Private Childbirth Education

Private Childbirth Preparation

Private classes are a preferred choice for some but also may be an important resource for those who are unable to attend group classes due to scheduling conflicts, pregnancy bedrest, or other needs.  We also offer specially designed birth preparation courses for:

• Mothers with multiple gestation
• Scheduled or likely cesarean births
• Surrogates and/or intended parents
• Anyone who would need a customized curriculum, privacy or personal attention

The Curriculum

Your private educator can cover topics customized to you.  Our foundation includes:

• Understanding Prenatal Care
• Stages of Labor
• Recognizing Labor Patterns
• Pushing: The Second Stage
• Comfort Measures for the Stages of Labor
• Understanding ‘Normal’ and Complications
• Working with Your Doctor or Midwife: Advocacy Issues and Birth Plans
• Breastfeeding and Newborn Care

Instructors for Private Classes

Heather McCullough, CPM

Heather brings to her teaching a warm and compassionate style in addition to a deep well of knowledge and evidence-based practice.  She had three years of pre-med before deciding that the midwifery path was more suited to her vision of supporting normal birth.  After graduating from Birthingway School of Midwifery in 1999 she worked as a CPM at Andaluz Waterbirth Center in Portland, Oregon and in homebirth private practice.  Heather has attended more than 300 births.  She has developed programming and materials for midwives to organize their practice, has trained and mentored doulas and other birth providers, and had founded a doula program in Oregon. Heather is a Birthways’ labor support and postpartum doula and lactation educator and has more than 15 years of experience teaching group and private childbirth classes.

Megan Trinter, CD, CPM

Megan is a very knowledgeable and experienced educator, doula, and midwife who is very versed in the Chicago area hospital and homebirth options.  She graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a B.S., in Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Children, Youth & Family Services.  Megan became a labor support and postpartum Birthways doula in 2003, where she went on to support hundreds of families and mentored and supported other doula providers as a Care Coordinator.   She has completed her Midwifery Degree from Midwest Maternal Child Institute and is a CPM who assists with home birth practices in the area.  Megan teaches group & private classes and refresher courses for families who have prior experience giving birth.  Clients appreciate her humor and clear teaching style.  She has three fabulous children, all born at home.

Become a Birthways family!

All Birthways families are welcome to contact our breastfeeding warmline, staffed by a board certified lactation consultant.  If you find you need additional breastfeeding help after the birth, please contact us!  We're happy to help you find a knowledgeable, supportive doula with special expertise in breastfeeding support.  You can also visit our breastfeeding help links to find online help. 

E-mail or call us today to learn more.