Join us on 5/5
Let’s celebrate International midwives day and a significant professional milestone for our executive director, Samsarah Morgan
Here are the details !
https://www.facebook.com/events/573530879686481/?ti=icl
Category Archives: Events
In the News! Oakland Better Breastfeeding Festival
Hello Community!
We were over joyed to see this article supporting our event from the East Bay Times 1
See the link below for the complete article!
The Importance of Breastfeeding -East Bay Times
Oakland Breastfeeding Festival Press Release
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MEDIA RELEASE – Sunday, August 27th, 3:00pm-6:00pm
Oakland’s Breastfeeding Festival
INTERVIEW AND PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
On Sunday, August 27th, from 3:00pm until 6:00pm, Hosted by The Better Birth Foundation and Bay Area Birth Justice Fair, Oakland will have its third Annual Oakland’s Breastfeeding Festival in celebration of World Breastfeeding Month, and Black Breastfeeding Week. This event will highlight Oakland’s needs for support, community, and education in breastfeeding for ALL breastfeeding people and their supporters. This event includes all forms of breastfeeding including parents that exclusively pump, receive donor milk, and the LGBTQ community. There will be a number of speakers, snacks, as well as a local lactation counselors and educators to provide information and support. At 5:00pm, we will all breastfeed together for one minute in a communal “Latch On” to mark a moment of community, awareness, and support for breastfeeding and its benefits. Oakland’s BFF is providing the opportunity for breastfeeding women to get together in our community, and identify opportunities for on-going support. For more information, visit our events page at https://www.facebook.com/events/1328993543879974
Oakland’s BFF will take place at Lake Merritt’s “Kids Kingdom” located next to the Rotary Nature Center at Lake Merritt, on the lake side of Bellevue Avenue (between Staten Avenue and Perkins Street) in Oakland. The festival will begin at 3:00pm, with a communal “latch on’ at 5:00pm, and ending at 6:00pm. This is a FREE event but your donations are welcome to further the work of the Oakland Better Birth Foundation. www.oaklandbetterbirthfoundation.com
On August 2001, to raise awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding and the need for global support, United States Breastfeeding Committee declared August, World Breastfeeding Month. During World Breastfeeding Month, several events take place both nationally and on a global scale. All of which provide, support, education, and global goals for breastfeeding and its benefits.
The final week of August also marks Black Breastfeeding Week. This is a monumental movement in its third year brings awareness to the gaping racial disparity in breastfeeding rates. According to the CDC, “Black infants consistently had the lowest rates of breastfeeding initiation and duration across all study years” (http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/resources/breastfeeding-trends.htm). “Of infants born in 2011, 49% were breastfeeding at 6 months and 27% at 12 months. African American Infants in 2011, 35% were breastfeeding at 6 months, and 16% at 12 months” (http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/data/nis_data/rates-any-exclusive-bf-socio-dem-2012.htm). This movement’s goals and the women that founded its direction are calling attention to the nation that support, education, and change is needed to bring up breastfeeding rates. Please visit http://blackbreastfeedingweek.org/#event-media for more information.
Breastfeeding contributes to the normal growth and development of babies/children, and babies/children who are not breastfed are at increased risk of infant morbidity and mortality, adult obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and premenopausal breast cancer and ovarian cancer (both mom and baby.) The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of a baby’s life to optimize these benefits, continuing to breastfeed for 2 years and as long thereafter as is mutually desired by a woman and her child.
For more information:
Laura Cox, LauMrg8@aol.com, 831-229-9947
SamSarah Morgan, LSamsarahMorgan@gmail.com, 510-393-7380
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Brews for Better Birth Fundraiser in August!
Federation Brewing Pints to Pledge
“Brews for Better Birth”
August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 (Wednesdays)
5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Our good friends at Federation Brewing are generously offering to pledge $1 off of every pint sold on Wednesday’s in August to support the work of the Oakland Better Birth Foundation!
Stop in, have a cold one and help fund:
Free and Low Cost Doula Care!
Free and Low Cost Childbirth , Pregnancy and Parenting Education!
Scholarship opportunities for people of color wishing to become birth workers. (More about our programs below!)
Don’t drink but want to donate? Please use the paypal address oaklandbetterbirthfoundation@gmail.com
Contact Samsarah Morgan if you would like your donation to be tax deductable at 510-496-3491 or at the email above!
See you in August!
