CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION CLASSES Childbirth education is an essential part of preparing for your pregnancy and birth. Below are some classes we recommend. Classes can fill up quickly so sign up early in pregnancy. Make sure that your class is specific to preparing for birth outside the hospital. Please let your midwife know if you choose to not take classes or are unable to get into a class. Big Belly Services pregnancy, birth and postpartum. With a http://bigbellyservices.com 206-725-7758 thorough understanding of the biomechanics, Carrie Kenner’s approach to childbirth is based on her psychology, and sexuality of birth, simple pregnancy belief that women are powerful beings who are often exercises, a healthy, whole foods diet, and deep transformed during pregnancy and birth and mothering. relaxation, you will learn how to work together as a team That transformation can be magnificent or stunted, to prepare for this transformational event. We will look depending on the support they are given and the belief at the state of childbirth practices in area hospitals and they have in themselves and their bodies… “My goal is birth centers, focusing on the concepts of evidence simply to facilitate women in the discovery of their own based medicine and informed consent. While an abilities, support them in determining and achieving the unmedicated vaginal birth is the ideal outcome, the goal type of experience they want, and stand witness as they of Northwest Natural Childbirth is a healthy mother and go through the process of becoming mothers. It is my healthy baby, regardless of how baby decides to make privilege as an Educator, doula, and counselor to its debut! Classes are 2.5 hours long in a 9 week series support women and their families and friends in that including postpartum care and breastfeeding basics.” process.” Sharon Muza, Lamaze Educator 206-465-1052 Birth Zone http://www.newmoonbirth.com/childbirth-education/ www.birthzone.com 425-868-4989 “I am a Seattle based Lamaze Certified Childbirth Liz Chalmers teaches childbirth classes in the Seattle Educator who believes that birth is a normal area, using her experience as a midwifery student and physiological process and that women are strong and mom. Birth zone classes emphasize the simplicity of the powerful. I encourage women to learn about their process and the power of your body to do the work. options and be an active participant in the decisions on “Whether you give birth--as most of you will--using only care for themselves and their baby. I also strongly your own resources, or whether you require some believe that women birth best in a place that they feel assistance along the way, I hope you will look back on safe, and that women should get to decide what that the birth of your baby with satisfaction and joy.” looks like. New Moon Birth classes are interactive and fun. My Seattle childbirth classes offer lots of hands on Great Starts practice, where you can find a community of families who www.greatstarts.org want to learn about birth and babies from the An independent, non profit community organization that perspective that birth is normal. I offer series classes in offers many different classes. They provide childbirth Seattle for first time parents that include childbirth education and early parenting classes to expectant/new education, breastfeeding, and newborn care, as well as parents in Seattle and the Puget Sound region. weekend intensives for those who need a more condensed version of the same material.” Penny Simkin/ Sandy Szalay http://www.pennysimkin.com/ 206-325-1419 Flourish - Mel Parsons, LM, Amanda Deardorff, CNM, Penny Simkin , PT, is a physical therapist who has Jen Laird specialized in childbirth education since 1968. She http://flourishinseattle.com/ estimates she has prepared over 9,500 women, couples, “Our classes will equip you to approach your last days of and siblings for childbirth. She has assisted hundreds of pregnancy, birth, and the precious newborn period with women or couples through childbirth as a doula. She is the skills and confidence you need, using a blend of the author of many books on birth for both parents and hands-on activities. Topics include: Anatomy and professionals. Sandy Szalay is a birth doula, birth and physiology of labor and birth – Knowledge helps postpartum doula trainer, childbirth educator and nurse eliminate fear and instills confidence. Comfort measures practitioner. – What works for you? The 3 R’s – rhythm, ritual, rest - reducing labor pain. Am I in labor? Stages of labor and Betsy Hoffmeister comfort measures, warning signs. Birth options, birth http://www.betsysbabyservices.com/ 206-353-9334 plans, and preparing for the unexpected in labor. The “Northwest Natural Childbirth is a new childbirth class 3rd trimester- nutrition, exercise, and nesting. Newborn series, born out of my seven years experience teaching traits and breast feeding – what to expect postpartum, the Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth®. Northwest the transition to parenthood. Natural Childbirth emphasizes the role of the mother’s partner of choice as the primary support person during Eastside Natural Medicine Dr. Sunita Iyer ND, LM .