Gain Confidence and Embrace Delivery Day
Navigate the 4 Stages of Labor
- Braxton Hicks vs. Labor Contractions and how to time contractions.
- When to go to the hospital or call your midwife if your birthing at home.
- Cervix dilation and when you're ready to push.
- Optimal pushing positions for delivery and delivering the placenta.
- After birth, learn how to strengthen early bonding and improve lactation. For a deeper dive, take our Lactation and Newborn Care class.
Use Birth Plans for Advocacy
- What is a birth plan? How does it make your preferences clear?
- Why birth plans reduce medical interventions.
- The latest evidence-based best practices and your birth options.
- The ultimate birth plan template, including birth options, baby monitoring, eating/drinking, pushing positions, and more.
- How to use your birth plan with providers, family, and Birth Doulas.
Reduce Your Childbirth Pain
- The role of pain during childbirth.
- Natural pain management techniques: labor positions, breathing and guided visualizations.
- All about epidurals - should I get one? Do I need one?
- When your pain may require intervention.
- For a hands on practice reducing childbirth pain, consider our Childbirth Intensive Package.
Optimize Your Support System
- How your support team assists and advocates for you throughout labor and delivery (they use your birth plan!)
- How to assemble your ideal support team
- How your family and significant others help during labor and delivery
- How Birth Doulas enhance your comfort and safety, reduce interventions, and lead to better birth outcomes.
Reduce C Sections and Interventions
- Why interventions can be necessary and why they are not your fault.
- Tactics to reduce C Sections and VBAC (vaginal birth after C Section).
- Inducing labor with medicine (Pitocin) and foley catheters.
- Assisted delivery with forceps and/or vacuum
- How to collaborate with healthcare providers when interventions are needed.
Prepare for Postpartum Recovery
- Why a smoother birth often results in a better postpartum period.
- Postpartum plans - whats in them and why you need one.
- The 6 Pillars of postpartum recovery.
- Postpartum Depression - warning signs and when to get help.
