Who are these classes for? These Childbirth Classes will be invaluable whether you are expecting your first child, or would like to enhance a subsequent birth experience. They are ideal for parents who want to gain practical knowledge as well as explore the emotional aspects of birth and parenting. They can be taken as an alternative to or complement NCT or NHS antenatal classes. When should I start the classes? You are welcome to start the classes as early or late as feels right for you. To enable you to integrate all that you will learn, it is recommended that you complete the classes or workshop by your 36th week, if possible. How does the Complete Childbirth Preparation Class differ from that offered by NHS or NCT? In addition to giving you practical information and pain coping practices, you will also participate in a series of guided multi-sensory, creative processes that will enable you to connect with your own inner resources and strength. This is ultimately what you will tap into and have at your disposal when you are in the middle of labour, as parents and in life! Great importance is placed on facing and dealing with your fears (real or imagined) before they potentially rear up during labour. You will have space to explore your personal beliefs, anxieties and hopes about birth and parenthood. These will be different for everyone and so although there are certain core topics that will be covered, your personal concerns will flavour the focus of our sessions together. You will discover ways to prepare and cope with the unexpected (our birth journeys can lead us to places we never imagined) Is this a ‘natural birth’ class? The focus of classes is not to achieve a specific birth outcome (natural or otherwise) but to prepare you to live and give ‘birth in awareness’ – to be able to sense moment by moment what is called for and simply doing the best you can. Sessions are non-judgmental and you will be supported in whatever birth option feels right for you. However, classes offer a balanced perspective on how to work with a birth experience that may be different from your original vision You will gain a deep understanding of the natural birth process and learn how to work with pain and the intensity of labour. Even if you are planning to take pain relief, at some stage of labour you may need to cope with the intensity of labour (possible delay in administering an epidural; labour may be too advanced to administer…) Therefore, it is always useful to have pain coping practices under your belt. Epidurals are discussed from the framework of “wise and compassionate use,” and you will learn how to stay connected to your birth and baby should you need an epidural or give birth by caesarean. What is a Childbirth Mentor? I choose to call myself a Childbirth Mentor rather than a Childbirth Teacher. A ‘teacher’ holds the knowledge and instructs or educates the ‘student’. A ‘mentor’ is a guide or adviser. While education is an essential part of these sessions, I believe the essence of Childbirth Preparation is a process of self-discovery. As your Childbirth Mentor, I will support and guide you and your partner on your journey of self-discovery, as you prepare for the birth of your child. I will hold and protect the space so you feel safe to look inwards and face your fears and dreams. I will suggest ways to help you tap into your existing coping skills . I will facilitate discussion and motivate you to start exploring your own questions and help you to find your own answers. Can I attend by myself? Absolutely! While most women attend with a partner, there are single mothers, and women whose partners' work schedules don't match the class schedule, who come on their own. If you will be attending on your own, you are welcome to bring someone along. What do you mean by multi-sensory, creative processes? Multi-sensory approaches may include visualisation, drawing, role play and story telling. Creative processes are an excellent tool for learning more about our self and enabling us to see things with a new perspective. These processes allow us to bypass our logical thinking and access our intuition and subconscious where we’ll often find our own answers to the questions that come up for us. Don’t worry – you don’t need to be good at art or acting to be able to participate fully. It’s not about the end product (you don’t need to share your art!) as much as the process (thoughts, emotions, revelations) that you went through whilst being in that creative space. How are classes different to the book ‘Birthing From Within? Reading Birthing From Within, by Pam England, is wonderful preparation for birth, and an excellent complement to the classes. While the classes are based on the book, the activities and ideas presented in class go far beyond the book, and include my unique perspective as a mother of two young girls, Life Coach and Shiatsu Practitioner specialising in Maternity, Labour and Postnatal Period. How can I learn more? If you have further questions regarding 'Birthing from Within' Birth Preparation Classes or Workshops, please contact edwinacheng1@gmail.com or call Edwina on 07931 861 522. How do I book? Please contact edwinacheng1@gmail.com or Edwina on 07931 861 522.

What is the philosophy behind classes? These classes are based on the ‘Birthing From Within’ philosophy. - Childbirth is a profound rite of passage, not a medical event (even when medical care is part of the birth). - The essence of childbirth preparation is self-discovery, not assimilating obstetric information. - Pregnancy and birth outcome are influenced by a variety of factors, but can't be controlled by planning. - Pain is an inevitable part of childbirth, yet much can be done to ease suffering. - In order to help parents mobilize their coping resources, it is critical for childbirth classes to acknowledge that unexpected, unwelcome events may happen during labor. - Parents deserve support for any birth option which might be right for them (whether it be drugs, caesarean, home birth, or bottle-feeding). - Pain-coping practices work best when integrated into daily life, rather than "dusted off" for labor. - Fathers and birth partners help best as birth guardians or loving partners, not as coaches; they also need support. - Childbirth preparation is also parent preparation.