As of September 2022, I am not currently offering classes. I will update my website if that changes. You may consider looking at Momease for a variety of classes.
A 6-week course focused on preparing parents for labor, birth, and postpartum. Whether your birth takes place in a hospital, birth center, or home, my course provides you with the tools and education you need to work as a team with your partner for the best birth experience available to you.
I will provide you with a student workbook that is yours to keep, as well as access to my lending library. Each class will include meditation and relaxation practice, as well as a communication exercise to foster your relationship as a couple preparing for parenthood.
The communication exercises will be led by Brooke Rasmussen, a Gottman Trained Educator. She will join us each week to lead communication and other exercises to help you foster your relationship and preserve intimacy as a couple (both of which change in the transition to Parenthood) and prepare you to bring baby into your family.
Cost: $350 per couple, including a $50 deposit upon registration to reserve your space and allow me to order student materials. I provide a receipt for insurance or FSA reimbursement. Scholarships and payment plans are available.
Week 1: Exercise and Nutrition/Connection Through Knowing
- Principles of optimal nutrition for the health of Mom and Baby
- Exercises to aid Mom's comfort in pregnancy as well as to prepare for labor, birth, and postpartum
- Introduction to evidence based care
- Communication: Love maps
Week 2: Informed Consent, Evidence Based Care, and the Role of the Partner
- Define and discuss informed consent and evidence based care
- Discuss the benefits, risks, and any alternatives to routine procedures in maternal care
- The role of your partner in preparation, labor, birth and parenting
Week 3: Anatomy and Hormones of Birth and Stages of Labor /Supporting Through Stress
- Anatomy of mom and baby and the roles of the main birth hormones: Oxytocin, beta-endorphins, catecholamines, and prolactin
- What are the stages of labor
- Recognizing the emotional, behavioral, and physical signposts as labor progresses
- Communication: Stress-reducing conversation
Week 4: Comfort Measures and Communicating With Your Birth Team/Power of Appreciating Your Partner
- The role of movement, relaxation, support and nutrition in helping labor progress
- Practice comfort measures and positions
- Discuss options for when labor takes an unexpected path
- Role-play to practice effective, positive communication with your birth team
- Communication: Fondness and Admiration
Week 5: Postpartum and Feeding Your Baby/Power of Responsiveness
- What to expect physically and emotionally in the postpartum period
- Begin a postpartum plan to address issues such as rest, feeding, meals for Mom and Partner, and additional support
- Information and resources for help with postpartum mood disorders
- Sex
- Feeding Your Baby
- Benefits of breastfeeding
- Resources for bottle feeding
- Early hours and weeks
- Troubleshooting
- Communication: Softened start-up and responding to bids
Week 6: Life With Your Newborn/Honoring Parents
- First hours and days
- Address concerns of eating, sleeping, and calming
- Evidence-based information on infant sleep
- Responding to baby's cues
- Evidence-based expectations for crying
- Playing with and enjoying your baby
- Communication: Role of fathers and mothers