****This class will be held June 8 and 15, 6pm to 9pm****

This is a “refresher” class for parents experienced in birth and want to reflect and learn from their previous birth and dust off old pain-coping techniques that worked last time and add new ones.  We will make the space for you and your partner to communicate on what worked and what didn’t and really listen to each other about your needs and desires for this birth.  We will make a concious effort to set aside time enjoy THIS pregnancy and make room for THIS baby.  We’ll talk about sibling preparation you can do at home, too.  (Note: if you have never taken an out-of-hospital birth class, it may be most appropriate for you to take the full series, above, instead - feel free to contact me to discuss your needs to help you make this decision.)

ABOUT BIRTHING FROM WITHIN
Birthing From Within is a unique, holistic way of preparing for childbirth is based on the popular book "Birthing From Within" by midwife Pam England. Classes are experiential, lively, and hopefully never boring.  Focus is on the rite of passage that birth is and less on the anatomy and physiology of birth.  Mothers and partners will learn ways to be empowered and confident in their roles in the birthing process so the experience can be positive and memorable.

WHY NOT JUST TAKE A HOSPITAL BIRTH CLASS?

Hospital-based classes usually spend a lot of time going over anatomy, physiology, medical interventions and pharmacological options for pain, but only spend a few brief minutes on pain coping.  While this can be useful information, if you are planning on trying for an unmedicated birth, this may not be enough.  In contrast, Birthing From Within spends a lot of time on pain coping.  In fact, we'll use approximately half our class time focusing on experimenting with different ways to cope with pain.  The other half of our time will be split between lively discussion, emotional "right brain" learning, and ritual to celebrate your journey to your baby.

WHO WILL TEACH US?

First off, in Birthing From Within, there are no teachers - there is a mentor.  This is an important difference, as mentors don't have an agenda.  They are only there for your goals, and hope to learn as much from you as you learn from them.  Class is mentored by Kristina French, birth doula & childbirth educator. She has attended all kinds of births: medicated and unmedicated; highly medical to highly natural; in hospitals and homes; and with all different types of families.  She has been a certified birth doula since 2007 and a Birthing From Within mentor since 2008.  She has been trained by DONA International, Birthing From Within (Level One and Advanced), and Lamaze.  She also regularly mentors other area doulas-in-training and has spoken at such local events as birth-related movie screenings and high school health classes.