Westside Birth Connection

I teach childbirth education classes that pull from many great resources such as Dr. Robert Bradley, the Lamaze Institute for Normal Birth, author Sheila Kitzinger and midwife Ina May Gaskin. We focus on breathing techniques and many different comfort techniques that I have learned from my experience attending births as a doula, both in the hospital setting and the home setting. Group classes are offered mostly in the evenings on the northeast side of Colorado Springs. Classes are $250 for an eight week course and includes multi-dimensional instruction, a ten chapter student notebook, and unlimited phone / email support. For a class outline, please feel free to visit my website. I also provide doula services for your labor, birth and postpartum period. This unique service is $550, which includes 2-3 prenatal visits, attendance at your birth, and 1-2 postpartum visits. For a combination of both childbirth education and doula services there is a discount of $100. I also give discounts for active military families and those on public assistance, such as Medicaid, food stamps, etc. Doula services will also include: -A discussion of your preferences for labor support, pain control and interventions. -I will assist you in researching and writing a birth plan. -Hand-outs covering labor and birth positions, breastfeeding information, and postpartum care for mom and baby . -Professional referrals and resources will be available to you at any time. -Access to my lending library (books, videos, tapes). -Emotional, physical and informational support during labor, birth and postpartum. -Use of my labor support tools such as hot/cold rice packs, birth ball, aromatherapy oils, massage oils, music, my caring hands, my reassuring voice. -Help initiating breastfeeding as soon as possible after birth. I believe that KNOWLEDGE and SUPPORT are the keys to a positive birth! I acknowledge that each labor and birth is an unique experience and there is no ONE right way to have a baby. My background includes my love for natural medicine, a B.A. in Biology, a Childbirth Education certification through the Birth Connection, Labor / Birth Doula certification through CAPPA, Neonatal Resuscitation certification through NRP, CPR & First Aid Certified, and my experience working with Dr. Robert Wolfson, a perinatolotgist. I currently shadow a homebirth midwife, as her assistant, and I am looking forward to becoming a midwife myself someday, when my own two children are older.