Due to COVID-19, all classes are now offered in a real-time virtual format via Zoom
Why is childbirth education important?
Benefits of an independent childbirth class
Evidence-based independent childbirth education classes teach pregnant people to be informed consumers of their health care. Independent childbirth classes, such as this one, examine the research including benefits and risks as well as the guidelines put forth by the major health organizations. Independent childbirth classes are not under the hierarchy of hospital legal teams or administrators, but instead, empower students with truthful, unedited, evidence-based information.
Evidence-based independent childbirth education classes teach pregnant people to be informed consumers of their health care. Independent childbirth classes, such as this one, examine the research including benefits and risks as well as the guidelines put forth by the major health organizations. Independent childbirth classes are not under the hierarchy of hospital legal teams or administrators, but instead, empower students with truthful, unedited, evidence-based information.
Reduce the risk of unnecessary cesarean birth
Research suggests that attendance at a childbirth education class is associated with a decrease use of cesarean birth. As pregnant people learn about available options, they make better decisions. These better decisions reduce the risk of unnecessary cesarean birth.
Lower the rate of induction of labor
Independent childbirth classes empower pregnant people to become a partner in their own health care and view childbirth as a normal, healthy event. When shared decision making between patient and provider is present, lower rates of induction occurs. In addition, people who have taken an evidence-based, independent childbirth education class are more likely to recognize when they're being pressured to have a non-medically necessary labor induction.
Research suggests that attendance at a childbirth education class is associated with a decrease use of cesarean birth. As pregnant people learn about available options, they make better decisions. These better decisions reduce the risk of unnecessary cesarean birth.
Lower the rate of induction of labor
Independent childbirth classes empower pregnant people to become a partner in their own health care and view childbirth as a normal, healthy event. When shared decision making between patient and provider is present, lower rates of induction occurs. In addition, people who have taken an evidence-based, independent childbirth education class are more likely to recognize when they're being pressured to have a non-medically necessary labor induction.
- Note: Pregnant people who take a high quality, evidence-based childbirth education class are also more likely to recognize any potential problems that arise, thus leading to a greater chance of receiving immediate, medically necessary care.
Image: Lamaze International
Less false labor admission
Being educated about the normal, physiological process of birth, recognizing signs of early and active labor, and practice with a variety of comfort measures helps childbearing people make better decisions about when they should head into the hospital. This discourages pregnant people from heading into their place of birth "too soon". If people arrive at their place of birth "too soon", they may be sent home. Those who are admitted "too soon" are subjected to routine, non-medically necessary interventions - both of which increases the risk of cesarean birth.
Shorter labors
Pregnant people who learn about the Six Healthy Birth Practices, practice a variety of comfort measures, and develop a good labor support team have a higher likelihood of shorter labors than those who do not take a childbirth education class. In addition, people who take a high quality childbirth education class have fewer interventions and are more likely to have a spontaneous vaginal birth, both of which contribute to shorter labors.
Reduced augmentation
Knowledge of the normal, physiologic process of birth, practice with helpful labor positions, and information about the importance of good labor support reduce the risk of needing augmentation to labor - in other words, families who take a childbirth education class are less likely to need unnecessary pharmaceuticals to improve their labors.
Being educated about the normal, physiological process of birth, recognizing signs of early and active labor, and practice with a variety of comfort measures helps childbearing people make better decisions about when they should head into the hospital. This discourages pregnant people from heading into their place of birth "too soon". If people arrive at their place of birth "too soon", they may be sent home. Those who are admitted "too soon" are subjected to routine, non-medically necessary interventions - both of which increases the risk of cesarean birth.
Shorter labors
Pregnant people who learn about the Six Healthy Birth Practices, practice a variety of comfort measures, and develop a good labor support team have a higher likelihood of shorter labors than those who do not take a childbirth education class. In addition, people who take a high quality childbirth education class have fewer interventions and are more likely to have a spontaneous vaginal birth, both of which contribute to shorter labors.
Reduced augmentation
Knowledge of the normal, physiologic process of birth, practice with helpful labor positions, and information about the importance of good labor support reduce the risk of needing augmentation to labor - in other words, families who take a childbirth education class are less likely to need unnecessary pharmaceuticals to improve their labors.
