Birthing From Within Mentoring Proposed Topic Outline for your
6 WEEK CHILDBIRTH CLASS  (12hours)   or Two Day Intensive Contact: Sharain Santalla  directly at 305.951.0577 or email   info@italpath.com

BFW Classes will include topics about nourishing the life within, how to jump start your maternal instinct, techniques to recognize, understand and cope with fear, including how fear can affect the progress of labor and birth.

A look at the  world of the baby in the uterus and a light on the sacred mystery of life, and the things that affect the baby’s  birth journey and the babies first hours of life information parents need to know about routine testes procedures informed consent,. preparing your birth space, and pain coping techniques.

We will help you gather information about what works and what has not and help you gain the courage to ask the questions which are relevant to your birth journey. We will explore assumptions, decisions and how decisions are made, emotions and all the real choices you have.  Special time is set aside to inform dads/partners of practical ways they can support their birth partner during labor and early post partum as well as techniques you and your partner can use to encourage you during the labor period.

 

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An Insider's Look at a Birthing From Within Childbirth Class
by Virginia Bobro, Managing Director & Workshop Facilitator

Many people, both expectant parents and birth professionals, contact us, wondering what makes a BFW class unique. They ask, "What do your classes actually look like?"So I thought I'd write a bit about how our Mentors teach, and share an overview of the structure and content of a typical BFW six-week childbirth class series. Most women who take our classes are pregnant for the first time and bring a partner with them (husband, doula, mother, friend, etc). Because we emphasize learning about birth from four perspectives (mother, partner, baby and culture), it is enjoyable and very helpful for the birth partner to come to class.

When parents enter the room, they may find themselves sitting on the floor on comfy cushions, with candles or soft music. Their Mentor may serve them tea. They may notice tiger sculptures, small fairies, art supplies, or bowls of ice-cubes around the edge of the room. Perhaps there is a labyrinth or other birth art hanging on the wall. Parents get comfortable, introduce themselves, and get ready for an interesting and fun learning

The Mentor often re-enacts a "transition contraction" to stimulate questions and get right to the nitty-gritty of birth. Parents share their beliefs and expectations about what labor might feel like, and how they think they might react to these sensations and emotions. Parents may even meet the "Birth Fairy," who reminds us to be present to the process of birth, not only the outcome.

At this point, parents have had a bit of a wake-up call. They are motivated to learn some more ways of coping with labor. Next up: "Breath Awareness," which is mindfulness practice to deepen focus and enhance endurance. As parents learn and practice, their confidence increases.  Another surprise:  the Mentor passes out ice cubes!  During an "ice-contraction" (parents hold the ice in their hand for one minute)--to discover how their ability to cope is affected by an unpleasant physical sensation. Next up, birth partners practice supporting the mother-to-be while she holds the ice. Music, movement, touch-relaxation, back massage, and/or encouraging words all get a test-drive; then moms gives feedback, so partners can hone their skills before "game day." Learning and using a different mindfulness practice is something that happens in class in the series, so parents finish the series not with just "tools," but rather with a strong

It just wouldn't be a Birthing From Within class without making art! After a break for tea and cookies, parents return to their places, and discover large pieces of white drawing paper and a boxes of colorful chalk pastels. The Mentor draws a Labyrinth on a board, and shows parents how to draw one too. She may share some history of labyrinths, and how this relates to the journey through labor and postpartum. Parents learn about the stages of labor, and what kinds of physical and emotional changes they may experience during birth.  A discussion of practical birth information  and group sharing follows, with a  focus on  what parents can do as labor unfolds.  Time is spent adding symbols or more colors to their labyrinths, so that when they leave class, they have a powerful, personal image of their upcoming birth journey. These drawings often make their way into the labor bag and onto the birthing room walls.

As class winds down for the evening, the Mentor may offer a closing poem, story, or visualization. Parents have gained a better understanding of what birth will be like, and what they can do to make it a positive and profound experience. They leave with   a closer connection to their partner and baby and a sense of excitement and empowerment about their upcoming births.

if you think these classes would be valuable to you and your partner Please do not let in ability to pay stop you from contacting us to discuss your special circumstances.  Thank you.  Sharain Santalla

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Prices below are for six class series (total of 12 hours)

Cost                                            $200
Ital Path Doula Moms               $150


Classes are best assimilated over a period of time to help participants integrate and practice techniques.  However for convenience, private and semi private two day workshops are also offered to accommodate parents with limited time.

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Birthing from Within.  Guiding Principals

- Childbirth is a profound rite of passage, not a medical event (even when medical care is part of the birth).
- The essence of childbirth preparation is self-discovery, not assimilating obstetric information.
- The teacher (mentor) is “midwife” to the parents’ discovery process, not the expert from whom wisdom flows.
- Childbirth preparation is a continually evolving process (for parents and teachers), not a static structure of techniques and knowledge.
- Parents’ individual needs and differences determine class content.
- Active, creative self-expression is critical to childbirth preparation.
- The purpose of childbirth preparation is to prepare mothers to give birth-in-awareness, not to achieve a specific birth outcome.
- Pregnancy and birth outcome are influenced by a variety of factors, but can’t be controlled by planning.
- In order to help parents mobilize their coping resources, it is critical for childbirth classes to acknowledge that unexpected, unwelcome events may happen during labor.
- Parents deserve support for any birth option which might be right for them (whether it be drugs, cesarean, home birth, or bottle-feeding).
- Pain is an inevitable part of childbirth, yet much can be done to ease suffering.
- Pain-coping practices work best when integrated into daily life, rather than “dusted off” for labor.
- Fathers and birth partners help best as birth guardians or loving partners, not as coaches; they also need support.
- For parents, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum is a time of continuous learning and adjustment; holistic support and education should be available throughout that period.
- Childbirth preparation is also parent preparation

VALIDATING ........ the innate wisdom you already hold
MOTIVATING ....... you toward solutions
EDUCATING........ with practical information and discussions
INITIATING ........... you into the passage of parenthood

Please indicate the best time of morning or afternoon for your appointment.

Phone: (305) 951-0577