621 E Campbell Ave
Suite 14
Campbell, CA 95008
408-370-3702

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Comfort Measures for Labor Workshop
(Birthing Refresher and Part 3 of Harmony CBP)


This labor workshop provides you with specific tools for coping with labor and navigating your birth setting. We will walk you through tips for pre-labor, early labor, and active labor, to increase your comfort and confidence and promote smooth labor progress.

I am planning to have an epidural... so I don't need this, right?   Click for details..

We will teach you important 3rd trimester pregnancy exercises to coax baby into a good birth position (including some partner stretches to practice at home), and introduce/practice breathing and massage techniques to help you manage your labor as a team, including specific tips and techniques for partners, so they can help "make it better."

This workshop was developed after hearing from TOO MANY moms that they realized too late that they needed more!

This most often happens when classes taken elsewhere ended up seeming too short, or not the right style/focus for their needs or goals, or even left them feeling more anxious than before.

We'd very much like to help you avoid that feeling...

This workshop is led by an experienced labor assistant, and incorporates some of the most useful coping methods from a variety of childbirth preparation styles, as well as tips gleaned from years of experience helping women and couples navigate their labors. These include:
  • breathing, focus, and distraction techniques;
  • supportive body positioning to reduce pain and promote progress;
  • how to encourage optimal fetal positioning;
  • hands-on and hands-off ways a partner can help (including massage, compresses, physical support, encouragement, progress milestones, and facilitating positive communication of needs with caregivers);
  • and a review of additional props and environmental cues moms say worked for them!
For first-time parents, this workshop is intended as an addition to your childbirth series, not as a stand-alone class. It will put what you've learned into context and practice; add to your classroom learning; and give you both a feel for the rhythm of labor, so coping can come naturally and actually help you once labor begins.

"Excellent! Hands-on, concise information, very knowledgeable instructor..." 11/09
Read what other participants have had to say about this class.
We recommend pairing this workshop with the Harmony Childbirth Express, or with hospital or doctor's office classes you may have already chosen -- especially if you're taking an express one- or two-day childbirth class. Many parents have told us their other classes did not include adequate time for actual labor coping strategies and practice.

This class assumes participants already have a basic knowledge from reading or other classes regarding what to expect from the stages of labor, when to call and/or go in, common medical procedures, medications, possible variations and complications, cesarean, etc, from a regular prep class.

If you have not been able to take any other class and no longer have time, you are still welcome (it is better than nothing!), but please know this class will not be able to answer all of your questions.
Timing:
 We recommend taking this class after your basic childbirth class, if possible, so you already have the context of stages of labor to which to add these coping skills, but that is not required.
Cost:
 $69 per mom or couple
$61 as Part 3 (Add-On) to the Harmony Childbirth Prep Weekend Express at Harmony
Materials:
 Class fee includes all materials.
Min/Max:
 Minimum of 3 and maximum of 7 couples to allow for optimal interaction with the material and other participants.


1 SPOT = 1 Mom or Couple
Day Dates Time Instructor
Saturday Dec 10 - FULL 1 - 5 pm Vanessa Pisias
(Must be registering or registered for childbirth class at Harmony to use add-on rate.)
Sunday January 22, 2012 1 - 5 pm Deidre Lorenzo
Sunday March 4 - 1 Spot 1 - 5 pm Vanessa Pisias
Sunday April 22 1 - 5 pm Deidre Lorenzo
Sunday June 24 1 - 5 pm Vanessa Pisias
Further dates to be posted soon. Contact Us with your interest & availability to be notified when dates and registration become available.

You may register securely online with VISA or MC using the link next to your chosen date. If you prefer to pay with cash or check, click here for instructions.

Cancelation Policy



I am planning to have an epidural... so I don't need this, right?

Women are advised to go in to the hospital when (or only after) their contractions are 4-5 minutes apart and lasting about 60 seconds, consistently over the course of at least an hour. This means there may be a number of hours in early labor when you and your partner are working through contractions at home together.

In addition, once an epidural does become available, sometimes it does not take away all of the intense sensations, so most parents want to have some coping strategies to help them through the times when you will need tools for relaxing, breathing through contractions, releasing muscular tension, and getting active support from your birth partner.

Whether you are planning for an epidural or hoping not to use pain medications, labor is an intense experience, both physically and emotionally, and some reassuring preparation can help reduce anxiety, stress, and pain and promote couple's teamwork and healthy progress before, during and after labor & birth!