BirthWays

Extra-ordinary Childbirth Preparation

BIRITHING FROM WITHIN (TM) is a revolutionary way of preparing for childbirth and beyond, unlike anything you might have experienced before. This approach was developed by Pam England as part of a book of the same name which she co-authored. Instead of your average antenatal class with boring lectures, biology lessons and (sometimes scary) videos about birth we take you on a journey that helps you prepare for what it is you need for the miraculous event when your child arrives in your arms.

It also doesn't matter what your desired outcome for the birth is, be it vaginal or cesarean birth, we will help you discover what it is you need in order to cope with the unexpected twists and turns childbirth can often take. We believe that childbirth preparation is also parent preparation, and we hope that the tools you learn will offer you a personal transformation that can be applied beyond birth and to other aspects of your life.

How is Birthing From Within different?

When people think of Childbirth Education they often think of classes where parents absorb as much obstetric information as they can - stages of labour, what a cervix looks like as it dilates, how to change a nappy etc. Perhaps they also have the image of couples sitting on big, comfy cushions as they practice breathing patterns while the father rubs the mothers back.

Although all of these things are really valuable pieces of information that can help during childbirth, it can often come as a shock when the mother finds herself sweating and perhaps uttering profanities and finding that the last thing she wants is someone rubbing her back. She'll also have no interest in knowing what a cervix looks like during dilation and instead just wants to know how much longer she has to deal with intense sensations. Even in the case of a mother choosing to have a cesarean birth on a specific date, she might not realise the extent of discomfort she will have to contend with in the following weeks.

Birthing From Within approaches childbirth from a parent-focused perspective. What is it you need to know to give birth to  your baby? How will you cope with intense sensations of birth? More importantly, how will you cope with unexpected and perhaps unwelcome surprises during the birth? In our classes we will take a deeply moving journey into many aspect of the process of pregnancy and birth, and provide you with practical ways to cope with whatever your birth may hold. Even the most highly medicalised birth can still be a special and beautiful experience and our classes aim to empower you to achieve this.

Who should take this class?

Mothers and their birth companions who wish to give birth in awareness and make informed decision about the birth of their child.

I'm having a c-section - will this course benefit me?

Yes! Even c-section mothers need to plan for the unexpected and can find pain coping techniques useful. Part of the BFW approach is that we view childbirth, no matter how it happens, to be a special event that deserves to be respected as a profound rite of passage into parenthood. Cesarean Birth is covered specifically and information is provided on how to make it as special as possible.

Classes are also available in the Johannesburg area. Please visit the following website for more information - BIRTH IN AWARENESS