The Tennessee Valley has a lot to offer expectant and new moms in the way of services. From top-notch Obstetrical care to pre-natal massage to classes, you can find it all here. We also have some amazing classes for babies and toddlers. Valley Babies has compiled a list of some to the best the valley has to offer for moms and babies.
- MEDICAL SERVICES
- Chirocare
ChiroCare located in the East Limestone/Athens area is the chiropractic office of Dr. Lynn and Dr. Lorie Hedgepeth. Many of our patients are pregnant women and babies. Women experience many conditions in pregnancy that can be helped with chiropractic care including back pain, sciatica, headaches, reflux and breech or other malposition of the baby (Webster breech protocol). Chiropractic adjustments during pregnancy not only improve musculoskeletal alignment and relieve areas of muscle tension, but also allow women to experience an easier pregnancy and birth.
Birth itself is a traumatic event for a baby. Then when children begin to walk and play, they inevitably fall a lot. They begin to experience minor traumas on a regular basis which can cause spinal misalignments. We are trained to identify and correct these spinal misalignments in children and infants. There are several gentle effective adjusting techniques which are safe, even for newborns. Many parents have reported reductions or even the elimination of common childhood conditions such as earaches, colic, asthma, reflux, etc., after chiropractic adjustments for their children.
Dr. Lynn and Dr. Lorie have two healthy children, 3 year old Tyler and 6 month old Marlee, who have been under chiropractic care since birth.
- Clinic for Women
For over 40 years thousands of women in the Tennessee Valley have made the Clinic for Women their choice for Women’s Health Care. At the present time Charles F. Warren, M. D., Gregg A. DeLisle, M. D., Michael J. Belmont, M. D., David L. Rushing, M. D., John David Wheeler, M. D., Timothy T. McMichens, M. D., and Jeanine M. Loncar, M. D. are the practicing physicians in the Clinic for Women all of which are Board Certified. Also, associated with our group are Jackie Sameck, C.R.N.P., Kathy Hill, C.R.N.P., Diana Dowdy, C.N.M. and Pam Fairclough, C.R.N.P.
We offer patients healthcare for the following: Obstetrics, Gynecology, Infertility, Tubal Reversal, Endometrial Ablation, Laparoscopic & Hysteroscopic Surgery, Pelvic Floor Repair, Urinary Incontinence, Robotic Surgery, Bone Density and 4D Ultrasound. All of our physicians are on staff at Women & Children’s Hospital, Crestwood Medical Center, The Huntsville Surgery Center and Dr. Jeanine Loncar is on staff at the Madison Surgery Center.
Clinic for Women, P. A. has four convenient locations in the Huntsville/Madison area and participate in most health care plans. For additional information please call our office at 256-533-7420 or log on to www.clinicforwomen.com.
- OB-Gyn Associates
OB-GYN Associates is already seeing many new patients at their recently opened practice in Madison, Alabama. OB-GYN Associates is proud to bring its tradition of healthcare and history of service to Madison County while continuing to provide Morgan County patients with obstetric and gynecologic care.
The all new Madison practice is located at the Madison Surgery Center, 460 Lanier Road, Madison, Alabama, and provides convenience for patients living in and commuting to or from Huntsville, Madison, East Limestone, and surrounding areas. OB-GYN Associates will continue to provide services from their current location at 1304 13th Avenue, Decatur, Alabama, in addition to the Madison Office.
Board Certified in obstetrics and gynecology and with active members in the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, OB-GYN Associates is made up of physicians John Shannon, MD, Lee McCain, MD, Mitchell Schuster, MD, Mark Purvis, MD, David Spangler, MD, and Jay Keller, MD. These physicians along with nurse practitioner Susan Goldby, C.R.N.P, bring professionalism, care, and compassion to the forefront of patient relationships. They invite you to visit them at their new location or on the web at www.OBGYNalabama.com. Or call 256.704.BABY!
- Chirocare
- OTHER SERVICES FOR MOM
- A Nurturing Moment
A Nurturing Moment Maternity and Nursing Boutique on Airport Road offers prenatal massage as well as a variety of classes. Expectant moms can choose from prenatal yoga taught by Kimberly Burwell and prenatal Belly Dancing taught by Liz Behel. Each class is $10 per session. A prenatal massage by Licensed Massage Therapist Annie Ogle is $40 for a half hour or $70 for an hour. Exercise and massage have both been shown to help mothers relax and better prepare for birth.
Classes are also available to help mothers prepare for childbirth and breastfeeding. Our prepared childbirth class is a 5 week session that focuses on techniques a mother can use to have an unmedicated birth. A variety of relaxation techniques are taught including hypnobirth. Our breastfeeding class helps expectant parents learn all they will need to know about nursing their baby. With a focus on anatomy and physiology and proper postioning, these classes prepare parents for a successful breastfeeding experience. We also offer a class for parents expecting multiples entitled “Breastfeeding Multiples.” Our Newborn Care and Safety class helps parents prepare for emergency situations. Finally, our infant massage class teaches parents massage techniques to help their baby relax.
