Childbirth Education Series
We believe our program is the best offered anywhere! Our comprehensive courses embrace our philosophy that with knowledge and support, couples can make the best and safest choices for themselves and their families.   We bring years of actual birth experience to each class, offering couples a unique and honest perspective.

Each comprehensive series includes discussion of:

• Prenatal nutrition & exercise
• The natural process of labor and evaluating its progress
• Timing your arrival at your birth place
• Relaxation techniques and “coaching”
• Coping with pain and fear of pain
• Overcoming cultural messages
• The emotional & physical aspects of labor, including stages of labor
• Birth options and birth place protocols and procedures

Geared toward those who want or are considering a "lower-tech" or unmedicated birth experience or a waterbirth, and limited in size, our comprehensive classes focus on each individual's needs and desires for birth, not on rigid "methods". As a result, they are appropriate for couples planning to birth at home, in a birth center, or in a hospital!

Busy lifestyle?
Birth Partners offers private and condensed classes too! Held in the comfort of your own home, on a time schedule which works for your family, our series of private classes are geared toward your specific needs. Individualized classes may focus on VBAC, or other specific circumstances, or may incorporate other family members such as a grandparent or siblings who may be attending the birth. Our doula-educators work with you to insure you have the information, knowledge, & comfort you need to create the birth of your choice.
 
Condensed and refresher classes are available for those whose time may be more limited or feel they need education in addition to what they may have already received. Couples who have already given birth may also prefer a condensed or refresher class. Discuss this option with your childbirth educator to find what works best for you.

Breastfeeding and Newborn Care Class
Group or private in-home classes available

• Review of benefits of breastfeeding for baby and mother
• Getting breastfeeding off to a good start 
• Reading baby’s feeding cues
• Techniques to keep baby calm and nursing well
• Positioning for optimal feeding and a pain free latch
• How to tell if baby is getting enough milk
• Preventing and reducing breast engorgement
• Demonstration of manual and electric breast pumps
• Techniques for successful pumping, storage and use of pumped breast milk
• Normal sleep patterns and safety; guidelines for safer infant sleep
• Typical newborn feeding & elimination routines/ patterns
• Discussion of vaccines, circumcision and parenting choices

Postpartum Breastfeeding Counseling
All doulas serving Birth Partners’ clients are trained to help new mothers breastfeed, however when more specific help is needed, or if difficulties arise, Breastfeeding Counseling is a welcome addition to our services.

• Breastfeeding evaluation in client’s own home
• Individualized breastfeeding support, education, and resources
• Guidance in avoiding or overcoming common breastfeeding challenges
• Referrals when appropriate

Breastfeeding classes and in-home and phone counseling are facilitated by Mik McEwen.

Ms. McEwen holds her Masters in Public Health degree and is also a certified birth doula serving Birth Partners clients. Mik has been a Health Educator for more than ten years, including breastfeeding education and counseling for the past seven years.