunion visit,” where group participants return after delivery, babies in tow!

At every CenteringPregnancy appointment, each expectant mother receives one-on-one care and also participates in both small, informal group discussions, and a large group discussion centered around specific topics such as nutrition, labor preparation, common pregnancy discomforts, breastfeeding, newborn care and more.

A Word About Privacy

All participants sign a confidentiality agreement at the first session. There are no pelvic exams during these group visits. Any tests deemed necessary, and the discussion of any test result or exam, will take place at a separate time, and not during the group appointments. This is to protect the privacy of each expectant mother.

The Benefits of a Group Setting

Pregnant mothers and their partners can rely on and learn from their “village,” or group. They receive the care of a professional, and also share in the experiences of other expectant parents. They hear about resources they may not have known about, and often make lasting friendships along the way. While everyone is encouraged to participate in the group discussions, no one is ever put on the spot or required to share. Certified Nurse Midwife and CenteringPregnancy advocate Christine Barlow Reed says those who have participated in CenteringPregnancy — even those who were skeptical about the group setting — have reported that they were surprised at just how easy, fulfilling and comforting it was to share their experiences.

“I’ve heard from women who had traditional prenatal care with previous pregnancies that the group setting covered a lot more information than what was covered in their one-on-one visits,” says Reed. “Participants have told me that group time became sacred to them. I have had no negative feedback at all from women in my care.”
Unlike birthing and parenting classes that are offered later in pregnancy, CenteringPregnancy begins around 16 weeks and lasts until the middle of the due date month. Sharing the whole experience together builds trust and creates strong bonds that often continue long after the babies arrive.

What Statistics Tell Us about CenteringPregnancy

Recent data indicates that social support and community are beneficial in protecting pregnant women and their babies from stress. Studies conducted by the March of Dimes (a vocal proponent and major supporter of CenteringPregnancy programs), The Institute for Family Health and other health organizations have shown that women who participate in CenteringPregnancy programs have:

• A 33 percent decrease in the risk of preterm birth (in the U.S., preterm birth is the leading cause of infant death)
• Higher birth weights for pre-term babies
• An overall increase in satisfaction with their prenatal care
• A decrease in c-sections
• A greater instance of breastfeeding continuation at home

An Age-old Idea Reborn in the 21st Century

CenteringPregnancy is a new take on an old tradition. It’s a comfort to some to know that no woman needs to go it alone through the joys and anxieties associated with pregnancy. Group prenatal care offers modern healthcare and a safe, nurturing environment in which to share with other expectant mothers. According to Jabke S. Buesseler, certified nurse midwife and CenteringPregnancy facilitator from Women’s Healthcare Associates, even participants who worried group care might be generic and impersonal found that the opposite is true.

“Spending ten, two-hour sessions together allows them to delve deeply into topics too time consuming to cover in standard visits,” Buesseler says. “Women also really appreciate knowing others have the same fears, concerns and discomforts as they do.”

CenteringPregnancy in Portland

If you are interested in participating in, or learning more about CenteringPregnancy, Women’s Healthcare Associates is a great local resource. Women’s Healthcare Associates is a full-service women’s healthcare provider, with over 90 OB/GYN physician/surgeons, maternal-fetal medicine specialists (perinatologists), certified nurse midwives, nurse practitioners and genetic counselors in the Portland metro area.

They currently offer Centering groups, led by certified nurse midwives, at their Peterkort campus near Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. Their website is full of information, links to other resources, and videos explaining Centering and sharing the stories of women who have participated.

Women’s Healthcare Associates
Peterkort South Office
9555 SW Barnes Road, Suite 100
Portland, OR 97225
Ph: (503) 292-3577
www.whallc.com

To make sure our children don’t become comfortable with telling lies, we must be prepared to correct them and lead them through the steps required to bring resolution. Each step is important and brings skills and insights our children will need and use for the rest of their lives. In a situation where we’re asking a child for the truth, and they choose to use a lie, we must make sure we lead them to the other side. What happens within them is truly a gift.

The other day, while running one of our full day camps, a 6-year-old was brought into my office. When I asked why he had thrown a spoon across the room, he quickly replied that he hadn’t. He was nervous and I was busy, but at that moment, everything else was placed on hold and I began to work through this with him. I needed him to know I was there for him. I wanted and was willing to help him but I couldn’t unless he was honest. I told him when he was ready and felt safe to tell the truth I would promise him two things: one, I would not get upset or angry, and two, I would help him work his way out of the situation.

