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Childbirth Classes

Childbirth is a profound rite of passage, not a medical event (even when medical care is part of the birth).
The essence of childbirth preparation is self-discovery, not assimilating obstetric information. While information is certainly a part of the class, the emphasis is on preparing for birth. The truth is, parents already know how to birth-the task is to discover that knowledge and build their trust of it.

Parents' needs determine class content.
We start with a curriculum and schedule, and salient points will be covered, but things may be rearranged or added to meet the individual needs of the class.

Parents deserve support for any birth option which might be right for them.
Only parents can decide what that is.

Pain is a part of childbirth, yet much can be done to ease suffering.
Pain coping methods are taught and practiced every class session, and parents are encouraged to use them in their daily lives, not just for birth.

Fathers need support in their role, as well.
Birthing From Within classes are for the mother and her support person, usually the father. His growth and experience is just as important and valuable as hers as they prepare to become parents together.

~from the Philosophical Assumptions and Guiding Principles of Birthing From Within Mentors and Classes

Four Perspectives

We examine birth from four perspectives throughout the classes: Mother, Father, Baby and Culture.  We want to know, what does a mother experience during pregnancy, labor and birth?  What does she need to know?  What does a father experience?  What does he need to know?  What might the baby experience?  What needs does he or she have?  And how does our culture view this period in a family's life?  What does it need and what can we do?

Natural Childbirth?

This class is designed to provide support and teach pain-coping skills that will be helpful to mothers and birth partners whether they plan to use anesthesia for childbirth or not. Part of the Birthing From Within philosophy is that parents are the only ones who can decide which pain-coping techniques they will use in labor. Therefore, we learn about many pain coping methods, including breath awareness, visualizations, aromatherapy, massage, movement, vocalization, narcotics and epidurals. This is intended to prepare the couple to make the choices that are best for them, rather than steering them toward a particular outcome.  Many parents have used techniques learned in class to birth unmedicated.  One mother said, "It works!  It really works!"

Learning in our bodies, learning in our minds

It isn't enough to learn intellectually about labor and birth, although most of us do want to.  But there is also the physical aspect, learning with your body so that your body remembers.  We practice our pain coping methods in class and outside of class, so that our bodies reawaken the deep knowing of how to give birth.  Most of us would agree that birth is an activity of the body, and spirit, not the mind.  We invite parents to invoke their spiritual resources, linking themselves with the force of Life that transcends us all in the ways they feel comfortable. And birth is a social activity, most often shared between the mother and father, and also with siblings, extended family, and chosen birth attendants: doctors, midwives and doulas.  Parents are encouraged to look at the social aspects of birth, building and creating relationships that will help them as they begin their journey of parenthood.

To help us learn in so many different ways, Birthing From Within® classes include many different types of learning, from traditional discussions and videos to roleplays, games, dancing, journaling and art.   Each class includes a discussion and practice of a specific pain-coping technique. It also includes information on usual birth-class topics: when to go to the hospital, pushing positions, etc. And, each class has something multi-sensory, to stimulate both sides of the brain and provide a fuller experience.  You never know what will be served at a Birthing From Within gourmet childbirth class!

Last updated April, 2007