Class 1: Introduction
To be completed in leu of attending Class 1 of 7 week series.
Testimonials
Kim
Without a doubt, the mock labour classes helped us immensely. I was confident with Mark’s abilities to coach me through labour since we practiced in class and at home. We were able to get our grievances out before hand (eg: Massage my leg, dont press too hard on my back, etc) during our practice sessions.… The classes also gave me a sense of empowerment because every aspect of labour and delivery was discussed. I joked that her class was the Consumer Reports of baby classes. Read more “Kim”
Krystina
The tracking sheets in the breastfeeding binder are fantastic. We have been using them every day and it has been a great way to let the midwives know how we’re doing.
Rob & Karen
Although we only made it to one class, it is because of you and the extremely valuable information that we were prepared for our birth experience at the hospital. What a fantastic program you have. On top of it, your enthusiasm and delivery of info kept it interesting all day. Thank you so much. We… are so grateful. Read more “Rob & Karen”
Ken
The knowledge we learned in class was priceless during labour. Rhonda, I dont know how I would have managed to help Tonya, had I not known what youd taught us. Thank you!
Geoff
Thanks again for your amazing natural birth class. With the knowledge we gained from your class we were able to stay and home and work through all of Nattys early stages of labor and head to the hospital when she was 9.5 cms dilated which left only about an hour of pushing at the hospital… before our son was born. Thanks so much. Read more “Geoff”
Lori
Baby sleeper $ 25.00
Bassinette $ 175.00
Breastfeeding pillow $ 80.00
Healthy Birth Choices course PRICELESS
Suman & Nav
From the entire experience the biggest thing that Nav and I learned is that every woman is unique; trust in your instinct. Our experience is a textbook example of how things don’t always go as expected. We want to thank you for providing us with the tools and support needed to get us through the… birthing experience. Read more “Suman & Nav”
Darren
I knew that I wanted to somehow be more involved than the stereotypical guy in the birthing and parenting of our child, but I wasn’t at all sure of how I could do so without being a nuisance. I had also been rather disappointed by much of the literature that was directed at fathers-to-be– it… was too comical and not nearly informative enough for what I wanted. Thank goodness signed up for classes with Sue. This class was highly effective in educating me on how I could be genuinely supportive *and* truly useful on the birthday; the class also opened my eyes to a parenting philosophy where the father plays a highly active role. Thanks Sue! Read more “Darren”
Jenn
Thanks Sue so much for everything. I found the breastfeeding class and the info you provided really allowed me to let go of a lot of worry. The pre-natal classes were hugely beneficial to me and especially Tom. You’re an amazing facilitator and I will definitely recommend your class to anyone I know who is… looking to take one. Thanks again for everything, Read more “Jenn”
Rayna
My husband and I live in Edmonton and I won the 2 day weekend intensive prenatal classes from writing in to a contest with Birthing Magazine. There are not a lot of prenatal class options in the Edmonton area that focus on the natural approach and that’s what we were looking for. When I found… out I won, I was thrilled! We drove to Calgary on Friday night and home again on Sunday night – while it was a long weekend, it was well worth the drive to Calgary for what we gained from the Healthy Birth Choices classes! With the knowledge and tools we gained over the weekend we are now going into this with very open minds and a clear vision of what we want and don’t want and the confidence to handle whatever is thrown at us. Thank you so much! It was an amazing experience Read more “Rayna”
Karlin & Matt
I wanted to say a sincere Thank You from both Matt and I for an amazing, eye opening and empowering weekend! You teach in such a way that keeps everyone’s attention but allows for natural retention and exploration. I am so thankful for what we both learned and will definitely be referring you to anyone I can!
