Philosophy

Birth can be an incredibly empowering experience—full of joy; intense, but not overly painful (and sometimes not painful at all!). While natural childbirth is not the most popular option in our culture today, in normal healthy pregnancies it can be the safest and the most satisfying. If given the knowledge, support, and chance I believe couples would make the most informed decisions for their family and see natural childbirth as a worthy goal.

Whether or not you’re certain a natural birth is for you—if even considering the possibility—I invite you to come, learn, and have fun. Your opinions are welcomed and will be respected. Whatever your final decision,  knowledge of the process, of the various options available, and the techniques available to manage labor will all be of great value to you.

The goal of my teaching is to prepare couples for a natural, vaginal birth. This means without pain medication and with little or no medical intervention, though I do not discredit these as extremely valuable resources when truly needed. Many of today’s childbirth classes simply prepare you for hospital routines and interventions. I believe that women, by design, are more than able to give birth without medical intervention and when given the time and chance do so successfully on their own.

Through much of history birth was seen as a normal and natural process. As this view has shifted, we tend to see it as a high risk situation—too dangerous to be without an extensive amount of medical assistance. This fear of birth has become overwhelming for many. Fear then interferes with the ability to relax, increasing tension and actually altering the natural chemical production during labor (which can slow or stop progress, lessen endorphins, and make the entire process less manageable). With fear we are truly working against our own bodies.

The laboring process in and of itself is quite simple but has become more complicated through recent (past century) drugs and medical interventions. These interventions carry risks not present in natural birth and risks not often discussed by our birth attendants. The benefits of less intervention can be profound: a shorter more efficient birth, an easier and quicker recovery, a happier and healthier mother, and a healthier more alert newborn better able to bond and breastfeed successfully.

Birth Seasons Classes will focus on the birth process as it happens naturally, your own ability to cope with the intensity of birth through relaxation techniques and laboring positions, and the effects of routine intervention. Upon completing this course, you will be prepared—if you so decide—for a remarkable, rewarding, and joyful natural birth.