Our group childbirth class consists of a series of five classes that are suitable for parents planning a hospital, birthing center, or home birth. They are designed to help couples gain:
An understanding of pregnancy and birth as a normal event in a woman's life, not an emergency or an illness.
Tools to cope with the intensity of labor.
An understanding of newborn care, including breastfeeding and changes within the family.
Topics
What you can expect during the normal stages of labor and delivery
What you and/or your partner can do to help labor feel more comfortable
How and when to use breathing techniques
What positions may facilitate the normal process of labor
What other positions you and your partner can utilize, if needed
What relaxation techniques are helpful during pregnancy, labor, and birth
Which massage techniques can help you relax and ease the pain of labor
What can you do if labor slows down
What can you do to avoid an unnecessary cesarean and episiotomy
How to take more responsibility for your own birth
How to use a birth ball, heat/ice and other props when needed during labor
How to understand possible medical interventions
How to write a birthing plan
How to communicate your wishes to your health care provider and your partner
How to use prenatal yoga to prepare for childbirth
How to help your baby make the transition from fetus to newborn