He looked at me to make sure he could trust what I was saying. After awhile he looked up at me and explained that the spoon had become boomerang in his mind, so he threw it. He said, “I know it’s not a boomerang and I don’t know why my mind thought it was. I’m not kidding, it looked just like a boomerang.” I knew I had his complete honesty. He was young and full of adventure! I went through the steps just like I did with my own children, explaining that he would need to tell his teacher he was sorry for his action, and tell her he would do his best to use his great imagination for more appropriate endeavors. He would also need to share that he understood why throwing a spoon in a classroom didn’t work, and ask her to accept his apology. He, like many children faced with telling the truth, was not excited about talking to the teacher and admitting what he did wrong.

At this point, I often see parents and/or teachers back away and not ask the child to take action and make it right. But it’s in this act that the child gains strength and knowledge, building the muscles needed to prevent the same mistake in the future. Looking someone you know in the eye, someone you know you’ve disappointed, is hard. But it’s important on so many levels. I explained that when he talked to his teacher, he might be tempted to look down, but it was important to look her in the eyes and say he was sorry. I offered to practice with him a few times. After a few attempts and hesitations, he was ready.

He slowly made his way to the teacher, spoke softy but held eye contact the whole time. The teacher acknowledged his apology, and offered her forgiveness. A few hours later, this little guy was brought back into the office because he had used his middle finger in a way he shouldn’t have. This offense was going to be more difficult to explain. I have to say I was impressed with his creative answer that “80 percent of me gave the teacher the finger and 20 percent didn’t mean to.” I offered back that maybe 80 percent was ready to tell the truth, but 20 percent was still fighting it? Oh the look in his eyes! Soon to follow was the full truth, and the steps we practiced earlier. The only time I saw him again that day was when he ran past my office on his way out with his parent. It was with great pride and accomplishment, and a new-found confidence, that he said goodbye to me.

Everyone needs to get to the point of confidence and courage in admitting and correcting a wrong. Looking someone in the eyes and speaking the words out loud does something profound to all of us. Although it’s painful to admit our weaknesses, the freedom and strength we gain is the reward. So the next time your little one decides to take the easy road and use a lie, walk the road with them and notice how they soar afterwards.

A hysterectomy is a surgery to remove a woman’s uterus or womb. The uterus is where a baby grows when a woman is pregnant. The whole uterus or just part of it may be removed. After a hysterectomy, you no longer have menstrual periods and cannot become pregnant.

During the hysterectomy, your doctor also may remove fallopian tubes and ovaries. The ovaries produce eggs and hormones. The fallopian tubes carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. The cervix is the lower end of the uterus that joins the vagina. These organs are located in a woman’s lower abdomen. If you have not yet reached menopause and you keep your ovaries during the hysterectomy, you may enter menopause at an earlier age than most women. If you have not yet reached menopause and your ovaries are removed during the hysterectomy, you will enter menopause. There are ways to manage menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness.

Types of hysterectomy:

• Partial, subtotal, or supracervical removes just the upper part of the uterus. The cervix is left in place.
• Total removes the whole uterus and the cervix.
• Radical removes the whole uterus, the tissue on both sides of the cervix, and the upper part of the vagina. This is done mostly when there is cancer present.

Portland Family recently connected with Dr. Richard Rosenfield, of Pearl Women’s Center, for a brief Q & A to learn more about hysterectomies.

PF: What are some of the main reasons women have hysterectomies?
Dr. R: Fibroids, abnormal uterine bleeding and/or painful periods (heavy or irregular menstrual cycles, often with pain), pelvic organ prolapse.

PF: Why do women opt to have hysterectomies after they have their babies?
Dr. R: Hysterectomy renders a woman infertile, so women need to be done with child bearing before this is an option. Many women think that removing the uterus has an impact on hormones, but this is not the case. Hysterectomy refers to the removal of the uterus only, and when done via a minimally invasive route, the treatment and recovery are easier to tolerate.

PF: How have hysterectomies advanced through time and technology?
We can break down the approach into three types: vaginal, abdominal and laparoscopic. The numbers of hysterectomies have remained stable, but there is an increasing trend toward the laparoscopic or minimally invasive route, as it is less painful, provides a fast recovery and is cost effective compared to other methods of surgery, which often result in overnight stays in the hospital and missing weeks of work.

