THOUGHTFUL BIRTHING
Prepared, informed, supported, and safe birth is the goal of our independent Thoughtful Birthing childbirth classes.
All classes are taught by Sarah McCabe, a "retired" birth doula, and Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator.
After her early years of teaching and attending births, she has created a class that is moderate, personalized,
and which includes wisdom from many different childbirth education philosophies.
Thoughtful Birthing is not outcome-focused.
Our approach to birth preparation presents and normalizes the wide spectrum of experiences families may have.
Thoughtful Birthing isn't a rigid method, it's a toolbox — a toolbox of birth techniques that you won't find anywhere else,
from an independent instructor who works only for you.
All classes are taught by Sarah McCabe, a "retired" birth doula, and Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator.
After her early years of teaching and attending births, she has created a class that is moderate, personalized,
and which includes wisdom from many different childbirth education philosophies.
Thoughtful Birthing is not outcome-focused.
Our approach to birth preparation presents and normalizes the wide spectrum of experiences families may have.
Thoughtful Birthing isn't a rigid method, it's a toolbox — a toolbox of birth techniques that you won't find anywhere else,
from an independent instructor who works only for you.
THOUGHTFUL BIRTHING
A MODERN, EVIDENCE-BASED CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION CLASS
Our goal is to help you make thoughtful decisions regarding your birth and early parenting experiences.
Prepare for the birth YOU want!
This six-week comprehensive series is the complete package. Our discussion-based content provides the knowledge base that you need. We explore natural childbirth, helping you identify the "steps toward success", considering the importance of support and a peaceful environment on the birth process. We highlight the importance of a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy, and provide tools for achieving the healthiest pregnancy possible. We provide a breakdown of the stages and phases of labor, to help you understand the process and prepare for your experience. Comfort measures and an in-depth "labor rehearsal" round out this class. We help you navigate unexpected situations, identify preferences, and communicate with your birth team. Lastly, postpartum recovery, basic breastfeeding, well-baby care practices, and newborn needs are discussed in the final class of the series. Woven throughout the series are hands-on activities, strategies to respectfully advocate for yourself, and mindful pain-coping practices.
Location: Monterey Birth & Wellness Center
Fee: $300 per family
NO CLASSES ARE SCHEDULED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES.
Please register for one of our YOUR BIRTH EXPERIENCE classes.
Registration and payment must be completed one week prior to the start of class.
Classes require a minimum of three participants.
If we do not meet this minimum, families will be offered a private YBE class (additional fees may apply), or a full refund.
If you need financial assistance, please do not hesitate to ask. Payment arrangements are available.
* Weekly installment arrangements - $50 non-refundable deposit, with balance due in $50 per-class payments. *
Includes:
-Modern, evidence-based pregnancy, birth, and parent education booklets, with 128 pages of full-color content, containing the very best information, illustrations, and resources available.
-Eighteen hours of in-class instruction taught by a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator.
-Weekly emails with links to resources, research, or simply to check in.
-Personal availability for support from your instructor, who is experienced and engaged in the local birth community.
-Community building with other like-minded families.
-A class reunion after all the babies have been born.
Class One: Natural Childbirth-Finding Confidence and Support
For thousands of years, women have given birth by the power of their own bodies. Today, there are many different ways women experience the birth of their babies. Each woman should be aware of her options and be free to choose her goals for her birth experience. Some women know from the beginning that they absolutely desire a natural birth, while others are interested in some of the benefits of natural birth, but unsure of their ability to "do it". Natural birth is possible for most women, but there are things to do prior to and during birth that can make it an easier and more enjoyable experience. You don't have to be 100% committed to benefit from learning about natural birth. Parents wishing to have a natural childbirth benefit from finding supportive providers, and an environment that is peaceful and safe. This class will help you explore the factors that influence your experience and help you meet your goals.
Class Two: Prenatal Wellness-A Healthy Pregnancy
When you find out you are pregnant, you embark on an adventure that leads you into uncharted territory. Many expectant parents are not sure where to begin to sort through the abundance of information or choices to be made regarding pregnancy, birth, and parenting. A healthy lifestyle affects the health of baby, and can reduce the incidence of complications. Making healthy choices prenatally will help women stay low-risk, and avoid potential complications or interventions in pregnancy, labor, and beyond. This class will help you navigate the many topics that influence your pregnancy, and give you tools to achieve the healthiest start in life for your baby.
