Power + Pain: Working WITH the Sensations of Birth

Whether the sensations of birth are called “rushes,” “waves,” “pressure,” or “pain,” few will argue that the sensations of birth are immense and intense – and they must be to move the baby out of the body. Learning to cope with this level of intensity asks women to find deep power and belief in themselves.

Using experiential exercises and group discussions, this workshop explores what it means to work WITH intensity, instead of trying to push it away or change it. Discover how, by bringing your attention to yourself and your breath, you already have the tools needed to work with the powerful sensations of birth. Birth partners will learn how important they are to helping a woman find her endurance and strength through the birth process.

This class is recommended to women planning the use of an epidural as well as women planning on birthing naturally. It is medically recommended for most women to labor without pain medication until they are in active labor. These methods will support a woman up until the point she is able to receive pain medications, or, if she so chooses, until she births without them.

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.