First, let’s clarify that birth preferences is a much better descriptor than birth plan. We like to think of it like a crafting a road map - we’ll talk through all various pathways that your birth might unfold.

We’ll talk about your options and what we can – and can’t – plan for, so that you’re fully informed. We will guide you through exercises and specific questions to help identify your feelings – and ensure all of us are on the same page – as it relates to things like interventions. From there, we’ll identify the key areas you feel strongly about and we’ll help you craft your birth preferences. 

So long as you’re informed, we support whatever feels right for you and that includes pain medication. In our prenatal meetings, we’ll talk about your options as it relates to pain relief, as well as the advantages and any risks associated with them so you can make a fully informed decision.

We’ll also talk about how we can support you in your choices, and your pain relief options, should you choose to forego an epidural.

At the end of the day, how you feel about your birth will depend less on how it unfolded (ie: epidural vs. not) than on whether you felt informed and supported in your decisions. So that’s what we aim to provide for you, no matter what your preferences.  

We’ll talk A LOT about this in our prenatal visits. There is no way to know for sure what you’ll like during labour, so we will offer you a giant tool kit of options! We’ll explain how different active and passive postures can help, and how items in your home can also help.

It’s a common misconception that education is ‘no longer needed’ in the case of a c-section – but in reality, you need just as much; but of a slightly different kind. We’ll cover all the ins and outs of pre birth, the OR and the post birth scenario, so that you and your partner feel full confident and informed.

Here’s an outline of what we’re going to cover!

Birth Prep

• possible and for sure signs of labour

• the physical and emotional process of birth

• positions and tools to support you in labour

• medical coping tools, tips for your partner to support you and themselves

• tips on when to go to your birth place or call the midwives

• how to navigate your birth place

• interventions that might be used

• surgical births

• what to expect immediately after birth

Postpartum and Baby Prep

• medical care immediately after birth

• physical and emotional comfort measures

• normal newborn behaviour, appearance and feeding cues

• feeding your baby immediately after they're born

• diapers and bathing

• adjusting, adapting and expectations across the first few days and weeks

• your postpartum preferences

Infant Feeding Prep

• feeding cues and normal expectations for feeding across the first few days and weeks

• how to achieve a good latch

• normal newborn behaviour and feeding cues

• how to know that your baby is full

• signs that it's time to supplement

• how to know when you should use additional tools (i.e. bottles, nipple shields, nipple balms, silverettes, silicone pumps, pillows etc.)

Please note, our sessions are private, so we’ll be able to cater the classes to your unique needs and hone in on areas that you want to focus on. There is lots of time for questions.