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Great Starts: Birth education for the whole family |
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Written by Tera Schreiber
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Apr 01, 2006 |
Do you wonder why someone who has already had a baby would take another
childbirth preparation class? If you attend the Great Starts Better
Birth Refresher class, you will wonder no more! Janelle Durham, MSW,
CD, and director of education at Great Starts, teaches this three-hour
seminar geared toward what experienced parents need.
Planning a VBAC and want to learn how to increase your chances? Had a
complicated first birth and want to find ways to move past the fears
that some of those complications might arise again? Wonder if there is
a way to improve your last birth experience? Had a lovely first birth
and want to feel even better prepared for a subsequent birth? Just need
a reminder about what to expect in birth? The Better Birth Refresher
class covers these topics and whatever else the participants need to
prepare for birth.
Recently, a student from this class said, "You did a wonderful job of
presenting a lot of important information in an efficient and
entertaining way. Although I've been reviewing all the books that I
read during our first pregnancy, and talking to friends who have had a
second child, taking your class has been the most helpful birth
preparation yet." Because this class is specifically tailored to meet
the needs of the students, sometimes it is more effective than a
childbirth series. One student remarked, "I think I learned more during
this short session than I did during our six-week-long class at a local
hospital."
For those in the Better Birth class who seek an unmedicated birth,
Janelle also recommends Working With Labor Pain, another three-hour
seminar offered by Great Starts. This class is for anyone who would
like more information on coping with labor pain, and more time
practicing coping techniques. An experienced labor support doula helps
participants learn to view pain as a positive sign of labor progress,
and discusses ways to work with their bodies during labor to best
achieve their desired birth outcomes.
If you are adding a new baby to your home, the Sibling Preparation
classes offered by Great Starts can also help you to prepare older
siblings for birth and to help smooth their entry into their new roles
as big brothers and sisters.
New babies joining families are as exciting for grandparents as they
are for the parents and siblings. Great Starts offers a Grandparents
class, where grandparents will learn from an experienced grandmother
about the current recommendations on baby care, as well as how
grandparents can best support their children's parenting experience and
connect to their new grandchildren. Grandparents who have attended the
class found the most helpful information included "updates on safety,
how to prevent choking and how to help my daughter with breastfeeding."
Great Starts offers other birth and parenting classes, including
preconception classes, early pregnancy classes and parenting classes on
topics such as vaccinations, breastfeeding, solid food introduction,
baby soothing, adoptive family development and sign language. Great
Starts is a non-profit organization committed to nurturing growing
families. You can become a member of Great Starts and support education
for growing families while earning a discount on your classes. For more
information, visit www.greatstarts.org or contact Great Starts at 206-789-0883.
About the Giving Together Campaign
Great Starts is one of four Puget Sound organizations featured in ParentMap's 2006 Giving Together campaign,
which promotes and supports agencies that are striving to improve the
lives of families in our community. Look for profiles of our other
three Giving Together partners -- the Foundation for Early Learning,
the Program for Early Parenthood Support (PEPS) and Hopelink -- in
future issues.
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