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Bradley Method® Childbirth Preparation
The Bradley Method is founded on the principle that with the proper education and preparation, many women neither need nor want medical interference while giving birth. Most, however, are under the impression that high technology is necessary for a good outcome. On the contrary, routine intervention is often done for the convenience of the doctor or hospital staff, not for the benefit of mother or baby. This interference is distracting and disruptive to the birth process, increasing rather than reducing the risk of obstetrical complications. Since the circumstances surrounding the birth of a baby profoundly influence the couple’s relationship, parenting abilities and ultimately the family unit, the underlying philosophy of the Bradley Method is respect for the integrity of the natural birth process.
The course of the program involves 8 weeks of instruction and discussion regarding relevant issues of pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. These include prenatal exercises that condition and tone the body in preparation for birth; nutrition and its effect on the growing fetus; stages of labor and how to work with each to produce the most efficient labor; medical interventions and how to avoid them when they are not needed; cesarean sections and how to avoid an unnecessary one, along with options should one become necessary; and, finally, the effect of the birthing process on breastfeeding and the newborn.
In addition, because labor coaching is paramount to the Bradley Method, time is spent in each class learning and practicing coaching techniques. A thoroughly prepared coach knows what to expect in labor and is, therefore, better able to facilitate the laboring woman’s ability to birth normally. The presence of an effective labor coach not only reduces the need for medical interference, but it also increases the couple’s satisfaction with their birth experience.
Breathing and relaxation techniques are also part of every class. While the Bradley Method’s are the least complicated to learn and do, they have proven to be the most effective. The slow, diaphragmatic breathing that is taught insures a sufficient supply of oxygen for the baby and enhances the mothers ability to maintain a calm and confident attitude.
The Bradley Method is thorough and personal. Classes are limited in size to provide time for each couple's concerns and input. Instructors encourage an attitude of full participation rather than that of a bystander. This type of preparation produces not only the safest births and healthiest babies, but also the most exciting and satisfying birth experiences. Just ask a Bradley couple!
About the instructor:
Lori Ismail, AAHCC has been working as a professional in the bay area since the 90’s as a certified natural childbirth instructor (affiliated with the Bradley Method), doula, postpartum doula, and lactation consultant. She is also the mother of four children.
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Bradley Method® Childbirth Prep 8-week series |
| Instructor: |
Lori Ismail |
| Schedule: |
This is an 8-week course (one
evening per week), Thursday evenings 7:00pm, ending between 9 and 9:30pm. |
| Dates: |
If you find the class you
prefer is full, please contact us and we will put you on a
waiting list. If we have a minimum of three couples, we will
do our best to open another class. |
| Price: |
$350 |
| Notes: |
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Birthing From Within® 6 week Series
Birthing From Within® Childbirth Preparation: An Extra-Ordinary Childbirth Class.
Parents and birth attendants can influence, but not control how a birth unfolds. Birthing From Within® is a holistic approach that gives parents the tools to birth-in-awareness even when the journey takes unexpected turns.
Birthing From Within classes are unlike any other childbirth classes. Parents learn practical information through thought-provoking dialogues, interesting videos, and multi-sensory activities. Class by class, parents practice and master a variety of proven pain-coping exercises and build their pain-coping confidence. They also explore the wise and compassionate use of drugs and epidurals.
- Create a birth space (wherever you are) that will help you open in labor
- Build a pain-coping mindset through proven concentration and mindfulness practices
- Explore the wise and compassionate use of drugs and epidurals
- "Lose it" in labor
- Special Class for Dads and Birth Companions
- Push your baby out
- Welcome your new baby
- Feed and care for your newborn
- Prepare for a gentle and mindful transition to parenthood
- Reclaim the spirituality of birth
- Includes a Postpartum class
These classes are complete childbirth preparation, covering the material and information covered in more traditional classes, including stages of labor/ birth, physiology of normal birth, what to expect, when to call your care-provider, and much more.
For more information about Birthing From Within® Childbirth Preparation, go to www.BirthingFromWithin.com
About the instructor:
Mendy Thijssen is a Birthing From Within® Childbirth Mentor. She is an experienced birth and postpartum doula, and Whole Birth Yoga teacher, serving Bay Area families since 2002. She is a wife, and mother to a beautiful daughter, born in June 2005 at home. She is devoted to providing resources and evidence based information to expecting and new parents to help promote mother-friendly/baby-friendly care in our current birth culture.
Birthing From Within 6-week Series |
| Instructor(s): |
Mendy Thijssen Ceritfied Birthing From Within® Mentor |
| Schedule: |
6 weeknight evenings from 6:30-9:00pm
Each Series also has a Postpartum class, date to be determined |
| Dates: |
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| Price: |
$300.00 PLUS $30 materials fee, payable to the instructor at the first class, which includes 2 books. If you already own a copy of the "yellow" Birthing From Within book bring it with you and your materials fee will only be $15 for the hardcover Keepsake Journal that we use each night in class.
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| Notes: |
Buy 4 essential classes as a package and save!
The discount package includes a Blossom membership (full-year library privileges and free yoga class) and registration for the following 4 classes.
1) Breastfeeding Basics
2) Baby Care
3) Surviving the First Six Weeks
4) Birthing from Within 6-week Series
Package price: $470
You can pay for the package by adding it to your cart here and calling Blossom to arrange the class dates.
