Special! Sign up for childbirth classes (and pay) before Jan 21st and get the breastfeeding class for FREE!

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
Typically, my classes are taught privately, but ask me about group classes now available!
Classes can be taught in your home, or you can come to me. (Ask for details)

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
(This class may be omitted for those who are birthing at home or in a birth center)
A walk through of what to expect when birthing at a hospital
(Explains the tests, equipment and interventions used as well as their benefits and risks).
Methods for induction - pros and cons
Pain relief medications- The benefits and their risks
The domino effect
Building your birth plan

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

Class 5 -Postpartum and Your Baby Head to Toe
After birth - what mom’s can expect postpartum
Postpartum Depression
The normal looking newborn
Tests, and medications given to the newborn
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
Breastfeeding video - (can be optional)

Class 6 - Review and Introduction to breastfeeding
Labor at a glance - review of stages of labor
Video: Positions for Labor, Maternal Movement and Optimal Fetal Positioning
Comfort measures and relaxation review
Questions and answers
 

For those who are planning on having a VBAC - my class information is slightly adjusted just for you!

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 according to your needs!

Private Childbirth Preparation Course Fees: $200 (If I come to you)
$150 (If you come to me)
Can’t afford it? Please click here for my discount scholarship program
(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 separate classes - approximately 2 hours each

Clients have the option of taking more than one class at a time

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

**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
(For best learning, I recommend taking one class a 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!)

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

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

Other Stand Alone Classes:

Early Pregnancy Class “Welcome to Pregnancy”
 3 hours - $50 ($40 for doula clients or childbirth class students)

What you will learn:
Pregnancy terminology and physiology
Functions of placenta, amniotic 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 guidelines.
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 - $50
($40 for doula clients, included in childbirth class preparation course)

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

Breastfeeding Basics
Learn how to breastfeed with confidence!
2-3 hours - $50
($40 for doula clients or childbirth class students)

You will receive a web-enhanced parent guide - “Better Breastfeeding” by Injoy Birth and Parenting Education. Each full color workbook comes with a pin number that allows you access to instructive videos and helpful printouts. I will also provide you with several of my own handouts as well!

What you will learn:

Benefits of breastfeeding
Anatomy of breast and how it makes milk
Getting to the best start
Your newborn baby
Practice holding positions and latch techniques
How to properly latch your baby (and why it’s so important!)
How to know if baby is getting enough milk
Breastfeeding Basics (covers common questions like how much, how long, maternal diet, etc)
Going back to work (pumping and storing milk)
Weaning
Common breastfeeding obstacles (and what can be done about them!)

Each class runs approximately 2 hours, and I always have time to answer all of your questions and address any concerns you may have. Typically, I teach all of my classes privately - usually in your home. (However, I have a space if you would rather come to me). If you would like a group class, please contact me anyway! 

Choose the time and day you would like to take your class! (Based on my availability of course).

Class price (which includes your materials and husband or support person) - $50

Discount for ‘group’ class! Know someone who also wants to take the class? Take it together and take off $10 each. 
(Price for class would be $40 each). 
 

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

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. 

To Qualify, you *must* live within a 10 mile radius or be willing to travel to me.

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!