Movement, massage and education to connect you deeply to your inner knowing, your voice, and your health.
GROUP CLASSES
Group Childbirth Classes
Childbirth education is profoundly important in helping pregnant people and couples explore their options while they prepare for birth and the transition into parenthood. Having access to information is both a right and a responsibility as a new parent. In addition to information, the most valuable thing a person can bring to birth is trust in their body and the birthing process.
Rather than teach one type of labor support, classes are designed to help couples understand the birth process, while providing information about what the evidence shows us about birth. By helping to understand the array of options available and teaching a wide range of coping strategies to help individuals/couples have a satisfying birth experience, my goal is to connect parents to their strengths and beliefs about birth. By providing pregnant people and partners with a range of evidence-based information, I encourage them to follow their instincts in birth, creating space for families to empower themselves to make the choices that are right for their body, their birth and their baby.
" This class and it is a superb way to prep you for the entire process of your little's arrival. You will learn lots about labor, baby, breastfeeding, and bodily factoids plus really practical strategies for all the aspects of becoming parent. You will have fun, get informed, plus gain a community of friends who will have babes the same age....invaluable during postpartum and beyond...this class is so worth it!" -Paula, 2015
Un-Method-Method Birth Class
Classes are an in-person comprehensive series that will meet weekly for 6 weeks. Each session is 3 hours (see the schedule for details) for education and time for discussion and questions. Additional materials (online community space, handouts, videos, useful websites) will also be provided.
The Un-method Class: (rough syllabus of an 6 week series)
Week one: Welcome; Logistics; Community Agreements; Pregnancy; Third trimester, self-care and online resources; Exercise and nutrition; Birth Locations; Signs of labor; Phases and stages of labor.
Week two: Discover how similar birth is to sex; You have what you need: discovering your natural pain coping strategies; The role of the partner and the role of a doula; Develop excellent communication with your birth team; Discovering your beliefs about birth; Identifying and overcoming birth fears; Birth logistics.
Week three: Pelvic Balancing; Massage, rebozo, and acupressure for labor; Movement and positions for labor; Signs in labor that signal your pelvis needs balancing; Opening each station in the pelvis for easeful delivery; postpartum bodywork.
Week four: Medical technology and interventions: evidence based practices; Transfer to the hospital (for birth center and homebirth only); Evidence-based practices and resources; Best practices for physiologic birth.
Week five: The postpartum body: Recovery from birth; Postpartum Mood; Postpartum relationships, change in identity and sexuality; Healthy habits for happy relationships; Navigating new parent pressures; Newborn appearance and procedures;
Week six: Newborn care: caring for your mammal; Sleep; Diapers, bathing; baby wearing, crying and comfort; Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding; Creating a supportive community; Transition into parenthood; Final questions and wrap up.
Cost of Class: $290 (Scholarships available!)
This class has a maximum capacity of 8 couples; so sign up early!
BONUS OFFER: For participants local to Ithaca, they can add on an in-person movement session to practice receive additional support with the movements and positions taught in class to supplement their learning. Cost: $90
For those who are not a drivable distance away, they can add on a one-on-one zoom consultation where we can come up with personalized stretches and balancing exercise to support your specific needs. $60