Classes We Offer
Loving Arms Childbirth Classes (and Refresher Classes)
Class Descriptions
We recommend that you take a class that ends anywhere between one week and 4 weeks before your due date.
We have classes on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights.
Occasionally someone is due BEFORE the class ends but it often works out because many moms are overdue. The first five classes prepare you for labor and delivery, the 6th is breast/chestfeeding, the 7th is about postpartum and the last class is review material and a brief Birth Blessing.
Please email info@lovingarmschildbirthservices.com if you have more questions.
Childbirth Preparation Series
During our eight week long class series, we cover all topics pertaining to childbirth education (process of labor to postpartum realities) but an important difference between our classes and others, is the devotion to and time spent on labor support techniques. In every class we practice breathing, sounding, positions, massage & counter-pressure techniques, relaxation, visualization, verbal support, use of rebozos, acupressure, & more.
We prepare you to give birth in a hospital, birth center or at home. You will have a deeper understanding of the value of a birth team, the role of the doula, how family members can participate, how to choose medication wisely when appropriate and you will be able to understand the vast array of options and interventions available to birthing people.
We encourage each class of eight or fewer couples to get to know one another so that after the babies are born an instant support group is already born as well!
One entire class is devoted to breast/chestfeeding and another to newborn behavior and the emotions and realities of the postpartum period.
As compared to other classes Loving Arms offers 20 hours of class time plus a reunion with all the babies when they’ve arrived. Our classes are small and the comfortable living-room style setting is personal, intimate, and conducive to open learning and growth. Each parent receives as much individual attention and continued support as they need.
Our approach is “eclectic” in that we use techniques from various “methods” (Bradley, Birthing from Within, Lamaze, etc.) that we have seen really work for laboring people. We are Doulas, Midwives and Educators and have attended many births, so over the years we have used and discarded various approaches and continue to evolve as we go.
The fee for the course is $410 per couple (sliding scale available) and the classes are held at the the offices of East Bay Lactation Associates in Emeryville.
Refresher Childbirth Class
Four hour long interactive workshop with a natural, holistic approach. The workshop emphasizes labor support techniques and tools for the birthing person and birth team.
Topics include:
- ‘De-briefing’ the first labor/birth
- Goals for the second (or third) birth
- Overview of birth process the 2nd/3rd time
- Breath work/sounding/staying in the moment
- Massage, visualizations, rebozos, positions, & more
- How pushing is different the second time
- Role of support team
- Wise use of medications
- Plans for older children during and after birth
- Practice Practice Practice!
- VBAC guidelines and information
Planned Cesarean Class
This workshop is for families anticipating a planned cesarean birth. Explore your feelings and learn how a cesarean birth can be a joyful birth experience! If you have discovered that your baby is breech or there are placenta problems or other reasons necessitating an unexpected cesarean delivery please call us even at the last minute so we can help you prepare.
Topics include:
- Your concerns and fears
- Suggestions for transitioning into baby’s birth
- Protocols and procedures
- Options such as the parents viewing the baby as she/he is born, skin to skin contact and breast/chestfeeding in the OR
- Contributions of a birth team or doula
- Ways to make the experience as fulfilling and comfortable as possible
- Plans for breast/chestfeeding and postpartum recovery
- Simple stress reduction techniques for surgery preparation and for parenting
VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) Workshop
Our VBAC workshop is for pregnant couples who have had a cesarean birth and are considering a vaginal birth for the next baby. Explore your options in a safe, non-judgmental atmosphere with childbirth educators/doulas who are experienced at working with all kinds of birth experiences.
Topics include:
- Risks of both Cesarean and VBAC to birthing person and to baby
- Advantages of vaginal birth to birthing person and baby
- Feelings about both repeat cesarean and trial of labor
- Emotional hurdles
- Ways for birth team to provide positive reinforcement and support
Workshop includes a refresher childbirth prep class. We will learn and practice coping techniques for labor, discuss how to build your support system and develop strategies to maximize the chances of having a vaginal birth. Be empowered with education, practice and support!
Classes Offered By East Bay Lactation Associates For Professionals
For Doulas, Midwives and other interested Health Care Professionals
This workshop is for doulas and midwives who already understand the basics of supporting parents and babies, and are looking to deepen their understanding of the dynamics of breast/chestfeeding.
Topics include understanding newborn reflexes and their role in breast/chestfeeding, postural support, reading infant body language during breast/chestfeeding, building a robust milk supply, achieving comfortable latch, normal breast/chestfeeding rhythms, assessing how feeding is going, helping partners help, and knowing when to refer to a Lactation Consultant.
$175
Offered semi-annually, please contact us for more dates and times.
If you would like to sign up please visit eastbaylactationassociates.com. Or, if you prefer, you may call us directly at (510) 525-1155.
