Cecilia Chapa Phillips of Baby Welcomer Childbirth Education and her students

[UPDATE: Please note that this post is from Spring 2012.  CLICK HERE for a current list of childbirth educators in the Williamsburg, VA, area.]

Heads up, expectant mamas and papas in Williamsburg!  Our local childbirth educators will be offering a wonderful variety of classes this spring!  

Classes range from 1-day, 2-day, and multi-week group classes great for first-time parents to 1-day private classes perfect for experienced parents wishing to brush up on birth skills before their next little one arrives.

With so many great options — Lamaze, Baby Welcomer, Hypnobirthing, Natural Childbirth in a Day, Natural Childbirth Education with Bettie Sheets, Active Birth/Natural Birth, and Birth Journeys Doula Care and Childbirth Education – you’re sure to find the class that is perfect for you and your birth partner!

The classes below take place close to home, in Williamsburg, Newport News, and Gloucester.  Additional classes — such as BirthWorks, Empowering Birth, and Birth Insight —  are available in Norfolk and Virginia Beach but not detailed here.

Prices below are per couple (i.e., tuition covers both a pregnant woman and her birth partner) unless otherwise indicated.  FULL DETAILS BELOW! Continue reading →

The doulas of Birth Journeys: Christina Birdsong (CD(DONA), CCCE, CMT), Jacqueline Starkey (RN, CD(DONA), LCCE, CCCE), and Leslie Cuffee (CD(DONA), CCE (trained), HCHD).

Expecting a baby this spring?  Lucky, lucky you — and not only because your future holds that darling bundle of baby joy!  The Birth Journeys doulas will be offering their Labor Comfort Measures workshop in Williamsburg this January – a great class at a perfect time for you springtime mamas-to-be!

As a wonderful added bonus, a portion of the workshop proceeds will benefit Birth Matters Williamsburg!

At the workshop, learn ways to

• move your baby into an optimal position for birth
• relieve the discomfort of contractions, including back labor
• empower dad to be an essential part of the birth of his baby
• avoid tearing
• avoid unnecessary interventions
• avoid C-section
• employ breathing, visualizations, massage, and positions for comfort
• and more…

Here’s the scoop!

• Date and Time: Sunday, January 22, from 1:00-4:00 PM
• Location: Schell Room of the downtown Williamsburg Regional Library (515 Scotland Street; not the James City County LIbrary where Birth Matters Meetings are held)
• Which trimester to take the class: The third trimester is an excellent time to take the class so that on labor day the techniques are fresh in your and your birth partner’s mind.  However, all women and their birth partners are welcome!
• What to Bring: 2 pillows, a sheet, and a birth ball
• Cost and How to Register: Register online here or call 757.256.9476. The class is $45 total per couple (pregnant mother and her labor support person).  If you would like to buy a ready-to-use birth ball from the doulas for an additional $18, select that option during registration.  If you would like to bring an additional support person for $10 (for a total of 3 people — mother and 2 support people), select that option during registration.

This is a very special class!  Space is limited.   Reserve your spot today!

Cecilia Chapa Phillips of Baby Welcomer Childbirth Education and her students

Heads up, expectant mamas and papas in Williamsburg!  Our local childbirth educators will be offering a wonderful variety of classes this fall, starting as early as this weekend!

Classes range from 1-day, 2-day, and multi-week group classes great for first-time parents to 1-day private classes perfect for experienced parents wishing to brush up on birth skills before their next little one arrives.

With so many great options — Lamaze, Baby Welcomer, Hypnobirthing, Natural Childbirth in a Day, Natural Childbirth Education with Bettie Sheets, Labor Comfort Measures and Early Pregnancy Education and more with Birth Journeys – you’re sure to find the class that is perfect for you and your birth partner!

LAMAZE CLASSES

• Instructors - Lori Hill, Lamaze contact/registrar for Williamsburg; LCCE, CD(DONA); Mary Drew, RN, LCCE; and Linda Pincus, RN, IBCLC, FACCE.
• Learn about the Lamaze teaching philosophy at their website and this Lamaze profile at Williamsburg Mothering.
• Classes - For course descriptions, see here.
• Class Location –  Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, although the educators are NOT employed or managed by the hospital. Students planning hospital, birth center, and home births are welcome in Lamaze classes.
• 1-Day Lamaze-Inspired Class - $100 per couple; Saturday 10/15 from 9AM-4PM or Saturday 12/10 from 9AM-4PM
• 6-Week Lamaze Class - $90 per couple for the series; Sundays 9/18-10/23 from 7PM-9PM; Tuesdays 10/25-11/29 from 7PM-9PM; Sundays 11/13-12/18 from 7PM-9PM
• Private Class – $150-$200; 2-4 sessions, 8-10 hours total instruction, scheduled at a time mutually convenient for you and the educator
• To register, contact Lori at 757-220-8128, birth-daywishes@sbcglobal.net, or www.birth-daywishes.com.

