March 2024 update: For the foreseeable future, I am taking a step back from teaching group birth classes to focus my attention on other areas. Private classes are still an option, though availability is very limited. Reach out to me directly to explore this option.
Community childbirth education classes are offered in a group setting. Classes are available as a 6 week series, held every Tuesday evening from 6:30-8:30pm, in Ashland Oregon. There are a limited number of spaces available for each series of classes. Please reserve your seat as soon as you are able.
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If you are looking for private childbirth education classes, please click here.
There is so much to learn when you find out you are expecting. Some of it practical and easily accessible. Other things… not so much. The biggest obstacle for a lot of expecting parents? You don’t know what you don’t know.
I have designed these classes to cover all the basics, but to also go beyond the usual. It is my goal and my hope for you (and your partner or support person) to walk away from these classes feeling you know your options. And with that, you are either ready to make a decision on what is right for you and your growing family, or you are aware of which topics you need to learn even more about.
Because there is so much te learn, and so much information out there, these classes are anchored in three main themes.
Pregnancy & Preparing
Within this theme we will take a look at the third trimester. What are some discomforts you may experience and what are best practices to coping with them. We will spend time discussing ways you may want to prepare your body and your unborn baby for the task at hand. Yes, birth is a natural process and there is something to be said for letting instinct take over. And also, if you know you will be running a marathon, you would be preparing for that. Giving birth is really not all that much different, except maybe for the fact that a marathon’s exact course is known before it begins. You will learn both physical and mental exercises to help prepare you for your labor and birthing experience, as well as things we can do to encourage optimal positioning for baby leading up to birth.
Labor & Birth
There are so many choices that go into a birth experience. Some choices, like where you feel most comfortable giving birth, may be more obvious. Others, such as your thoughts or feelings on regular cervical exams during labor, perhaps a little less so. These classes are compatible with planning a home birth, birth center birth or hospital birth. Even though not everyone will be planning a hospital birth, things that may only come up in a hospital setting will still be part of what we learn. On the one hand to accommodate those planning a hospital birth, but also because transfers from the home to the hospital do occasionally happen.
These classes are designed to give you the tools you need to take ownership of your birth. Even in unforeseen circumstances. Almost all of those tools are knowledge based. Every birth is different, and so I would rather have you learn about things you won’t end up needing, than the other way around. We will spend time learning about and practicing different positions for labor and delivery, as well as comfort measures and ways to influence your labor. Breathing exercises and relaxation scripts will also be incorporated. In addition we will also look at the first few hours directly following the delivery of your baby(ies) and what some of the decisions you may want to consider would be, including interventions, options regarding the placenta and more.
We will spend the most time on this particular theme.
Postpartum & Newborn Care
Culturally we have become accustomed to focusing heavily on pregnancy and praising a woman’s body during those months for all it’s capable of creating. Yet once the baby has been born, all that admiration tends to disappear. This theme will help prepare you, and your partner or support person, for the postpartum time. You will learn what you may realistically expect from your fourth trimester and from your baby. Physically and emotionally recovering from labor and birth, and making a postpartum plan. You will learn about basic newborn care, community resources for newly postpartum parents and we will be discussing breastfeeding as well.
As these are community classes, there will be a great opportunity to connect with others who are finding themselves in a similar phase of life. This will also enable us to have group discussions on the topics we cover.
Tickets are valid for one (1) pregnant participant. Every pregnant participant is encouraged to bring a support person with them to these classes, whether that is your life-partner, sister, mother or other support person. In the interest of making this group a safe space, I want to thank you for bringing the same person (partner or support person) consistently. By purchasing your course, you agree to our payment policy.
Purchase your ticket for classes below
Note: This is only to sign up and purchase community classes. To sign up for a consultation for private classes, please click here.
Reserve your seat!
session dates 2024
February-March: February 6, 13, 20, 27 March 5, 12 (19)
August-September: dates to be announced
October-November: dates to be announced
Instructions:
- Follow the link to Venmo. You can either aim your camera at the QR code or -if you are reading this on your phone- simply tap the Vemno info anywhere as the link is embedded in the image.
- Make your payment in the amount of $180.
- Under “what’s it for?”, write your email address and your preferred session (ie January-February)
- Complete payment and watch for confirmation email.
Note: I send these emails manually, so it may take up to 24 hours for you to receive your welcome email. If you haven’t received your conformation email after 24 hours, send me an email at justine@risemamadoula.com to check on your registration.
Payment plans are always available. Contact Justine directly to discuss your needs and options.