Class Three: The Birth Process-Guide to Labor and Birth
The end of pregnancy is a time of anticipation and acceptance. A woman's body goes through tremendous change as the baby grows, and now her body is preparing for the final act: labor. Understanding the birth process will help parents face this process more calmly, and ease anxiety and fears. This class will give you a solid foundation for your prenatal education, and give you more confidence and reassurance as you learn what to expect during labor and birth. You will learn to recognize the signs of labor, understand the physical and hormonal changes that occur during labor and birth, and appreciate how the mother and baby work together during the process.
Class Four: Finding Comfort-Managing Labor and Birth
During the birth process, a woman in labor will have a number of options at each stage to make herself more comfortable, and/or to ease her discomfort. Every woman who labors can benefit from techniques to make her more comfortable. A woman who has identified her most useful comfort tools will likely have a far easier time utilizing and benefiting from them during labor. A woman should understand her medical options for pain relief far in advance of her labor, in order to make a more informed decision. This class will help you examine your preferences, brainstorm ideas, and explore your many options for comfort during labor. Topics include: relaxation in first stage labor, massage for labor, breathing practice, water for labor and birth, visualizations and affirmations, position practice with techniques, and medical options.
Class Five: Variations and Interventions-Making Thoughtful Decisions
When considering your options and goals in childbirth, it is important to understand the difference between a benign variation of "normal", and a genuine complication or emergency requiring medical intervention. When striving for a natural birth, it is important to understand when interventions are necessary for a medical reason, or when they are part of routine care. It is also important to understand the evidence that supports or contradicts the use of interventions. Interventions (especially when done unnecessarily) can result in a snowball effect, with one leading to more. Parents benefit from having a better understanding of the interaction between their potential decision-making topics and the birth process. Parents wishing to have a natural birth benefit from an education in routine interventions, their choices/options, and communication skills. This class will provide you with information about many of the normal variations parents may encounter during labor and birth, and the most commonly used interventions. This information can help parents feel empowered, ensure their wishes and goals are respected, and bring them a sense of peace and satisfaction with the birth experience.
Class Six: Following the Birth-Recovery, Newborn, and Breastfeeding Basics
The postpartum period - the six weeks immediately following birth - can be emotionally and physically challenging for a new mother. The demands of the baby and the necessity for her own rest and healing can be overwhelming. Additionally, there are many decisions to be made and information to learn about breastfeeding, newborn care, and behavior. It is important that a new mother, and those supporting her, pay special attention to the mother's needs and assist with newborn care as much as possible. A mother may become overly tired, poorly nourished, and/or emotionally drained. This, in turn, may impact her ability to breastfeed and care for her baby, and affect her own healing. Every mother deserves support, respect, and understanding during the postpartum period. Parents who are well-informed about this delicate time will be prepared for the challenges they may face. As in all other areas of pregnancy and birth, parents should also be made aware of the various choices and options available to them during this time. This class explores ways in which you can prepare for the healing that follows the birth, make a smooth adjustment to caring for a newborn, and make this time as low-stress as possible.
SPACE IS LIMITED. REGISTER EARLY!
A MODERN, EVIDENCE-BASED CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION CLASS
Our goal is to help you make thoughtful decisions regarding your birth and early parenting experiences.
Prepare for the birth YOU want!
This six-week comprehensive series is the complete package. Our discussion-based content provides the knowledge base that you need. We explore natural childbirth, helping you identify the "steps toward success", considering the importance of support and a peaceful environment on the birth process. We highlight the importance of a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy, and provide tools for achieving the healthiest pregnancy possible. We provide a breakdown of the stages and phases of labor, to help you understand the process and prepare for your experience. Comfort measures and an in-depth "labor rehearsal" round out this class. We help you navigate unexpected situations, identify preferences, and communicate with your birth team. Lastly, postpartum recovery, basic breastfeeding, well-baby care practices, and newborn needs are discussed in the final class of the series. Woven throughout the series are hands-on activities, strategies to respectfully advocate for yourself, and mindful pain-coping practices.
Location: Monterey Birth & Wellness Center
Fee: $300 per family
NO CLASSES ARE SCHEDULED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES.
Please register for one of our YOUR BIRTH EXPERIENCE classes.
Registration and payment must be completed one week prior to the start of class.
Classes require a minimum of three participants.
If we do not meet this minimum, families will be offered a private YBE class (additional fees may apply), or a full refund.
If you need financial assistance, please do not hesitate to ask. Payment arrangements are available.
* Weekly installment arrangements - $50 non-refundable deposit, with balance due in $50 per-class payments. *
Includes:
-Modern, evidence-based pregnancy, birth, and parent education booklets, with 128 pages of full-color content, containing the very best information, illustrations, and resources available.
-Eighteen hours of in-class instruction taught by a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator.
