Schools
Preparing for Birth: Prenatal Couples ~ One Day Birthing Class
This hands-on workshop will provide tools for use during the prenatal journey, birth day and beyond. This workshop will serve as a guide for the birth mama and her partner for creating a calm and naturally aware birth experience. You will walk away with a folder full of evidence-based research/articles and other birth related literature. Whether you are a first time mama or have experienced birth before, preparing for birth workshops meet you where you are. Non-judgmental of experiences or desires, we hope to provide you with knowledge and hands-on tools to assist you on your birth day! This class is suitable for all levels as well as the complete beginner. It's comparable to a weekend hospital class but also includes a mini yoga class, massage techniques, breathwork, as well as insight from experienced doulas. During this workshop, you will:
- Learn about the natural birth process and what to expect for your own labor & birth
- Try out useful laboring and birthing positions/poses that can help you relax and promote dilation
- Use guided questions to help facilitate couple communication as to what's personally important in the labor & birth experience
- Learn the tools essential to move you through your birth with a greater sense of ease and calm
- View different women and their coping techniques for labor and help explore the three R's
- Practice breathing techniques which facilitate deep relaxation, allowing for the release and flow of the laboring body's natural anesthesia
- Experience conscious relaxation which can allow for optimal dilation of the cervix
- Build partner trust as partners learn hands-on ways of supporting the laboring mom
- Understand common birth interventions and how they can affect normal birth
Tara Lussier: Tara is a recent new mother to girl/boy twins, Poet and Lyon. She is a registered yoga teacher, teaching vinyasa based classes since 2006 as well as prenatal yoga. She is doula trained through toLabor. Tara is currently the Chapter Director of Birth Matters VA-Northern Virginia. www.beginwithinbirth.com
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Mari Stutzman Smith: Mari is a certified doula through toLabor and mother to Maximilian. She has attended numerous births and offers holistic doula services to women and families in the Northern Virginia area. She is also a Birth Resource for Birth Matters Va-Northern Virginia and a member of La Leche League. www.celebratedbirth.com