Childbirth Preparation Classes for the Body Mind and Spirit
For the expectant mother, being prepared to give birth means feeling confident and inspired. To us this means having a good understanding of:
- your body and the birth process
- the choices and the challenges and you will meet
- your personal strength
- trust and how to generate it in yourself, your support people and the birth process.
For the father/partner it means understanding:
- and feeling confident in the birth process
- how you can support your partner
- how you might feel and your needs in the process
Our aim is to have you complete the classes feeling truly prepared. Teaming the knowledge you need with the wisdom your body already knows.
These Childbirth Preparation Classes are for people who are wanting to explore the process of birth and the transformational journey it is taking them on.
Topics covered in the classes:
For the Body
What's happening to you and your body in the lead up to giving birth, how you know when you are in labour
When to go to hospital, how to labour at home
How the body functions to help give birth
How the hormone system works during the birth process (natural pain relief and the body communication systems)
Your babies role, how the baby takes part in the birth Support during labour - the father's role, as well as the doula, midwife and obstetrician roles
Active Birth - allowing your instincts to guide you
Pain relief - all of your options, natural and medical
Realistic expectations and role for partners
Post natal support, Breastfeeding support
For the Mind
Birth Options; medical/natural, Obstetrician/Midwifery/Doula what is your ideal mix?
All the alternatives and options available so you can make appropriate choices for you and your baby (including water birth and lotus birth)
Communicating and working with your care providers
Understanding hospital policies and your choices and rights within the hospital system.
Possible obstacles and how to overcome them
For the Spirit
How your emotions effect the process of birth
Having a strong sense of birth as a rite of passage
Feeling a connection to the miracle of birth
Feeling connected to your baby
Communicating with your baby
Exploring your needs
Exploring your fears
Relaxation - Calm birth - Massage
Post Natal Depression - how to reduce the risks with good nutrition, hydration, rest and creating a network of support
Confidence, trust and relaxation - the vital ingredients
Our childbirth preparation classes are run over 6 Monday evenings 6.30
- 9.00pm, (plus
reunion).
Classes are conducted using; relaxed explorative style teaching, active participation, the
latest DVD's and relaxation.
You will be provided with comprehensive notes and reference material and a light
supper.
Venue: 766 Riversdale Rd, Camberwell
Cost: $350 per couple or $250 per single $150 doula's, $50 for each extra support person
(Concessions available)
Clothing: Wear loose comfortable clothing
What people say about Anna's classes
"The classes are empowering balanced classes for women and men interested in natural birth. What I loved about this course was the approach of seeing birth as an emotional, spiritual and physical journey, seeing natural birth methods as 'the norm' and empowering rather than neagive - something to embrace rather than fear - I loved the course!"
"When I first came to Anna's antenatal classes, I was in abit of shock at our suprise pregnancy. I was confused, scared about being another patient in the western medical system and not knowing how I could fit in a baby with everything else I had planned. Having recently taken over a business that I loved & realising I couldn't do both, I decided that I had to hand back the business & start to focus on being a mum- it honestly felt like a big sacrifice & I remember thinking "what if I don't like being a mum & I've given all of this up?!"
As soon as I met Anna, I really appreciated her down to earth nature, she seemed very real to me. As the weeks progressed, Anna's passion for what she does really shone through- the space she creates is very safe & she is a brilliant listener! These qualities are so important in allowing a person to explore the feelings that are coming up in a non judgemental environment. She really gives permission to the participants to be true to themselves.
Being a rebirther & meditation/personal development teacher I find these qualities extremely important in these types of groups so I can be quite fussy! Anna's facilitation skills along with the fact that she taps into her own experience/wisdom far exceeded my expectations. The content covered over the 6 weeks is extremely thorough & really works to empower women to make the birth all about them & their baby. These classes helped me find my power in this next phase of my life & really focus on my ideal birth plan". Katie Giardina: rebirther/personal development facilitator/soon to be mum
"Thank you again for the wonderful classes, we both really enjoyed attending and really looked forward to each week as it unfolded. I was especially pleased with how engaged Ron became in the classes. I think for a man it is sometimes harder to feel involved and it really "drew him in" to the whole process of pregnancy, birthing and parenting, made it feel more real for him. " Lynda Hansen
"Participating in the Childbirth Preparation Classes gave me and my husband an understanding of the process of birth and pregnancy and enabled me to create and accept the support that was available to us. All this gave me the strength and courage to endure a very long labour with my first son and still have a natural
birth." Leanne Savoury.
"When
I was facing giving birth for the first time, it felt
like I was facing a black abyss, I couldn't imagine
any part of it, giving birth or who I would be after I
had given birth.
I had an
amazing experiencing birthing my twin boys and
immediately afterwards felt a rightness with the
world. I feel lucky that during the birth of my
babies, I found my authority, I knew what I needed and
what I didn't need, I stood up for myself when I
needed to, I went past the point of impossibility, and
through the pain and I did it! I was awed.
Afterwards,
I felt like I had finally become a woman, at 34 years
old. To me this is the rite of passage of birth. My
vision and dream for these birth classes is to help
ignite the knowing, the passion, the authority and the
courage that giving birth can bring to a woman."
" The classes were fantastic, very informative and so very considerate of each individuals circumstance. I believe this class was absolutely essential for our lives and has provided a brigther future for our child. I particularly enjoyed the support and confidence given as well as the relaxed educational atmosphere.
Thank you so much my partner our child and I are so blessed and grateful of your class. "
"
