Join us as we take the mystery out of childbirth and give you the confidence to labor your way.

Our semi private Childbirth Preparation class provides you with the education and insights to help you effectively work with your partner and your care provider, so that together, you can make decisions you feel good about.

We will concentrate on the essentials of childbirth preparation: physiological and emotional terrain of labor, what to expect in the hospital, physical support measures that can be used with natural or medicated birth and much more.Â This class is especially designed to foster a connection between mother and partner, parents and baby, and to help families have an informed and memorable birth experience. We have designed our class to be more informative, relevant and objective than traditional hospital-led classes. Our class size is kept small providing the appropriate intimacy and to allow for personal attention for each couple. Our goal is to have you leave this class informed, excited, and connected with your internal and external resources. In this intimate setting we will explore: Healthy Birth Practices Labor Terminology and Physiology Pre-labor signs and the Stages of Labor The Emotional Response of the Mother and Partner to Birth Role of the Baby during Labor (Yes, the baby has a role!) How to Create and Utilize a Birth Team that supports the needs of the Mother Routine Procedures and Medically Indicated Interventions Drafting your Birth Intentions (aka Birth Plan) Techniques you will learn: Relaxation Techniques Breath Work Massage Techniques Birth Positions How to use a birth ball and other tools of the trade Positive strategies for communicating with your medical team You will participate in a variety of activities: Practice Birth Positions and Massage Defining your birth needs, values, and beliefs Partner Support activities View birth videos and guided relaxation About our Instructors Kelly Gray, CMT, CD (DONA), CBE is a Lamaze trained childbirth educator, a mother, a massage therapist, a Birth Doula. The cornerstone of Kelly's class is about discovering personal beliefs around birth and allowing a mother and her partner's shared values to guide them throughout their birth experience, no matter what twists and turns they might encounter. Having witnessed her fair share of births, she knows that not only are babies being born, but an entire family is being born. When families are confident and actively participate in their birth choices, they are able to flourish into their future. To that end, Kelly provides up-to-date information and insights into birth research, support measures, community resources, and all the powerful dynamics parents face as their children enter this world. Sandra Lloyd has been active in the San Francisco birthing community since 2003 as a Birth Doula, Childbirth Educator, and founding member of the San Francisco Doula Group. She received certification as a Hypnotherapist from the Foundation of the Sacred Stream in Berkeley in 2010. In the classroom, Sandra is well known for her ability to bring humor as a motivator into her classes. Class will be taught in two sessions (4 hours each)on Saturday and Sunday:

2012 CLASSES-

* Saturday May 5th and Sunday May 6th, 10:00-2:00PM FULL Teacher: Kelly Gray * Saturday June 9th and Sunday June 10th, 10:00-2:00PM FULL Teacher: Sandra Lloyd * Saturday July 21st and Sunday July 22nd, 10:00-2:00PM Teacher: Kelly Gray * Saturday August 18th and Sunday August 19th, 10:00-2:00PM Teacher: Sandra Lloyd * Saturday September 22nd and Sunday September 23rd, 10:00-2:00PM Teacher: Kelly Gray * Saturday October 13th and Sunday October 14th, 10:00-2:00PM Teacher: Sandra Lloyd * Saturday November 3rd and Sunday November 4th, 10:00-2:00PM Teacher: Kelly Gray * Saturday December 1st and Sunday December 2nd, 10:00-2:00PM Teacher: Sandra Lloyd Cost $249/ couple, $149/ Single includes hand outs and at-a-glance take home materials

Combine with our other workshops from our

"Preparation for Parenting" series:

* Breast Feeding Essentials

* Infant CPR and Emergency Response

See calendar for upcoming dates

Calendar