FAQ

When is the best time to take a childbirth preparation class?

The ideal time to attend a childbirth class is unique to each individual. However, the time when you are probably going to get the most out of a class is when you are highly motivated. Motivation seems to increase as you become closer to your due date and the upcoming birth begins to feel like it is really going to happen. I recommend starting a class series when you are nearing the end of your second trimester or anytime in the last trimester. It is also helpful to allow for a little time after the series is completed to integrate the information.

What kind of parents take a Birthing From Within class offered by Mother Birth Waves?

The expectant parents who come to this class are a diverse group of people planning homebirths and hospital births, all with the common intent to mindfully prepare for the birth of their child. Couples learn so much from one another, especially around the places where they are different. Birthing From Within recognizes that there is no one “right” way to give birth and respects the range of childbirth choices available to families. Most couples that find their way to Birthing From Within are highly motivated to prepare for the adventure of birth.

How will I learn to deal with the intensity of labor?

We will learn and investigate pain-coping practices that work with the mind and body to deal with the physical and emotional intensity of labor and birth. These practices often involve one or all of these modalities: breath, visualization, movement and sound. Other comfort measures such as position changes, aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, touch and the compassionate use of drugs and epidurals will be explored.

What will my partner get out of a Birthing From Within class?

Your partner will gain an understanding of the birthing process, while learning concrete tools to support you in the best possible way. The class facilitates communication within the couple and nurtures the couple’s connection during this exciting time. Dads also have a chance to meet other men who are becoming fathers and facing similar hopes and fears. A portion of one class is set aside just for fathers.

What if I don’t have a partner?

If you don’t have a partner it might be useful for you to bring a friend, doula or relative who will be supporting you at your birth.

How do you prepare couples to give birth in the hospital?

Some couples know that they will be birthing at the hospital. Others plan to birth at home, but for one reason or another, a hospital birth becomes the “next best thing.” We will learn how to prepare your birth space at the hospital, how to get information and give consent, and how to communicate positively and effectively with health care providers. We will also discuss common hospital protocol so that you have the knowledge to be your own advocate. We will also discover how to stay connected to your baby and birth mindfully if a cesarean becomes a part of your journey.

What other topics and modalities are offered within the class?

While there is definitely a structure to the class, the content of the class is also determined by individual needs. Parents bring their own wisdom, experience, and questions to the group, which helps inform and guide the class content. That said here are some other topics and modalities that will be included in the series:
You will learn what you need to know to give birth. This knowing includes practical knowledge that can give women the confidence to birth such as: stages of labor, what to do in early and active labor, how to push effectively, understanding labor physiology and psychology (and how they are related), hormones of labor, optimal fetal positioning, welcoming your baby, and postpartum healing and planning.

• Learning occurs in diverse ways. You will find very few (if any) lectures in this class. Discovery will be a dynamic process that will come from interactive discussion where parents will learn from one another. Incorporating new knowing will also happen through introspective processes such art, metaphor and storytelling.
• We will also explore the places where we may feel fear. Whenever we enter into the unknown, it is normal to have fears. With courage and compassion, we will articulate our anxieties, face our fears and access our coping skills.
• No matter how much we try to plan our birth experience, so much about our birth cannot be predicted or controlled. We will reflect on the value of bringing love to each moment. We will also discover how to birth in awareness, regardless of the outcome of events.

How large are your classes?

Mother Birth Waves limits its size to six couples to ensure that everyone’s needs are met. Small class size creates a safe, confidential space where couples are free to fully express themselves.