we tap into years of experience and knowledge to bring birthing families a prenatal class that will shift the way they approach birth and parenthood.
a powerful birth is one that centres
the family above all else.
Your Body, Your Baby, Your Birth, Your Choice.
Join us in the way that works best for you
We know different people learn best in different ways.
Because of this, we offer in person group, online group or private sessions to make sure there is something for everybody.
Because of this, we offer in person group, online group or private sessions to make sure there is something for everybody.
check out our bonus classes
What to expect- focus on your right to informed choice - find out how to powerfully communicate your needs and values with your care team - have your mind blown with what is possible for your birth and postpartum - some serious myth bustin' - a deep dive into connecting with your intuition - a whole lot of fun |
The modules |
PHYSIOLOGIC BIRTH
- the hormones of birth
- the stages of birth
- choice of birth location
- building your birth team
INFORMED CHOICE + COMMON INTERVENTIONS IN PREGNANCY + BIRTH 1ST STAGE
- What is informed choice? And how to ask questions to get the answers you need.
- Common testing and procedures offered in pregnancy
- Birth Interventions
COMMON INTERVENTIONS -
2ND + 3RD STAGE + POSTPARTUM
- Pushing
- Placenta Delivery + Cord Clamping
- Birth in the OR
- Newborn Procedures
- The first few days after birth
BIRTH PLANNING + CONNECTING WITH YOUR INTUITION
- Connecting to your intuition and birth wisdom
- What happens when things don't go as planned
- Setting intentions for your birth
COMFORT IN BIRTH AND THE PARTNER'S ESSENTIAL ROLE
- not just for intimate partners. You can invite your doula or anyone else who is part of your birth team.
- comfort for birth
- the important role of the birth partner through the different stages
POWERFUL POSTPARTUM
- The first week and what to expect for baby
- What to expect for yourself
- The importance of rest
- How to get breastfeeding off to a good start
- Caring for Self
- Creating a Postpartum Plan
OTHER TOPICS THAT MAY BE COVERED DEPENDING ON CLASS NEEDs:
- VBAC
- Birth after loss
- Gestational Diabetes
- Advanced Maternal Age
- High Risk
- Twin Birth
- High BMI
- Induction
- Free/ Unassisted Birth
"The class was amazing and we learned so much from both of them - they were the perfect compliment to one another and both brought a unique view and background that offered an engaging dialogue around the birth journey as well as lots of great resources to share with us.
We were educated on all the stages of labour, the various interventions and options we could be offered, the risks and benefits of these options, and most importantly, our bodies natural wisdom and responses to birth that give us all the tools we need to bring our babies into the world. this class was a well rounded education on all birth scenarios."
- jessica
FAQs
Do I need to be planning a certain type of birth to take this class?
No. This class is not specific to any type of birth. Whether you are planning to birth at home or in hospital, go unmedicated or fully medicated, low intervention or high intervention, or even a cesarean birth - this class is still for you. While it is suitable for any kind of birth, the emphasis is on informed choice and having a birth that you feel powerful in.
Why should we take prenatal classes with you?
We know that you have a lot of choice in who to take prenatal classes from and that is great. Something you do want to consider is what the background of the person you are learning from is. While it may sound like a good idea to learn from a labour and delivery nurse for example, it is important to look at what type of births they typically attended and what kind of information they have.
As experienced doulas, our team of educators have been to pretty much every kind of birth there is. We can pull knowledge from our experiences at high intervention births and completely hands off births. Our knowledge base is broad and this means we can easily adapt the information to suit the class needs.
Beyond that, we do not work for any hospitals or need to work under any policies or procedures. This gives us the freedom to share options and information in which others are simply not allowed to tell you. We teach you how to explore the system that we are experts at navigating.
As experienced doulas, our team of educators have been to pretty much every kind of birth there is. We can pull knowledge from our experiences at high intervention births and completely hands off births. Our knowledge base is broad and this means we can easily adapt the information to suit the class needs.
Beyond that, we do not work for any hospitals or need to work under any policies or procedures. This gives us the freedom to share options and information in which others are simply not allowed to tell you. We teach you how to explore the system that we are experts at navigating.
Do you offer prenatal in a day?