BABY WELCOMER CLASSES (BRADLEY-INSPIRED) 

• Instructor – Cecilia Chapa Phillips, B.A., M.Ed., Certified Spanish Bilingual Instructor, trained in the Bradley Method® (no longer Bradley-affiliated), Certified Pre-Natal MaYoga Instructor, Certified Next Generation Yoga for Children Instructor, training with ToLabor to become a professional certified doula.
• Learn about Cecilia’s teaching philosophy and read course descriptions at Cecilia’s website, Thumbtack profile, and this profile at Williamsburg Mothering.
• Class Location –  Virginia Regional Ballet in Williamsburg, VA
• 9-Week Class – $325; 9 3-hour classes; Saturdays 9/10-10/29 from 2:00-5:00 PM.
• 1-Day Class - Contact Ceci for pricing; 2-3 hour Whole-House Labor Rehearsal
• Private Class – Contact Ceci for pricing; 8 2-hour classes, scheduled at a time mutually convenient for you and Cecilia
• To register, contact Cecilia at 917.568.1618 or cecichapa@aol.com.

HYPNOBIRTHING CLASSES and NATURAL CHILDBIRTH IN A DAY

• Instructor – Bridget Pelkey Bragg, CPM (Certified Professional Midwife), LM (Licensed Midwife), HBCE (Hypnobirthing Childbirth Educator), CPR, NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation), CIMI (Certified Infant Massage Instructor), CD(CBI) Certified Doula from Childbirth International, LC (Lactation Consultant)
• Learn about Bridget’s teaching philosophy and read course descriptions at her website (Hypnobirthing here and Natural Childbirth in a Day here) and at this profile at Williamsburg Mothering.
• Class Location – Varies; Bridget’s home in Gloucester or home of student(s)
• 1-Day Natural Childbirth in a Day – $75, 3-6 hours; dates/times TBD/on demand
• 5-Week Hypnobirthing Class – $250, 50% off if you host a class; dates/times TBD/on demand
• Private Class – Both Hypnobirthing and Natural Childbirth in a Day are offered as private classes.
• To register, contact Bridget at 804.210.1397 or bridget@evabirthservices.com.

NATURAL CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION WITH BETTIE SHEETS, CPM

• Instructor - Bettie Sheets, CPM (Certified Professional Midwife), LM (Licensed Midwife), Certified Labor Doula, Certified Childbirth Educator, La Leche League Leader.
• Learn more about Bettie’s teaching philosophy at her Facebook page.  For more about Bettie, also see her website and this profile of her home birth services at Williamsburg Mothering.
• Class Location – Curves Building, 6253 Buckley Hall Rd, Cobbs Creek, VA 23128
• 2-Day Class – $50, 2 4-hr classes on 2 consecutive Sundays; dates/times TBD
• To register, contact Bettie at 804.832.1439 or midwifebetts@gmail.com.

LABOR COMFORT MEASURES CLASSES, EARLY PREGNANCY CLASSES, AND CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION CLASSES WITH BIRTH JOURNEYS

• Instructors – Jacqueline Starkey, RN, CD(DONA), LCCE, CCCE; Leslie Cuffee, CD(DONA), CCE (trained), HCHD; and Christina Birdsong, CD(DONA), CCCE, CMT.  For more about them, see here.
• Learn about the Birth Journeys teaching philosophy at their website.
• For course descriptions, see here.
• Class Location – Maryview Medical Center, Conference Room B, Portsmouth, VA
• 1-Day Labor Comfort Measures Class – $45 for 2 people; 3rd Sunday of every month (9/18, 10/16, 11/20, 12/18) from 1:30-4:30 PM.
• 1-Day Early Pregnancy Class – $20; dates/time TBD/on demand
• 6-Week Childbirth Education Class – $150; dates/time TBD/on demand
• To register, call 757.256.9476 or register online.

Another in Williamsburg Mothering’s series of profiles of local childbirth educators!  This spring, we featured Lamaze Childbirth Education and Bradley-inspired Baby Welcomer Childbirth Education.

