Classes

“When you change the way you view birth, the way you birth will change.”    Marie Mongan

Childbirth Class Series

This quote by HypnoBirthing author Marie Mongan is the cornerstone to a positive and empowering birth experience.  A good childbirth class is a huge step towards getting the safe and satisfying birth you desire.   Cora has taught these classes for over 10 years, and has fully enjoyed helping women and their partners to understand the birth process, take away the fear, and be confident in their body’s ability to birth.

The Balanced Mama approach to Childbirth Class prepares women Physically, Mentally, and Emotionally for birth and postpartum.   One thing thatmakes these classes unique is the focus on physical preparation.   Preparing the body through simple strengthening and balancing exercises can make a HUGE difference in the length and difficulty of your labor!  As a Spinning Babies Aware Practitioner, this is information and  technique Cora is very familiar with, believes in, and LOVES to share!

But what about after the birth?  Desiree finishes this class series with what to expect on the physical, mental, and emotional level during your postpartum time and includes breastfeeding basics and a guide to many local resources for added support.
Here are some of the things you can expect to learn in the “Balanced Mama for a Better Birth” class:

  • Unlearning Fear and Myths about Birth and retrusting our body’s ability to birth
  • Healthy pregnancy and birth preparation through nutrition, exercise, and body awareness
  • The stages of labor and what to expect physically and emotionally from each
  • Many different relaxation and comfort techniques for working with your body in labor
  • Many ways for your partner to support you in these
  • Communicating your birth plans and wishes with your caregivers
  • Creating your birth space and what to pack
  • Planning for a smooth postpartum time
  • Breastfeeding basics and contact information for local support.

This class is small, informal, friendly, and fun!  Classes are 2 hours long, held weekly, and last 6 weeks.  The cost is $200.  Call Cora at 501.680.6963 with questions or go to the class schedule page to find dates and register!

Birthing Time Basics

This one-time class covers much of the information from our class series, but in simpler, faster form. It’s a great refresher for the already initiated, or just an easier way to fit childbirth education into your busy life.

Class generally lasts about three hours and covers:

  • Prenatal preparation
  • Stages of labor: what to expect, how to manage, being a supportive partner
  • Inductions and interventions
  • What to expect in the first 48 hours of life with a new baby

This class is generally held once a month. The cost is $100 per couple.

Big Blue Blanket

What’s the Big Blue Blanket all about? Desiree hosts the BBB; she’s a full-spectrum doula (birth, bereavement, and postpartum), and a Certified Lactation Counselor. She’s got two kids who are both grown, but when they were younger… every week they’d meet at the park with friends. The kids would run amok, and the adults and babies would create a space for themselves on an oversized bright blue blanket. Eventually, the Big Blue Blanket became a symbol of a place to find some peace, honesty, friendship, shared experience and support.
That feeling is what Big Blue Blanket gatherings are all about. It’s a place to be honest about how utterly magnificent and utterly horrible the first few months of parenting can be. A place of non-judgemental acceptance and support.
BBB meets every Wednesday at 2pm at Balanced Mama. Our time consists on checkins, baby admiring/brags/vents, and a discussion topic, special guest, or activity.

Payment is $12 for a drop-in, or $50 for a five visit punch card.

Yoga

Yoga is led by Desiree, who is a RYT200. Her philosophy is that yoga should be respected, but also be fun and enjoyable. She wants you to leave her classes feeling lighter in body and mind. Her favorite thing about her personal practice is enjoying the shapes that her body is able to make, and the times where she feels fully connected to her body, breath, and imagination.

Prenatal yoga is a vinyasa style class, designed to connect you to your body, your breath, and your baby. We focus on strengthening, stretching, and moving through poses that will be helpful during labor and delivery.  Poses are modified for the needs of the changing and growing pregnant body. Class generally lasts 50 minutes, and includes movement and a small meditation.

Postpartum yoga is also a vinyasa style class, focusing on re-connecting you to your body and your breath. Class is presented with plenty of options for each pose so that everyone can explore and test the capabilities of their postpartum bodies. Babies are welcome to the class, and can be included in the flow, but aren’t necessary. Class will last about 50 minutes, and will include movement and a small meditation… if the babies allow it!

*See Events page for other Childbirth Class options, Workshops, and event tickets!