Why childbirth education?

Has it really been 4 months since I last wrote? Life has been full. It’s been a difficult season; add to that school, family life, a surgery, a college graduation and preparations for a June wedding, and - yes, it’s been 4 months.

Many years ago, doula clients asked me to teach childbirth education. They were first time parents, and most first-timers recognize that they have a lot to learn. However, even more seasoned parents can benefit from childbirth classes. A tremendous variety of options are available, and most are Google-searchable. There are the original Lamaze, The Bradley Method, Hypnobirthing, Evidence Based Birth and countless others.

Currently, I teach private classes based on my original curriculum by Breck Hawk entitled “Hey, Who’s Having This Baby, Anyway?”. To that I have added bits from the classics mentioned above, plus Aviva Romm, Ina May Gaskin, Spinning Babies, La Leche League and KellyMom - to name a few.

A healthy pregnancy begins with excellent self-care, putting together a care team that truly supports your well-being and educating yourself about your options and preferences. Preparing for childbirth means understanding all you can about physiologic birth, innovative ways to cope with sensations of labor, when/how/why interventions might be necessary, positions for optimal pushing and what is meant by the “4th trimester”?

Reach out to me if you have questions, and remember that, “People who don’t know that they have options don’t really have any.”