Session 1: Childbirth Basics
Our comprehensive childbirth education class is designed to equip you with the knowledge and confidence you need to take control of your upcoming birth journey. Knowledge is power! In this engaging and intimate setting, you will learn essential knowledge and skills to build your confidence and feel as prepared for labor and birth as possible, to help you have a safe, healthy birth in line with your ideals. With the most current information and research-backed practices, you'll leave ready to make the best decisions for yourself during labor. Our class incorporates a dynamic blend of interactive lectures, Q/A with expert instructor, and practical demonstrations to enhance your learning experience. You'll also connect with and learn from other expectant parents in your community.
There is no one right way to labor. We stand by the philosophy that birth is a normal process and hope to inspire confidence in everyone we teach by sharing what possible things to expect, helping you develop the skills to move through your labor and leaving you feeling prepared to work through whatever your journey turns out to be. It is our goal to educate you about the full spectrum of options for birth, and then to support you unconditionally.
Taught by experts who have assisted 20,000+ expectant parents through a wide range of birth choices and experiences
Session 2: Pain Coping Practice
Labor and birth demand both physical and mental preparation and requires more than just information alone. As you anticipate your upcoming birth, it's crucial to equip yourself with a diverse range of comfort measures and coping techniques. The tools and techniques you will learn and practice in our class will form your labor toolbox, ensuring that you and your support team are well-prepared to reduce your perception of pain, decrease stress and anxiety, and increase your comfort during childbirth, while also potentially shortening your labor and increasing the likelihood of a vaginal birth. By learning and practicing effective labor positions, strategies to promote labor progress, breathing techniques, guided visualizations and more, you'll enable your body and mind to rise to the challenge of birthing your baby. You'll discover how to minimize discomfort and approach labor with confidence, equipped with the transformative power of pain coping skills.
Session 3: Lactation & Newborn Care
In this session expecting families become familiar with the basics of infant care & feeding in the early days and weeks after birth to start with confidence! Swaddling and diaper changing techniques are also practiced.
Session 4: The Prepared Postpartum
Welcome to the transformative journey of postpartum! In our class, we're here to change the narrative surrounding the often neglected postpartum period, a.k.a the 4th trimester. Invest your time and energy in preparing for postpartum with us, and gain essential skills to navigate this period with confidence. Unlock the secrets to building a strong care team, promoting physical and emotional healing, maximizing precious sleep, and nourishing your body for optimal well-being. Our expert instructors are dedicated to helping you stay connected to yourself, your baby or babies, and your partner (if applicable), ensuring a smoother transition to parenthood. Leave this class understanding how to not just survive, but truly thrive in the extraordinary journey of postpartum.
Topics Covered:
Session 1
- Physiology of Labor and Birth
- Signs, Stages and Emotional Signposts of Labor
- Introduction to non-pharmacological Pain Management Techniques and comfort measures for birth (Take Our Pain-Coping Skills Class to go deeper)
- How to write Birth Preferences (aka Birth Plans)
- Pain Medication Options during childbirth
- Evidence-Based Care and Understanding Your Birth Options
- Types of Labor Support– Doula care, family, etc.
- Understanding Medical Support (Interventions)
- Cesarean Birth and Prevention
- First Moments after Birth
- Postpartum Care and Recovery Intro (Take our Prep for Postpartum class to go deeper)
Session 2
- Importance of Physical and Mental Preparation
- Items Needed for Your Labor Coping Kit
- Utilizing Props and Tools for Comfort and Positioning
- How to increase endorphins during labor
- Practice Techniques for Reducing Pain, Increasing comfort and advancing labor during Childbirth including:
- Various Breathing Techniques
- Guided Visualization
- Hypnosis for birth
- Relaxation Exercises
- Focal Point Use
- Distraction Techniques
- Mindfulness and Grounding Practices
- Massage techniques and acupressure points
- Hydrotherapy
- Aromatherapy
- Sounding
- Effective Labor Positions for Progress and Comfort
- Techniques and Positions specific for use with Epidurals
Session 3
- Understanding common newborn procedures in the hospital
- Understanding normal infant behavior, communication, appearance and sleep patterns
- Understanding the basics of soothing, diapering, umbilical cord care, bathing, and assessment of your baby
- Newborn warning signs and when to call the pediatrician
- How to get breastfeeding/bodyfeeding off to the best start
- How to help your infant latch-on and correct positioning
- How to know if the baby is getting enough milk
- How to avoid common lactation problems and when to call a lactation consultant
- Understanding common pitfalls to avoid in the early days
- Bottlefeeding best practices, tips and techniques, burping, bottle cleaning, etc.
Session 4
- Postpartum traditions worldwide
- Preparing the pelvic floor and pelvic floor recovery
- Creating a postpartum plan
- Building your support community and care team
- How to communicate your needs in early postpartum
- Promoting healing and recovery
- Creating a postpartum care supply kit
- Strategies for sleep
- Preparing your home for postpartum
- Preparing for adjustment to a new identity and role
- Ideal nutrition and food choices
- Staying connected to self, baby, and partner
- Recognizing warning signs and medical considerations
- Understanding and resources for postpartum mood disorders
- Thriving during postpartum
