You are taking a wonderful step in learning about the process of birth!
No matter where you choose to birth (hospital, home or birth center)
my childbirth classes provide you with the knowledge and confidence necessary  to make informed choices so you can plan the birth that you desire.
Classes are taught privately in the comfort of your home!

Prepared Childbirth Course Outline
Six Private Classes - Two Hours Each

Class 1- The Rhythm of Labor
Basic terminology
Timing contractions
Signs of labor
Prodromal labor (also known as false labor) vs true labor
Braxton Hicks contractions
Preterm labor
The stages of labor
Labor etiquette for dads
Video

Class 2 - Natural Pain Relief Techniques
The hormones of labor - you can do this!
Natural pain relief techniques
Comfort measures and the five senses
Positions and the importance of active labor
The fear/pain cycle and relaxation
How do we perceive pain? Gate control theory.
Practice using comfort measures (birth ball, rebozo, massage and more)

Class 3 - Informed Choices - Active vs Expectant Management
A walk through of what to expect when birthing at a hospital
(Explains what to expect if you are birthing in a hospital. The tests, equipment and interventions used as well as their benefits and risks).
A walk through of what to expect when birthing at home or in birth center
Methods for induction - pros and cons
Pain relief medications- The benefits and their risks
The domino effect
Building your birth plan

Class 4 - Postpartum and Unexpected Outcomes
Complications of pregnancy that may effect labor
We’ll discuss some medical reasons for induction & cesarean
Cesarean Birth and Cesarean recovery
After birth - what mom’s can expect
What’s normal, and what to watch for
Emergency Childbirth - what to do when baby comes too fast!
Postpartum depression

Class 5 - Your Baby Head to Toe
The normal looking newborn
Tests, and medications given to the newborn
Newborn reflexes
Newborn care
Cord care
Swaddling/Diapering/Dressing
Circumcision information
Your baby’s stomach (is my baby getting enough to ‘eat’?)
Jaundice, colic and other common newborn concerns
When to call the baby’s caregiver

Class 6 - Review and Introduction to breastfeeding
Labor at a glance - review of stages of labor
Comfort measures and relaxation review
Video: Positions for Labor, Maternal Movement and Optimal Fetal Positioning
Breastfeeding video - (can be optional)
Questions and answers
Class Evaluation

Questions? Please call or email: 817-226-5475
birthgently@aol.com
 

Childbirth Refresher Course available!
Please contact me so we can tailor a class or course just for you! 

Full Childbirth Preparation Course Fees: $200

(Click here for my range of service and fees outside of service area)

What you will receive with my 12 hour Childbirth Preparation Course

6 classes @ 2 hours each - These are private classes taught in your home or office.
Two workbooks: "Understanding Birth" - Check it out! and “Mother and New Baby Care”
Phone and email support for any questions or concerns - any time day or night
$50 discount for my doula services
Borrow books about pregnancy, childbirth and more from my lending library

I also offer modest childbirth classes for those who wish to avoid graphic childbirth content

**Payment arrangements can be made**
(Usually paid in two installments $100 for classes 1-3, and $100 for classes 4-6

Benefits of Private Childbirth Education Classes:

*The instructor comes to you, and classes are held in the comfort of your own home

*Classes are arranged around your schedule - you choose the time and dates
(Ideally, 1 class per week)

Running out of time? We can arrange a “crash course”!  Please contact me for details.

*Private classes allow you to ask personal questions that you otherwise may not ask in a group. Furthermore, you may ask all the questions that you would like!

*Pick the classes you want or adjust class content for your needs - price: $40 a class

*Private childbirth classes usually allow more time -so we cover more information

*Cool visual aids to help you better understand (see and touch!)

 

Other Stand Alone Classes:

Early Pregnancy Class “Welcome to Pregnancy”
 3 hours - $40

What you will learn:
Pregnancy terminology and physiology
Functions of placenta, amniotid fluid, and more
What to expect through your pregnancy (like discomforts and how to relieve them) 
What your baby looks like through the trimesters
Basic nutrition - what your body needs, foods to avoid and basic exercise guidlines.
Test and procedures done in pregnancy
Explore your options on birth and learn what to ask your potential caregiver.

Newborn Baby Basic Care
 3 hours - $40

What you will learn:
What what is considered normal for your newborn
Tests, and medications given to the newborn
Newborn reflexes
Newborn basics such as: Cord care, Swaddling/Diapering/Dressing/Bathing
Jaundice, colic and other common newborn concerns
When to call the baby’s caregiver
45 minute video on breastfeeding

 Grandparents Class:  Home-birth 101

(Hospital based class for Grandparents/friends etc. also available)

Price: $40
$15 discount for those who take my childbirth classes or use my doula services
This class takes about 2-3 hours
(It depends on how many questions you have!) 

Are your “crazy” kids going to have a homebirth?

Were you invited to be at the birth of your new grandchild? 

Are you anxious about their decision to homebirth? 

Perhaps you would like a safe place to ask questions without seeming like the ‘worry wart’? 

Would you like to know how you might be helpful in a homebirth setting?

If you answered YES, to any of these questions, then this class is for YOU! 
 

What you will learn:

Why choose homebirth?

Safety of homebirth

Understanding the hormones of labor: What the benefits of going natural are, and how to make sure the laboring mother gets maximum benefits from those hormones. 

Comfort measure techniques - if your role is going to be more ‘hands on’. 

How to help ‘behind the scenes’

Learn ‘labor etiquette’. 

My goal is to ease your mind so you can be a calming participant in this wonderful journey!
 

Childbirth Refresher Course available! Please contact me so we can tailor a class for you! 

COMING SOON! A VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) Class!

Prices are subject to change at any time.

Serenity Birth Services Presents:

The Childbirth Class Discount Scholarship Program

I think everyone deserves the right to take a childbirth class if they want it, and money shouldn’t always be an issue. That is why I am offering a “discount scholarship” to one person/family a month based on my availability. (Sometimes I am “booked” every evening of the week - so you might have to take a class during the day or wait for available evening time slot to open).  Discounts will be given on a first come, first serve basis, so be sure to book your time slot as soon as possible. 

You *must* live within my 30 mile radius to qualify.

So how much is the discount? 
I would like you to make an offer! 

Please read below and come up with price that you can afford but will still compensate me for my time, gas and materials.

Please take into consideration:

My time - both for travel and teaching each class

The gas it takes to travel to and from your home

The books and printing materials that I provide (about $25 per course)

The information that you will learn

~I am more than happy to take payments

~I reserve the right to combine classes (for example, I might offer to make three trips teaching two classes each visit)

~We may arrange to take classes out
(for instance, if you already have a child, I might have you skip the newborn class - or we might drop the 6^th review class)

Please don’t think childbirth classes are out of the question because of the price!
 Let’s work together and see if I can help you have the birth that you desire!

Pictures of Serenity Birth Services childbirth classes were taken by Amanda Gipson at: 
http://www.amandagipsonphotography.com/

Can’t afford it? Please click here for my discount scholarship program.

Are you a church or other establishment where there is a need for my classes or services?

I can do group classes on location. Call me today to see what we can arrange!

 817-226-5475