First Class was a HUGE Success!

truelife · 10-09-2006, 09:36 AM

Just wanted to share with everyone how my first class went yesterday....

I arrived at the couples house at 10:30 a.m. and we started almost right away. Shared about myself, my birth stories, and then found out details about them. The Dad right from the beginning kept saying "It's her birth - whatever she wants - I really don't care." I got to our little homebirth section and finally the Dad came out and said that he was scared about everything, didn't know what to expect, and just wants a healthy baby and mom. That was the biggest relief!

We continued on through the stages of labor, relaxation techniques, visualization and right before we went to break I did the the "Birth Choices" activity where you "lose" choices on cards as you go along. Yeah, it took them 45 minutes to do and by the time they were done Mom could not recover. She seriously was zoned out and totally depressed. I explained that while they are planning for a HB we still have to prepare for other outcomes. That she has done all she could do to prepare for her desired birth - eating properly, exercising, hiring a skilled MW she trusts, taking the class to know the possibilities, and communicating her fears. Nothing. No recovery. We stopped for lunch and I called my MW. MW told me to explain the necessity of understand what could happen b/c it's more empowering to be on the educated side then to have a fear of the unknown, but by the time I went back she was fine.

We went over our last two sections and then I left a huge a period for questions and answers and right away Dad said, "I was really scared about being a Dad, having a HB, and watching my wife be in pain BUT after the class I am excited and ready. I didn't think the class would hellp as much as it did!" GAHHHHH! I about freaked. That was worth more then the check they handed me at the end!

The class took me exactly 8 hours and went so much better then I expected ....AND.... on Saturday I got another call for another HB class to be taught in the next 2 weeks!

fearlessbirth · 10-09-2006, 09:51 AM

CONGRATULATIONS, lady!

Sounds like you were an awesome teacher and did a great job of preparing this couple for the journey ahead of them....

And I agree...that gratification and knowing you made a difference can feel so much better than the money in the bank! (well, we all do love and need the moolah but it doesn't give you warm and fuzzies Lol)

mama3peanuts · 10-09-2006, 09:52 AM

this is a homebirth (specifically) prep class, right? i think i read about it on another thread...

good for you! sounds like you are really doing your job helping this couple through their feelings about birth. i like the idea of just one couple and you...you are kind of like their mentor, right? how wonderful for them that they have somebody so comitted!

douladot · 10-09-2006, 04:16 PM

Good for you, Niccole. I knew it would go marvelously!!

~Tranquility~Doula · 10-09-2006, 04:40 PM

Awesome! Congrats!

ctowndoula · 10-09-2006, 04:47 PM

earthgirl · 10-09-2006, 05:23 PM

I'm so glad it went great for you! Good luck on your next one, I hope goes just as well, or even better!

Matrescence · 10-09-2006, 06:22 PM

Way to go!

jesscardona · 10-09-2006, 06:23 PM

That's great! CONGRATULATIONS!!

teachinmamaof4 · 10-09-2006, 06:42 PM

Awesome!!!!

truelife · 10-09-2006, 09:20 PM

Thank You Ladies! You all are AWESOME and I feel so blessed that I have a place to go to share my excitement!

DL · 10-09-2006, 10:34 PM

Congratulations! We KNEW you'd be great!

Yep....that "Making Choices" exercise can be quite traumatic. We did that at the Passion for Birth Lamaze seminar, and I was soooooo frustrated!! I REALLY didn't like having to give up things that would be important to me, and I discovered that I was much more of a stickler for what I wanted than I even knew!

When I had my boys, oh so long ago, I knew nothing like I know now, so I surprised myself at how upset it made me to have to give up all of those things that I wanted so badly! (...and I'm not expecting to ever have another baby! ) Still....it's a great exercise to make sure that one knows their absolute priorities. You ended with your parents educated and more confident in their abilities to birth their baby. That is the ultimate goal; great job, teacher!!!!

Luv2bemommy · 10-10-2006, 03:21 AM

Congrats!!! WOOOHOO!!

MindfulBirth · 10-10-2006, 10:38 PM

That's great! I can't wait to hear more about this couple. Keep us posted!