The Scholten family
Marty and I first took a natural birth course with you in the fall of 2006 in preparation for the birth of our daughter Sarah. We followed that up with a refresher course in Aug. 2008 before the arrival of daughter #2, Rebekah. On March 6 of 2011, we welcomed Jonah Ryder to the Scholten… family (relying on your notes and handouts). All 3 home water births. All 3 wonderful experiences. Jonah’s birth was an exceptionally delightful and gentle experience and in talking with our friends about their medical birth experiences they were surprised to hear us use those descriptors for labour. It got us thinking how thankful we were to have met you and all that you had to teach us about natural childbirth. We wanted you to know that you are thought of fondly in the Scholten household and that you had a significant impact on the decisions we made to have natural childbirth experiences. Thanks again for your passion and dedication to healthy, happy babes and mums. Read more “The Scholten family”
Candace & Tyler Bohn
I can’t express to you how thankful we are that we took your class. It was so informative and empowering, it has allowed us to feel so much more confident about the birth of our little boy. I think how you present the information is perfect because you don’t sugar coat it but yet it… makes us feel like we can handle it so thank you so much again!! Read more “Candace & Tyler Bohn”
Janelle
Just wanted to send you a huge THANK YOU, the class was awesome- so much information, love your attitude and your opinion, and the way you got all the info across. You are so lucky to be using your passion in such a powerful way with couples bringing baby’s into the world! And thank you… again so much for helping to give Scott the encouragement to know he’s good for this- that was our biggest worry coming in, and you have given him so much confidence! I feel that now he is totally on my side, and knows how to “get things done” so that we’ll have the birth we really want. Plus- you have given him so much clarity on all the things I just kept rambling about because I didn’t have the right ways to tell him and share this with him! Read more “Janelle”
Kim
Breastfeeding is going fantastic! It definitely had its major challenges in the first few weeks and I wanted to give up but I didn’t. I’m so glad we took your Classes on breastfeeding!! Mike was so informative! He definitely retained more of the info than I did and he’s been so helpful because of it!… A BIG THANK-YOU to you both! Read more “Kim”
Dennis
As the “expectant father” I found myself feeling unimportant and like having a baby was something my wife was doing, not like it was something we were doing together. The class allowed me to feel important and helpful and I now understand that I was an intricate part of the process. It was great to… know how to be there for my wife when she really needed me Read more “Dennis”
Erin
Taking the prenatal classes really gave Steve the confidence and knowledge he needed to be there for me during my home birth, setting up the birth area in the way that I had envisioned it soft and glowing with candles and gently motivating me when I started to waiver. Your reassurances that a woman’s body… is built to give birth and that I needed to trust that gave me the confidence I needed when things got tough and fear started to creep in. The advice you gave on creating a birthing environment that was relaxing and beautiful was instrumental in creating the experience I wanted. Read more “Erin”
Shelby and Stephen
We are so thankful that we listened to the recommendations of our midwives and went with Healthy Birth Choices! Rhonda was so educated and compassionate that it really helped us to make informed decisions about how we wanted to birth and she gave us so many tools to help us through the “great unknown” of… labour! We did the extensive weekend classes and once finished felt like we were prepared for labour instead of just bracing for it. Even though everyone’s labour is completely different the classes and online material were so helpful in preparing us for the various possibilities and empowered us to make the decisions that were best for us but also gave us the knowledge and tools that would enable us to remain in control should the unexpected happen. We would definitely and do recommend these classes to everyone who is expecting! Shelby and Stephen Read more “Shelby and Stephen”
Shelby and Stephen
Kari
Nathan and I were part of Rhonda’s class in March 2015. I cannot say enough positive things about healthy birth choices. Taking the 7 week series gave my husband and I the knowledge and empowerment we needed to navigate through birth and the weeks after birth. I felt confident and comfortable leading into the delivery… of my son. I was also confident I had an educated partner who understood my needs and beliefs about birth. We took on our delivery like a team and I have Rhonda and her class to thank for that 🙂 Read more “Kari”
Jason
“My wife signed us up for the 7 week class and I was not excited. I never enjoyed school and wasn’t looking forward to going back, why did I need a class to teach me to hold her hand and tell her to push? After a few classes I really got into it and I… learned there was so much I didn’t know about childbirth. It helped my wife and I get on the same page about the birth and I learned so much about what I could do to help mom and baby. Taking the class was the most important thing we did for our family.” Read more “Jason”
