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 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

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!