Birthing and Parenting in Awareness
Pregnancy and Birth are transformative moments in our lives. I believe strongly that birth is a spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical event in which our Maiden-selves are shed and our Mother-selves are born. All of this quietly going on while the body and soul of your child is literally moving through you to be born into our world. This enormous work is under valued and often overlooked in our current birth culture.
My personal bias is toward "natural" childbirth. I believe that left undisturbed birth will progress normally in the amount of time it will take to unfold. I also believe that the path of any labor and birth can never be predicted or known and that sometimes the need for intervention is strong. In either situation, a naturally unmedicated, undisturbed birth or a birth requiring medical intervention the need for women and their partners to be present, in the moment, coping, listened to, and honored is unchanged.
My deepest desire is for women and couples to enter into the circle we create and open themselves to the forces inherent in pregnancy and birth. Through ritual and practice we will build a pain coping mind-set for both parents as well as an understanding of your innate coping skills. Your innate coping skills will become easily recognizable, focused and accessible. They will go with you wherever Birth takes you so, you can create your sacred birth circle wherever you might be.
The need for coping doesn't end with the birth of your baby and the valuable tools, that you will have inside you, will sustain you through the BabyMoon period and beyond. In our circle we will also discover ways to cope with the first weeks, how your baby communicates with you, and perhaps what your parenting style might be.
What we will cover in our Circle.
I believe that a basic understanding of the birth process and standard medical procedures will help you. However, more integral to your birth process will be detailed understanding of your innate coping skills, your communication skills, your core beliefs about birth. These will be the tools you will need to travel through the labyrinth of your labor & birth, and into parenting.
We will discuss the physiological aspects of labor and birth, early breastfeeding, infant development, and infant massage. We may also discuss some routine procedures you may experience in the hospital.
Why Ice is a Motivator.
Imagine breathing through a "contraction". Right now, close your eyes and imagine your uterus is tightening down on your baby, breathe in the way you think may help you. How did that feel? Was it easy to imagine the sensations of a contraction? Did you feel any discomfort? Perhaps not?
In order to create a skill-set for pain coping you will need to practice feeling discomfort. Ice is a tool to help us gain a body memory, and practicing pain coping techniques with ice will create sense/memory recall. A strong "body memory" can keep your pain coping skills moving during the intensity of labor.
What makes these Circles sacred?
Our circles are a place of exploration and intimacy. I will ask that we turn the voices of our inner judges down or off as we get to know each other. Building trust in each other we will become a community. Sharing with each other our journey and celebrating the rites of passage from couple to family, individuals to parents. With respect for ourselves and each other we will all agree to keep information given in our Circle private. "Holding the Space and Honoring the Emotions" of our circle is good practice for holding that same feeling of the Sacred in the birthing room.
Where are these Circles held?
Circles are held at Meridian Health Center in their classroom space. To register please fill out the form below.
Seven week series 7:00-9:30pm
pregnant woman's name
in the box below please provide the
following information: email
where are you having your baby?
who is your midwife/doctor?how did you hear about my classes?
what number baby is this for you?
what are the ages of your other children?
After submitting your info you can return to this page to
submit your deposit via PayPay
Deposit for all classes $75.00
Full Class Fee $195.00
Balance minus deposit $120.00
You may also register and pay for classes by mail. Send the above information to:
Brenda Sutherland Field
1528 SW 166th ST.
Burien WA 98166
Payment/Refund Info:
Deposit is due at time of registration. The remaining balance is due one week prior to class start. Payments are refundable prior to two weeks before classes begin. If later than two weeks prior to class a refund will be given only if your space is filled.
For a partial scholarship or sliding scale please contact Brenda directly at 206.384.3368 or classes@bodiescentered.com
