Childbirth Classes:
Pregnancy can be exciting and overwhelming with so much to plan for and consider. This childbirth class offers information, practice and preparation for pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum care and breastfeeding using evidenced-based research to help you make informed decisions. The class also focuses on helping prepare the mother's partner to be a coach who will be prepared to offer physical and emotional support and ways to be an involved part of this amazing time. The standard of practice for Bradley Method™ teachers is 12 continuous weeks of classes. Twelve weeks to learn and incorporate nutrition, relaxation, coaching, knowledge, exercise and rehearsals into birth is a small investment of time, making it more likely they will be able to birth without drugs. A healthy baby, healthy mother, healthy family and a labor that is natural is beneficial to the start or growth of a healthy family. In class you can expect lots of one-on-one attention and time to ask questions, address any concerns you may have, etc. We will have group discussion time, review lessons and view educationally, fun videos. We will do educational games to keep things interesting, work on various helpful positions to utilize in labor and birth, practice relaxation techniques and work on developing better communications skills with our partners and healthcare team. By the time we are done with our series, it is my hope that you will feel excited and confident to give birth naturally while more knowledgeable about your options in birth and in newborn care! Doula Services:
A doula is a trained and experienced professional who provides continuous physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and just after birth. Studies have shown that when doulas attend birth, labors are shorter with fewer complications, babies are healthier and they breastfeed more easily. Birth Doula Services:
-Recognizes birth as a key experience the mother will remember all her life
-Understands the physiology of birth and the emotional needs of a woman in labor
-Assists the woman in preparing for and carrying out her plans for birth, including a minimum of 2 prenatal meetings
-Stays with the woman throughout the labor, beginning with in-home active labor support
-Provides emotional support, physical comfort measures and an objective viewpoint, as well as helping the woman get the evidence-based research she needs to make informed decisions
-Facilitates communication between the laboring woman her partner and her clinical care providers
-Perceives her role as nurturing and protecting the woman's memory of the birth experience
-Allows the woman's partner to participate at his/her comfort level
-Does NOT offer medical advice as they are not medical professionals
