THE DANCE, by Matisse

CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION

Combining the knowledge of the body I gained in my previous career as a dancer and bodywork therapist with the academic, scientific and experiential foundation of midwifery, I teach classes that give women and their partners a wide base of knowledge. I believe that women need to have accurate evidence-based information in order to make informed choices at the time of their labor. I am a Lamaze-certified childbirth instructor, but my classes do not conform to any particular method. I teach what I believe is the most important material for a wide variety of desires and circumstances, since no woman can predict her given birth scenario. I include the following topics in my childbirth classes:

• End of pregnancy normal discomforts vs. danger signs
• End of pregnancy testing (group beta strep culture, non-stress tests, biophysical profile)
• Stages of Labor:  how to recognize labor, how to discern progress through stages
• Timing contractions
• When to call the midwife or doctor and what to tell her/him
• When to leave home for the hospital/birth center
• Pain management techniques: movement, massage, birth ball, hydrotherapy, breathing techniques, imagery and visualization
• Hospital evaluation, admission, protocols
• Directed pushing/natural urge pushing/Vaginal birth
• Analgesia/Anesthesia:  procedure, risks and benefits
• Induction of labor
• Non-reassuring fetal heart rate interventions
• Instrument and operative delivery
• Immediate postpartum
• Initial breastfeeding and baby care

These private or small group classes may take place at your home for your convenience.

“We wanted to quickly thank you so very much for the fabulous childbirth "tutorial."  We both learned a lot and feel much more prepared for the labor process and confident in our abilities to cope (especially me!). I keep reminding myself of your phrase that you have absolute faith in the labor process, which I think I may chant while I'm in labor if I become doubtful of my ability to get through it. We appreciated gaining the benefit of your perspectives and experiences, and Jason found the "refresher" of some information he had learned in medical school particularly informative. You created an efficient class, squeezing a lot of information into a relatively short period of time, and for that we are extremely grateful.”  --Jenn

“While I was confined to my home on bedrest, Nancey gave my husband and me private childbirth classes.  Nancey did a wonderful job preparing us not only for the birth of our twins but also for life as new parents.  She is extremely knowledgeable and provided insightful advice about the entire process, tailoring her classes to our specific situation. She is a very warm and understanding person who answered a myriad of questions and made a stressful time easier for us.”  
--Diana and John