Now, we are pleased to share about two types of classes taught by local certified professional midwife Bridget Pelkey Bragg: Hypnobirthing and Natural Childbirth in a Day (scroll to the bottom for the latter)!

ABOUT HYPNOBIRTHING CHILDBIRTH CLASSES

HypnoBirthing Website: www.hypnobirthing.com 

Instructor: Bridget Pelkey Bragg LM, CPM, HBCE

Number of Years Teaching: 4+

Location of Classes
Varies. Clients can receive 50% off their tuition by hosting a group in their home. I also offer private classes. I travel within a 2 hour radius of Gloucester (zipcode 23061).

Description of Class Philosophy

HypnoBirthing is a positive natural childbirth class that comes from the foundation that birth is normal. A method of deep relaxation is taught that allows mom to create her perfect spot whether she’s at home, hospital, or birthing center. HypnoBirthing has been around for decades and we have fantastic stats that show the powerful change that happens with positive childbirth.

YouTube: Being Skeptical About HypnoBirthing
The Media Looks At HypnoBirthing – Excellent News Story!

• Eliminates the Fear-Tension-Pain Syndrome before, during, and after birthing.
• Eliminates or greatly reduces the need for chemical painkillers.
• Shortens the first stage of labor by several hours.
• Eliminates fatigue during labor, leaving mother fresh, awake and with the energy for actual birthing.
• Eliminates the risk of hyperventilation from shallow breathing methods.
• Promotes special bonding of mother, baby, and birthing companion.
• More rapid postnatal recovery.
• Returns birthing to the beautiful, peaceful experience that nature intended.
• Creates a more integral role for the birthing companion (although I’ve taught this class to MANY single moms as well as moms with their partners deployed).

What is one misunderstanding people often have about your style of childbirth classes?

That it is a strange voodoo thing, you’ll become a chicken, or you’ll have amnesia. All hypnosis is *self* hypnosis and the feeling is similar to deep mediation, prayer, or even daydreams. One way I describe it simply is the feeling is like taking a long car ride and being in the backseat. You’re drowsy and you can hear the others in front talking, but it seems easier to just be in your cocoon and be quiet, still, and relaxed.

At what stage of a pregnancy do you recommend students take your classes?
Around 6 months.

How should students go about signing up for classes?
Contact Bridget at bridget@evabirthservices.com or 804-210-1397. You can also visit my website for full class description, syllabus, etc.: 
http://www.evabirthservices.com/hypnobirthing.html
.  Includes videos and news stories as well!

Class Session Length, Topics, and Prices

Classes are arranged into a total of five 2 1/2 hour classes for groups or four 3 hour classes for private individuals. The goal of these classes is to give you the tools needed to have the birth that you desire. If you are very near your time of birthing, please let me know and special arrangements can be made. It’s recommended that classes are scheduled around the sixth month of pregnancy. This allows for plenty of time to practice before the special day arrives!

Group classes are limited to a maximum of five couples. For more information about fees and availability of classes please contact me.

Class One – Building A Positive Expectancy
* Introduction to HypnoBirthing®
* Learn Why Comfortable Birth is Possible
* How the Uterus Works
* How Fear Affects Labor
* Hypnosis and Deep Relaxation/Creating Positive Birth Outcomes

Class Two – Falling in Love with Your Baby/Preparing Mind & Body
* Pre-birth Parenting Techniques
* Relaxation and Visualization for Birthing
* Rapid and Instant Relaxation Techniques
* Breathing Techniques for Labor and Birthing

Class Three – Getting Ready to Welcome your Baby
* Looking at Your Estimated Due Date
* Making Hospital, Home or Birthing Center Plans
* Preparing the Body for Birthing
* Light Touch Birthing Massage
* Create Your Birth Preferences Sheet
* When Baby is Ready, Avoiding Artificial Induction of Labor
* Your Body Working for You And with You
* Releasing Negative Emotions, Fears and Limiting Thoughts

Class Four – Overview of Childbirth, A Labor of Love
* Onset of Labor, Thinning and Opening Phase
* Arriving At The Hospital
* As Labor Moves Along
* Birth Companion’s Role
* If Labor Rests or Slows, Preparing for Special Circumstances
* Positions for Labor and Birthing
* Protecting the Natural Birthing Experience
* As Birthing Advances, Nearing Completion
* Birth Rehearsal Imagery

Class Five – Birthing: Breathing Love, Bringing Life
* Birth Explained Simply
* Breathing Baby Down
* Family Bonding
* Forest Fantasy or River Metaphor
* Aftercare

* Price: $250 – 50% off if you host a class. Group and private classes are the same fee. If I have a group class in your area I ask that you attend that. If I don’t have one then I don’t penalize you for that.. you get the same price. This has worked out great for myself and clients over the years! This includes a book, 2 CDs, and handouts.