Sally
Being a first time Mom, I was petrified of labour. The class helped me understand how natural giving birth is and it gave me confidence in my body. In the end, after listening to so many horrible birth stories from moms that had labour happen to them, I was excited to put the things I… had learned from class into action. I was taking control of my experience. I had a great labour and birth and I know that 100% I could not have done it without a knowledgable/supportive partner and this class. So thank you both! Read more “Sally”
Lara
You really are the best. We THOROUGHLY appreciate all the knowledge you passed on to us. Your understanding, expertise and awareness is second to none. I feel empowered to have a natural birth; I did not before I came to your classes. Your excitement and delight about bringing a child into the world (however it… may happen) was contagious. Read more “Lara”
Murray & Kimberly
We could not have asked for a better experience and feel blessed to have had the opportunity to be in your class, Rhonda. The course, literature, instruction and your support thoroughly prepared me for pregnancy and labour and has greatly helped me transition into the new role of fatherhood. Having an understanding of what Kimberly… might experience in the whole process allowed me to better connect with her and support her through the journey. I dont feel I would have experienced as much had I not been involved through the process. Read more “Murray & Kimberly”
Robyn & Jeremy
We found the whole class process, extremely helpful and you were very creative in the different methods of teaching. I especially appreciated all the little tidbits of advice (like the calendula essence and freezing the pads for post delivery relief, chucks pads and the list goes on). – Robyn The classes HELPED in a huge… way by showing and providing a way for me to better love and support my wife through this experience. And by getting me prepared to support and love my son! Being educated and having the foreknowledge of what we were going to go through helped me decide in advance where I stood on many issues so that I could focus on being there for Robyn and Samuel. – Jeremy Read more “Robyn & Jeremy”
Jen
Healthy birth choices was one of the best things to find me during pregnancy for so many reasons. I will recommend it to everyone.
Declan
When we found out we were pregnant and Savanah brought up the idea of attending birth classes I didn’t want to go. I thought they were stupid and wouldn’t teach me anything I didn’t already know. Women have babies’ everyday and do just fine, we have all seen it in the movies what else is… there to know right? After many talks arguments and discussions Savanah finally made me realize maybe I did have something to learn, but I was not doing 9 weeks of this stuff. We decided the weekend express class would be the better alternative and she was going to sign us up. I was having second thoughts when I saw how expensive it was going to be but Savanah insisted that that was going rate and was going to be worth it, I bit my tongue and let her do what she wanted. When we went for the first class I wasn’t excited to sit for the 8-hour day that was planned, not to mention losing out on my Saturday. When Sue started talking about all of the information we would learn I could not believe how much there was to go over not to mention how naive I was about the amount I didn’t know! I realize now if we never took the class guaranteed we would have been pressured into doing a lot of things at the hospital we didn’t want because we wouldn’t have any information about it. There was things sue taught us that if I hadn’t learned I would have been freaking out; There was a point during the labor Savanah tuned into the weirdest position, before the class I would have been telling her to lay back down on her back, but because of the class I knew it was her body doing what it had to do to get the baby out. During the labor and birth I felt like I knew exactly what was happening and I felt educated enough to make decisions regarding our child and my wives’ care. After the first class I found myself talking about birth and experiences with anyone that would talk about it with me, I couldn’t wait to go back. When my neighbor found out they were expecting they were talking about doing the same class, but the husband had the same opinion I did before taking the class I told him I couldn’t believe how much I learned and urged him to take the class it was one of the best decisions we made during our pregnancy. After our son was born January 2013 I was amazed by Savanah and how amazing she did during our birth experience. With out the class our ideal birth would not have been attainable. Whenever we have friends that get pregnant we urge them to take the class because of the amazing birth experience we had. Read more “Declan”
BJ Denby
My whole journey from pregnancy to now has been so amazing. Thanks again for your wonderful training and support. You gave us the skills and knowledge, not to mention the confidence to have the perfect delivery. For that we are forever grateful. You are giving so many of us an amazing gift with your teaching!
