New additions to my doula tool-box!

It's been a wonderful, albeit HOT summer of babies. Fall has been a lovely time to give birth too! Now we are winding down to colder shorter days and getting ready for these winter babies. This fall I'm taking some classes and adding additional certifications to my credentials. Namely; the Yoga Birthing Method, Hypnobirthing and FEAR to FREEDOM. As their names imply, they will teach me some very specific techniques for supporting moms in labor.  I will be completing Yoga Birthing and Hyponobirthing certifications by the end of this November. FEAR to FREEDOM is a longer certification that will also enable me to teach childbirth preparation classes in addition to being a method of labor support.

Yoga Birthing Method 
From the Yoga Birthing Method website: The Yoga Birth Method is an 8 step birthing pathway that empowers women through a natural and mindful childbirth experience.   YBM's philosophy is for the mother to connect with her baby during childbirth and to engage in her labor as an experience of enlightenment.   A very specific sequence of breathing and postures adapted to the physical and emotional changes in the stages of labor enable women to manage contractions from a calm, meditative and controlled perspective.


I really wanted to take this because Yoga is such a great tool for health and well-being. I'm looking forward to learning about how to safely incorporate yoga breathing and exercises into labor and birth support.


Hypnobirthing
From the Hypnobirthing website: HypnoBirthing® - The Mongan Method - is a unique method of relaxed, natural childbirth education, enhanced by self-hypnosis techniques. HypnoBirthing® provides the missing link that allows women to use their natural instincts to bring about a safer, easier, more comfortable birthing. Emphasis is placed on pregnancy and childbirth, as well as on pre-birth parenting and the consciousness of the pre-born baby. As a birthing method, HypnoBirthing® is as new as tomorrow and as old as ancient times.


My mother became a certified hypnotherapist when I was in junior high school so I am already familiar with these philosophies. I have already had a few clients use the hypnobirthing techniques and I wanted to learn more about how to best support a mom using this method. 


FEAR to FREEDOM
From the Fear to Freedom website: Fear to Freedom is a method of childbirth education that is directed to helping women find their power that exists within them, helping them to connect to their own power.
It is based on Karen Brody's work with the BOLD movement and she is the originator of this course curriculum. We will be integrating Body, Voice and Action. 


I've just started the birth facilitator training for this certification and I'm really looking forward to incorporating these ideas into my practice. Not only will be able to use the method during birth, I will also be able to offer optional childbirth preparation classes in your home in addition to your regular prenatal appointments.




Happy birthdays,


Maiysha