ICTC – International Center for Traditional Childbearing Birthworker Training
Join us for a comprehensive training of birth, postpartum and breastfeeding care!
This training is in depth and culturally sensitive – see card above or call for details.
Ongoing mentorship assistance is available to local students as well as the opportunity to serve our east bay families as a community birth worker with Shiphrah’s Circle Community Doula Program.
For curriculum question, speak to the certified trainer, Samsarah Morgan.
To register see the link above or see the flyer below to contact ICTC.
Act quickly to qualify for scholarships.
See our Facebook event for this training!
About your trainer:
Samsarah Morgan is an ICTC certified trainer. She is the mother of 5 grown sons and the grandmother of 3. She is a birth and postpartum caregiver, counselor, coach and hypnotherapist in Oakland Ca. Her private practice, Nia Healing Center for Birth and Family Life provides services to enrich and facilitate strong bonds within families and communities. She is the Executive director of Oakland Better Birth foundation which has as its mission the prevention of infant and maternal mortality in Oakland, CA and Alameda County for all and especially within the African American community by offering childbirth and breastfeeding information as well as doula services to any family regardless of their ability to pay. She is the author of 3 books: “Children’s Village Tales of an Urban Nana “, “The Birth Plan” and “Birth. A Black Woman’s Survival Guide” (to be released summer 2017)
To stay in the loop on this and other training Like our page – https://www.facebook.com/ICTC-Full-Circle-Doula-Trainings-wih-Samsarah-Morgan-DD-Cht-CD-ICTC-183577442064733/
Childbirth Education 4 The Community
Thank you for your inquiry into my childbirth education series
Childbirth Ed 4 The Community!
If you desire an unmediated birth, or are open to certain interventions. This class will share with you all for the options, and provide you with vital informed consent. This is vital in the effort to make decisions that match your needs and ensure optimum health or your and your new arrival.
My classes consist of 4 core units and many electives which are fun and supportive of your desire to have a happy and healthy pregnancy!
Pregnancy and Nutrition
Stages of labor
Comfort Techniques
Labor and Birth
Caesarean Section (the surgery and prevention)
The New Born
Breastfeeding
Possible electives: (TBA)
Babywearning
Maternal and Infant Massage
Belly Dance and other dance for birth!
The Rebozo!
Cost :
Family income over 20K sliding scale 100- 200.00
Under 20k sliding scale 5 – 80 dollars.
No family is ever turned away due to finances.
The one fee allows you to take the classes as many times as you wish until your baby’s birth!
And you are welcome back as our honored guest to share your birth story with other parents and of course we want to see your beautiful baby! (or babies!)
Reading List
Spiritual Midwifery by Ina Mae Gaskin
The Doula Guide to Birth by Anada Lowe
Pregnancy Book
Birth Book
Immunization Book by Sears and Sears
The Birth Plan by Samsarah Morgan DD Cht CD (ICTC)
Participants in my class are able to access a draft copy of my upcoming book The Birth Plan – click the link to begin reading! You are free to access the book EVEN if you don’t take my class! It is my gift to you!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dfNYtUn9UjPOV01J8_HnMBhYoWb3CxizC8Vu69EfHe8/edit?usp=sharing
If you would like to register for this class – please speak to instructor Samsarah Morgan 510-393-7380, you are also free to join us on Tuesdays 7-9 pm at Oakland Peace Center, 111 Fairmont Avenue, Oakland Ca
You may go to EventBrite if you wish to register on line! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/childbirth-ed-4-the-community-tickets-25557879305
Or text Samsarah Morgan so she knows to expect you or call to ask questions!
Please be on time and bring healthy snacks!
See you soon!
Samsarah Morgan
Join our facebook group to receive information on our other free and low cost parenting classes and education
Samsarah Morgan, DD., Cht. LC CD (ICTC)
Bio
Ms. Morgan is an Interfaith Minister and Counselor, Apprentice Midwife, Family Life Coach, Doula and Hypnotherapist. She is the founder of Nia Center for birth and family life. She is a birth and postpartum caregiver and childbirth and parenting educator, and is this year celebrating 37 years as a birth worker and trainer.
She is the mother of 5 grown sons and the grandmother of three, and so, she has firsthand experience of the joys and challenges of parenting! She is the director of Nia: A family life practice, as well as Birth Professionals of the Bay Area and her private practice has offered counseling and healing sessions as well as workshops, seminars and retreats for individuals, couples, and families since 1991.