What is one Williamsburg-area resource you wish every local mom and mom-to-be knew about?

A really good breastfeeding support group and playgroup. It can make all of the difference in the world to get this support. [Williamsburg Mothering: an example is the excellent free breastfeeding support group at Sentara Williamsburg!]

What is one thing you wish every woman could enter her birth experience knowing?
I’d love her to know that she is the focal point of the labor, not her doctor, midwife, or anyone else. She is the one that does the work and during pregnancy is the time to set up the scenario that best suits her to have the birth that she wants.

What is one birth myth you’d like to dispel?
That everyone comes away with a horror story to share. Go to youtube and watch positive birth videos, google “positive birth stories”. There are lots and lots of classes, books, and so on available. Do the work and find what connects with you. There isn’t a Right Way that everyone fits into, but each woman does have the Right Way for her.

What are three pregnancy, birth, or mothering books you wish every woman would read?

• Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
• The Baby Book by William Sears
• Ina May’s Guide to Breastfeeding (or watch some great videos!!)

What are three birth blogs or websites you wish every woman knew about?

• drbrewerpregnancydiet.com
• spinningbabies.com
• pubmed.com - This is NOT a blog, but it is a collection of studies. Type in any subject and read up for yourself! Things like eating during labor, etc, are covered.

What is one of your favorite birth quotes?
Pizza and furniture are delivered. Babies are birthed.

———————————————————

ABOUT NATURAL CHILDBIRTH IN A DAY

Website: 
http://www.NaturalChildbirthinaDay.com

Instructor: Bridget Bragg, LM, CPM, HBCE

Number of Years Teaching: 4+

Location of Classes
Varies depending on your location. Receive a discount if you host the class or simply take advantage of a private class if no group classes are being offered. By teaching in-home I can save my clients money because I don’t have to rent a room or office space. I also teach group classes in my home in Gloucester.

Description of Class Philosophy
I created this class years ago to fill a niche for those wanting a positive childbirth class that they could squeeze into a busy schedule. You still get a very complete course without having weekly classes. Also, this class fit for those who wanted me as their childbirth educator but were not interested in hypnosis for childbirth.

In a private class I am able to cater this to suit the parents needs. For moms who are concerned about going postdates, we can talk more about gentle nudges to labor. For new moms who are nervous about breastfeeding, we can have time to develop a plan for education before baby arrives. I’ve also taught moms expecting twins, VBAC moms, and single moms. In your class you are welcome to bring your partner, mom, doula or anyone else that’ll be at your birth. All of my classes are embarrassment-free, I don’t do silly things to make anyone feel uncomfortable.

Classes are well suited for those planning birth center, home, or hospital births.

We will cover things like:

• Useful comfort measures for throughout labor and certain circumstances.
• Information for helping baby descend naturally and be in the optimal position for birth.
• How to write a birth preferences sheet that will be well-received.
• Common interventions and the pros/cons of each.
• The better postpartum plan for recovery.
• Lots of discussion time for any questions you may have and a safe place for airing any fears or doubts you may have.

What is one misunderstanding people often have about your style of childbirth classes?
That you need to know a lot of anatomy in order to have a good birth. Birth isn’t a test, there are not multiple choice questions to answer. What you do need is to know how to feel at ease with yourself and your surroundings.. and be able to focus on the main thing at hand – labor.

At what stage of a pregnancy do you recommend students take your classes?
Around 30 weeks, later or earlier is fine but usually I do see clients around 32 weeks.

How should students go about signing up for classes?
Contact Bridget at 804.210.1397 or bridget@evabirthservices.com

Class Session Length, Topics, and Prices
Class ranges from 3-6 hours depending on the size of the group. Usually a group class is 5 hours and we have a break for lunch, plus watch videos, practice various positions for labor and birth, and so on. Price is $75 and includes a folder with useful worksheets.

Jacqueline Starkey, myself, and my son Bennett, who was a bit more interested in checking out the other folks in the room than in mugging for the camera. =)

Mamas-to-be in their second trimester have several local options for traditional childbirth education classes, including Lamaze, Brio Birth, and Hypnobirthing.