-Weekly emails with links to resources, research, or simply to check in.
-Personal availability for support from your instructor, who is experienced and engaged in the local birth community.
-Community building with other like-minded families.
-A class reunion after all the babies have been born.
Class One: Natural Childbirth-Finding Confidence and Support
For thousands of years, women have given birth by the power of their own bodies. Today, there are many different ways women experience the birth of their babies. Each woman should be aware of her options and be free to choose her goals for her birth experience. Some women know from the beginning that they absolutely desire a natural birth, while others are interested in some of the benefits of natural birth, but unsure of their ability to "do it". Natural birth is possible for most women, but there are things to do prior to and during birth that can make it an easier and more enjoyable experience. You don't have to be 100% committed to benefit from learning about natural birth. Parents wishing to have a natural childbirth benefit from finding supportive providers, and an environment that is peaceful and safe. This class will help you explore the factors that influence your experience and help you meet your goals.
Class Two: Prenatal Wellness-A Healthy Pregnancy
When you find out you are pregnant, you embark on an adventure that leads you into uncharted territory. Many expectant parents are not sure where to begin to sort through the abundance of information or choices to be made regarding pregnancy, birth, and parenting. A healthy lifestyle affects the health of baby, and can reduce the incidence of complications. Making healthy choices prenatally will help women stay low-risk, and avoid potential complications or interventions in pregnancy, labor, and beyond. This class will help you navigate the many topics that influence your pregnancy, and give you tools to achieve the healthiest start in life for your baby.
Class Three: The Birth Process-Guide to Labor and Birth
The end of pregnancy is a time of anticipation and acceptance. A woman's body goes through tremendous change as the baby grows, and now her body is preparing for the final act: labor. Understanding the birth process will help parents face this process more calmly, and ease anxiety and fears. This class will give you a solid foundation for your prenatal education, and give you more confidence and reassurance as you learn what to expect during labor and birth. You will learn to recognize the signs of labor, understand the physical and hormonal changes that occur during labor and birth, and appreciate how the mother and baby work together during the process.
Class Four: Finding Comfort-Managing Labor and Birth
During the birth process, a woman in labor will have a number of options at each stage to make herself more comfortable, and/or to ease her discomfort. Every woman who labors can benefit from techniques to make her more comfortable. A woman who has identified her most useful comfort tools will likely have a far easier time utilizing and benefiting from them during labor. A woman should understand her medical options for pain relief far in advance of her labor, in order to make a more informed decision. This class will help you examine your preferences, brainstorm ideas, and explore your many options for comfort during labor. Topics include: relaxation in first stage labor, massage for labor, breathing practice, water for labor and birth, visualizations and affirmations, position practice with techniques, and medical options.
Class Five: Variations and Interventions-Making Thoughtful Decisions
When considering your options and goals in childbirth, it is important to understand the difference between a benign variation of "normal", and a genuine complication or emergency requiring medical intervention. When striving for a natural birth, it is important to understand when interventions are necessary for a medical reason, or when they are part of routine care. It is also important to understand the evidence that supports or contradicts the use of interventions. Interventions (especially when done unnecessarily) can result in a snowball effect, with one leading to more. Parents benefit from having a better understanding of the interaction between their potential decision-making topics and the birth process. Parents wishing to have a natural birth benefit from an education in routine interventions, their choices/options, and communication skills. This class will provide you with information about many of the normal variations parents may encounter during labor and birth, and the most commonly used interventions. This information can help parents feel empowered, ensure their wishes and goals are respected, and bring them a sense of peace and satisfaction with the birth experience.
Class Six: Following the Birth-Recovery, Newborn, and Breastfeeding Basics
The postpartum period - the six weeks immediately following birth - can be emotionally and physically challenging for a new mother. The demands of the baby and the necessity for her own rest and healing can be overwhelming. Additionally, there are many decisions to be made and information to learn about breastfeeding, newborn care, and behavior. It is important that a new mother, and those supporting her, pay special attention to the mother's needs and assist with newborn care as much as possible. A mother may become overly tired, poorly nourished, and/or emotionally drained. This, in turn, may impact her ability to breastfeed and care for her baby, and affect her own healing. Every mother deserves support, respect, and understanding during the postpartum period. Parents who are well-informed about this delicate time will be prepared for the challenges they may face. As in all other areas of pregnancy and birth, parents should also be made aware of the various choices and options available to them during this time. This class explores ways in which you can prepare for the healing that follows the birth, make a smooth adjustment to caring for a newborn, and make this time as low-stress as possible.
SPACE IS LIMITED. REGISTER EARLY!