Natural birth matters. After all, it's the way our bodies were meant to give birth, and many people believe we're meant to experience it with awareness. While we're grateful for technology when it saves moms and babies, routine interventions and medication can also lead to a cascade of complications.
Informed, natural birth is the goal of 'The Best of Natural Birth,' an 8-week independent childbirth class. The course is taught by Jessica English, a former Bradley Method instructor. After her early years of teaching, observing births and working with natural-minded health care providers, she recognized a need for an independent natural childbirth class that is moderate, personalized and incorporates the best of many different birth philosophies. The series offers an in-depth look at a variety of natural birth techniques, stressing trust for the mother's body and the natural process.
The Best of Natural Birth isn't a rigid method—it's a toolbox. A toolbox of natural birthing techniques that you won't find anywhere else, from an independent instructor who works only for you. About 90 percent of Jessica's students who've birthed vaginally have done so without pain medication—that includes first-time parents, VBAC moms, and even several third-time parents who just wanted to find a new way to birth. Less than 15 percent of her students have had c-sections. The techniques work.
Our goal is for families to have a birth journey that leaves them feeling strong, centered and empowered.
Kind words:
"The Best of Natural Birth class was exactly what Matt
and I needed to prepare ourselves for the natural birth we wanted. Although
Matt was skeptical before we went to our first class (even of natural birth),
afterward he said he'd be willing to have a homebirth if it was what I wanted.
That tells you a lot about the first class! Jessica helped us learn what
to expect from labor and delivery in a way that our midwife appointments
didn't. Each birth video we watched gave me another angle and reaffirmed
my decision to birth naturally. Matt learned what he could do to support
me -- and he put those techniques to the test during my 17-hour back labor.
Everything we did in class and everything we did as "homework"
centered my mind and body. I felt completely confident about my ability
to birth naturally weeks before my labor, which helped me relax and have
the birth that we wanted."
- Sarah, mom to Emma, born at Borgess Hospital
"I appreciated Jessica's class so much. As a first
time mother, I had so many questions about my body, our baby, and the entire
birth journey. The class was educational and kept my interest throughout.
I walked away feeling empowered about my birth, which was very important
to me."
- Kaitlin, mom to Ella, born at home