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Practicing for an Active Birth Workshop
This workshop will give couples an opportunity to practice breathing, position changes, and massage for birth. In addition, couples will work on using vocalization, relaxation, and visualization. Couples will learn how to use these techniques throughout the various phases of birth. This workshop will not cover the theoretical topics that are usually covered in childbirth education classes or in books. This workshop is recommended for couples who want more in-depth, hands-on practice of pain coping techniques for labor and delivery.
Here's what a past student has to say about Preparing for an Active Birth: "Great workshop, Neri. This class was a great refresher for my second birth! Thanks!"
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Practicing for an Active Birth Workshop |
| Instructor(s): |
Neri L. Choma, M.A., CD, CBE, CHT |
| Schedule: |
One 4 1/4-hour class offered once a month. Saturday or Sunday afternoon |
| Dates: |
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| Price: |
$89 per couple |
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Hypnosis for Expectant Couples
Hypnosis for expectant couples is a five-hour workshop that teaches deep relaxation techniques to be used during labor and childbirth. Use of relaxation during labor helps to reduce anxiety which, in turn, decreases the degree of discomfort a woman may experience during contractions. Each couple will undergo an assessment to identify how the expectant mother processes relaxation. Different techniques including touch, sound, and visualization are used to help the mother learn relaxation. Partners are instructed how to identify how the expectant mother relaxes and to use different techniques to help her maintain a state of deep relaxation. Practicing of deep relaxation as a couple prior to the onset of labor allows for greater partner participation during childbirth. The integration of deep relaxation and partner participation helps the family achieve an overall positive birth experience.
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Hypnosis for Expectant Couples |
| Instructor(s): |
Jennifer Wolfe |
| Schedule: |
One five- hour class. Sunday, 11am- 4pm |
| Dates: |
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| Price: |
$139 per couple |
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Childbirth Refresher
How wonderful! You're having another baby! Being pregnant
again can be exciting and exhausting. It is an opportunity to revisit
the labor and birth process from an "experienced" perspective. This
can make it easier and more challenging at the same time, especially
if you've had a previous difficult birth experience. In this class we
will review the stages of labor and how they might be different this
time around, positions of comfort during labor as well as pain coping
techniques such as breathing and relaxation. We will also spend time
talking about your previous birth experience to be clear on what worked
for you and what didn't so you have an awareness of what you would like
to do differently this time, so you can make the most of this coming
birth. This is a one-time 4-hour class.
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Blossom Refresher |
| Instructor(s): |
Rachel Kelly |
| Schedule: |
This is one 4-hour class for
"experienced" parents. Offered on weekends |
| Dates: |
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| Price: |
$89 per couple |
| Notes: |
If the dates listed are
not convenient, please check our Practicing for an Active Birth
Workshop (above) as an option. |
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Twins and More! Birth & Parenting Preparation
Wow, twins! Now what? We will focus on your unique and specific needs as parents-to-be, or new parents, of twins. Learn about the uniqueness of twin birth, from labor and birth to cesarean birth. And since birth is just the beginning, we will talk about transitioning from the hospital to home with full-term babies or babies cared for in the Neonatal Intensive Care. We will also discuss specific coping strategies for caring for and nursing two babies simultaneously and where to find the support and resources you will need, such as family, doulas, and local resources and organizations. This is a fast paced 3.5 hour class.
About the instructor:
Janet Dombro is a Board Certified Lactation Consultant, La Leche League Leader, and most of all, mother of twins.
Twins Birth & Parenting Preparation |
| Instructor(s): |
Janet Dombro, IBCLC |
| Schedule: |
One 3.5-hour class. |
| Dates: |
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| Price: |
$89 per couple |
| Notes: |
Please feel free to bring lunch! |
Blossom Discount Package
Buy 4 essential classes as a package and save over $82!
The discount package includes a Blossom membership (full-year library privileges and one free yoga class) and registration for the following 4 classes for only $394! (Regular price if paid individually would be $476.)
- Breastfeeding Basics
- Baby Care
- Surviving the First Six Weeks
- One of the following childbirth prep classes:
Package cost for above package: $394
You can pay for the package by adding it to your cart here and calling Blossom to arrange the class dates.
Please see Baby Moon or Birthing from Within® Series or Bradley packages listings if you are interested in opting for either one of those as your childbirth class instead of the 4-week or Intensive for an additional cost.
Payment/Registration
You can register for your classes now with a credit card by clicking on the PayPal button for each class; note that you do not need to have or create a PayPal account to pay by credit card with PayPal. Or, you can fill out a registration form, print it out, and mail it back to us with your check. In either case we will confirm your registration by email. If you have questions, please contact the Blossom office, 650-321-2326.
Refunds/Cancellations
Blossom classes are known for expert instructors and small class sizes. Please help us keep classes affordable by selecting your course dates carefully.
If you must switch or cancel, contact us at least three weeks before the course date for full credit or refund.
If you contact us between one and three weeks before the course date, you will receive credit (minus $15 fee) toward another Blossom class(es) to be used within one year.
If you must cancel within one week, your fees will be contributed to our scholarship fund. We will be glad to send you a letter for tax purposes acknowledging your donation.
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We offer a wide variety of birth preparation classes.
All of our childbirth classes will help you gain insight and understanding
of the birth process. Partners are welcome, as they often provide critical support emotionally
and physically during labor and birth. With a maximum of six couples per class, you will
have the full attention of your educator. You'll also have plenty of opportunity
to connect with other couples and practice what you are learning. These classes use an eclectic
approach, exploring the wide range of birth possibilities. We discuss a variety of options that encourage you
to move through your birth in an informed, empowered way. Our hope is
that you will make choices along the way that suit you both physically and philosophically.