Class Overview

In an 8-week Best of Natural Birth series, you'll learn:

• Your options for labor and birth—what choices do you really have?
• Stages of labor—understand what's happening with your body.
• Informed consent—if an intervention is suggested, how do you get the information you need to make a decision?
• Comfort measures and coping techniques—what's going to get you through the intense sensations of labor? Relaxation, visualization, counterpressure, massage, movement… What really works, and exactly how are they used?
• How to support a laboring woman—if dads and partners feel helpless, they'll always advocate for the drugs. This course goes in-depth on how to help her through the journey in a realistic, loving way.
• What resources are available in the community—Kalamazoo has an amazing range of professionals and resources to support you in pregnancy, birth and parenting! You'll hear from a massage therapist, a nurse midwife, plus you can tap into Jessica's expertise about an amazing range of resources in Southwest Michigan.
• Creating a back-up plan—how can you keep as many elements of your birth plan in place as possible, even if things don't unfold exactly as you'd hoped?

All of this takes place in a relaxed, professional setting where families feel comfortable asking questions and sharing their experiences. Each mom is paired with a "natural birth mentor" who has given birth within the past 18 months—a former student who you'll be in touch with by e-mail or by phone, who can help answer your questions about what natural birth is "really like." You'll also watch a video each week and hear birth stories throughout the series from at least three other couples, so you can start to wrap your brain around the amazing range of birth experiences.

After your baby is born, the support doesn't end. Jessica makes herself available for breastfeeding and parenting help via e-mail, phone or even in-person consultations. And she hosts a quarterly reunion and play group, so that families can reconnect with their classmates (and meet new friends), ask questions, and generally connect with like-minded parents.