Private Childbirth Education

Comprehensive birth and newborn preparation, personalized for your family.

There's a lot more to preparing for birth than learning a few breathing techniques or memorizing the stages of labor. Understanding how birth works, what your options are, and how to navigate the unexpected can make an enormous difference in how you approach the experience.

Private Childbirth Education offers a comprehensive, evidence-informed childbirth and newborn care course in a relaxed, one-on-one setting.

We'll work through a thoughtfully developed curriculum covering labor, birth, decision-making, comfort measures, and the transition to life with your baby. Along the way, we'll make space for your questions, your particular circumstances, and the kind of birth you're preparing for.

You won't need to build your own curriculum or know which questions to ask in advance. I'll guide you through the essentials while tailoring our conversations and hands-on practice to your family's needs.

What We'll Cover

Understanding Labor & Birth

• The physiology and stages of labor

• Common signs that labor is beginning

• How labor may progress and what variations can look like

• Hormones, the nervous system, and the birth environment

• When to contact your care team and what to expect at your birthplace

Comfort, Coping & Support

• Movement and positioning during labor

• Breathing, relaxation, and practical comfort measures

• Hands-on support techniques for partners and support people

• Medical and nonmedical pain management options

• Preparing for different labor experiences

Understanding Your Options

• Informed consent and shared decision-making

• Common interventions and procedures

• Induction and augmentation

• Epidurals and other pain management options

• Cesarean birth and what to expect if plans change

• Communicating with your care team and navigating unexpected decisions

The First Hours & Days With Baby

• Immediate postpartum care and recovery

• Skin-to-skin contact and early feeding

• Newborn behavior, cues, and communication

• Safe sleep foundations

• Diapering, soothing, and everyday newborn care

• Understanding common newborn needs and knowing when to seek additional help

Preparing for Life After Birth

• Realistic expectations for the early postpartum period

• The basics of physical and emotional recovery

• Sharing responsibilities and building support

• Preparing for the transition home

Flexible Scheduling

The course includes approximately eight hours of private instruction, which can be arranged in the format that works best for your schedule:

• One full-day intensive

• Two half-day appointments

• Four two-hour appointments

The core curriculum remains consistent across all formats, but we'll adapt the pace, discussions, and hands-on practice to your family's questions and circumstances.

Partners and other birth support people are welcome and encouraged to participate.

Who Is This For?

Private Childbirth Education is a great fit for first-time parents, families who prefer learning privately rather than in a group, and experienced parents who want a comprehensive refresher or are preparing for a different kind of birth.

It's also a good option if your schedule makes attending a traditional childbirth class difficult or you want more opportunities to ask questions and practice skills together.

My goal isn't to teach you the one “right” way to give birth. It's to help you understand what's happening, know your options, and approach birth and early parenthood with practical knowledge and confidence.

Private Childbirth Education includes scheduled educational appointments and does not include labor or birth attendance.