Loving Arms Childbirth Classes (and Refresher Classes)
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 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 breastfeeding, the 7th is about postpartum and the last class is review material and a brief blessingway.
Please email info@lovingarmschildbirthservices.com if you have more questions.
During our eight week long class series, we cover all topics pertaining to childbirth education (process of labor to newborn care) but an important difference between our classes and others, isthe 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 will be able to understand the vast array of options and interventions available to birthing women.
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 breastfeeding and another to newborn care 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 as doulas have seen really work for laboring moms. We’ve been doulas and educators for 16 years and have attended many births, so over the years we have used and discarded various approaches and continue to evolve as we go.
The class hits a sweet balance between “All hospitals are evil!” and “All home births are dangerous!” in that it encourages laboring with minimal intervention but isn’t afraid of science. You walk away feeling thoroughly educated in your options – and when you’re facing a process you can’t control, education is your best tool.
The fee for the course is $385 per couple (sliding scale available) and the classes are held at the beautiful Pacifica Family Maternity Center, 3101 Telegraph Ave. (at Prince St.) in Berkeley.
NEW Class!! Life After Birth
How to survive (and thrive!) during the first year of parenthood.
You’ve made it through birth! Now what? This class gives you all the tools you need to transition to parenthood as gracefully as possible.
A few of the topics we will cover:
- Healing after vaginal birth and c-section
- Supporting and encouraging breastfeeding
- Coping with sleep deprivation
- Juggling newborn care with household routines
- Mobilizing your support network
- Adjusting to changing relationship dynamics
- Preparing to go back to work – or not!
Loving Arms Childbirth Services Refresher & VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) Childbirth Class
Four hour long interactive workshop taught by Certified Childbirth Instructors/ Doulas with a natural, holistic approach. The workshop emphasizes labor support techniques and tools for the mother 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 mother viewing the baby as she/he is born, skin to skin contact and breastfeeding in the OR
- Contributions of a birth team or doula
- Ways to make the experience as fulfilling and comfortable as possible
- Plans for breastfeeding 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:
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- Risks of both Cesarean and VBAC to mother and to baby
- Advantages of vaginal birth to mother 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 have the build your support system and develop strategies to maximize the chances of having a vaginal birth. Be empowered with education, practice and support!
For Doulas and Midwives and other interested Health Care Professionals
East Bay Lactation Associates offers a 4 hr. workshop on helping your clients with getting off to a good start with breastfeeding. Have you ever tried to help a mom with breastfeeding? Would you like to be more effective when helping mothers with breastfeeding? Do you know when to refer her for more help? Would you like to feel more confident in your ability to get mamas and babies off to the best start?
Topics include:
- Building a robust milk supply
- AAP guidelines regarding breastfeeding
- Getting mother and baby comfortably latched
- Breastfeeding rhythms
- Assessing how breastfeeding is going
- How to prevent/manage early challenges
- Knowing when to refer to a Lactation Consultant
- The doula’s role and how she can help.
Class Fee: $100
If you would like to sign up please visit eastbaylactationassociates.com/contact/ and click the “Classes” link under the “Book Online” header. Or, if you prefer, you may call us directly at (510) 525-1155.