Childbirth Education Classes


Foundations of Pregnancy 
Learn the tips you need to promote a healthy pregnancy and help prepare you for birth. Perfect for families in the 1st or 2nd trimester! Learn what to eat, what to avoid, movements and exercises for pregnancy, how to protect your pelvic floor health, and your options in health care and support during pregnancy and postpartum.

Foundations of Birth 
This class discusses what to expect during labor, birth, and immediate postpartum. Topics include how a baby is born, anatomy of the pelvis, all about labor, birth plans, complications, variations of labor, interventions, your options for birth and labor support.

Labor Prep 
Learn and practice a variety of practical tools for labor. Breathing and relaxation techniques, positions to ease discomfort, techniques to best support the laboring mother, coping strategies for labor partners, how to time contractions, and more.

New Beginnings 
In this class, we cover all things that you may experience as a new parent to a precious new babe. You’ll leave the class with a variety of tools and an understanding of what to expect and how to handle it. You'll feel empowered to take on your new role with confidence.

Belly Binding 
Traditional Bengkung Belly Binding is an ancient Malaysian tradition that wraps the mothers hips and abdomen for physical support of the pelvis and abdomen. It brings healing and support for the postpartum woman. This is appropriate anytime postpartum. The best time is within the first 40 days postpartum.
I have adapted this traditional binding method to include a mini massage treatment using trauma healing techniques for physical and emotional healing as well as herb infused oils for a restorative abdominal massage before wrapping. 
This is a one time service - I provide the wrap and I teach you one way to wrap in person and share video content to additional ways to wrap. 

Placenta Encapsulation 
The Placenta is an amazing organ that nourishes the baby in the womb and can also nourish the mother postpartum. Some benefits of consuming your placenta postpartum include: Lessen the risk of postpartum hemorrhage, replenish iron, balance out hormone levels, provide natural pain relief from the labor and birth process. We use a Traditional Chinese inspired Method of encapsulating - using steam and warming herbs to promote healing and nourishment to the postpartum mother. The ideal timeline to encapsulate placenta is within the first three days in order to retain the most benefits. However, if the placenta is frozen within 24 hours after birth, it can be encapsulated 2-4 weeks postpartum. We prefer to pick up your placenta within 3 hours after birth and return the finished product to you within 48 hours.



Bodywork


Pregnancy Massage 
Pregnancy is the best time to get a massage. It will help you relax and better prepare for labor and birth. Studies show that mothers who receive massage throughout pregnancy have decreased stress, fewer prenatal complications, reduced labor time, improved immune system functions, increased oxytocin production, and improved fetal health.
Massage during any trimester is beneficial and can even reduce nausea, blood pressure, and normal pregnancy growing pains. 

Labor Prep Massage 
This is a massage to help your body prepare for labor. We use multiple modalities including Swedish Massage, Shiatsu Acupressure, and Stretching to aid in body balancing and emotional and physical release. This encourages optimal fetal positioning and whole body balancing.
This is appropriate for the third trimester of pregnancy only.

On-Call Labor Massage 
Want massage support during labor? Massage and Acupressure can help reduce pain and encourage uterine stimulation. It’s a good opportunity for your birth partner(s) to learn how to help you balance the body to encourage optimal fetal position, counter pressure and various labor positions to better support you during labor. 
This is a two hour session at your preferred location during the early or active phase of labor. 

Postpartum Massage
Massage after birth can facilitate emotional and physical healing. It helps reconnect the mind and body, allowing for relaxation from the stresses of modern day mothering. The techniques used are appropriate for mothers anytime postpartum. If mom had a cesarean birth, it is best to wait 4-6 weeks postpartum to allow the body to heal from surgery. During this massage treatment, we use herbs and heat to warm the abdomen and wrap the mother in a cocoon to close or seal the emotional, spiritual, and physical gateways opened by birth. This helps replenish energy and vitality.

Postpartum Ayurvedic Massage (Abhyanga) 
This massage treatment uses warm herbal oils to bring healing and nourishment to mind, body, and soul.

Infant Massage
Discover how massage can help sensory integration, sleep, and digestion. Learn techniques that help you support the baby’s immune system and treat common health issues (such as cough, cold, and constipation).