The Inner Work of Birth Course
GROUP DESCRIPTION
This will be a discussion-based support group for pregnant couples who are intending to labor and birth with relatively low interventions. Our main focus is to discuss and develop personal coping skills to meet the challenges of labor. We will address the possibility that medical complications may arise that require interventions and birth plans may need to change. A primary goal is to prepare couples in a manner that they reach a high level of satisfaction no matter what their birth experience brings to them. In order to encourage a deeper, more intimate level of personal exploration for participants the group will be divided so that half the time will be spent with couples and half will be spent with just the pregnant women. The weekly topics will focus on specific inner qualities that either support or hinder the labor experience and the maternal/paternal role formation.
COURSE TOPICS:
-
Week 1: Security/Risk/Change*
-
Week 2: Support/Communication/Trust
-
Week 3: Control/Surrender/Choice*
-
Week 4: Pain/Coping/Acceptance
-
Week 5: Capability/Effort/Responsibility*
-
Week 6: Parenting/Service/Maturation
*Women only, other weeks are for couples
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How does this approach differ from other childbirth classes?
Other classes primarily focus on different aspects of preparation for childbirth. These might include: Review of physiology of labor, traditional recommendations for labor support, information regarding institutional policies and procedures, breastfeeding, post partum and newborn care. The Inner Work of Birth Class provides a booklet that covers these topics but we don’t spend much time discussing them in class. Instead, our focus is on working with attitudes and beliefs that will facilitate coping in labor and parenting.
Who is the group intended for?
Clients who would benefit most from attending this group are those whose intention is to begin labor with a low level of intervention and a desire to actively participate in the birth process. Unexpected complications can always arise either prenatally or during labor and the group is designed to incorporate adjustments to their birth plans. Women who have had previous birth experiences that are unresolved or who are interested in a vaginal birth after a cesarean would also be appropriate candidates. As long as a client has a willingness to utilize her own inner resources in coping with labor she might find the group useful. Clients who are planning an epidural or an elective cesarean are probably better served in a different approach to birth preparation.
SCHEDULE OF CLASSES
We will meet for 2 hours weekly on Monday evenings for 6 weeks. Clients will be grouped according to similar due dates in classes that begin at 20-30 weeks of pregnancy.
Upcoming classes:
| Class Dates | For people with due dates between |
| Jan 9 – Feb 13 | Feb 15 – Ap 30 |
| Feb 27 – Ap 2 | May 1 – June 14 |
| Ap 16 – May 21 | June 15 – Aug 5 |
COST/ REGISTRATION
Cost for each couple (pregnant woman and her partner or labor support person) is $250. Sliding scale is available. Please inquire if you have a financial need. Payment and registration is collected in clinic during prenatal visits. Some insurance companies may cover the cost. Clients are responsible for paying up front and applying for reimbursement with their insurance companies. Reservation in the class is secured once payment has been received. Clients of OHSU midwives have the first chance at space in the class. Registration will be opened up to non OHSU midwifery couples 8 weeks before the first session of each class series. These couples are welcome to contact the clinic nurse to get on a waiting list before the open registration date.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SUPPORTING YOU IN YOUR BIRTH PREPARATION!
