Childbirth Education Class Outline

Five classes (2-1/2 hrs. each)

CLASS I
Discovering HypnoBirthing® for easier, more comfortable birthing

The HypnoBirthing® philosophy

Introduction to principles of self-hypnosis for birthing.

Breathing for labor: Sleep Breathing, Slow Breathing, Breathing your baby down.

How the mind determines the body's response

Class exercises

What's wrong with labor - Why it hurts; why it doesn't have to

How fear affects the length and discomfort of labor

HypnoBirthing ® films of labor and birth

CLASS II
Prenatal Bonding

Preparing Your Mind and Body for Birthing

HypnoBirthing® film

A Mother's Conversation with Her Unborn Child

Rainbow Relaxation cd and script

Breathing for labor: Sleep Breathing, Slow Breathing, Breathing your baby down

Rapid progressive relaxation/deepening techniques for labor

Visualizations for labor

Learning to maintain comfort and eliminate pain

CLASS III
Getting ready to welcome your baby

HypnoBirthing® film

Composing your birth plan

Making hospital, home, or birthing center plans

Early signals of labor

How your body works with you and for you

Achieving a natural onset of labor, free of drugs or intervention

Releasing limiting emotions and fear

Avoiding episiotomy -- perineal massage -- favorable labor positions

CLASS IV
Birthing -- Breathing love; bringing life

HypnoBirthing ® film

The three stages of labor

The birthing companion's integral role in labor

Settling in at the hospital

How labor proceeds

Comfort measures through labor

Meeting a slowed or stalled labor

Breathing your baby down through transition to birthing

Second stage breathing and pushing techniques for smooth birthing

Stage III labor - Postnatal bonding of parents with baby - birthing of the placenta

CLASS V
Overview of Class Series - In Service Guest Speakers

Birthing Video

Review Breathing techniques and various scripts.

Refresher of Positioning.

Guest Speaker (TBD)