Classes
“When you change the way you view birth, the way you birth will change.” - Marie F. Mongan
Preview a Class
My goal is to educate parents and help them have a positive birth experience. I invite you to observe my current series at no cost! This will allow us to meet and give you a good idea of what to expect from my course.
Childbirth Courses
An eight-week course in person or a four-week Zoom class that will leave you and your partner feeling prepared and confident. This course will inform you about all of your choices and the positive aspects of pregnancy, labor, birth, postpartum, breastfeeding, baby care and family life. This course encourages mothers to trust their bodies and their coach in this process.
Refresher Classes
Course Description
These classes will jog your memory for your second (or third) time around. If you have already been through a childbirth course, these are the classes is for you.
Session 1 - Exercise and Nutrition: It is a time to get to know us and the members of your class. During this class we will cover goals and things you can do to keep yourself healthy and low risk during pregnancy. We will introduce important pregnancy exercises and the three types of relaxation we learn: physical, mental and emotional. In addition to how to handle pain and your greatest fear. Plus discuss good nutrition during pregnancy so that you will understand which nutrients important and what quantities are necessary. We will also discuss sex during pregnancy and begin to cover breastfeeding.
Session 2 - Pregnancy Anatomy and Physiology: We discuss the many changes your body goes through during pregnancy. We will focus on anatomy and physiology as well as common discomforts and how to handle them naturally. This is helpful for the coach as it makes him more aware and therefore more understanding of these changes. We will also begin to discuss some of the many choices you face regarding labor and birth. Like location, hospital, birthing center, home, landbirth or waterbirth options. We practice physical relaxation: tense/relax, muscle observation and progressive.
Session 3 - The Coach’s Role & 1st Stage Labor: We focus on pregnancy and childbirth from the coach's point of view. In this session we will discuss: coaching during pregnancy, the importance of natural childbirth, bonding, and the father's role in breastfeeding. How your body works in first stage labor. We will cover anatomy and physiology of first stage, stressing our respect for the natural process and teach basic coaching techniques and instruct you on how to practice together. We will learn labor positions, comfort measures for first stage, back labor, as well as the coach's role, will be covered. We practice physical relaxation: tense/relax, progressive and massage/stroking.
Session 4 - 2nd & 3rd Stage of Labor: How your body works in the second and third stage of labor. We will cover the anatomy and physiology of second stage labor stressing our respect for the natural process. We will discuss the importance of the natural alignment plateau and the fetal Heimlich maneuver. Basic pushing techniques and second stage positions, as well as the coach's role, will be covered. Plus what to expect in third stage will also be discussed. We practice mental relaxation: music, poems, stories, prayers, mediations, affirmations, journaling and clearing fears, doubts, negative thoughts and old baggage, etc.
Session 5 - Planning Your Birth and Variations & Unexpected Situations: This class covers information and how to make a birth plan. We discuss: what your choices are, the importance of evaluating your feelings and listing your priorities, and meeting with your medical team to discuss your choices in a positive way. We cover various complications including cesarean surgery discussing: how to avoid these problems if possible, how to evaluate whether it is necessary to intervene, and how to handle interventions that become necessary. Also natural induction vs medical induction. Review unmedicated birth and medicated birth. We practice mental relaxation: simulating contractions and using positive affirmations.
Session 6 - Breastfeeding and Postpartum Care: The goal of this class is to review the breastfeeding basics to help prepare parents for breastfeeding the new baby. We also cover information on taking care of yourself after your baby is born. We practice emotional relaxation: warmth/colors.
Session 7 - Review Stages of Labor: We will review the Stage of Labor Study Guides so that you can be sure you are well-prepared. We will have activities and role playing with the info. We practice mental relaxation: visualizing a special place releasing fears-worries, etc.
Session 8 - Baby Care and Family Life: We will cover newborn care, mothering, fathering, breastfeeding, how to handle a crying baby, your relationship after and adjusting to the many changes you will face during this time. Are You Ready? Being a Great Coach/Birth Rehearsal: At this point we will go over the techniques for labor and birth as a comprehensive review of the most important points you will use while in labor. Covering information for coaches on how to handle the challenges they will face in labor. Also, we will have our birth rehearsal practicing positions, timing contractions and all three types of relaxation. Plus reviewing the most important outcome – healthy baby, healthy mom!
*We always start off each session reviewing the information from class the prior week.