Birth Class Outline and Details

Class 1: Introduction and the basics
-the history of childbirth
-consumerism and healthcare
-addressing birth myths
-medical model of care vs. midwifery model of care
-choosing the best provider/birth team
-prenatal exercises
-working with Pain

Class 2: Nutrition-prenatal nutrition
-postpartum nutrition
-preventing toxemia and preeclampsia
-introduction to breastfeeding

Class 3: Intro to Coaching
-birth support
-Introduction to drugs in pregnancy and labor

Class 4: The stages of Labor (part 1)
-the anatomy of your growing belly
-how the body prepares for labor
-emotional signposts in labor
-the onset of labor, and first stage of labor-what is it?
-What is the body doing?
-what to expect?
-narcotics as labor drugs

Class 5: The Stages of Labor (part 2)
-presentation positions of baby
-the transitional stage
-what is it?
-what is the body doing?
-what to expect?
-second stage of labor
-what is it?
-what is the body doing?
-what to expect?
-third stage of labor
-what is it?
-What is the body doing?
-what to expect?

Class 6: Routine Interventions, and Dealing with the Unexpected
-setting the tone
-working with the hospital staff
-Informed Consent
-in case of emergency
-in case you deliver in the car or at home
-how baby is monitored
-common obstacles and how to manage them
-cesarean section
-episiotomy
-epidural

Class 7: Planning your birth
-sample birth plans and priorities exercise
-avoiding confrontation
-plans and flexibility
-packing your bag and preparing the car

Class 8: Perceptions on birthing
-Assumptions of:
-mom
-partner
-MD or OB
-your nurse
-midwives
-cultural perceptions of birth
-coping with fears and shifting perception
-the role of the coach
-the role of the doula

Class 9: Coping in First Stage Labor
-pre-labor physiology and expectations
-positions
-back labor
-relating pain with progress
-coping in transition
-communication with parents and birth team

Class 10: Coping in Second Stage Labor
-characteristics of second stage
-pushing positions
-breath control
-characteristics of third stage
-the initial postpartum period
-postpartum comfort and settling in

Class 11: The Postpartum Period and Breastfeeding
-colostrum and milk production
-common discomforts and remedies
-Do’s and Don’ts
-nursing positioning for mom and baby
-practice positions with weighted baby dolls

Class 12: Infant and Mother Care
-newborn procedures
-jaundice
-the ‘fourth trimester’
-why babies cry
-postpartum at home—mom and baby
-postpartum mood disorders
-practice soothing and swaddling babies
-babywearing instructions and demonstration (when guest speaker is available)
-infant massage demonstration (when guest speaker is available)