 Photo by Jane Kramer |
BIRTHING FROM WITHIN®
"Truely, every birth is a rite of passage. In her own way,
every mother in labor, without exception, lives the mystery of her physical, psychological and spiritual
transformation-whether she births by candlelight at home, in an operating room, in the car, or in a birth
hut hidden in the jungle." ~ Pam England
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Labor and childbirth are profound, life-changing experiences.
BIRTHING FROM WITHIN® is a unique and personal way of
preparing pregnant moms and dads for the journey that lies ahead in giving birth and becoming a parent.
It is comprehensive childbirth preparation that addresses the medical, cultural, emotional and spiritual aspects
of childbirth. Classes support any birthing option parents may choose and are based on the innovative
book and childbirth approach, BIRTHING FROM WITHIN®
developed by Pam England. Parents preparing for natural childbirth, unmedicated birth, vaginal birth,
Ceserean birth (“C-section”), water birth, hypnobirth, lotus birth or anything else will find a supportive home here.
Here is why
BIRTHING FROM WITHIN® classes are different...
Classes help each parent discover what they really
need to know to give birth. Every mother and father approaches the threshold of labor and delivery with
different beliefs, fears, desires and concerns. Therefore, what each parent needs to know to
birth their baby is different and unique to them. We believe this includes not only practical,
medical information about birth, but also a deeper understanding and awareness of their intuitive
wisdom and a woman's innate capability to birth her baby. Parents learn to go within for the
strength, know-how and skills they will use in labor, birth and parenting. This personal, "inner"
learning is facilitated through thought-provoking dialogues and introspective, hands-on exercises,
making BIRTHING FROM WITHIN® classes not
only practical but also soulful.
BIRTHING FROM WITHIN® classes prepare
mothers to birth-in-awareness, not achieve a specific birth outcome. To birth-in-awareness
is to be fully open and present in each moment of labor, doing what ever needs to be done
with your whole heart. When a mother births-in-awareness it allows her to find her own right
way through labor and experience the profound wonder of birth, whether that includes birthing
naturally, with an epidural or by cesarean birth.
BIRTHING FROM WITHIN® classes guide
fathers and birth partners to support moms as birth guardians or loving partners. We believe
fathers and partners help best in labor by providing their reassurance, protection and love.
Since they also need support in their role, our classes provide special time dedicated to
addressing their needs and concerns and providing them with practical ways to support their
partner in labor and postpartum.
Classes devote significant attention to teaching
parents a variety of pain-coping techniques. Week after week parents build their confidence
and ability to cope with the pain and the challenges of labor. Parents are also guided on how
these mindfull techniques can help them cope with the stresses and challenges of parenthood.
At the same time classes explore the wise use of drugs and epidurals should they become
necessary in labor.
BIRTHING FROM WITHIN® classes honor
childbirth as a profound rite of passage, not a medical event. Pregnancy, labor and birth
is a journey to the core of who we are. A woman goes within to discover her strengths,
wisdom and power. With the birth of her baby, she emerges deeply changed, as a woman and a
mother. When the baby is born, so are the parents, "born".
Highlights of what classes cover...
- Creating a supportive environment in the hospital or home
- Understanding how labor works
- Opening your body-mind before and during labor
- Practicing proven pain coping techniques
- Labor positions and comfort measures
- Mindful approaches to a birth plan
- Asking questions and making informed decisions
- Pushing your baby out
- Baby care basics
- Postpartum planning and recovery... and much more!
BIRTHING FROM WITHIN® classes are so dynamic because they respond personally to what your deepest questions are about pregnancy, birth and parenthood. Everyone must answer different questions of what you need to know to give birth. To get the most from your time spent with your Birth Mentor, it’s going to be important to:
- Be curious about your fears, about your comfort, about what you don’t know and about WHAT YOU DO KNOW.
- Schedule time to practice in between our meetings. In order to give you tools to help you cope with the intensity of labor and birth, we spend a large portion of each class practicing pain-coping practices. In order to give them the best chance of helping you, it’s important that these practices become part of your daily life while preparing to give birth, not just “dusted off” right before labor.
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