But what about classes to answer the many important questions that arise in the first trimester (which frequently are better answered early in pregnancy, when it is easier to change care providers or birth locations), such as

• What is the difference between doctors, midwives, nurses, and doulas?
• How do I choose a care provider?
• How do I pick a place to give birth?
• What are my options?
• What do I need to know about nutrition?  About exercise?
• Why do so many women have C-sections?
• What do I need to know about VBAC?

and in the third trimester, such as

• How do I reduce the pain of contractions?
• How can my birth partner best support me?
• How can I shorten the length of my labor?
• How can I help my baby into an optimal position for birth?
• How can I reduce my risk of unnecessary interventions?
• How can I reduce my risk of C-section?

While no first- and third-trimester classes presently are available in Williamsburg (my fingers are crossed that someday soon they will be!), the doulas of Birth Journeys are now offering Early Pregnancy Classes and Labor Comfort Measures classes, in addition to traditional childbirth education classes, at Maryview Medical Center in Portsmouth, a short 1 hour drive away.

In fact, their one-day Labor Comfort Measures classes are offered the third Sunday of each month — including this upcoming Sunday, August 21st — from 1:30-4:30 PM for the very reasonable price of $45 per couple.  Click here for more information, and click here to register online!

Their Early Pregnancy Classes are scheduled on demand and cost only $20.  Click here for more information or call (757) 256-9476 to pre-register.

The women of Birth Journeys include Jacqueline Starkey (RN, CD(DONA), LCCE, CCCE), Leslie Cuffee (CD(DONA), CCE (trained), HCHD), and Christina Birdsong (Christina Birdsong, CD(DONA), CCCE, CMT).

Jacqueline was the doula at my son Bennett’s birth.  She was amazing, and I will sing her praises all my livelong days.  During my third trimester, my husband and I attended her Labor Comfort Measures class and found it incredibly valuable.

All you mamas who decide to head on over for either class:  have a fantastic time!  You will be in great, loving hands.  These doulas have so much wonderful knowledge to share!

Dee Davis instructs parents in infant massage at the July meeting of Birth Matters Williamsburg.

[Update: While this infant massage class has wrapped, others are likely ongoing or about to begin -- Dee Davis teaches classes continuously, so check out her Facebook page and the Virginia Cooperative Extension's Family Focus website for details on her latest offerings!]

Heads up, mamas!  On Monday, August 1st, a month-long infant massage class begins in Williamsburg, offered at the impressively low price of $30 $20 for 4 classes!

The class is taught by Certified Educator of Infant Massage Dee Davis and is sponsored by the Virginia Cooperative Extension’s Family Focus program.

Infant massage has many benefits for babies and parents!  It stimulates babies’ growth and development and helps relieve their digestive discomforts. For both parent and child, infant massage reduces stress hormone levels; prompts the release of oxytocin, the nurturing/love hormone; and facilitates bonding.  Newborn up to crawling are ideal ages for learning massage, but all babies benefit from massage!

Below are the course details.  Act fast!  Class starts Monday!

Infant Massage Class — 4 class meetings total

• Dates: Mondays from August 1 through August 22
• Time: 10:00-11:30 AM
• Location: Family Focus in York River Baptist Church, 8201 Croaker Road
• Cost: $30 $20 includes 4 classes, book, and massage oil!
• Childcare: Childcare for preschool-aged siblings available in an on-site play group!
• Space is limited but still available.  To register, call Sheree Press at 566-9777!

York County Mamas: a separate class is being offered on Thursday mornings August 4-25 from 10:00-11:30 AM at Family Focus in St. Mark’s Church at 118 Old York Hampton Highway in Grafton/Yorktown.  Call Bee Darrow at 898-2945 to register.

Infant massage is wonderful stuff!  It stimulates babies’ growth and development and helps relieve their digestive discomforts.  For both parent and child, infant massage reduces stress hormone levels; prompts the release of oxytocin, the nurturing/love hormone; and facilitates bonding.

Certified Infant Massage Therapist Kaye Levy is now offering a 6-week infant massage class for an incredibly reasonable price.  The class began today, but is welcoming additional students!

• When: Thursdays, April 21—May 26, 2011, 10:00– 11:30 a.m.
• Where: VCE Family Focus Grafton, Saint Mark Lutheran Church, 118 Old York-Hampton Hwy, Yorktown, VA
• Fee: $30.00 fee includes class, book and massage oil
• Who to Contact: Call Bee Darrow at 898-2945 to register.