This class helps couples to connect and feel more confident leading up to and while being in labor. This training shows your partner many comfort measures he or she can use at home and during labor. It will include your partner in the entire labor process in a very meaningful way. This course gives couples a feeling of control and empowerment through having tools to take action prior to labor and while in labor. Please inquire with Nicole regarding private or group session information.
Some Of The Questions And Fears Many Couples Face When Heading Towards Labor Are:
Will I be able to support her? How will I be able to support her while she’s in pain? What will labor be like? What can we do to feel more connected during labor? Will I be able to help her the way she needs me to? Will I be able to handle the pain? How will my partner support me?
In This Workshop You Will Learn:
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- how to help alleviate back & sciatic pain and other pain conditions associated with pregnancy
- how to be a supportive birth partner through nurturing touch
- how to help stimulate labor
- how to encourage or increase contractions
- how to decrease back labor pain
- how to find effective and therapeutic acupressure points to aid in labor
- how to apply the correct pressure to acupressure points
- how to help diminish anxiety and bring peace to your partner in labor
- how to break the pain-fear cycle during labor allowing contractions to flow
- how to speed up labor and reduce pain with acupressure
- how to stimulate natural oxytocin through touch
Who it’s for
- Any couples wanting to be more prepared for labor
- Women who desire their partners to be more involved in every step of the delivery
- Women who desire to have a connected birthing experience
- Couples desiring to learn how to stimulate labor
- Couples that want more tools to manage discomfort and pain pre, during, and post-labor
What you gain as a couple
- Deeper connection through the pregnancy and delivery experience
- A better understanding of how to support and touch one another
- More confidence in creating ease, resilience, and surrender to the birthing process
What you gain as the pregnant partner
- Learn how to ask for the physical touch and support you desire pre, during, and post your birthing experience
What you gain as the support partner
- Better understand what your pregnant partner is experiencing both emotionally and physically
- Gain a deeper understanding of how a pregnant partner’s body is changing and what to expect pre, during, and after labor
- Become empowered as a support partner
- Learn how to provide your partner comfort, relaxation, and relief
- Learn how you can provide physical relief by learning hands-on massage techniques
- Learn how to engage Chinese acupressure methods to stimulate labor in a natural way and help reduce pain during labor
This couples workshop is recommended anywhere from 13-40 weeks (the earlier the better). Again, couples with earlier due dates will be prioritized if possible.
Research
In a study, fathers learned to massage their pregnant wives conducted progressive muscle relaxation. Massage therapy lowered the fathers’ anxiety and improved marital adjustment.
Twenty-eight women were recruited from prenatal classes and randomly assigned to receive massage in addition to coaching in breathing from their partners during labor, or to receive coaching in breathing alone (a technique learned during prenatal classes). The massaged mothers reported a decrease in depressed mood, anxiety and pain, and showed less agitated activity and anxiety and more positive affect following the first massage during labor. In addition, the massaged mothers had significantly shorter labors, a shorter hospital stay and less postpartum depression.
Latifses, V., Bendell Estroff, D., Field, T., & Bush, J. (2005). Father massaging and relaxing their pregnant wives lowered anxiety and facilitated marital adjustment. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 9, 277-82.