Course Summary
The true keys to a safe, active birth experience for both mother and baby are awareness and support. Once a mother and her birth supporters become educated about this incredible event, anxieties greatly diminish, confidence is built and chances of complications and interventions dramatically decrease. Mothers who play an active role in the birth can manage pain effectively, develop feelings of empowerment, dramatically reduce the need for routine interventions and have a better opportunity to bond with baby.

This 4-week course gives a detailed introduction into the process of birth, explains the role of the support partner or team, offers extensive tools for relaxation and coping, and touches on the first day of a newborn's life, breastfeeding and the postpartum period. Emphasis is given on how to avoid routine interventions and how to play an active role in your birth experience.

About the Instructor:
Jessica Williams teaches private pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding classes in her community. She and her husband live in northwest Montana with their three children, ages 8 and 5, and 5 months.

Who Should Take This Course:
Any pregnancy woman and her birth supporter(s) would benefit from this course. The relaxation excercises are a fantastic skill for any person -- pregnant or not. Couples taking this class in early pregnancy will be have the chance to formulate their philosophy on birth, which helps them communicate effectively with their health care provider during prenatal care. Couples closer to term can learn about what labor and birth are really all about and get the extra encouragement they need to have an active birth.

The instructor encourages the mom-to-be to enroll with her primary birth support partner, as well as other support people on her team.

Please read our iParenting Online Class Guidelines before registering.