First Stage Part Two

Thanks for the comments and emails on this post! It's always nice to hear what people are reading and doing to prepare for labor and birth.

Here's how I ended up answering those five questions:

#1 Choose a book to recommend to clients about preparing for labor and birth.

My favorite book to recommend is Birthing From Within by Pam England. Along with this book, clients most often request to borrow books from Ina May Gaskin, Gentle Birth Choices (with DVD) by Barbara Harper, and The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer.

#2 Give examples of family members' participation in the labor process.

Family members can best participate in the labor process by listening to and respecting the wishes of the laboring woman. Family can keep the woman company during early labor by going on a walk with her, watching a movie with her, or sharing a meal. They can be helpful with setting up the birth tub and clearing the birth space. Family members can take photos and videos, provide emotional support and encouragement, prepare nutritious labor and postpartum food, help with older siblings and/or pets, and help ensure privacy for the labor and birth. During the immediate postpartum, they can celebrate with the couple, admire the baby, prepare meals, help with clean-up, and help facilitate any particular wishes the couple might have.

#3 Describe how you help a woman relax in labor. Give several examples of things you've tried and had positive experience with.

Provide encouragement

Take slow, deep breaths with the woman
Maintain eye contact through each contraction
Massage feet, hands, legs, neck
Play music
Turn down the lights or light candles
Encourage use of birth tub
Use aromatherapy
Speak softly but clearly

#4 Make a list of options for stimulating labor at home.

Stripping membranes

AROM (breaking the bag of water)

Walking

Sex

Nipple stimulation

Herbs

Homeopathy

Acupressure

Acupuncture

Castor oil (as a last resort before a hospital induction)

#5 Compile a list of childbirth preparation classes. (FYI, there are a LOT of local options for childbirth education. These are my favorite in Alameda County and the only ones I would refer clients to):

Birthing From Within
Taught by Noah Singman, LM, CPM in the East Bay
noahsingman@gmail.com
Taught by Rosanna Davis, LM, CPM in the Peninsula and South Bay
www.californiamidwifery.com

Birthways Childbirth Preparation
Taught by multiple instructors.
Group class – 15 hours - $200 per couple
Group weekend intensive – 10 hours - $180 per couple
Group intensive – 12 hours - $180 per couple
Held at 1600 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA
www.birthways.org

Loving Arms Childbirth Preparation

Taught by Janaki Costello, Alice Elliot, and Carol Shattuck-Rice
Group class – 20 hours - $275 per couple, sliding scale available
Refreshers, private classes, and VBAC classes available upon request
Held at Janaki Costello’s lactation office – 828 San Pablo Avenue, Albany, CA
www.janakicostello.com

Zen Birthing
Taught by Betsy Appell
Group class series - 15 hours - $340 per couple
Group class intensive – 3 hours - $110 per couple
Private classes – 5 hours - $400 or $85 per hour for less than five hours
Held at Birthways – 1600 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA.
www.sfdoula.com

Hospital Based Childbirth Preparation:

Kaiser Hospital (Hayward)
Lamaze
Taught by Sylvia Boyd
Group class – 4 weeks - $60 Kaiser members, $100 non-members
www.mybreastfeeding.com
510-248-3455

Early Pregnancy
Open to members only
Held in Hayward, Fremont, or Oakland
Available in Spanish
510-675-4090

Mid Pregnancy
Open to members only
Held in Hayward or Fremont
Available in Spanish
510-784-2909

Late Pregnancy
Open to members only
Held in Hayward or Fremont
Available in Spanish
510-784-2909

Kaiser Hospital (Oakland)
Childbirth quick course
Open to members only
510-752-1100

St. Rose Hospital (Hayward)
Lamaze

Taught by Sylvia Boyd
Group class – 15 hours – free if delivering at St. Rose, $95 if delivering elsewhere
www.mybreastfeeding.com