Christian Childbirth Classes; Greensboro, NC
Surrendered Birth Services Childbirth Classes
Learning all of the ins-and-outs of pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum is imperative to aiding in the childbirth process. It can be scary when we don’t know what is going on with our bodies, or what to expect during the different stages and phases of labor. No matter what kind of birth you are planning (home, birth center, or hospital), this comprehensive childbirth class will prepare you for any scenario. Even if you’re planning a homebirth, it is wise to educate yourself on hospital procedures in case of a possible transfer. If you’re planning a medicated hospital birth, it is also wise to know the process of a natural, physiological birth as you never know exactly how your birth will unfold. Maybe you don’t know what kind of birth you want yet! This class will go over everything that you need to know in order to make the best decision for you and your child.
My goal is to inform you of all of your choices, and of all of the risks and benefits that come along with those choices with evidence based research. How you think you want to give birth is up to you, but my objective is to ensure that you’re making those decisions from a place of full education, and then surrendering those plans to the Lord.
While this is a Christian childbirth class, and focuses on how God designed birth, we still cover anything and everything you’d need to know going into childbirth and early motherhood.
Once you take my class, I am available to you via phone to answer any questions you might have leading up to your birth, and into your early postpartum days.
Different Types of Childbirth Classes
Ever heard of Lamaze classes? Hypnobirthing classes? Or the Bradley Method classes? There are many different types of childbirth classes that exist today. Every childbirth class has their pros and cons for each couple, even mine. Keep reading to see what the other types of classes are, and why you might choose one class over another.
Lamaze Classes
Lamaze birthing classes came about in the 1950’s from a French doctor. They’re a series of group classes (12 hours total) that follows a set curriculum and focuses mainly on breathing and pain management techniques, how you might go through labor, and how your partner can assist you. While the belief behind lamaze is that birth is a natural process and can be attained without intervention and without medicine for pain, it also educates women on when those things might be warranted and how to go about making those decisions during your labor.
Lamaze classes have been helping couples navigate the ins and outs of birth for decades, however, here are some things to consider. Lamaze classes often have several couples in the class, which could make it more difficult to get your individual questions answered. Also, their classes focus solely on labor and super early postpartum, so there can be missing pieces like vital pregnancy nutrition and exercise, end of pregnancy expectations, and the role of God’s design through it all. While it’s a great class, and better to take than no class at all, keep these factors in mind when choosing the class that’s best for you!
Hypnobirthing Classes
Hypnobirthing isn’t actually about being hypnotized during labor, rather it’s a series of classes to help you diminish fear and anxiety surrounding birth that often bring on tension and pain. They focus on deep relaxation techniques that help reduce your anxiety and keep you relaxed during the birthing process. They often alter the language surrounding birth to make more positive associations with labor such as saying “waves” instead of “contractions.” The goal is to have a calm and gentle natural birth, and the method is mind over matter.
Hypnobirthing classes are a great choice for many couples, and there are lots of choices for them whether you want to take your classes in person or online. Before signing up, keep a few things in mind. Hypnobirthing isn’t right for everyone, some women might enjoy taking a more physically active role in their labors as opposed to keeping completely calm and gentle the entire time; some mothers like to roar their babies out! Also, some women can feel like a failure if labor “hurts” or if they don’t achieve their goal of a natural labor, and this can play a very negative part in their postpartum. It is not a faith based class, so there’s little wiggle room for God’s plans to prevail above all.
The Bradley Method Classes
The Bradley Method childbirth class is a twelve week course that you typically take with a small group of other couples. Its main focus is how the birthing mother’s partner can assist you throughout your labor, but it covers everything from pregnancy nutrition and exercise to how to handle a crying baby. The goal is to have a drug free and intervention free birth. It is heavy on preparation and there is definitely a commitment you are making when signing up.
The Bradley Method class is a fantastic way to prepare for birth and becoming a new family. But not everybody has twelve weeks to commit to this class. Often classes are missed and schedules become quite the issue, especially during seasons of sickness and busyness with so many other things going on like travel, special events and let’s face it, pregnancy exhaustion. There’s also a name missing from this class, Jesus. The one who’s overseeing every detail of our experience. So that’s something to take into consideration when deciding whether or not the Bradley method is right for you.
The Surrendered Birth Services Christian Comprehensive Childbirth Class
This is a faith-based and evidence based childbirth class! I go over EVERYTHING. Everything from what to eat and how to exercise and take care of your body during pregnancy, relaxation techniques and how to mentally conquer birth, how your husband and other support people can help you throughout your entire labor, what breastfeeding will be like and how to tackle the challenges that can come, what to expect from your newborn baby, how God designed this entire process, beginning to end, and how ultimately, the way we end up birthing is best left in His hands, as surrendering our plans to Him will gift us with the most peace. You will be beyond thoroughly educated, prepared to make a plan, and then able to prayerfully lift that plan to the Lord.
Also, my class is offered in a variety of ways, including in person small group sessions and private classes in Greensboro, High Point, Winston Salem and the surrounding areas of the Triad of NC, and coming soon, an on demand online course style that you can take anytime and from anywhere. The class sizes aren’t too big so you’ll be able to get all of your questions answered, and the commitment isn’t too strenuous on the schedule, as it typically takes place within the course of about one month. And as a bonus, as stated above, once you take my class, I’m available via phone/text to answer any questions you might have leading up to birth and in early postpartum.
Above all, seek Jesus before landing on the childbirth class that’s best for you. He knows what you need most, and will give you peace in your decision. If that’s my class, I’ll be honored and excited to help prepare you in education and through prayer for your transition into (or back into) motherhood.
Class Options
Group Childbirth Class — $250
Come and join together with other couples who are going through the same season of life as you. Learn from and bond with each other as you ask questions and get to know one another during class.
This is a series of four, two and a half hour sessions that will meet weekly for a month. The current meeting place is at Definition Church in Greensboro.
The next group childbirth series will take place in April, 2024 and is intended for due dates from May-August. If you need a class before April, please reach out about scheduling a private class.
Private Childbirth Class — $450
If you prefer to have complete and exclusive access to your instructor during your childbirth class, look no further. This in person private childbirth class will take place in your home, on a schedule that’s more convenient for you. It is the same content as the group class, but it can be broken up into different time slots depending on your schedule.
· 2, four-hour sessions
· 1, eight-hour session
Virtual Childbirth Class — Contact Me
Maybe you live far from me, or maybe you don’t have childcare to come to class, or maybe you just prefer taking classes from the comfort of your bed—whatever the case may be, I’m now offering virtual childbirth classes. As this is a new offer and still being fully formed, please reach out to me if this is an option you’re interested in and we’ll work out the details together.
Please reach out about which childbirth class you’re interested in by contacting me!