Childbirth Preparation Classes
Your pregnant. Congratulations! Throughout the first weeks you may have been focused on; absorbing the news yourself, the excitement of the announcements, observing the changes in your body, being more sick and tired that you knew was possible, or all of the above. As time goes not you may find that your mind starts to wander toward the baby's birth day and all it may bring. Your birthing time is starting come into focus. You wonder what it will be like... You become motivated to check out your options and get ready...
As your belly grows, you; read books, talk to trusted friends, get (unsolicited) advice from strangers and have checked out the online classes offered by Public Health. At this point, 90% of your google searches are include the words; birth, pregnancy, labour or baby. You are on the hunt for information and are craving connection to other women and couples who are doing the same. It may be time for a Childbirth Education class! As always, do what makes sense for you but here is a great guide to help you consider your options for a childbirth class: http://mothersadvocate.org/pdf/ma_hbyw-ChoosingCBClass.pdf
I am a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (LCCE) and an Evidence Based Birth® Instructor and have (oodles of) experience with families in labour as a birth doula over the past 19+ years. This makes for a nice blend of evidence-based content from a well established and respected organization and some solid "where the rubber hits the road" experience. I will help you get the information you need, explore your options, build skills and make a plan for your upcoming birth with individualized support- which is so necessary given your expectations, strengths, anxieties and life experiences are all your own.
I currently run several birth/baby preparation options, as follows:
Read below for some experiences of parents in my classes and contact me to book the option of your choosing, or to ask any questions.
As your belly grows, you; read books, talk to trusted friends, get (unsolicited) advice from strangers and have checked out the online classes offered by Public Health. At this point, 90% of your google searches are include the words; birth, pregnancy, labour or baby. You are on the hunt for information and are craving connection to other women and couples who are doing the same. It may be time for a Childbirth Education class! As always, do what makes sense for you but here is a great guide to help you consider your options for a childbirth class: http://mothersadvocate.org/pdf/ma_hbyw-ChoosingCBClass.pdf
I am a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (LCCE) and an Evidence Based Birth® Instructor and have (oodles of) experience with families in labour as a birth doula over the past 19+ years. This makes for a nice blend of evidence-based content from a well established and respected organization and some solid "where the rubber hits the road" experience. I will help you get the information you need, explore your options, build skills and make a plan for your upcoming birth with individualized support- which is so necessary given your expectations, strengths, anxieties and life experiences are all your own.
I currently run several birth/baby preparation options, as follows:
- Comfort in Labour Workshop - 4 hour Saturday workshop- $110 + tax in Elmsdale, NS. All workshops are from 9am - 1pm. *See poster below for more information.
- 6 hour Childbirth Preparation Classes - 6 hour series (2 Wednesday evening classes) at Nutured products for Parenting in Halifax, NS- $185 + tax (also taught on a full Saturday session by another amazing childbirth educator). *See link below.
- 10 hour Childbirth Preparation Classes - 10 hours in 4-5 evening classes- locations in Halifax & Dartmouth $200 + tax These series offers more of a "lets take it from the top" approach, including; normal physiological birth, options & interventions, comfort and relaxation, informed decision-making, communication skills, self-advocacy, breastfeeding, postpartum care & family adjustment.
- Individualized In-home Childbirth Education- in your home, at a time that works for you, strictly focused on those aspects of birth that are of interest to you- offered at an hourly rate of $60/hour of teaching (includes all overhead and travel preparation for class and travel cost/time). Two hour minimum. You'd be surprised what we can cover in just a few hours together!
Read below for some experiences of parents in my classes and contact me to book the option of your choosing, or to ask any questions.
Comfort in Labour 4-hour Workshop
Childbirth Education at Nurtured 6-hour workshop
I teach 6 hour Childbirth Preparation classes at Nurtured Products for Parenting in Halifax, NS, on two (usually consecutive) Wednesday evenings. They are also offered by another wonderful childbirth educator on Saturdays. Register online under "workshops" at www.nurtured.ca
It's been said...
"Wanda is extremely kind, informed and giving. She was always available for any questions and concerns we may have, made us feel relaxed and provided us with knowledge that was empowering. Expecting our first child was exciting and there was so much that was unknown to us about the birth process. The prenatal sessions with Wanda allowed us to have peace of mind we needed to feel prepared for the beautiful Birth Day of our child." -Lisa & Steven, Halifax, NS
“I really couldn't have imagined doing what I did without having taken the classes with you. R. was a great birth partner and also felt much more confident because of what we learned through your classes. Thank you for teaching us all that you did and for helping us to feel so prepared as we went through the delivery and also through these past two weeks. I couldn't have done it without you." -R & J, Halifax, NS
"Preparing for childbirth was important to both my husband and I. Unfortunately, no matter how much you read, it can't mentally prepare you for labor. It was very important to both of us to have a natural childbirth however I was terrified that maybe I wouldn't be able to handle the pain, the exhaustion, but mostly the unknown. Thanks to Wanda at Graceful Beginnings, not only did you provide us both with the information we needed, but more importantly you gave us the confidence to know that we could do this! I have, and will continue, to highly recommend your services."- Angela & Graeme, Lantz, NS
"The material presented in the class covered everything I had hoped for and more. I feel much more at ease now that I know what to expect. The class material was well organized – lots of materials and resources to take home for further review and reference, too – and the instructor was very knowledgeable. She is calm, soft-spoken, respectful, incredibly knowledgeable. Facilitated learning by doing. Encouraged discussion and feedback."- GM, Dartmouth, NS
“I really couldn't have imagined doing what I did without having taken the classes with you. R. was a great birth partner and also felt much more confident because of what we learned through your classes. Thank you for teaching us all that you did and for helping us to feel so prepared as we went through the delivery and also through these past two weeks. I couldn't have done it without you." -R & J, Halifax, NS
"Preparing for childbirth was important to both my husband and I. Unfortunately, no matter how much you read, it can't mentally prepare you for labor. It was very important to both of us to have a natural childbirth however I was terrified that maybe I wouldn't be able to handle the pain, the exhaustion, but mostly the unknown. Thanks to Wanda at Graceful Beginnings, not only did you provide us both with the information we needed, but more importantly you gave us the confidence to know that we could do this! I have, and will continue, to highly recommend your services."- Angela & Graeme, Lantz, NS
"The material presented in the class covered everything I had hoped for and more. I feel much more at ease now that I know what to expect. The class material was well organized – lots of materials and resources to take home for further review and reference, too – and the instructor was very knowledgeable. She is calm, soft-spoken, respectful, incredibly knowledgeable. Facilitated learning by doing. Encouraged discussion and feedback."- GM, Dartmouth, NS