Childbirth Education
There is so much information out there about pregnancy, birth and the postpartum — a childbirth class distills that and provides it in flow so that you understand what you need to know to be as ready as possible to welcome your baby into the world.
I’ve been teaching childbirth education since 2013, including private classes, group classes, and classes in hospital settings. I’m both a HypnoBithing Certified Educator offered the “Gold Standard” HypnoBirthing curriculum, and I’ve also designed my own childbirth classes. These have included tailored classes for specific needs (folks anticipating a cesarean for medical reasons, for example), designing mindfulness and birth classes for hospital settings, and developing classes for specific populations.
My educational philosophy is centered around the same things that fuel my passions for birthwork: I believe that people deserve to know their options! Informed choice means knowing what the options are, how to gather information to equip yourself ahead of time, the resources that are useful in doing quality research, and preparing yourself for conversations with your provider so that you know what questions to ask. I believe that a childbirth class should give you the information you need without overwhelming you, should leave you excited about birth instead of anxious, and should provide you with resources and clear steps to take to get further information if situations arise that you need support for. A class should be fun, engaging for both partners, and receptive and welcoming to all kinds of families.
Classes are fun, relaxed, and conversational. I’ve got stories, videos, creative prompts, podcast episodes, and tons of resources to share, and I love questions. Plus, I share almost a decade of experience as a doula and more recently as a midwife to help answer the many questions that come up during and after classes.
“Taking childbirth classes with Krystina changed the course of my pregnancy for the better. I left every class with strengthened confidence in my body and in the natural process of childbirth. In addition to the comprehensive topics covered in class, Krystina answered all of my questions and pointed me to resources so I could further research my areas of interest.”
- Monica Y., HypnoBirthing Student
Group Classes
At times I have group classes scheduled, and sometimes parents group themselves together to organize a lower fee course. A minimum of three pregnant folks (and their partner or support person) are required to hold a group class.
Depending on the group, we can schedule a 3-series or a 5 series class, with each class lasting 2.5 hours
Classes can be held in someone’s home or in a space such as a yoga studio, community center, or elsewhere.
My midwifery and doula clients receive a $100 discount on group classes
Private Classes
$350 for two 3-hour private sessions or $400 for three 2.5 hour private sessions
Classes are held in the comfort of your home
Classes can be tailored to your specific interests and needs, including: VBAC, planned cesarean birth, birthing at home, trauma-informed care, high risk pregnancy, newborn care, lactation, herbalism for pregnancy and the postpartum and more
My doula clients receive a $100 discount on private classes (midwifery clients get much of this education covered in prenatal appointments!)
Topics I cover
Your options in pregnancy, birth and postpartum
The history of birth in the United States, and how it impacts the culture of birth
The role of the media in shaping our perceptions and expectations around birth
How to compare hospitals and providers to find practices with the greatest support for physiological birth (and the lowest cesarean rates)
Nutrition, the microbiome, exercise, and rest in pregnancy and the postpartum
Physiological birth, stages of labor, and the hormonal cascade of birth
Ways to support physiological birth, and what can hinder it
How to write a stellar birth plan, including “Plan C” if someone needs a cesarean (because you still have options!)
How to have conversations with your care provider in pregnancy and during labor to ensure that you’re getting all the information you need to make informed decisions
The “Fear-Tension-Pain” cycle, how fear undermines physiological birth, and how to release fear and anxiety around birth
Labor coping techniques, including the spectrum of pain relief options, what healthy coping looks like, professional doula support, and when an epidural might just be the right tool to use
Labor support and comfort techniques—for each stage of labor—for partners and birth support people
Relaxation and grounding techniques for labor and birth, included guided relaxation exercises and resources for practicing relaxation at home
Preparing for a smooth and joyful postpartum, including creating a support plan, what it’s like to have a newborn, feeding your baby, and setting healthy expectations
Community resources for pregnancy and postpartum, including support groups, lactation support, VBAC support, mental health support, new parent groups, and so much more
FAQ
Shouldn’t I just take the class offered by my hospital?
You can certainly take a hospital class, but keep in mind that hospital based classes tend to teach how birth is done in that hospital, covering the standard procedures without necessarily exploring a full range of options or ways in which parents can really dig deep into informed choice or decline routine procedures. That might be helpful for some families, but limiting for others. Hospital based classes don’t typically include in-depth exploration of relaxation practices, and rarely cover holistic nutrition for pregnancy and postpartum.
What don’t you cover?
I don’t go into a ton of detail about pain relief medications, unless people want more information. I also don’t get into “all the things that can go wrong,” because A) physiologic birth usually goes right and B) I emphasize positive expectations so that people aren’t hindered by anxiety—because anxiety can derail the birth process!
What if I can’t afford childbirth classes?
Some options… often, insurance companies partially or completely reimburse the cost of a childbirth class. Contact your insurance company to find out if they cover classes, and I’m happy to provide a receipt to submit for reimbursement. Second, ask friends, family and co-workers to contribute to childbirth classes (in lieu of all the crap you don’t need but which people love to give at baby showers!). Third, I offer volunteer services out of a free clinic in West Windsor, NJ. That includes birth consults. If you’d like help exploring your options, learning about a specific topic, or writing a birth plan, feel free to reach out and come chat with me at the clinic.
Does my partner need to attend all the classes?
I do recommend that partners attend all the classes—this information is for all parents. However, if a partner can’t attend a class, I do my best to make sure that they get the information that they need.
What if I miss a class?
I would definitely want you to have all the material covered in a class. If you had to miss a group class and wanted to make up that session, I charge $100 for a private make up class. If that didn’t work, I would at least provide you with information and resources on the topics that we covered.
Do I have to bring a partner?
Absolutely not. I’ve had single women in my classes, women going through difficult relationship situations, and families where one of the partners travels for work and just can’t be present. If you have someone in your life that you’re planning to have at your birth (a friend or family member, for example), then I certainly welcome them attending your class.