About the Classes

Can you tell me a little more about your classes?

We teach partner-coached natural childbirth. We view birth as a normal event in the life of a woman that can be enriched by the calm, loving support of a partner – a husband, friend, sister, fiancé, mother, or anyone with a close loving relationship with the expectant mom.
We believe every woman can benefit from learning how to tune into her body during the birth of her baby and it is equally important that a supportive partner be taught what normal labour and birth are too. We teach simple methods of easing pregnancy, labour, and birth discomforts. We will give you tips on how to stay healthy and low risk during pregnancy.
You will leave class with a toolbox of information to work through labour together, no matter what comes. We also teach information about exercise, nutrition, relaxation, and informed consent, so that you both feel physically, mentally, and emotionally ready for labour. We want you to leave our class confident that you both know as much as possible about one of the most important days of your lives.

Why would I want a natural birth?

You are not alone if you begin our class still asking this question! Although some people are confident in their choice to pursue a natural birth, others need a few more reasons why it might be for them. The benefits of natural birth include: a more joyful experience for the whole family, a gentle welcome to the world for your baby, a greater chance of successful breastfeeding, a reduced likelihood of post-partum depression, and avoiding the spiral of interventions that is more likely to lead to a surgical birth. In the event of necessary interventions, our students tend not to express disappointment but confidence that their decisions were for the health of mom and baby. A natural pregnancy and birth offers babies the best possible start in life and it empowers you, as a mother. Having experienced natural birth myself, I know it is possible to birth with joy.

How is your class different from other childbirth classes?

We offer the only partner-focused classes in GTO and York Region. Our comprehensive, evidence based class will leave you both feeling prepared for birth and parenthood. We focus on working toward a low intervention birth through prenatal preparation and teach you relaxation techniques to practice daily with your partner so you are ready for labour. We help train you and your partner to work together to achieve the healthiest, safest birth for your baby. Rather than using breathing tricks or hypnosis, we believe that a person who knows you well can, with our training, provide enormous support physically, mentally and emotionally. We believe relaxation and trust in the natural process of labour is the key to a natural birth. See our testimonials for more reasons to take our classes.

Why is this class more expensive and longer than other classes?

Our classes are the only fully comprehensive natural childbirth classes in the region. We simply spend more time together to prepare more fully for birth. Think about how much time you are spending deciding which car seat to buy, which stroller you like, and what to include on your baby registry. Don’t you want to spend at least as much time preparing for what is one of the most important days of your life – and your baby’s?
Labour is like running a marathon. You need to condition your body and to prepare your mind, all of it takes time.
We also offer our support from the time you sign up for class until you are home with the baby and feel like you know what you are doing.
We will not turn anyone away because of financial hardship, so if you are committed to the process, we are happy to discuss a scholarship.

My partner is not sure he/she wants such an integral role during labour. How is he/she going to help me?

Many partners may find it difficult to be with a laboring woman, they aren’t sure they can cope with seeing their partner in pain and expect labour to be the gory catastrophe they have seen on television and in movies. We prepare fathers, so they understand how, why and what is happening during labour,. That enables them to coach, guide and encourage laboring woman. During our classes we will give your partner “tools” and tips, so he can actually help you through contractions. We will practice during labour rehearsals over and over again so fathers gain self-confidence through familiarity and apply what they have learned before real labour starts. We encourage coaches to view themselves as an active partner in the whole pregnancy journey, connecting with both mom and baby, and fully appreciating their important role.

We’re hiring a doula. Do we need these classes?

Fantastic decision! Doula’s are trained labour support professionals and have been proven over and over to reduce mom’s perception of pain in labour, reduce the rate of intervention, and the caesarean rate. Some of our couples choose to hire a doula to work alongside their partner during labour, while others prefer to limit the number of people in the room. Our classes will offer partners the opportunity to learn all the skills they need to offer support to the mom on their own or as a fully-prepared, confident partner alongside a doula.

We have midwives. Do we need these classes?

The philosophy of midwives regarding informed consent fits well with our classes, but you should know that midwives, like doctors and nurses, have many other responsibilities during labour, other than providing one-on-one, hands-on physical support for you from the start of labour until birth. We prepare partners to provide support, whisper encouragement in mom’s ear, apply pressure to ease discomfort, and understand the process of labour, whether a doctor or midwife is catching the baby.

But what if I think I might want an epidural?

For those women that do choose to have an epidural, it is important to know that you do not often receive an epidural until labour has begun and is well established. During this time, the knowledge from classes can help to reduce your sensation of discomfort.

I’ve had a previous caesarean. How can you help me to have a VBAC?

Natural childbirth is a wonderful option for a VBAC (vaginal birth after caesarean). Our classes focus on preparing you – body, mind, and spirit – to birth your baby with confidence. Our trust in women’s bodies and their instinctual knowledge to birth is infectious. With a caring partner trained to offer you the support you need, you can approach your labour with serenity and joy.

We plan to have our children at our birth. Can you help prepare them and work with them during the birth?

Absolutely. We fully support the whole family, in the unique way that your family needs support during the pregnancy, birth, and post-partum period. We can offer private prenatal classes that include your child and be one-on-one support for them during your birth.

What is your training?

As a fully certified Bradley Method ® instructor I’m an expert in the field of natural childbirth and have experienced natural childbirth myself. I have gone through intensive training and augmented my training with complimentary learning, such as further training in breastfeeding support.

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