Kevin & Cara
Class was AMAZING! You covered all we needed to know and more. You took care of every scenario possible, just in case something challenging arose. My friends are wishing they could do it all over again. They can’t beleive how smoothly everything went for us. Thank you so much Rhonda. – Cara The class was… a huge help and a wealth of knowledge that I am not only using in Fatherhood, but also with my Chiropractic patients. The tools and techniques we were taught during our 12 weeks were invaluable during labour. It was like we both went into “auto pilot” and the information surfaced when we needed it. Awesome course and especially the instructor. I would recommend it to anyone expecting a baby. Read more “Kevin & Cara”
Jen & Tyler
The course gave us the knowledge and confidence we needed to sucessfully have a natural childbirth at home. We highly recommend that any couple who is expecting a child take these classes regardless of whether they choose to have a hospital or home birth. Any future fathers will be grateful to be able to actively… assist their partner during labour and birthing mothers will appreciate the much needed support. Rhonda’s expertise is invaluable for both labour and the days that follow. Read more “Jen & Tyler”
Jennifer
Hi Rhonda – Just wanted to thank you again for the class last night, it was so informative and we loved every bit of it! You and Sue are so great at what you do and just wanted to say thanks for opening your home to us. I cannot wait to finally use everything we… have learned when baby comes. It has been such an educational and empowering experience so far so thank you both!! Read more “Jennifer”
Jaclyn & Marin
We absolutely loved Rhonda’s live Zoom series! We not only found it enormously helpful, but grounding and confidence-providing. We both feel really good about what to expect and how to react as labour progresses. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you so much for such a wonderful program and teaching style.
Randi
I wanted to say thanks for your breast feeding course as I believe without that I would have given up and just done straight formula by now. It kept me going until 6 weeks old only to find out Quinnton had a tongue tie. No way would/could I have kept long without that knowledge and… going into my labour with the intentions to exclusively breast feed. So thank you very very much! Read more “Randi”
Jenn
Thanks Sue so much for everything. I found the breastfeeding class and the info you provided really allowed me to let go of a lot of worry. The pre-natal classes were hugely beneficial to me and especially Tom. You’re an amazing facilitator and I will definitely recommend your class to anyone I know who is… looking to take one. Thanks again for everything, Read more “Jenn”
Claire & Rob
Thank you so much for the online Zoom classes, Rhonda! We learned so much and have left feeling affirmed that we are completely capable and looking forward to our labour, delivery, and everything that follows. Claire & Rob
Paul
I think the biggest thing is that the classes gave me the confidence during pregnancy, labour, and delivery to know what was going on. Without the detailed knowledge I wouldnt have known a placenta from a perineum. In all seriousness, I liked the focus on knowing your options rather than just telling us what was… the best think in all instances. So much of pregnancy and birth is dependent on so many factors. Having the information and trust in ourselves gave us the ability to make informed decisions across many areas. For instance, in deciding what food choice we were making during pregnancy we could balance the nutritional requirements against what would realistically work. Read more “Paul”
Alana
Successful VBAC with no interventions – Your class absolutely helped equip/educate me and I feel proud to have achieved an amazing natural birth experience – hooray!
Quintina
Thank you for the great classes. We feel very confident with all the information both teachers provided us. The 9 week course was so informative and fun. The breastfeeding class has really made us feel supported and knowledgeable. John and I are so looking forward to our new little bundle of joy. I would recommend… HBC to everyone I know who is expecting!! Read more “Quintina”
Ty and Ariel
We can’t imagine how we could have gone through our birth experience without the classes. We were prepared for everything that happened in labour and never had a moment of panic. It was an amazing labour, and the classes made us confident that we could do it at home, together (with the help of our… fantastic midwives). Rhonda was not only a great instructor, but showed real personal concern for us. We would definitely take her classes again (and even drove an hour each way to take them the first time). Read more “Ty and Ariel”
Julie
Thank you so much for you amazing class! It gave me the confidence to do something I never in a million years thought I could! – I hope I can take it again before my next baby!
