General Pure Birth Class Outline*

Class #1: Understanding Birth Today & Our Culture

  • Why Pure Birth?
  • Pure Birth “Secrets” to Labor
  • Meditation for Childbirth
  • Recommended Readings for a Healthy Birth & Baby
  • How did we get here?
  • Cultural Influences on Childbirth & Their Impacts
  • Consumerism & Taking Responsibility
  • Evidence-Based Maternity Care
  • The Trends of Childbirth
Class #2: Body, Mind, Spirit Connection
  • Maintaining a Healthy Pregnancy
  • Nutrition During Pregnancy
  • Alternative Healthcare Options for Pregnancy & Labor
  • Pregnancy & Birth Anatomy
  • Due Dates & Gestation
  • How Fear Impacts Birth
  • Understanding Labor Sensations
  • The Mind-Body Connection
  • Recognizing & Approaching Birth Fears
  • Stress at Birth
Class #3: Support & Environment For Birth
  • Basics of Birth Environment
  • Communicating with your Dr/Midwife
  • Expectations & Birth Reality
  • Labor Support 101
  • The Partner’s Role in Pregnancy & Birth
  • When you’re Emotionally Involved
  • Conflicting Information: Where to go?
Class #4: Planning, Preparation & Options
  • Nine Months to Prepare
  • Choosing the Right Birth For You
  • Birth Plans
  • Options in Childbirth
  • Obstacles to Holistic/Natural Childbirth
  • Pain Medication Options
  • Plan B
  • Create a Birth Plan

Class #5: Labor in Detail

  • Common First Stage Behaviors & Emotions
  • How the Body Works in Labor
  • The “Cocktails” in Labor / Built-in Protection
  • The Value of Laboring
  • Understanding Labor Progress
  • Common Labor Variations
  • Contractions
  • Transition Plan
Class #6: Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
  • Relaxation Techniques for Labor
  • Finding your Rhythm in Labor
  • Helpful First Stage Positions
  • Breathing in Labor
  • Other Techniques for First Stage
  • Surrendering
  • When Back Labor Happens
  • Pure Birth Mood Shifters
Class #7: From Birth to Baby
  • Review Breastfeeding
  • Second Stage Basics
  • To Push or Not to Push?
  • Third Stage
  • Bringing Baby Home
  • Newborn Care
  • Bonding with your New Baby
  • The Importance of Touch

Optional Class #8: Mother Blessing

This class is for the pregnant mothers only to attend. Using the native american traditiion often called Blessing Ways or Mother Blessings, we honor your pregnancy, your birth and your new baby by sending blessings of love and acknowledging the gifts of the coming child. This may include birth vision boards, bonding time with your baby, yoga, meditation and other activities.

*This outline can change at the instructors discretion and this is meant to be a general guideline as to what you can expect in a pure birth class. Pure Birth Educators may teach their classes entirely different so please check with your instructor for details on the class outline and what to expect.

Classes are meant to be open to discussion and are not taught in a lecture style. A lot of the material solicits feedback from the students as they make their journey through discovery their own belief systems and how they might impact their birth process.