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Birthing From Within

Birthing from Within embraces parents learning through interactive, creative participation, in a spirit of fun and curiosity.  This approach prepares a mother for birthing from within.  She needs insight about what labor and birth will be like from her perspective, and preparation to be in labor and give birth as a mother, not as a trained para-professional.  The classes offer guidance through emotional, spiritual, psychic and social mists which shroud birthing from within.

Birthing From Within Philosophical Assumptions & Guiding Principles 

• Childbirth is a profound rite of passage, not a medical event (even when medical care is part of the birth).
• The essence of childbirth preparation is self-discovery, not assimilating obstetric information.
• The teacher (mentor) is "midwife" to the parents' discovery process, not the expert from whom wisdom flows.
• Childbirth preparation is a continually evolving process (for parents and teachers), not a static structure of techniques and knowledge.
• Parents' individual needs and differences determine class content.
• Active, creative self-expression is critical to childbirth preparation.
• The purpose of childbirth preparation is to prepare mothers to give birth-in-awareness, not to achieve a specific birth outcome.
• Pregnancy and birth outcome are influenced by a variety of factors, but can't be controlled by planning.
• In order to help parents mobilize their coping resources, it is critical for childbirth classes to acknowledge that unexpected, unwelcome events may happen during labor.
• Parents deserve support for any birth option which might be right for them (whether it be drugs, cesarean, home birth, or bottle-feeding).
• Pain is an inevitable part of childbirth, yet much can be done to ease suffering.
• Pain-coping practices work best when integrated into daily life, rather than "dusted off" for labor.
• Fathers and birth partners help best as birth guardians or loving partners, not as coaches; they also need support.
• For parents, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum is a time of continuous learning and adjustment; holistic support and education should be available throughout that period.
• Childbirth preparation is also parent preparation.

 

Local Instructors

Marcela Billig

Lanell Coultas

Eileen Luecke

Brenda Marlin-Reed

Tori Nordin

Faith Beltz

Susan Steffes