Preparing for the Labor Experience

Well Born Baby childbirth preparation classes are designed to offer  couples a well-rounded, straightforward curriculum. Christina has over  20 years of teaching experience both as a Biology Teaching assistant and  as a doula and childbirth educator.  She has assisted hundreds of  couples through a very wide range of birth choices and experiences.

Though certified, Christina doesn't teach any one method of  childbirth preparation but draws on the best parts from the most popular  methods, as well as from her extensive experience in the field. There  is no one right way to labor. Birth is a normal process and she strives  to inspire confidence in the couples that she teaches. Her goal is to  demonstrate the full spectrum of options a woman has when preparing for  her birth, and then to support her unconditionally.

The most important way to approach your birth is with confidence and  relaxation. You achieve this by knowing what possible things to expect,  developing the skills to move through your labor, and by feeling  prepared to work through whatever your journey turns out to be.

Well Born Baby Classes offer a blend of lecture, demonstration, and practice and will include, but not be limited to:

Preparing for Labor: how will you know your  body is getting ready?  Let's talk about all the signs and symptoms of  labor.  There are potential, probable, and positive signs to look for!   Know what they are, how to stay comfortable, and a better understanding  of what contractions are and when it's time to call your provider.  Discussion will include perinatal testing and procedures.

Stages of Labor: get a better understanding  about the timeline of birth and what to expect from your body.  We'll  discuss all three stages of labor and break them down so you can be  comfortable working with your body when the big day arrives.  You'll  also learn about the hormones involved and ways women have naturally  gotten labor started in the past.

Birthing Options: a detailed discussion  about your childbirth choices and positive communication.  Let's talk  through the induction process, pain medications, and interventions.   Being informed ahead of time gives a better understanding for informed  decision making the day of.  Everything is a tool and this discussion  will help you know what your options are, the pros and cons, and help  you to work with your provider to use (or not use) the tools available  to you wisely.

Coping Mechanisms: physical and emotional  preparation is so important no matter how you choose to birth!  Let's be  prepared with coping mechanisms by working through the positions,  breathing, massage, and counter pressure.  This will give your support  person and you the tools to trust your body and stay comfortable.  These  tips and tricks are helpful no matter if you plan to get an epidural or  not!

Pushing & Birth: your body knows how to  give birth and your baby knows how to be born.  Let's talk about the  way your body and baby work together during the pushing phase.  The  differences of pushing with and without an epidural will be discussed.   Breathing techniques, positions, comfort, and a timeline of pushing will  be covered.  Different pushing strategies will be discussed including  perineal support, exhale, closed knee, and side lying pushing. Delivery  of the placenta, fundal massage, and repair and recovery are covered  along with a discussion of instrumental deliveries including forceps,  vaccum, and cesarean deliveries.

Postpartum Health and Newborn Procedures:  you've had your baby, now what happens?  Let's talk about the normal  appearance of the newborn, the golden hour, and routine procedures for  mom and baby.  Perineal care will be touched upon as well as an  introduction to breastfeeding.  Skin to skin, routing, pain medication  post delivery, newborn procedures, baby bath, and discharge timeline to  be covered.

Your body knows how to give birth and your baby knows how to be  born.  Childbirth preparation gives you the knowledge and tools to make  your birthing decisions so that you can have your best birth experience.