Mindfully Prepared Birth Outline
In each class, you will learn how to prepare your mind using mindfulness, meditation, and journaling/communication exercises to help you and your partner prepare emotionally for birth and postpartum. The skills you learn in this course will help you in pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting and will last you a lifetime!
Class 1: Preparing Your Mind
Mindfulness Lesson: Anchoring to the Present
How to stay in a positive mindset and address fears realistically
How to prepare your mind so that if obstacles arise, you can feel confident in making the best decisions for yourself and your baby
Culture of birth and the mind-body-connection
How to respond to contractions
Pregnancy and birth anatomy
Breathing and relaxation exercises
Class 2: Preparing Your Body
Mindfulness Lesson: STOP Breathing Space
The hormones of birth and how they can work for you in birth and postpartum
How fear can affect birth
System-centered vs. patient-centered care
How to choose a supportive maternity care provider and birth location
How to maximize your nutritional needs
Simple stretches and movements to ease pregnancy discomforts and create balance
Understanding fetal position and how to encourage your baby to be in the optimal position for birth and how to encourage a breech baby to turn
Understanding your mind and how it influences your choices
Class 3: Understanding Your Options in Birth
Mindfulness Lesson: Feeling Your Emotions
Understanding informed consent
How to be a savvy or informed medical consumer
The benefits, risks, and alternatives to common birth procedures
The key questions to ask your care providers to understand your options
Induction options
Family-centered cesarean birth
Writing a birth plan
Class 4: Preparing for Birth
Mindfulness Lesson: Befriending/Getting to Know Discomfort
The stages of labor and how your partner and doula can support you through the process from start to finish
Communication skills for birth and postpartum
Understanding your due date
The rhythm of labor and recognizing the signs and stages of birth and what you can do during each phase
How to write a customized birth plan
Relaxation and comfort techniques
Understanding pushing and how to push effectively
Labor support—the vital role of your partner and doula
Baby kindness—vernix, skin-to-skin, cord clamping, and newborn procedures
Class 5: Preparing for Postpartum
Mindfulness Lesson: Self-Compassion/Loving Kindness
Mini birth rehearsal—hands-on practice to help you and your partner to feel prepared for birth
Understanding newborn procedures and how to write a baby care plan
Caring for your body after birth
Postpartum mood disorders
Myths and realities about motherhood
How to create a postpartum plan to support healing and joy with your new baby
Breastfeeding education