PF: How can a woman’s quality of life improve and what are some of the after-effects and post-procedure results that may occur?
Dr. R: Many women with heavy or painful periods have symptoms for 10–14 or more days each month. This is nearly half of their life! Hysterectomy can easily eliminate the heavy bleeding or pain, and recovery is incredibly fast when the surgery is performed laparoscopically. For many, having surgery like this allows the patients to feel like they’ve been given their life back. Most report improvements in many aspects of their day-to-day living, self-confidence and sexuality (unpredictable bleeding and pelvic pain can be disruptive to one’s personal life). The biggest complaint we see after surgery is a temporary time period of decreased energy during the first few weeks after surgery. Most patients report that they wish they would have known about this option years ago.

As a previous egg donor and now owner of an egg donation agency, I’ve worked with prospective parents for the last 13 years and feel I have a unique perspective. As a professional, I’ve seen the gratitude our intended parents feel toward their donor. As a donor, I’ve felt excitement and hope that the process culminates in a pregnancy. I’ve also seen photos of many, many children born from egg donation (including ones from my own donations), and it is truly a beautiful thing.

Don’t get me wrong: going through the donation process isn’t a walk in the park. As a donor, I personally experienced ovarian hyper-stimulation as well as the very rare side effect of minor ovarian torsion. So, while concerns that there are risks to this process are not unfounded, those risks are low and should be made extremely clear to the egg donor through several different channels: the agency, the clinic, the psychologist and even the attorney representing the donor. By the time an egg donor begins the actual medical process, she should be clear on all potential risks, so she can make an informed decision as to whether or not this is the right journey for her. As long as an egg donor is fully informed, it would be insulting to her to assume that she would continue even if she didn’t feel comfortable.

The process of egg donation includes a series of tests, both medical and psychological, to make sure the donor is healthy enough to undertake what’s involved. When a donor is initially chosen, she will receive a psychological evaluation (industry standard usually includes both a written and in-person evaluation/education appointment). She will also meet with a licensed geneticist who will go over her family’s medical background (to the best of her knowledge), to determine any genetic risk factors. Once these evaluations come back with a green light, the donor will go in for a medical screening which includes several tests, the most common of which are FDA-required drug and STD testing. There will also be a genetic panel required. This varies widely from clinic to clinic, as the FDA does not regulate genetic testing. The most common kinds of tests are for carrier genes (usually based on ethnic background) such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, SMA, Tay-Sachs and fragile X syndrome.

Once a donor has cleared her medical screening, a calendar for her cycle is drawn up by the fertility clinic. The most common egg donor cycle includes daily subcutaneous injections for approximately three weeks. During that time, the doctor’s office will have the donor come in for several appointments to check her hormone levels and follicle growth. The goal is to stimulate several follicles in the ovaries that will become viable eggs ready for fertilization. Most reproductive endocrinologists agree that 15 is considered the “magic number” for eggs retrieved, although, of course, sometimes there are more and sometimes less.

The retrieval process usually involves the donor going under a “twilight sleep” monitored by an anesthesiologist. The eggs are retrieved by using a long, thin needle that is inserted into the ovaries where the follicles are located. They are then aspirated into a test tube. This is an outpatient procedure and most donors are finished with the entire process and ready to go home within one to three hours.
Of the eggs retrieved, the mature ones will become fertilized. The hope is that there will be enough healthy embryos to have at least one fresh and one frozen cycle of embryos that can be transferred into the intended mother or surrogate. Approximately two to three weeks later, we are able to determine if the procedure was successful and if the intended parent is pregnant.

So, while my own the recovery wasn’t as easy as it is for most donors, and I did experience the most common complication as a result of egg donation (approximately 5 percent of donors experience ovarian hyperstimulation), I still feel strongly that it was worth it a thousand times over. As for myself, I went on to get pregnant with my first child at age 35, and at age 37 with my second, who is due this August.

I would suggest that any young women between the ages of 21 and 28 who are interested in becoming egg donors research the process for themselves and see if it’s something they would feel comfortable doing. While not a decision to be taken lightly, helping others achieve their dream of having a family is a hugely rewarding emotional experience.

Wendie Wilson-Miller is the co-author of “The Insiders Guide to Egg Donation: A Compassionate and Comprehensive Guide for all Parents-To-Be” and also the owner of Gifted Journeys, an egg donation and surrogacy agency located in Los Angeles, California. www.giftedjourneys.com.