Childbirth can be one of the most empowering, life-changing experiences in a woman's life. This course helps parents prepare for childbirth, maintain comfort during labor and make informed decisions around the birth of their child, while respecting that each family's choices and desires are different. In this 15-hour course, which meets once a week for 6 weeks, expectant moms and their partners will prepare for labor, learn what happens during labor physically and emotionally, and how to nourish and comfort yourselves during pregnancy, labor and postpartum recovery. We practice many different techniques for coping with labor, including labor positions, relaxation, guided imagery, theories of Hypnobirthing and Calm Birth, and various comfort measures. The class also includes discussion of Informed Choice, common interventions, pain relief options (pharmacological and non-pharmacological), and hospital birth, birth center birth and home birth.

The course fee includes a copy of Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin and a second book of your choice from a selection of Birthing From Within by Pam England and Rob Horowitz, The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer, or The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin, PT. An informational binder will be provided for the length of the class filled with local resources, Web resources, diagrams, drawings and articles.

Members: $319/couple +$25 Materials
Nonmembers: $399/couple +$25 Materials

Group B: Tuesdays, September 16 - October 21
6:00 - 9:00pm Amy Hyams

Group C: Wednesdays, October 15 - November 19
6:00 - 9:00pm Tracy Massillon

Group D: Tuesdays, November 11 - December 16
6:00 - 9:00pm Amy Hyams

Michelle Welborn is a Student Midwife, Certified Birth abd Postpartum Doula and Childbirth Educator. She has attended over 100 births in hospitals, homes and birth centers. She received her formal training through DONA, Lamaze International and Natural Resources, but she considers birthing women and their partners to be her greatest teachers. She is a member of the San Francisco Doula Group, DONA, CAPPA and a founding member of the SF Doula Group Peer Review. For more information, see www.welborndoula.com.

Tracy Massillon has been working with birthing families since 2003. As a Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula, she provides nurturing and practical support for new parents throughout the miraculous transition to parenthood. Tracy is also a Certified Lactation Counselor and a Lamaze-trained Childbirth Educator. She teaches a number of courses for new and expectant parents and also trains Postpartum Doulas at Natural Resources. For more information, visit www.birthharmony.com

Amy Hyams is a Birth Doula, Childbirth Educator and Healthcare Advocate. While attending the birth of her nephew in 1998, she found herself fascinated by the power of women during labor and birth. Since certifying with DONA in 2001 she has attended more than 100 births. Amy bases her work as a Doula, Educator and Healthcare Advocate on the premise of informed choice as a tool for empowerment. She is dedicated to providing education so that people can make the right choice for themselves.