Prenatal and Postnatal Birthing Classes - From Belly to Baby

This lecture is to tell you a little bit about me and what's to come.

I am thrilled that you are here - it shows that you are curious and want to learn all that you can before your parenting journey begins!

It’s very important for people to have the most positive birth experiences possible. Why? Because you'll remember your birth story your entire life! And you may share your story with others - a positive birth story is so much more empowering than one that isn’t.

In order to have a positive birth, it’s important to be part of the decision-making process. In this lecture, you will learn how to ask the right questions, at the right time, and you’ll learn how to use your B.R.A.I.N. to engage and open up the dialogue with your caregivers.

Your body is growing a tiny human! In this module we review the various parts of a woman’s anatomy and their role in the birthing process.

People often ask how it’s possible to birth without medication. The answer? Birth hormones!
Your body has various hormones that work together, help you relieve pain, create colostrum and breastmilk, and help you bond with your baby!

Learn about these amazing hormones here.

A beautifully designed 46-page online workbook to follow along with the 31 lessons! You will be able to write your notes, your thoughts, set reminders, and jot down any questions that come up about your upcoming birth.

What have you learned from our 4 free lessons? Let's find out!

If I had a dime for every time I was asked this question…! In reality, the average birth for first time parents takes 15-24 hours. We’re talking about a day! Of course there are always stories of people who give birth really quickly and those whose babies take days to come out.

There are many factors that affect the length of your birth. In this lecture, we’ll focus on what’s happening with your cervix, which has to efface and fully dilate before your baby makes an appearance.

Early labour is often the most comfortable - and the longest - part of labour.

What should you do when your labour starts? Do your waters always break first? Should you race to the hospital or stay home? What do you do during this time? How do you cope with pain? And when do you leave for your place of birth?

In this lecture, we’ll answer all these questions and more.

Active labour is when your cervix is open between 6 and 8 cm, and contractions are coming quite frequently and are intense. This is why it is called LABOUR! But what does this mean? What are you feeling at this time? How can you cope with the unfamiliar and intense sensations?

Transition is the last stage before you push out your baby! It’s the shortest phase of labour and usually the most intense. Women often think they can’t go any further - but I know you can!

Even though the body has its own hormones to help with the sensations of labour, you may find that you need help coping with your contractions, especially in the active and transition phases.

In this module, we’ll go over many of the tips and tools that can help you cope with any pain you may feel at any given time during your birth.

My favourite tool during my first birth? THE BATH!

Watch this lecture and fill up your own birthing toolbox to help you throughout your day.

What are some of the things you've learned in the last five lessons? Let's find out.

In the movies, you’ll most often see the birthing person on the bed (and screaming!). But did you know that lying in bed can actually make your labour more difficult?

In this lecture, learn the various positions that can help you during your labour and help your baby descend.

Massage is a great way to soothe your birthing body. And who better to give you a massage than your partner!

Partners, during birth, you won’t be trying to get out the knots in your spouse’s back, but rather keep her relaxed and soothe any pain she may be feeling in her lower back, hips, bum, shoulders, legs, and elsewhere.

Do not underestimate the power of your loving touch in birth!

Acupressure is another great tool to soothe your pain and increase your endorphins! Based on the same points as acupuncture, there are various points to help reduce pain, bring baby down, increase your contractions and even invite breech babies to turn!

Watch this lecture to find out which points are best for birth.

Yes! Your cervix is now 10 cm and you’re ready to push out your baby! Now what?

It’s the moment you’ve been dreaming of for the past nine months - meeting your baby! But how do you push out your baby? Do you have to be on your back? Can you be in other positions? What is your spouse doing at this time? How can you push when you have an epidural?

While many people think you have to be on your back - and your caregivers may get you into this position - know that there are other positions that you might like better, and that YOU can decide how you want to push.

Watch this lecture and practice the various positions at home before you are actually in labour!

Some medical interventions seem obvious, such as the vacuum, forceps, and a cesarean birth. But there are others that you might not think of, for example, going to the hospital too soon, fetal monitoring, having an IV, and inductions.

Knowing your options when it comes to interventions will help you make better decisions for you and for your baby!

Partners, this lecture is just for you! In our group classes, when we ask spouses what they want to get out of the two day class, the majority answer that they want to learn how to care for their spouses and be able to support them in the right way on their special day.

In this lecture, we outline what this support looks like and how best you can care for your loved one!

