Childbirth Preparation

Childbirth Preparation — Everything You Need to Know

With Kate Stroud

“This was a wonderful class! I felt that it prepared me for the labor and delivery very well. I found myself consulting my notes frequently as my due date approached (and passed!). When I went into labor, I felt calm and confident, knowing what to expect.” — Class Participant

“I couldn’t have been more satisfied or content! My only disappointment is that it was not longer. Also, the atmosphere of the Center is perfect! Kate’s sense of humor was greatly appreciated and fun!” — Class Participant

2008 Schedule & Fees

7 Tuesdays, 7–9:15pm

  • September 9–October 21
  • November 4–December 16

Fee $235 per couple; discounts for multiple classes

Overview

Birth is normal and you can do it! This series provides a community of expectant parents who come together to learn about childbirth and explore related topics in preparation for giving birth. Information is geared toward preventing complications during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum. Emphasis is placed on developing confidence in a woman’s natural capacity to give birth, comfort measures and labor support techniques, alternatives to drugs, cesarean prevention, and the baby’s needs. Birth videos, lending library, resources, referrals, and more are available.

Class Topics

Week 1

  • cultivating a consumer approach to health care
  • de-programming negative cultural images of birth
  • herbal teas for pregnancy
  • optimal nutrition for a healthy pregnancy
  • anatomy and physiology of pregnancy
  • relief for common discomforts

Week 2

  • essential exercises and stretches
  • exploring our fears

Week 3

  • overview of the process of labor and birth
  • the newborn baby and immediate post-birth care

Week 4

  • medical interventions in birth: benefits, risks, and alternatives

Week 5

  • comfort measures and labor support
  • positioning and movement in labor
  • massage and touch in labor

Week 6

  • emotional needs of the birthing mother
  • using your breath and vocalization
  • conscious relaxation in labor
  • creating a birth plan

Week 7

  • postpartum recovery and adjustment
  • benefits of breastfeeding
  • importance of the social context for breastfeeding success
  • baby blues and postpartum depression
  • parenting and children’s resources
  • visit from recent class graduates with their baby

“This was, by far, the best prep I could have had for pregnancy/delivery/postpartum!” — Class Participant

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Childbirth Preparation — Focus on Labor & Birth — Condensed Series

With Kate Stroud

2008 Schedule & Fees

2 Saturdays, 1–4:30pm, October 4 & 11

    Fee $120 per couple; discounts for multiple classes

    The condensed series is designed for couples seeking a refresher class for a second (or more!) baby or couples planning a homebirth. Folks with busy schedules, or who are coming at the last minute and cannot accommodate a seven-week class, are welcome. However, the instructors would like you to know that key information on medical interventions in the birth process and informed consumerism will not be covered. Rather we’ll focus on the process of labor and birth, coping with pain, support techniques and comfort measures, and the postpartum recovery period. (The option of a short, private or small-group lesson to cover these topics will be offered to the group and, if there is interest, scheduled at mutual convenience.)

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    At what point in your pregnancy should you register for classes?

    Plan ahead! You are encouraged to take Childbirth Preparation classes beginning anytime after your fourth to fifth month of pregnancy. Since the full series is seven weeks in length, you don’t want to back it up too close to your due date or you will run the risk of missing the last class or two if your baby comes early. As class sizes are limited, parents are encouraged not to wait until the last minute to register, though we will accommodate you if we possibly can.

    The following classes can be taken prior to your baby’s birth or after the birth with the baby in tow:

    • Breastfeeding Basics — Tools for Success
    • Newborn Care 101
    • Combining Work & Breastfeeding
    • Infant CPR, First Aid, & Safety
    • Vaccinations & Informed Consent.

    The Infant Massage class and all of our support groups are designed to be taken with your baby.

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    How do our classes compare to other “method approaches” to childbirth education?

    pregnant-sisters-021_opt.jpgThe Center has chosen not to affiliate with any brand name methods of childbirth education. Rather, we have developed our own eclectic approach, drawing the best from what various methods have to offer. The curriculum has evolved over the years, with feedback from parent course evaluations playing a major role in the process. We care what you think! Experienced doulas and midwives have developed this curriculum based upon our experiences with laboring mothers. We share what works.

    Our classes provide a community-based, consumer-oriented approach to childbirth education. By staying independent, we are not beholding to medical institutions and are best positioned to evolve our curriculum quickly to adapt to the ever-changing cultural context and meet the emerging needs of our customers.

    • We believe that pregnancy and birth are normal life events.
    • We promote informed, evidence-based decision making on a wide range of issues (natural versus medicated birth, place of birth, choice of birth attendant, circumcision, vaccinations, and so on).
    • We support the goal of a natural, unmedicated birth while acknowledging that there is not one “right” way to have a baby.
    • We intend that our classes help the expectant mother and her partner feel more confident about the upcoming birth, acknowledging your fears while arming you with a selection of coping strategies.
    • We hope to encourage you to see yourselves as the center of this experience—something you are actively doing (”giving birth”), rather than something that is happening to you (”being delivered”).
    • We encourage breastfeeding.

    We will not attempt to put forth here the various method approaches of our competitors. They can best represent their own programs and we encourage you to contact them directly for information. Some may emphasize the teaching and practicing of breathing techniques for coping in labor, which we have found regularly lead to hyperventilation and are abandoned in labor by approximately 95 percent of women. Another emphasizes the role of the partner in “husband-coached” childbirth. We encourage partners, husband or otherwise, to find their own place in this process, understanding that some may want a very active role while others may feel overwhelmed by the prospect. Another method incorporates the production of artwork into each class as a means of psychological preparation. And still others are offered by the hospitals themselves and may promote the institution’s philosophy with an eye to encouraging patient compliance, rather than a consumer perspective. Clearly, there is no one approach that is right for everyone. What resonates with you?

    We can promise that our classes incorporate up-to-date information, interactive teaching methods, and a comfortable, welcoming environment. Our expert instructors are not only experienced in adult education, but also active birth attendants.

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    Private or Semi-Private Childbirth Classes

    With Patty Brennan
    Email Patty to make arrangements     (This email address is being protected from spam bots; you need Javascript enabled to view it.)
    Fee is $100 per hour, 2-hour minimum

    Private classes can be co-designed to meet your or your group’s special needs. They are appropriate for couples who have already experienced childbirth and are seeking a refresher class, but may not need (or have time for) an entire series of birthing classes. A couple whose past birth experience was particularly difficult or in any way less than optimal, can often benefit from one or two private sessions aimed at troubleshooting specific concerns. And private lessons are also helpful for those whose schedules do not permit them to attend a regular series of classes. Information contained in the entire standard series can typically be covered in three private sessions, or you can pick and choose among the topics. Scheduling is at our mutual convenience.

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