• If birth is so natural, why do I need to take a class to learn how to do it?

• If your classes are focused on birth being natural, do you ever touch on some of the emergencies that can occasionally happen?

• Why make such a big deal about 'natural' childbirth?

• When in my pregnancy should I take your prenatal classes?

• What makes your classes different from others?

• That is a great question. Ideally, you wouldn't need to take a class. Long ago women grew up around birth and supported each other as a village. As a result, they were very comfortable around the birth process. They knew how to deal with the variations from normal birth, and were not filled with the fears and self-doubts that have crept into our modern birth culture. Essentially, their 'prenatal classes' were a life long learning event. But for various reasons, today we have become a fairly isolated society who generally knows very little about normal childbirth. And sometimes it isn't until we find ourselves pregnant, that we first begin to give this topic any thought at all. As a result of our increasing unfamiliarity with childbirth, we have grown to mistrust what we don't understand and have developed into a very fear-based birth society. We have begun to lose our ability to trust our own instincts, and instead, hand all our trust over to others. Our prenatal classes are developed to help each woman remember what seems to have long been forgotten.... that our bodies know how to birth if given the chance... that our instincts are trustworthy... that birth isn't something to fear... and that natural birth can happen.

• Yes. Though we truly believe that many common complications can be avoided in pregnancy and childbirth, we understand that sometimes there are emergencies that just 'happen' and are out of anyones control. It is important to be informed about these instances so you can continue to make the best choices for you and your family.

• We make a big deal about 'natural' childbirth for a couple of reasons. Mostly, we do it because we firmly believe that a gentle, uninterrupted birth and beginning to life is the best start for baby's, mom's and dad's. Study after study shows how much better a baby adjusts to breastfeeding; is better able to bond with his or her family; etc. Mom's feel better about their birth experience and that confidence quietly spills into the rest of her life and she becomes a more confident mother who, among other things, can experience a reduced chance of suffering from postpartum depression.

• Ideally, you would want to be in your 6th - 8th month when you take the classes. This means registering early so the month you are hoping to take classes isn't already booked up.

• We cover the 'birth basics' that most all prenatal classes cover. However, some of what makes our classes different from others is that we discuss and explain the relationship between the physical aspects of birth, and the emotional aspects of birth. Each plays an important role in how labour proceeds, but cannot be separated from the other. We also go deeply into body dynamics and how proper body positioning, along with a good understanding of the individual pelvis and how it can be manipulated and opened to it's maximum, can affect how a labour may proceed.

We also hold our classes privately with you, in the comfort of your own home. This means no transportation hassels, fitting a group class into your schedule, or looking for babysitting if you are taking a refresher course.