I had no idea what a Doula was before I became pregnant with my first baby. It was only when my spouse and I were looking for additional support that a friend told us about the magic of Doulas!! We hired a wonderful Birth Doula to help us during our birth and I truly believe her knowledgeable and caring support was key in my having such a positive first birth experience!

So much so that after having Doulas with my 2nd and 3rd babies, I became a Doula to share my passion for birth and teach others that birth can be beautiful, powerful and positive!

What are some of the things you've learned in the last eight lessons? Let's find out.

Congratulations! You’ve birthed your baby! Now what?

The magical hour after birth, particularly in a hospital, is filled with checklists - one nurse ensures that your baby is ok, another nurse takes care of you, and your Dr will deliver your placenta and then attend to any stitching, if need be. It’s a busy place!

You’ll need to be patient a while longer before you get to count baby’s fingers and toes!

Skin-to-skin is such a beautiful moment between a parent and a baby. And it’s not just after the birth - you can do skin-to-skin with your baby for months! It’s a wonderful way to bond with your baby and to soothe them.

In this lecture, we discuss all the different benefits of doing skin-to-skin with your baby.

Have you paid attention during lessons 18 and 19? Let's find out.

Would you like to breastfeed your baby but are worried you won’t be able to because of all the pain-filled stories you’ve heard? You’re not alone. Most of the women my team works with are anxious about breastfeeding. It’s true - why is it that something so natural can be so hard for many women?

In this lesson, you’ll learn many tips and tools that will help make your breastfeeding experience as positive as possible!

There are many breastfeeding positions to choose from and once you know your baby, you’ll quickly figure out what positions you both like best. It’s also best to change positions at different feeds so that your breasts fully empty and you avoid issues such as blocked ducts and mastitis.

My favourite position of all time? SIDE-LYING. Learn how to do it in this lecture.

If you breastfeed, you may want to provide your baby with a bottle once a day when they’re between 4-6 weeks. Your options are either pumping your milk or using formula.

Some families will start baby off on bottles with formula immediately instead of breastfeeding.

In this lecture, we’ll discuss the how-to’s of pumping as well as using bottles.

You may have friends or a sister who’s dealt with issues such as mastitis. They’re right - it’s no fun.

In this lecture, I discuss other issues that you may encounter and the best course of action to take when you suspect something’s not right.

Did you pay attention while listening to lessons 20 to 23? Let's find out.

Oh yes, after birth there will probably be some swelling, some soreness, and some discomfort if you needed stitches. We’ve got you covered when it comes time to heal your perineum. We’ll get you comfortable again so you can enjoy your new baby!

Ever since you got pregnant, you’ve most likely been dealing with the emotional roller coaster - one minute you’re fine and then five minutes later you’re in tears because you saw a commercial featuring a newborn!

While we want to get back to ‘normal’ after birth, you will still be quite emotional. In this module we’ll talk about the baby blues as well as what postpartum depression can look like, and how and when to get help.

My best tip ever: Be gentle with yourself.

Now that you’re going to want to introduce your baby to your family and friends, you’ll need to learn how to wash your baby and get them looking nice!

The most common questions I get on this subject are:
How often should we bathe our baby?
How hot should the bath water be?
Do we use scissors, clippers or a nail file to cut baby’s nails?
When does the umbilical cord come off?

In no time, you’ll be an expert!

Have you ever changed a diaper? No? Well, take one of your newborn diapers and a doll (or teddy bear or a pet, LOL!) and let’s practice together!

Some would argue that hearing a baby cry is one of the worst things ever. But crying is a way for babies to communicate with you and let you know that they are not feeling 100%. In this lecture, we’ll go over all the different reasons your baby might be crying and how you can soothe them. In no time at all, you might even be able to recognize your baby’s own different cries!

Swaddling is a great way to calm and soothe your baby, as well as help them get to sleep. Watch this tutorial to learn a basic swaddle technique.

Baby-wearing is such a great skill to master! Babies who are carried cry less and sleep more!

In this lecture, we’ll show you how to use some of our favourite carriers for newborns, including a wrap, a ring sling and the K-Tan carrier.

Every family I know has dealt with some kind of sleep issue with their babies at one time or another. This is normal. Babies are used to being rocked in your belly all day. And they probably woke you up at night when you stopped moving!

Knowing about newborn sleep cycles and how to help babies adjust to your days and nights is important which will hopefully allow you to get a bit more shut-eye.

The answer is YES! The world has 7 billion people in it!

In this last lecture, we talk about your new family dynamics and the importance of great communication between you and your spouse.

We've talked about so many topics during the last 9 lessons. Let's see if you're ready to bring baby home.