Over 250 couples across Maryland have chosen Informed Birth Choices!
Childbirth Education ($175 weekend; $195 weekly)
My course provides you with the knowledge, skills, and techniques necessary for natural childbirth while promoting acceptance of any outcome. Each class takes a consumer-oriented, woman- and family-centered approach. Special emphasis is placed on meeting challanges in labor and nurturing the family experience.
My course recognizes that confidence and relaxation are determining factors in a woman's ability to navigate the birthing process. By replacing the unknown with knowledge, fear and tension can be lessened with intentional relaxation. Repeated emphasis on techniques such as deep abdominal breathing, spontaneity, and the ability to invent your own methods helps you meet the intensity and challenge of labor. Having the support you need and the ability to communicate your needs to your birth team are also keys to informed participation.
Labor and birth are transformative and each is unique. Through this course you will learn tools to cope with labor and gain the knowledge to make informed choices.
On a practical level, the course targets:
All childbirth classes are conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland. There are two formats to suit your schedule:
My course recognizes that confidence and relaxation are determining factors in a woman's ability to navigate the birthing process. By replacing the unknown with knowledge, fear and tension can be lessened with intentional relaxation. Repeated emphasis on techniques such as deep abdominal breathing, spontaneity, and the ability to invent your own methods helps you meet the intensity and challenge of labor. Having the support you need and the ability to communicate your needs to your birth team are also keys to informed participation.
Labor and birth are transformative and each is unique. Through this course you will learn tools to cope with labor and gain the knowledge to make informed choices.
On a practical level, the course targets:
- Childbirth in the USA today
- Communication and decision making
- Prenatal comfort
- Breathing and coping skills
- Cultural influences on birth
- Nutrition and exercise
- The process of birth
- Medical procedures and options
- Relaxation and comfort techniques
- Medication and pain relief options
- Complications and unexpected outcomes
- Breastfeeding
- Newborn expectations and concerns
All childbirth classes are conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland. There are two formats to suit your schedule:
- Weekly Course (5 consecutive weeks; 1 night/week; see calendar above)
- Weekend Course (Saturday & Sunday; 6 hours/day; see calendar above)
Private Instruction ($50/hour)
Many new parents-to-be are unable to attend full group class. I am proud to offer a variety of private instruction topics. Ultimately you choose the content and length of your private course. Two suggested formats are:
Some of the most commonly requested topics are:
The perk of a private class is that you are in complete control of what gets covered in the course. Or if you prefer I can suggest a curriculum for you to review and adapt as needed.
- a one time 3 hour class
- two 2 hour classes (4 hours total)
Some of the most commonly requested topics are:
- Natural childbirth; coping techniques; breathing for labor; comfort and positions
- Refresher for 2nd time parents
- Physiology and psychology during labor
The perk of a private class is that you are in complete control of what gets covered in the course. Or if you prefer I can suggest a curriculum for you to review and adapt as needed.
Comfort Measures for Childbirth ($50)
A two-hour workshop focused entirely on comfort measures and coping techniques for couples to utilize during labor and birth. Co-taught with an instructor from Baltimore Family Beginnings so that couples will receive individual hands-on instruction. We will introduce and practice a wide variety of techniques - find what works for you! This hands-on workshop will increase your confidence by introducing you and your partner to:
*This workshop specifically covers comfort in labor and is not meant to substitute for a complete childbirth course.
- Massage
- Breathing patterns
- Relaxation techniques
- Acupressure for labor augmentation and pain relief
- Counter pressure
- Positions and how to make them work for you in labor
- Ways to cope with back labor
- How to use a birth ball in labor
- Specific tools for the partner
*This workshop specifically covers comfort in labor and is not meant to substitute for a complete childbirth course.
Early Pregnancy ($50)
Early Pregnancy is a three hour class for newly pregnant moms and their partners. Whether this is your first, second, or third pregnancy you can benefit from the diverse and informative topics included in this three hour class of learning and sharing. Ideally suited for moms between their 12th and 20th weeks of pregnancy, we cover topics such as:
Make the most of your pregnancy by joining me as I answer your questions and we explore ways to give you and your baby a great beginning.
- Nutrition
- Health
- Comfort measures / exercise
- Prenatal tests
- Preterm Labor
- Pregnancy and Birth Choices
- Steps to avoid a cesarean
Make the most of your pregnancy by joining me as I answer your questions and we explore ways to give you and your baby a great beginning.
Infant Care ($50)
A three hour class that focuses on the "fourth trimester", the first three months of a baby's life. The course will focus on newborn care, including newborn procedures, feeding, sleeping, infant communication, diapering, and dressing. It will also include self-care techniques for parents to help with the bumps in early parenting.
Birth Plan Consultation ($50-75)
Not sure where to begin? Trying to decide where to give birth? What classes to take? Whether a midwife or an OB is best for you? Set up a one time consultation to help get you on your way. I provide unbiased, informed answers to all of your pregnancy and childbirth questions*. I will provide you with resources and next steps so that you are empowered to make the choices that suit your life best. The consultation fee also includes assistance writing and refining your written birth plan.
*I do not provide medical advice.
*I do not provide medical advice.
