An Insider's Look at a Birthing From Within Childbirth Class
Many people, both expectant parents and birth professionals, contact us ,wondering what makes a BFW class unique. They ask, "What do your classes actually look like?" So I thought I'd write a bit about how our Mentors teach, and share an overview of the structure and content of a typical BFW six-week childbirth class series. Most women who take our classes are pregnant for the first time and bring a partner with them (husband, doula, mother, friend, etc). Because we emphasize learning about birth from four perspectives (mother, partner, baby and culture), it is enjoyable and very helpful for the birth partner to come to class.
When parents enter the room, they may find themselves sitting on the floor on comfy cushions, with candles or soft music. Their Mentor may serve them tea. They may notice tiger sculptures, small fairies, art supplies, or bowls of ice-cubes around the edge of the room. Perhaps there is a labyrinth or other birth art hanging on the wall. Parents get comfortable, introduce themselves, and get ready for an interesting and fun learning experience!
The first class often starts off with a bang! A touch of Labor Theater, perhaps?The Mentor often re-enacts a "transition contraction" to stimulate questions and get right to the nitty-gritty of birth. Parents share their beliefs and expectations about what labor might feel like, and how they think they might react to these sensations and emotions. Parents may even meet the "Birth Fairy," who reminds us to be present to the process of birth, not only the outcome.
At this point, parents have had a bit of a wake-up call. They are motivated to learn some more ways of coping with labor. Next up: "Breath Awareness," which is a mindfulness practice to deepen focus and enhance endurance. As parents learn and practice, their confidence increases. Another surprise: the Mentor passes out ice cubes! During an "ice-contraction" (parents hold the ice in their hand for one minute)--to discover how their ability to cope is affected by an unpleasant physical sensation. Next up, birth partners practice supporting the mother-to-be while she holds the ice. Music, movement, touch-relaxation, back massage, and/or encouraging words all get a test-drive; then moms gives feedback, so partners can hone their skills before "game day." Learning and using a different mindfulness practice is something that happens in class in the series, so parents finish the series not with just "tools," but rather with a strong "pain-coping mindset."
It just wouldn't be a Birthing From Within class without making art! After a break for tea and cookies, parents return to their places, and discover large pieces of white drawing paper and a boxes of colorful chalk pastels. The Mentor draws a Laborinth what parents can do as labor unfolds. Time is spent adding symbols or more colors to their labyrinths, so that when they leave class, they have a powerful, personal image of their upcoming birth journey. These drawings often make their way into the labor bag and onto the birthing room walls. on a board, and shows parents how to draw one too. She may share some history of labyrinths, and how this relates to the journey through labor and postpartum. Parents learn about the stages of labor, and what kinds of physical and emotional changes they may experience during birth. A discussion of practical birth information and group sharing follows, with a focus on
As class winds down for the evening, the Mentor may offer a closing poem, story, or visualization. Parents have gained a better understanding of what birth will be like, and what they can do to make it a positive and profound experience. They leave with a closer connection to their partner and baby and a sense of excitement and empowerment about their upcoming births.
Virginia Bobro is mother to three children, and is a Certified Birthing From Within Mentor and Doula who lives and works in Santa Barbara. She is also a Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), who supports mothers, both practically and emotionally, through difficult breastfeeding situations. In her fifteen years of work with pregnant and new mothers, she has listened to many women's stories of difficult births and challenging transitions to parenting. Her passion is to help women come to understand their experiences and themselves in new ways.
Virginia Bobro is mother to three children, and is a Certified Birthing From Within Mentor and Doula who lives and works in Santa Barbara. She is also a Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), who supports mothers, both practically and emotionally, through difficult breastfeeding situations. In her fifteen years of work with pregnant and new mothers, she has listened to many women's stories of difficult births and challenging transitions to parenting. Her passion is to help women come to understand their experiences and themselves in new ways.
