We are very passionate about the work we do because we deeply believe that birth matters.
With over 14 years combined experience working in childbirth education (preceded and inspired by the births of our own children), we feel that an ideal pregnancy and birth impacts a family in a profound way, while providing the newborn with a strong foundation upon which a healthy life unfolds.
With this in mind, it is our fundamental goal to provide expectant parents with the knowledge and strategies necessary to create an optimal pregnancy, labour and birth experience.
Back to Basics
We believe that a woman’s body was designed to give birth. When we trust and respect this incredible process, the body responds well providing numerous benefits to both mother and baby. Bringing your child into the world the way nature intended is a very safe, satisfying and empowering experience for a woman and her family.
Is Healthy Birth Choices right for me?
Our classes are well received by people from varying backgrounds, education, philosophies and learning styles. Our curriculum is based on safe, effective methodology supported by evidence based research, consistent with the recommendations of Public Health Agency of Canada, SOGC, and Canadian Association of Midwives.
With intervention rates in North America being unacceptably high, it has become our priority to work with families, reminding them that birth is a normal and healthy physiological event. When we arm couples with the know-how to be proactive participants in birth, their chance of a more positive experience improves significantly. Note: We focus on normality and cannot provide medical advice. Please see your caregiver regarding medical concerns.
Holistic Approach
Since childbirth is both a physical and psychological event, women require a holistic approach that takes into consideration, not only their physical needs but their mental and emotional ones as well.
We appreciate that each women is unique and arrives at class with different needs and desires. We respect this individuality. Whether she chooses to give birth in a hospital with doctors, or at home with midwives, our couples demonstrate equally successful outcomes.
The Role of your “Partner”
We have high expectations for partners to be involved and assume the role of “primary supporter”. We believe in empowering partners to be equally knowledgeable and passionate about the task at hand. This shared vision, combined with dedication, trust, and love, increases the likelihood of a more positive birth. Labours are shorter, less painful, and require less intervention when a women is adequately supported. When a partner assumes the responsibility of helping provide this for his/her partner, birth becomes an intimate bonding experience unlike any other.
When things don't go as planned
The intention to have a natural birth is a commendable one and is worth striving for. However, no matter how well prepared, birth can be unpredictable with plenty of variation. We would like to clearly state that our #1 priority along the journey is a healthy mother and a healthy baby. In a small percentage of births, complications do arise and medical intervention is instrumental in acheiveing a positive outcome. In these situations, we are truly grateful for the technology that is available to families.
We pride ourselves on effectively teaching our couples to be positive communicators and to work in partnership with those involved in their birth, to help reach their vision. We spend time famiiliarizing parents-to-be about common obstetrical interventions, including the benefits and risks, and good questions to ask your caregivers.
Healthy Birth Choices couples relate their satisfaction with their birth experiences NOT solely based on whether or not they achieved a natural birth, but whether they felt respected for their choices, were supported by their caregivers, and by how much they understood and contributed to decisions.
We invite you to join us....
Whether you are expecting your first baby or your fifth, planning a hospital birth or a home delivery, we are here to provide a quality education that will encourage you, enlighten you, empower you, and most importantly, give your baby the healthiest start to life.