No. After years of intimately working with birthing families, we know these things:
1. Four hours is not enough time to cover everything you need to know
2. Trying to shove all that information in such a short time frame will leave you overwhelmed and confused
3. Being able to take a break and sit with the information will lead to a better understanding of what makes sense for your unique need
1. Four hours is not enough time to cover everything you need to know
2. Trying to shove all that information in such a short time frame will leave you overwhelmed and confused
3. Being able to take a break and sit with the information will lead to a better understanding of what makes sense for your unique need
Why should I take a prenatal class at all?
We know you probably have read some birth books, you have joined a baby group, and already follow Bad Ass Mother Birther on Instagram and maybe you are already feeling information overload. We get it. There is almost too much information out there. One thing we really like to focus on is unlearning some of those lifelong stories that have built your perception of birth so that you can really tap in to what is important to you through this momentous journey.
So much of the information out there is just focused on fear and control of birthing parents. That is not what we are about. We want you to feel confident in your power and one of the ways to do this is by getting valuable information that will make a positive difference for your pregnancy, birth and postpartum.
Another aspect in the group classes that we love is the ability for you to find other like minded birthing families to connect with and share this journey.
So much of the information out there is just focused on fear and control of birthing parents. That is not what we are about. We want you to feel confident in your power and one of the ways to do this is by getting valuable information that will make a positive difference for your pregnancy, birth and postpartum.
Another aspect in the group classes that we love is the ability for you to find other like minded birthing families to connect with and share this journey.
Will my partner be able to be involved?
Our classes are designed for both the birthing person AND their chosen birth partner. You and your partner are a team, and it is important to do this class together. Every class will have important information for your partner to know PLUS we also included a special dedicated section that is totally focused on their role!
I already have a doula, do i need a prenatal class too?
Doulas are awesome resources for information - we know - we are doulas ourselves! But your prenatal appointments with your doulas shouldn't be a replacement for a prenatal class for a few reasons.
1. Most prenatal meetings with your doula is about 2 hours long and most doulas offer 2 prenatals - that means you only get 4 hours together. 4 hours does not begin to cover everything that our prenatal class can cover. You might be able to get the basics, but it is unlikely to be able to go over every topic that we do in the detail that we do.
2. It can feel overwhelming getting a flood of information all at once. This can often lead to that information not being properly downloaded into your brain.
3. Your doula needs time to get to know you! If you spend all your time together with your doula doing all the talking, that means there is no time for you to share about yourself, your needs and your desires. The doula-birthing family relationship is so special and a big part of what makes it so special is being able to get to know each other deeply.
4. We love doulas so much, we even invite them in some of our classes.
1. Most prenatal meetings with your doula is about 2 hours long and most doulas offer 2 prenatals - that means you only get 4 hours together. 4 hours does not begin to cover everything that our prenatal class can cover. You might be able to get the basics, but it is unlikely to be able to go over every topic that we do in the detail that we do.
2. It can feel overwhelming getting a flood of information all at once. This can often lead to that information not being properly downloaded into your brain.
3. Your doula needs time to get to know you! If you spend all your time together with your doula doing all the talking, that means there is no time for you to share about yourself, your needs and your desires. The doula-birthing family relationship is so special and a big part of what makes it so special is being able to get to know each other deeply.
4. We love doulas so much, we even invite them in some of our classes.
Won't my care providers tell me all the information i need to know?
While this would be ideal, and informed choice conversations should be happening, the truth is, it is actually harder to come by than you may think. There are many reasons why your care provider may not give you all the information that you need - lack of time, policy restrictions, preference to particular styles, not knowing. There's a saying - if you don't know your options then you don't have any. In other words, get informed yourself, then you will be better equipped to face whatever comes your way.
I just want to go with the flow, Will a prenatal class make a difference?
Look, we know that birth is unpredictable and we totally understand that pull to "go with the flow" but it is important to consider whose flow you are going with. Are you going with the real flow that you birth is supposed to go down, the flow of your body and your baby working together or are you going with the flow of your care providers preferences or the flow of the hospital policies? In order to go with the flow, it is vital to first get informed and to understand what matters most to you.
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My Powerful Birth welcomes all families.
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My Powerful Birth team is grateful to live, work and raise our children on the
unceded, ancestral lands of the Coast Salish and Sto:lo peoples.
unceded, ancestral lands of the Coast Salish and Sto:lo peoples.