Preconception Class

Are you planning a pregnancy now or just considering the possibility for the future? If so, this 3-hour class is for you!

Parenting begins before conception, so it is a very good idea to consciously prepare your body, mind, and spirit for pregnancy, childbirth, and parenthood as early as you can.In this class, you will learn about:

  • How your fertility cycle works
  • How to tell when you are most capable of becoming pregnant
  • How to use the Fertility Awareness Method to avoid or achieve pregnancy
  • Choosing your care provider and birth place
  • Preparing spiritually and mentally for parenthood
  • Nutrition and health promotion for preconception and pregnancy

Additionally, you will have the sacred space and support to explore you deepest desires for pregnancy, childbirth, and parenthood.

Price for Preconception Class
Private: $80
Group: $40/couple

Labor Preparation Workshop for Couples

    2010 Workshop Dates Coming Soon!

    • Registration is required with $30 deposit to hold your space
    • $60 per couple, or free for doula clients with the Bella Mama Package

      This workshop is a ton of fun! It’s also great preparation for both partners to create more awareness and confidence in pregnancy, labor, and birth through the B.A.L.A.N.C.E. methods. You will learn skills to help you through the process of childbirth together. The class will enable expectant dads to feel more connected to their partner and unborn baby while gaining confidence and sensitivity as the birth partner. We will cover:

    • Comfort measures and massage
    • Optimal positions for labor and birth
    • Meditation exercises to create relaxation and confidence
    • Toning to release tension and open the birthing passages
    • Yoga for labor including asanas (poses) to help your labor progress and pranayama to connect with the breath and relax
    • Step-by-step how to bring B.A.L.A.N.C.E. to your pregnancy, birth, and life together as a family. This dynamic program will bring you closer to one another, to your baby, and to your Best Selves.

Full Childbirth Education Class

This class is being re-formatted to include Hypnosis for a Beautiful Birth-coming in 2010

This class is about opening your heart and awakening to your desires and your needs in order to make informed, empowered decisions. This class is also rooted in exploring the connection of the body, mind, and spirit and the physiology and intuition of birthing. The aim of this class is to give you the skills and community that you can’t get from reading a book. The environment is nurturing, fun, informative, interactive, and creative! Each class is unique, as each member is unique, and is shaped by the needs and desires of the participants. There is not one right way or method to give birth—just what is right for you in accordance with your unique desires and needs. In general, the focus is on how you want to give birth, not so much on what happens during birth. Potential topics include:

  • Identifying feelings, expectations, fears, concerns, and desires for birth
  • The mind/body connection
  • Comfort measures, positions for birthing, visualizations, positive meditations, guided relaxation
  • Breath awareness (pranayama)
  • Discussion of the physical and emotional aspects of pregnancy and childbirth
  • Philosophies of childbirth
  • Vocal toning for releasing tension and opening up during labor
  • Nutrition
  • Optimal fetal positioning
  • Pelvic floor exercises
  • Yoga practice for pregnancy and birth
  • Risks and benefits of procedures including pharmacological pain-relief and interventions (B.R.A.I.N. model for decision-making)
  • Informed consent
  • Writing a birth plan and choosing your birth team
  • The 4th trimester (bringing home baby!)
  • Basics for Breastfeeding

6-week Group Class Schedule coming for 2010

New babies are such a blessing, but for new mothers who are biologically-wired to respond to the cries of their new baby, nothing is more frustrating than feeling unable to calm or soothe their fussy infant. The physical and emotional stress caused by a crying infant can leave the whole family feeling overwhelmed, fatigued, and frustrated.

Help you and your baby get more sleep at night, enhance bonding, reduce stress, and enjoy a more tranquil beginning together. Certified Happiest Baby Educator and baby soothing specialist, Ashley Grace, will teach you an extraordinary approach to keeping baby blissful by turning on the "calming relfex." Soothing a baby is NOT instinctive but is a skill that CAN be learned.

New and expectant parents learn and practice step-by-step how to help their baby sleep better and how to soothe even the fussiest baby in minutes... even seconds!

Parents will also learn:
  • Why the idea that colic is due to gas pains is mostly an old wives' tale.
  • Why keeping the house quiet may actually be upsetting to many newborns.
  • Why most babies get more upset in the evening.
  • Why it's impossible to spoil young babies.
  • An easy way to help infants sleep a few hours more at night.

    Upcoming 2010 Workshops:
  • TBA

    Price: $60 (free for doula clients with the Bella Mama package) --includes the Happiest Baby DVD and the "Soothing Sounds" cd



    • The Happiest Baby on the Block by Dr. Karp

    The Happiest Baby on the Block is a best selling book and DVD that describes how babies need a specialized soothing approach during the "4th trimester." Dr. Harvey Karp is a nationally renowned pediatrician and child development specialist. He is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the UCLA School of Medicine. Over the past 30 years, he has taught thousands of parents his secrets for making children happy.

    • Specials

    Receive a $50 discount on doula services when you complete the Full Childbirth Education Class

    Refer a friend and when they hire me, I will mail you a check for $25 and give your friend a $25 discount as well! (offer is only valid if they mention this special)

    Gift Certificates are available and may be put towards any service. They make wonderful gifts for the mother-to-be. They may be made out for any amount and come with a beautiful, hand-made gift card.

    Payment

    A non-refundable deposit of half of the total fee is due in order to secure my childbirth education services. The remaining fee must be paid before the last class. I accept cash, check, and credit card (via PayPal with additional fee).

    It is my heart’s wish to see that every woman has the support she desires. For this reason, I ask that anyone who is interested in my services but is concerned about the cost to please contact me and I will be happy to discuss ways to accommodate your budget.