This is a prenatal series comprised of 8 sessions. It's an exploration that presents birth as a healthy, physiological process, while examining common cultural beliefs and dispelling misperceptions. Content provides opportunities for expectant parents to become critical thinkers. Sessions are comprised of interactive exercises, brainstorming, discussions of topics in small groups/pairs, as well as incorporating relaxation/breath awareness, meditation, body sensing practices and dance!

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This series offers expectant parents a pathway to discover what's truly important to them, to be their own powerful advocates, while claiming agency during their birth journey. Creating a vision that includes being fully aware of what informed consent means and how to navigate decision making in order to give birth consciously. 

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Topics covered:

• Opening to Birth: choosing to birth naturally, birth as a rite of passage; birthing pleasure hormones, birth & sex interconnectedness

• Our Birth Culture: medicalized model and social messages, 'labour-bypass' era, disarming fears, working with 'life giving' pain

• Birth Labyrinth: anatomy & physiology of birth, rite of passage phases, birth as an altered state of consciousness; supporting body wisdom

• Ecstatic Birth: alternative to the 'pain relief' paradigm, use of pleasure to enhance your experience; hydrotherapy & waterbirth

• Dancing with the Unexpected: navigating changes, medical procedures, interventions, pain medications, Cesarean birth, creating your birth vision, communication, informed consent/decision making

• The First Hour(s): birth of placenta/cord clamping, immediate care of newborn/mother, newborn procedures/tests, newborn appearance, characteristics

• Breastfeeding: getting off to a great start, common challenges

• Life with Baby: recovery, realities, priorities, adjustments, sleep