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Birth is an experience that will affect the rest of your life! This is more than the birth of a baby; this is the
birth of a mother, a family, of grandparents. Birth is a transformative event, like no other. It is a time of becoming.
We believe that you already know how to give birth. Your body, mind and baby are designed to do this work…it is
hard-wired in our brains. Learning how to let birth happen, gaining skills to deal with pain, understanding choices,
and preparation—these ideas are what our classes are all about.
Our students give birth both at home with midwifery care, and at the hospital with family doctors and obstetricians.
What they have in common is a desire to give birth in awareness. We believe there is no “Best, Safest or Most Satisfying
Way” to give birth. Instead, we want to help you find what’s best for you.
Of course, the basics come first… the anatomy and definitions. But then we discuss what normal birth looks like.
How ling is normal? What does normal birth look like? Sound like? Feel like?
Relaxation skills and comfort techniques are essential to a natural birth. Learn how the mind-body connection works,
and the wonderful array of hormones our bodies produce to get us through the hard physical labor and birth. Coping with
labor pain requires preparation and insight. We want you to be confident of your skills and ability.
Birth can be stressful, and at times, we rely on medical technology to gain safe passage. We’ll explore medications,
complications, and interventions. We want you to understand the “what its” and be ready to make informed decisions.
Hopefully, what you learn about the most is yourself. What do you need to give birth? What are your beliefs, your values?
What are your goals and hopes for this birth?
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Your New Baby and Family. |
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Learn about your new baby and what to expect in the first hours, and then the first weeks. Newborns are amazing creatures,
and we too often forget the astounding things they do. We want you to be ready to greet your child for the first time,
appreciating the skills he or she is already showing off.
Breastfeeding is truly and art—for mom and baby. Get ready by asking questions and learning what to expect.
We’ll talk about how a woman’s body returns to its non-pregnancy state, and how those fascinating hormones keep
on working while you feed your baby and care for yourself.
Finding and creating a community of support is the basis on a healthy new family. Meet other birthing families,
and learn about Duluth’s growing birth community.
“Birth is not only about making babies. Birth is about making mothers ~ strong, competent, capable mothers who trust themselves and know
their inner strength.”
~Barbara Katz Rothman
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