She is an apprentice of Midwife Selena Green, CPM .
Samsarah is the Director of Shiphrah’s Circle Community Doula Program a comprehensive and full spectrum Doula support and parenting education program, which provides these services for low income and working class families.
Samsarah has been a trainer of birthworkers for approx 20 years through her own organization, beginning Spring of 2016 she will offer doula certification via ICTC (International Center for Traditional Childbearing) as well as other opportunities for the mentorship, education and training of birth and postpartum professionals.
She is a contributing writer for several on line magazines, including Weigh loss solutions 360 magazine, Every Little Thing, Birth babies and Beyond , and Occupy Oakland Media Collective. Her book, “The Children’s Village. Tales of an Urban Nana.”, was published July 22, 2015 . Her books, Birth: A Black Woman’s Survival Guide is expected in the Spring of 2017 and “The Birth Plan” is expected December of 2016.
She is member of the board for the Sacred Birth Angels Foundation, as well as the Founding Member of The Oakland Better Birth Foundation, and The Decolonize (Occupy) Pregnancy Birth and Parenting Caucus of Occupy Oakland, She serves also as board member of KPFA Community Radio Listener Service Board.
She is an advisory board member of The California Adolescent Health Collaborative and Brighter Beginnings study: Breastfeeding to Reduce Breast Cancer: Among Young Mothers in Diverse Communities Research Project.
http://www.niahealingcenter.org
http://www.doulasamsarah.wordpress.com
Childbirth Ed 4 The Community
Cost ( 5.00- 80..00 / per couple sliding scale for the series ) on a donation basis!
Free to those who need this.
Join us for on-going sessions of childbirth education and breastfeeding training – join whenever you are ready! Text the instructor at 510-393-7380 tell her our name – you partners name – you email and due date! Looking forward to seeing you!
This class is a fundraising event for Oakland Better Birth Foundation! Visit and like our Facebook page!
Join instructor Samsarah Morgan, doula, educator and coach as she shares with you the joys and challenges of childirth and early parenting!
This class will meet the needs of families birthing at home , hospital or birthing center!!
Topics:
Pregnancy
Nutrition
Birth Plans and Interventions
Labor and Delivery
Labor coping techniques
C-Section and recovery
Breastfeeding Basics and Troubleshooting, and more!
Peace and Baby Blessings!
This class is a fundraising event for the Oakland Better Birth Foudation.
Please register so that we have an idea of attendance .
Join our facebook group to recive information on our other free and low cost parenting classes and education
ICTC Full Circle Doula Training in Oakland!
Join me as I bring Sis Shafia Monroe’s Full Circle Doula Training to Oakland.
As you may know, I am a newly certified ICTC Full Circle Doula Trainer.
Visit ICTCmidwives.org for information and to register ! Although your registration is beign handled by the folks in Portland – feel free to cal lme with questions about the class. You can reach me on 510-595-5534.
Childbirth Education 4 The Community
We are proud of offer low free slidign scale childbirth education to any family who wishes to attend.
Your instructor is Samsarah Morgan our ED and ICTC Certified Doula Trainer. Please join our parents group on Facebook to be kept in form of all of the classes and workshops we offer!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/852257788233148/?ref=br_tf
Childbirth Education For The Community Face Book Group
Childbirth ed has a open enrollement families can join whenever thy are ready! The slidign scale is 5-80/per family. Call or text Samsarah for details!
BirthWorkers Ball Agenda!
Agenda
4 pm Welcome and Grounding
4:15 Words from Activist and Birth worker – Mama Ayanna
4:30 Conversation – Mama Ayanna and Mama Samsarah “Solutions”
Dinner is available for purchase.
5pm – 7pm Dinner continues and Dancing Begins
7pm Results of the Silent Auction and Good Byes
8pm Safe trip home! See you next year!
Entrance fee 15- 75 / family sliding scale
Dinner is available at 7.00/plate
Lumpia 5.00/ 5 pieces
Menu
Chicken Adobo
Vegan Beans and Rice
Salad
Dessert
Ice Tea Sweetened with Honey
Suggested donation for child care; 3.00 – 10.00
We will accept your payment via cash check or credit card – you will see the charge to : Nia Healing Center on your card. No one is turned away due to lack of funds. Glad you came to dance with us!
Link to RSVP and to make online payment – you can also pay at the door!
The Oakland Better Birth Foundation 