Childbirth Education Class Outline

Class Discovering Hypnobirthing® for easier, more comfortable birthing

The Hypnobirthing® philosophy

Testimonials: Happy parents; favorable medical staff

Introduction to principles of hypnosis for birthing

How the mind determines the body's response

What's wrong with labor - Why it hurts, why it doesn't have to.

The origin of a pain concept that is no longer valid -- a look at other cultures

How fear affects the length and discomfort of labor

Hypnobirthing® films of labor and birth

Class 2 Prenatal bonding -- Preparing Your Mind and Body for Birthing

Hypnobirthing® film

A Mother's Conversation with Her Unborn Child

Rainbow Relaxation Tape and Script

Breathing for labor: Sleep Breathing, Slow Breathing, Breathing your baby down

A Father's Script

Rapid progressive relaxation/deepening techniques for transition

Visualizations for labor

Learning to maintain comfort and eliminate pain

Stretching inner thigh muscles

Avoiding episiotomy -- perinatal massage -- favorable labor positions

Class 3 Getting ready to welcome your baby

Hypnobirthing® film

Composing your birth plan

Making hospital, home, or birthing center plans

Looking at your estimated due date -- early signs of labor

How your body works with you and for you

Achieving a natural onset of labor, free of drugs or intervention

Releasing limiting emotions and fear

Class 4 Birthing -- Breathing love; bringing life

Hypnobirthing® film

The three stages of labor

The birthing companion's integral role in labor

Settling in at the hospital

How labor proceeds

Comfort measures through labor

Meeting a slowed or stalled labor

Breathing your baby down through transition to birthing

Second stage breathing and pushing techniques for smooth birthing

Stage 3 labor - Postnatal bonding of parents with baby - birthing of the placenta