Becca
We weren’t sure what to expect from a birth class being held via Zoom, but the past 7 weeks were more than we could have hoped for. We feel like we have learned so much about the birth experience, feel more prepared about what to expect and also feel more connected to one another, where… we can really see each other as partners on this journey! Rhonda is a truly gifted facilitator and we would recommend this class to anyone (and everyone). – B&R Read more “Becca”
Mary
I want to mention quickly something that I’m sure you hear often, but your class was the integral component of our success especially when it came to my husband. I believe that he felt he held this extremely valuable wisdom that most people aren’t lucky enough to know and we are a part of a special club… of sorts 🙂 The empowerment was so visible and our increasing connection has been made so clear throughout all of this. Thank you again Rhonda! You can count on me to be a Healthy Birth Choices cheerleader from now on. Read more “Mary”
Jill
We are both very happy with our decision to go with the caesarean birth. We are grateful that we were able make well informed decisions along the way. Neither of us could imagine going through the experience without the knowledge we gained in our Healthy Birth Choices class.
Blaine
People were amazed when I told them that I was taking a 10 week 25 hour course about natural childbirth. I was also amazed that I was doing this, after the course was over i realized how much I truly would have missed out on, had I not taken the class. When I was told… about the class, I rolled my eyes and thought, how painful it was going to be. After the 3rd class I was saying out loud how amazing the class was and how I was learning things that I would have never know. Read more “Blaine”
Alexis Harrison
The birth of our firstborn was an incredibly profound and positive experience. When we discovered we were pregnant, we had no idea the road ahead would lead to midwifery care, Healthy Birth Choices, and finally a wonderful (painful! But wonderful), natural birth at Arbour Birth Center. Looking back (and looking at our now nearly-9-month-old daughter),… we feel so blessed. The HBC classes were incredibly helpful in preparing us for 14 hours of labour and delivery. My husband felt informed about what was happening in my body – and equipped to help. As labour progressed, I knew how to breathe, how to keep my energy up, and how to help our baby ‘move on down.’ Thank you so much Rhonda for helping us best-prepare for a healthy birth and a great start to our little one’s life! Alexis Harrison Read more “Alexis Harrison”
Alexis Harrison
Kayla
Thank you for the resources and for the class! My husband and I both learned so much and thought it was awesome – we’re so glad we signed up!
Kathy & Clem
Words will never express how grateful I am to have found you and the difference your classes have made in our lives. The knowledge and empowerment you have given me to blieve in myself is what allowed me to have such an amazing birth experience with Kalan. I will never forget that. Your coure has… opened up communication between Clem and I and brought us closer together. I gush about your course to all ladies I meet! I will forever be grateful tht you found this calling to become a childbirth teacher Sue. – Kathy Your course, enthusiasm, and sincerety has really changed and shaped the way I look at births. You’ve truly made a difference in my life and allowed me and my wife to have the perfect birth we wanted. Thank you! – Clem Read more “Kathy & Clem”
Dallas
I always knew we could have the baby naturally but the course gave Monica the knowledge and confidence as well. The time spent in class helped me as a coach know how to support mom and I got a much better understanding of labour. It really brought us closer and it was nice time spent… as a couple before the baby came; preparing us to be parents making decisions about another life that we were going to be responsible for. Read more “Dallas”
Chantelle
I was just telling Taylor last night that it felt weird not going to class and I miss everyone too. Felt like a little family 🙂 Thank you so much for being honestly the most amazing teacher Taylor and I have encountered. Taylor goes on and on about how wonderful you are. He was a… terrible student in school (believe it or not), didnt go past grade 10 and has never been much for “learning” (in his words) and with your guidance he blossomed into the star of the class! What a nice thing to see and it is definitely thanks to you. You gave him the confidence he needs to see me through on this journey and for that, I am forever grateful 🙂 Read more “Chantelle”
Kathryn & Luc
I just wanted to thank you so much for all of your amazing guidance and information. We came into that class a little unsure and a lot nervous and we have gained so much confidence from you. Your class gave us every single tool we could possibly need for this journey.
Nicole and Nicholas
Thanks fort the amazing class today! We were both really impressed, encouraged, and calmed by the information you provided.
Course Navigation
INTRODUCTION
CLASS 1: REFERENCE ARTICLES