Physiological changes throughout the final weeks of pregnancy.

• Creating your ideal Birth Plan or a final check of your existing Birth Plan by our experienced Midwives, to support your best birth experience.

• A discussion surrounding your desired outcomes for birth and beyond. What are your goals in terms of empowerment through education or your birthing experience and how can our educational sessions support you to achieve these outcomes?

• Determining the role of your support-person

• Practical advice to help support-people to feel informed, prepared and empowered - to feel confident in the support they’re providing.

• Physical support

• Verbal support and encouragement

• Advocating for your teammate

Note: It’s common for expectant mothers to share this experience with a partner, friend, parent or doula, however, as helpful as this extra support can be, some choose to go-it-solo! If this sounds like you, let us know in the intake form, so your Midwife-Educator can prepare relevant information specific to your circumstance. We want you to feel prepared and empowered no matter your Birth Plan!

• Perineal Massage

• Pelvic floor exercises

• Exercise in late pregnancy

• Foods and fluids

• Hospital packing list

• Getting familiar with the hospital or birthing suite

• When to go to the hospital (steps involved)

• Advocating for yourself

• Medical and alternative methods and techniques for pain relief

Stage 1: Early labor and active labor

Stage 2: The birth of your baby

Stage 3: Delivery of the placenta

• Translating the most commonly used medical terminology and complex medical concepts (regarding pregnancy, birth and labour) into simple, easy-to-understand language.

We’ve created our classes with the aim of providing information, preparation, and empowerment to expectant parents, enabling them to confidently navigate the birth process and support their best birthing experience. Our goal is for you to leave our classes feeling in control, having confidence in your care team (including Midwives, Obstetricians, Nurses, and Surgeons), and most importantly, confidence in yourselves to use your voice! We encourage you to ask questions, speak up when something feels off, and be aware of your options and rights.

What we’ll cover:

• The role of your care team and how they contribute to your labour and birth.

• Working with you care team to achieve your best birthing experience

Note: This topic covers both standard or commonly used birth interventions (see additional topics for emergency intervention)

Electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) and Intermittent Auscultation

Inductions/augmentations

Assisted Birth

Episiotomy

Frequent vaginal exams

Amniotomy

Catheterisation

• Treating and healing common injuries (i.e., perineal tearing)

• The importance of rest and sleep after birth

• Nutrition basics

• Normal newborn characteristics

• Fontanelle

• Jaundice

• Bathing and skincare

• Nappy changing and treating bottom rashes

• Swaddling (methods/types and fabric preferences)

• Newborn sleep, safe sleep (and SIDS), settling techniques

Breastfeeding:

• Expressing

• Encouraging lactation

• Positioning and latch

• How often & how much

• Nutritional information

• Where to get support

Bottle:

• Choosing the right bottle and teat for your newborn

• Choosing a formula (nutritional information)

• Bottle-feeding hygiene

• Bottle-feeding safety and the dangers of ‘bottle propping’.

• Elected Caesarean Section

• Obstetric Emergencies

• Postpartum Period (In-depth; Initial 4 weeks)

• Newborn care (In-depth; Initial 4 weeks)