- Homebuddies
Home Buddies, The Caring Connection for child care has been in business in the Huntsville area for over 25 years. Conscientious parents who are looking for worry-free, experienced child care on an ongoing basis in your home and understand the importance of one-on-one interaction for their child’s emotional and intellectual development can depend on Home Buddies for full or part time nannies! We realize that when it comes to child care, you would like the assurance that your children will receive loving and trustworthy care in your absence. We have had many successes finding the perfect nanny that fits any family’s needs! Home Buddies carefully selects, and prescreens all nannies, giving parents peace of mind by providing their children with someone who is both principled and qualified.
For those of you with aging loved ones, Home Buddies also helps find compassionate, qualified care for those who need it, while allowing them to maintain their independence and dignity. We provide a wide variety of services including driving to appointments, running errands, helping to bathe or simply being a companion. Please feel free to call us for more information at (256) 882-1299 or visit our website at www.homebuddies.com
- The Westin Hotel and Heavenly Spa
Enjoy pure relaxation at The Westin Huntsville at Bridge Street Town Centre. The signature Westin Heavenly Bed and Heavenly Bath provides the ultimate comfort in every room. Enjoy a great workout in our fully equipped fitness center or take a swim in the indoor/outdoor pool and hot tub. Dine in Sage Grille or in the comfort of your own room. Step outside and enjoy the surroundings of Bridge Street for a night out at the movies or a fun shopping experience. And don’t forget to pamper yourself at the Westin Heavenly Spa. Treat yourself to the most innovative and luxurious treatments where peace and relaxation are not just luxuries but a way of life. Our exclusive treatments, dazzling surroundings and attention to detail create a relaxing retreat to soothe your mind, body and soul.
- A Nurturing Moment
- CLASSES FOR BABY
- Infant Swimming Resource
Give your child an extra measure of protection with aquatic self-rescue instruction from Infant Swimming Resource (ISR), a nationally recognized program, offering private highly specialized certified instruction for children from 6 months of age.
Because turning your back, even for a second, can be enough time for your baby to reach the water (whether it’s a pool or bathtub); ISR teaches children self-rescue by teaching them to hold their breath underwater, roll onto their back and float unassisted, even fully clothed.
Has your toddler ever walked right to the edge of the pool, ready to jump in, whether or not you are there to catch him? His confidence is beyond his skills. Children over 1 year learn to hold their breath underwater, swim with their head down, roll onto their back to float, rest, and breathe, and then flip over to continue swimming (Swim-Float-Swim) towards safety, even fully clothed.There is no substitute for constant adult supervision; however, ISR teaches your child to safely play in and around the water using self-rescue skills in tandem with basic swimming skills.
For more information, please email Caroline Espy at c.espy@infantswim.com .You can also view the national website at www.infantswim.com.
- Music Together
Music Together is an internationally-recognized early childhood music program for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, and their parents and caregivers. “More than anything, music is a gateway to learning because it’s fun,” says Amie Furber, director of Music Together of the Tennessee Valley and former teacher. “Kids, especially infants and toddlers, learn through play – it’s the method they use to understand the world around them. Musical play has the added advantage of shepherding along those first critical skills. Also, because people of all ages love music, it gives common ground between families, even where siblings have much different abilities in other areas. ”One recent study likens the processing of music to the processing of language. Understanding language requires listeners to rapidly assimilate words and then convert them into meaningful messages. Music has a similar intake process but, unlike language, does not require a complex understanding of abstract concepts. For example, when an infant or young toddler listens to a rhythm or song, she can often listen for a short time and start mimicking the rhythm on her own.
For more information about music education in early childhood, or to schedule an interview with Amie Furber, call 325-4718 or e-mail musictogetherofmadison@yahoo.com.
- Musikgarden
Baby’s world is a shining mystery, as sound, sight and touch lay the sensory foundation. The toddler’s world is more complex, with new experiences expanding and challenging the curious mind. The 3 and 4-year-old child enjoys a greater connection through improved language and motor facility. Musikgarten classes offered at Colors Fine Arts Center nurture each step with a carefully designed curriculum based on an expansive study of childhood development. Musicians and psychologists created an age specific program to enhance cognitive, physical and social development through musical experience. From the gently floating scarf, which lights up baby’s eyes, to the stomping toddler steps of a lively circle dance to the 3 year old singing a tonal pattern, our program gently leads the way. Our teachers have loved and studied music since childhood, and bring their passion for music into teaching and parenting. As parents, a musician’s instincts develop into an innovative method of play and interaction with a child, which adds a new dimension to any curriculum. How exciting as a teacher to still teach a 7-year-old piano or voice student who began classes as a baby! For many, our Musikgarten classes are the beginning of a beautiful relationship.
- The Little Gym
In The Little Gym parent/child classes, moms and dads join in the exploration of basic motor- and early social-skill development with children ages 4 to 36 months. The environment is age-appropriate, nurturing, loving, and happy. Children are given oodles of praise and support. We sing songs and utilize fun educational tools such as scarves, jump ropes, tapping sticks, and our parachute to encourage interaction with other children. All with the goal of increasing motor, social, and listening skills., as well as progressive independence.
The result? Parents can enjoy seeing their child do a forward roll, hang on the bar, or walk on the balance beam for the very first time. And then proudly watch as their physical development advances to tumbling, running, and jumping.
With over 25 years of inspiring children’s “firsts,” we’re proud to be part of these cherished memories. We now have two locations in Huntsville. For more information or to schedule an introductory visit, call 382.3123 for The Village of Providence location or 883.9484 for The Jones Valley location. Because your child is only young once!
- Infant Swimming Resource