Improved rates of breastfeeding
When labors are healthier with lower rates of interventions and cesareans, babies are healthier and more likely to breastfeed. Evidence shows that people who take a childbirth education class having improved rates of breastfeeding.
When labors are healthier with lower rates of interventions and cesareans, babies are healthier and more likely to breastfeed. Evidence shows that people who take a childbirth education class having improved rates of breastfeeding.
Image: Lamaze International
What will I learn?
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Confidence
Pregnant people who take an evidence-based childbirth education class learn to view the childbirth process as a normal, biological life event that has contributed to the evolution of human beings for many thousands of years.
When we understand that birth is normal, healthy process rather than a medical condition from which pregnant people need to be rescued, we build confidence in our own body and and its capability to birth.
Self-advocacy skills
Shared decision making and informed consent is the process in which patients and providers have meaningful discussions about all benefits, risks, and alternative options available. This discussion is not based in fear or coercion. After having careful, truthful communication based on mutual respect, pregnant people and their partners feel heard and respected. Independent childbirth education classes help pregnant people gain a greater sense of advocating for themselves.
Pregnant people who take an evidence-based childbirth education class learn to view the childbirth process as a normal, biological life event that has contributed to the evolution of human beings for many thousands of years.
When we understand that birth is normal, healthy process rather than a medical condition from which pregnant people need to be rescued, we build confidence in our own body and and its capability to birth.
Self-advocacy skills
Shared decision making and informed consent is the process in which patients and providers have meaningful discussions about all benefits, risks, and alternative options available. This discussion is not based in fear or coercion. After having careful, truthful communication based on mutual respect, pregnant people and their partners feel heard and respected. Independent childbirth education classes help pregnant people gain a greater sense of advocating for themselves.
Image: Lamaze International
Current evidence
You might be surprised to know that many of the current maternity care practices we see in hospitals today are out-dated, but still used due to provider preference. It takes nearly 15+ years for evidence to be put into practice, which prolongs the process of providing quality maternity care. Pregnant people deserve current evidence, not out-dated hospital policies. The Lamaze Six Healthy Birth Practices is a collection of the highest level of research, evidence and recommendations from major health organizations such as WHO, ACOG, ACNM, and AAP.
You might be surprised to know that many of the current maternity care practices we see in hospitals today are out-dated, but still used due to provider preference. It takes nearly 15+ years for evidence to be put into practice, which prolongs the process of providing quality maternity care. Pregnant people deserve current evidence, not out-dated hospital policies. The Lamaze Six Healthy Birth Practices is a collection of the highest level of research, evidence and recommendations from major health organizations such as WHO, ACOG, ACNM, and AAP.
Birth is normal & healthy
Physiological birth is safe, healthy, and pleasurable. The reason we all walk this earth and we continue to have babies is because birth works, and works really well. Otherwise, we wouldn't have so many babies! While birth is not perfect and sometimes problems do occur that require medical attention, the majority of those problems are a result of intervention and they are preventable. Most people giving birth require nothing more than good support, nourishment, and the space to birth according to their own comfort needs.
Physiological birth is safe, healthy, and pleasurable. The reason we all walk this earth and we continue to have babies is because birth works, and works really well. Otherwise, we wouldn't have so many babies! While birth is not perfect and sometimes problems do occur that require medical attention, the majority of those problems are a result of intervention and they are preventable. Most people giving birth require nothing more than good support, nourishment, and the space to birth according to their own comfort needs.
Who should take this class?
First time parents
Pregnant people who take a high quality, evidence-based childbirth education class have made the decision to set the tone for their entire obstetrical future. Decisions made at the first birth have a life-long impact. We welcome first time parents and pregnant people!
Experienced parents
Pregnant people who have previously given birth but have realized the need for more thorough childbirth education often find their way to this class. It is not unusual for pregnant people to have experienced a less than desirable or even traumatic first birth. High quality, evidence-based childbirth education can make a difference for the second (or third, fourth) time around. It's never too late to learn. We don't know what we don't know until we realize we don't know. Please join us.
Your Support People Are Welcome!
Your non-pregnant support team members are welcomed and encouraged to attend this class with you. Good support during labor significantly improves outcomes for both mothers and babies. Bring your team of support so they can learn the latest and greatest in childbirth education.
Who should NOT take this class?
