Birth Works ®
Childbirth Preparation Classes
Birth Works classes are for any woman and her partner regardless of her birthing history. The classes commonly have a mix of new parents and those with previous vaginal and/or cesarean births. All have a wonderful opportunity to learn and share from each other. Lifelong friendships often develop! For more information about Birth Works, please go to the Birth Works Website.
Birth Works embodies the philosophy of developing a woman's self-confidence, trust and faith in her ability to give birth. It is the goal of our childbirth classes to promote safe and loving birth experiences through education, introspection and confident action.
Birth Works affirms that birth is an intensely felt and uniquely
empowering transformation for women, babies, and families.
Next group class begins: April 16, 2012
Class will meet: April 16, 23 and April 30 (a 9-hour class session)
Time: 6:00pm until 9:00pm
Where: Basics First Chiropractic
522 East Market Street
Leesburg, Virginia 20176
Fee: $175.00/per couple
Please send us an e-mail to register. Hurry, as space is limited!
Birth Works Class Outline
The following is a sample outline of the Birth Works Childbirth Preparation Class. Some of the topics may change to fit the needs of the participants.
Feelings.
Identifying feelings, expectations, fears and concerns about birth.
Philosophies of Childbirth, Breath Awareness, Relaxation.
Birth Works philosophies and concept of Educare: Serves as a basic introduction to the course, provides an opportunity to know more about our beliefs of birth in our culture today.
Pelvic Bodywork, Toning, Directed Breathing, Nutrition, Exercise, Labor and Birth Complications.
Role of good nutrition, exercises, a discussion of upright positions in labor and birth, guidelines for indications for a cesarean and uterine dependability.
Pelvic Bodywork, Medical Procedures and Interventions, Obstetrical Analgesia and Anesthesia.
Discussion of common diagnostic and labor interventions in terms of the risk-benefit ratio and alternatives to routine use of interventions. Types of medical pain relief, the risks/benefit ratio and alternatives. Accepting responsibility and taking an active role in birth. Finding a balance, using interventions only when the benefits outweigh the risks, and most importantly, gain confidence in our ability to birth! Understanding how physicians are trained and the legal pressures that confront everyone.
Pelvic Bodywork, Human Values in Birth, Place of Birth and Birth Team, Beliefs about Birth, Birth Preferences.
The importance of doulas, labor companions, choosing a birth place that feels safe and a birth team that shares a woman’s philosophy of birth. Understanding how the practice of human values improves decision-making and leads to a more positive birth experience. Identifying belief systems and attitudes about birth and learning how to change those not conducive to positive birthing. Tools for strengthening positive beliefs about oneself and birth will be explained and practiced. Discussion of birth plans.
Grieving and Healing, Unexpected Outcomes.
Discussion of childbearing losses and grieving, followed by grieving exercises and healing visualization. This class is very powerful in demonstrating the influence of our mind and emotions on our physical bodies. Once we are aware of these influences, we can begin to make changes, if desired. When the mind is relaxed, the body will follow. This class takes great strides towards facilitating more normal and natural birth.
Pelvic Bodywork, Identifying and Practicing Good Positions for Labor, Understanding Labor and Birth.
Personal and cultural belief systems about pain. The concept of healthy pain. Comfort measures for birth. Labor process and review of comfort measures, working with contractions, labor sounds, conscious birthing, birth visualization, the physiology of birth and role of hormones.
Postpartum and Breastfeeding, Parenting Plan.
Postpartum care of mother and baby, breastfeeding, and parenting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Birth Works? Birth Works is a process, not a method. Each class builds upon the other. By the end of the class series, women should have more trust and faith in their bodies and their ability to give birth. They will also have all of the information they need so that they may make informed decisions regarding their pregnancy and childbirth options. This can help ensure a healthy mom, healthy baby, and an overall better birth experience.
Where are the classes?
Classes are held in Leesburg, VA or in your home.
When are the classes?
Classes are ongoing. Please contact Lori for the next class schedule!
How long are the classes?
A class series is 3-weeks long for 3 hours each session (a 9-hour class). A class will be held once a week for three weeks. This may vary for private classes.
What will I learn from taking a Birth Works class?
Please see above for the class outline.
Why Should I take a childbirth class from an independent childbirth educator rather than the class at my hospital?
It is well known that most hopsital classes only educate you on how to be a good patient and tell you what they are going to do to you and your baby. Birthing couples often come away from these classes not always knowing what to expect once they go into labor and how to work with their body to help ensure a healthy mom, healthy baby. They don't know what their rights or options are as birthing couples. They don't know how to palpate their abdomens to find their baby's position and they don't explore how they feel about their upcoming birth, as well as becoming a parent. Birth Works covers all of this and much more. When you complete a Birth Works childbirth class, our goal is to educate, inform, and increase your confidence in your body's ability to give birth so that your birth experience will be as positive as it can be!
What is the fee?
The current fee is $175.00 per couple for a group 3-hour, 3-week class series and $275.00 per couple for a private class in your home (a 9-hour class). This includes a workbook full of essential information about pregnancy, labor, birth, the postpartum period and beyond, and also allows you to have access to our lending library of books and videos. We are also always available for you if you have any questions or concerns, even after your baby is born.