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A Brave New World: Preparing for the Postpartum

As birth approaches, we tend to know much more about pregnancy and birth, than we do about what happens after our babies are born. Birth is a profound process, but it is also merely a doorway into a new world. What happens to mom’s body in the weeks and months after birth? How do our relationships change? How can we support ourselves and our partners/families through these changes? When and who do we call for help?

Spend an afternoon with your birth partner or family to engage in discussion and activities that can help you can make your adjustment into parenthood less stressful and more supportive of the new family. Simple but effective tools can help you know better what to expect, and create an effective support network in the 4-8 weeks after birth. Preparation and support can profoundly impact the mother and baby’s physical healing and adjustment, and the entire family’s emotional well-being during the precious and challenging postpartum time.

PLEASE NOTE: This class focuses on family care, but does not cover either newborn care or breastfeeding. We have additional workshops on these topics.

Below you will find a sample class meditation audio recording as well as a video about Choices In Birth that we encourage families to watch as early in pregnancy as possible. (This topic is explored in more depth in the Informed Choices workshop.

SYLLABUS

  • The Awareness Scan (birth meditation)
  • The Power of LOVE + SAFETY in Birth
    • Supporting the hormones of Labor
    • Understanding the role of birth support
  • Breath for Birth
    • Understanding Breath as a Superpower
    • Belly Breathing (exercise)
  • The Transforming Body
    • The Changing Structures of Birth
  • The Labor Process
    • Pre-labor and Early Labor
    • Active Labor
    • Transition
    • Pushing + Birth
    • Delivery of the Placenta
    • Recognizing Preterm Labor
    • When to call your Practitioner/Go to the Hospital
  • The Mental + Emotional Journey of Birth
Class Resources
Open Circle offers prenatal massage as well as postpartum massage with baby in Providence, Rhode Island

Can’t thank you enough for your classes on labor/delivery. I was able to deliver him lying down on my side. Your pushing info along laboring techniques all came in very handy. [Our doctor] said we had done our homework!

A.+M. G.

South County

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

“After the birth of my daughter, it was a very stressful time and I endured a significant amount of back pain for about a month. I could barely get in and out of bed. However, after Kaeli’s therapeutic massage I felt almost immediately better! It was absolutely amazing. After about one week, I could do everything without pain. She worked thoroughly with attention to every detail to insure I was always comfortable and at a peaceful place during the massage.” -SS, Providence Thank you for the work you’ve done in helping me with my shoulder and arm during these last few weeks of pregnancy. This shoulder issue has bothered me for many years, and I’ve been in and out of therapy, massage, and chiropractic care to help it. Although there has been some success in the past, the work that you have done has been different — I often felt that practitioners had a standard “script” that they were following and it didn’t really get to the root of my problem. However, the work you have done each time has been very unique to me and the issues that I’m experiencing. The difference is noticeable in the relief I’ve had after our sessions. Thank you! It has really made a difference! –G.M. Providence  
“Massage has really done wonders with our little [boy]. He is so much more comfortable with his body. He loves being changed now, and his digestion is less problematic.” -CZ, Providence “Kaeli’s Thai Yoga Massages are the most invigorating, relaxing and energizing massage experience I’ve ever had, and I’ve tried many. Little aches and stiff points seem to evaporate, I feel two inches taller, and the muscular surrender that is part of the massage experience carries over into a feeling of intense surcease that lingers long after. Wonderful!” -RF, Providence