Pregnant people who take a high quality, evidence-based childbirth education class have made the decision to set the tone for their entire obstetrical future. Decisions made at the first birth have a life-long impact. We welcome first time parents and pregnant people!
Experienced parents
Pregnant people who have previously given birth but have realized the need for more thorough childbirth education often find their way to this class. It is not unusual for pregnant people to have experienced a less than desirable or even traumatic first birth. High quality, evidence-based childbirth education can make a difference for the second (or third, fourth) time around. It's never too late to learn. We don't know what we don't know until we realize we don't know. Please join us.
Your Support People Are Welcome!
Your non-pregnant support team members are welcomed and encouraged to attend this class with you. Good support during labor significantly improves outcomes for both mothers and babies. Bring your team of support so they can learn the latest and greatest in childbirth education.
Who should NOT take this class?
- Anyone who is looking for quick information or a short cut to learning. This class is meant to give participants a deeper understanding of the process of birth and the evidence surrounding birth outcomes. Time is required.
- Anyone who does not view people as individuals who have specific needs and wants.
- Anyone who is not open to examining research and updated evidence.
Experienced, certified, professional educator
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Wendy is an internationally known and recognized childbirth educator. As the Program Director and Instructor for Family Trees Birth Programs, she is known worldwide for her exciting and dynamic teaching style.
Wendy holds a Masters degree in health science with a concentration in midwifery and women's healthcare. In 2015, she was inducted into the prestigious Fellowship of the Academy of Certified Childbirth Educators and earned Lamaze Accreditation for the Family Trees Lamaze Educator program. |
After a 15 year career in education, Wendy answered the call to work with childbearing families by enrolling in graduate midwifery school. She became a certified doula through DONA International and worked as a birth assistant in the local Amish and Mennonite communities. She has supported hundreds of mothers as they've welcomed their new babies into this world.
As a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator and Program Director for Lamaze, and an Evidence-Based Birth (R) Instructor Wendy provides empowering education to parents and professionals. She consistently receives glowing reviews from her students and coworkers. Wendy has taught at major hospital systems throughout the United States and has trained childbirth educators, doulas, midwives, nurses, and doctors from around the world. She is the Chair of the Education Council for Lamaze International.
Professionally, Wendy has been involved with research at Towson University School of Nursing and has guest lectured at several universities including Penn State University and Notre Dame University in Maryland. Wendy was the featured speaker at the regional AWHONN meeting and presented at the Lamaze International conference in Fort Worth, TX and Pittsburgh, PA. She was recently published in the Journal of Perinatal Education. Wendy proudly represented her state while lobbying for better maternity care on Capitol Hill in 2017, holding appointments with five members of congress.
Wendy is passionate about addressing the healthcare disparities that exist within the United States maternity care system and is a volunteer with Patients R Waiting's Diversifying Doulas Initiative. She thoroughly enjoys sharing her love for labor support and education with other birth professionals.
Above all else, she is most proud of her four children.
As a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator and Program Director for Lamaze, and an Evidence-Based Birth (R) Instructor Wendy provides empowering education to parents and professionals. She consistently receives glowing reviews from her students and coworkers. Wendy has taught at major hospital systems throughout the United States and has trained childbirth educators, doulas, midwives, nurses, and doctors from around the world. She is the Chair of the Education Council for Lamaze International.
Professionally, Wendy has been involved with research at Towson University School of Nursing and has guest lectured at several universities including Penn State University and Notre Dame University in Maryland. Wendy was the featured speaker at the regional AWHONN meeting and presented at the Lamaze International conference in Fort Worth, TX and Pittsburgh, PA. She was recently published in the Journal of Perinatal Education. Wendy proudly represented her state while lobbying for better maternity care on Capitol Hill in 2017, holding appointments with five members of congress.
Wendy is passionate about addressing the healthcare disparities that exist within the United States maternity care system and is a volunteer with Patients R Waiting's Diversifying Doulas Initiative. She thoroughly enjoys sharing her love for labor support and education with other birth professionals.
Above all else, she is most proud of her four children.
Virtual Classes
Childbirth Education Series:
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6-week series
2-hour classes each week This series focuses on preparation for childbirth and comfort measures. Investment: $195 early registration; $250 regular registration Dates: Saturday, January 7 - February 11 Time: 10 am EST |
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