Holistic Childbirth Education
Holistic and empowering childbirth education offered in Saratoga Springs, NY and virtually.
“My husband and I looked forward to our classes with Katie. They were very informative; we really felt like no stone was left unturned. She provided a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere to ask any questions that we had. The focus wasn’t just on the mother being pregnant, but how you and your partner are growing into this new family.”
Childbirth Education
Birthing from Within™ 3-Week Class Series
In this comprehensive class series, we focus on mind, body and spiritual preparation for pregnancy and birth. In addition to practical information about the physiology of labor and birth and what to expect, potential interventions, and natural and pharmacological coping options, Birthing from Within™ classes go deeper with mindset and mindfulness work, somatic awareness, movement practices, and birth art to practice being in the primal part of the brain, where we’ll go during labor. We take an interactive, embodied approach and also cover postpartum planning, partner support, and the transition to parenthood. Learn more about Birthing from Within here.
Classes are hosted on an ongoing basis, in a small, intimate group setting.
Additional Offerings
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Express Birthing From Within™ Workshop
A consolidated version of the 3-week course, this workshops includes two, 1-hour sessions. Parents can select areas of focus if desired.
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Natural Coping Methods Workshop
This workshop is for parents looking for a deep-dive into non-medical coping methods. We will explore mindset around birth, cover options available in both hospital and home births, and create a plan for a sustainable home practice of mindfulness and relaxation techniques.
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Fertility Awareness Workshop
This workshop is for individuals looking to begin or deepen a symptothermal cycle charting practice, whether for conception or contraception purposes.
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Office Hours
Looking to drop in for support on a specific issue or question related to pregnancy, birth or charting? I offer office hours for ad-hoc questions and support.
FAQs
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Classes are available both in-person and virtually.
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Birthing from Within was founded in 1998 by midwife Pam England, who realized during her work with parents that modern-day childbirth education was not adequately offering psychological, emotional, or spiritual preparation for pregnancy, birth and becoming a parent.
I like to think of Birthing from Within classes as offering preparation for your mind, body, spirit and relationships. While we absolutely cover the physiological and anatomical aspects of pregnancy and birth, along with navigating decisions for pain management and interventions, we also delve into mindfulness, movement and creativity to ensure “whole person” preparation for birth.
Lastly, another important distinction is the Birthing from Within seeks to offer embodied preparation for birth. When we enter the realm of labor, we move into left-brain, logical/rational thinking to a more primal, intuitive brain state. It can be hard, and at times even impossible, to remember all of the facts and figured we learned while preparing. What is accessible, however, is the “muscle memory” of mindfulness and movements we have practiced – along with, mostly importantly, the felt sense of strength, resilience, and intuition that these classes cultivate.
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Birthing from Within’s approach is distinct in that we seek to validate wherever a parent may be at in their preferences for pain medication. We will go over all pain medication options, natural and pharmacological, along with the risks and benefits of each, with the intention of parents making educated, informed decisions based on what is best for them. Still, learning pain coping techniques is an important part of the curriculum. Even if a birthing parent is intent on receiving an epidural, which is a fully supported option, there are many instances where pain coping techniques will helpful: for example, in the earlier stages of labor before an epidural can be administered, or in the case of an epidural failing to alleviate pain (which occurs in 8 to 23% of births). The techniques we teach are also helpful for the challenges of late pregnancy and postpartum. Birthing parents will receive guidance and instructions on practicing pain coping techniques at home for maximum efficacy.