Birthways offers a number of options for your preparation for pregnancy and childbirth. Early Prenatal Consultation Childbirth Preparation: Group Classes Private In-home Childbirth Preparation Classes Childbirth Preparation for the Lesbian Family CHOICES FOR PRENATAL EDUCATION EARLY PRENATAL CONSULTATION Pregnancy brings with it many decisions: Who should I choose to see for prenatal and delivery care? What changes should I make in my diet? Will I choose a doctor or midwife, hospital or home birth? Which prenatal tests should I get? What should I read? How should I proceed with exercise? Will I need to alter my plans for work or travel during pregnancy? Lots of information is available on these topics, online, in hundreds of advice books, and in the form of advice from friends and family. Your doctor or midwife can help with some of these questions, but frequently, there just isnÕt enough time in the appointment to fully explore the information you need to make decisions or your unique feelings and concerns. Then things really get confusing when you learn that the ÔexpertsÕ donÕt agree! It is certainly overwhelming to find your way through it all to make the best choices for you and your baby. I have found through my years as a childbirth educator and doula, that this process of education and preparation is a very individual process and that families need more information sooner than they typically get when they take their childbirth preparation classes towards the end of pregnancy. I found myself teaching about prenatal care to those who were nearly done with pregnancy, wishing they had a better understanding from the beginning. Many families discover as the birth approaches, that they chose a provider for their care that isnÕt the best match for them, wishing that they had asked their doctor more questions sooner. In response to these prenatal education needs, I offer individual consultation sessions. In these private sessions, families can discuss their concerns and request any number of specific topics to be addressed in a personalized curriculum. I can make recommendations for reading lists, classes and resources in the community, and bring videos and other visual aids to help you understand the journey of pregnancy in a more complete way. As I come to learn about you and your priorities, I can help you sort the information that youÕve been wading through and help you to obtain all the facts to help you with your decisions. Because I work with dozens of practices in the Chicago area, I have firsthand experience with doctors and midwives and can make some recommendations for providers that you might be interested in and I have materials that can help guide you with interviewing potential doctors or midwives. GROUP CLASSES Preparing for the birth of your child is an important part of pregnancy. Birthways offers childbirth classes that provide accurate and thorough information about what to expect from prenatal care, the labor process, the hospital or home environment, and from your relationship with your care providers. With a focus on active participation with your doctors and midwives, the classes help you make informed decisions and come to a place of deeper trust of the birth process. What about comfort? The classes will offer a variety of comfort measures that are actually used during labor not just practiced during classes! The classes are taught by experienced doulas/midwives that have attended hundreds of births and can share their wisdom regarding natural methods of pain management and supporting the normal progress of labor. We donÕt teach ÔcoachingÕ, which means that partners have a responsibility to be supportive and loving during the birth but donÕt need to play a scripted role. Rather, partners and support persons learn how to be with a woman in labor, providing comfort measures, but following her cues and supporting her instinctual approaches to labor. This woman-centered model alleviates concern that many partners have about childbirth classes being a pass/fail experience! The model also addresses the fact that each birthing family is unique and will find comfort strategies that meet their individual needs. Class Content The eight week group class provides an opportunity to meet other expectant families and make connections that can lead to wonderful friendships as you experience early parenthood together. But there is a lot of information to cover: Understanding Prenatal Care and Preventative Health for Pregnancy An Overview of the Stages of Labor Recognizing Patterns of Labor Pushing: The Second Stage of Labor Comfort Measures for the Stages of Labor Understanding ÔNormalÕ/Understanding Complications Working with Your Doctor or Midwife: Advocacy Issues and Birth Plans The Fourth Trimester: What to Expect From the First Weeks Breastfeeding and Newborn Care Teaching Tools Videos, hands-on demonstrations, lecture and discussion are geared towards making everyone comfortable and allowing for questions. Scheduling the Classes Classes are ongoing. Call for the current schedule. PRIVATE CHILDBIRTH PREPARATION Joining other families in the ritual of childbirth classes can be an opportunity to meet other expectant families and to discuss the questions, concerns and experiences that you share. When it is difficult to attend group classes due to pregnancy bedrest, scheduling conflicts or simply if you prefer the privacy of one-on-one classes, in-home private classes are available and can be scheduled to meet your needs. Class Content In a private class, a curriculum will be offered that considers your specific interests and concerns and includes ample time to discuss your questions. A basic format will be suggested, but you will be encouraged to request your own agenda at each session. The topics covered include: Understanding Prenatal Care and Preventative Health for Pregnancy An Overview of the Stages of Labor Recognizing Patterns of Labor Pushing: The Second Stage of Labor Comfort Measures for the Stages of Labor Understanding ÔNormalÕ/Understanding Complications Working with Your Doctor or Midwife: Advocacy Issues and Birth Plans The Fourth Trimester: What to Expect From the First Weeks Breastfeeding and Newborn Care Scheduling the Classes Classes can be scheduled to meet in advance with the educator. Evenings or weekends are available. Most families can complete their childbirth preparation in three or four two-hour sessions. Call Birthways for more information. Teaching Tools The educator will bring a variety of materials to your home in order to aid your education process. Please have a VCR available for the sessions, as videos will be an important tool for learning about the stages of labor and comfort measures. If you have any specific topics that you would like covered, please let the educator know in advance of the session so that appropriate materials or articles can be provided to you. You are also welcome to visit Birthways outside of your sessions to utilize our library and resource center, at no extra charge. CHILDBIRTH PREPARATION FOR THE LESBIAN FAMILY Truly family-friendly Are you seeking resources for pregnancy, childbirth, & parenting that affirm your journey as a lesbian mother or couple? Are you working towards becoming an educated consumer of maternity care, learning about the range of options that are available to you and obtaining strategies for getting your needs met? Are you hoping to reduce any fears that you might have about giving birth or supporting your partner throughout childbirth? TRUST Are you looking to learn comfort measures for childbirth that reduce complications and allow for birth to be joyful, empowering, and safe? Are you interested in learning about breastfeeding and breastfeeding options for co-parents? Are you hoping to find a method of childbirth preparation that is not husband coached? Do you want to share this incredible experience with other lesbians who are also expecting a child and participate in classes where your specific needs as a single lesbian or lesbian couple are addressed? Class Content The 8 week series is a complete childbirth preparation course, catered to our unique needs as lesbian families. Topics covered will include: Understanding Prenatal Care and Preventative Health for Pregnancy An Overview of the Stages of Labor Recognizing Patterns of Labor Pushing: The Second Stage of Labor Comfort Measures for the Stages of Labor Understanding ÔNormalÕ/Understanding Complications Pitocin and Other Interventions Working with Your Doctor or Midwife: Advocacy Issues and Birth Plans Lesbian Motherhood: Legal Considerations and Co-parent Adoption The Fourth Trimester: What to Expect From the First Weeks of Motherhood Breastfeeding and Co-parent Nursing Newborn Loving Care: Understanding and Caring for Your Baby Schedule Classes are ongoing. Call for dates.