What former students are saying about natural childbirth classes:
When I first found out I was pregnant I immediately started looking for a natural childbirthing class. As soon as I came across Amy’s website, I knew that this was the class for my husband and me. The range of topics covered in Amy’s course, as well as her natural approach to childbirth was exactly in line with our own philosophy of pregnancy and birth.
Amy’s classes not only prepared us to have a natural birth within a hospital setting, but provided us with education beyond what most traditional childbirth classes offer, such as circumcision, breast feeding, and many videos of strong and brave women giving birth naturally. The small class sizes and the comfortable home environment were encouraging to us, as new parents to be, to feel safe in asking anything and everything. We were especially appreciative of Amy’s advice regarding how to deal with hospital staff, who are not always so accepting of patients interested in natural childbirth.
Amy’s classes are based on a combination of research and personal experiences that empowers couples to believe in the possibility of delivering a child naturally, even within a hospital setting. Although, due to complications during my delivery, I ended up having a C-section, I was able to go through most of my labor without medical intervention, and spent the rest of my recovery rooming in with my daughter Ellah, who was exclusively breast fed. Ellah was born on August 8, 2009. Thank you Amy - Keren, Roo & Ellah.
Around the 6 month of my pregnancy I began getting very nervous about the labor. Being a fist time mom I did not know what to expect or "how" I wanted my labor to go. After doing research on-line and reading the book Pushed I decided that I wanted to try to have a natural labor and to avoid a c-section as much as possible. So I began investigating the natural birthing class options I had in the area. I decided on Amy's class because after reading her website it sounded exactly like what I was looking for. I am so thankful that I found this class, though my labor did not go exactly as I wanted I successfully labored for 14 out of 17 hours all natural. I would have never been able to accomplish that without using what I learned from Amy. And after bringing little C.J. home, Amy's teaching came into play even more. Amy's tips from breastfeeding (I had no problems with latching due to Amy's tips) to learning about the "Happiest Baby on the Block" were lifesaving for me. Amy's class prepared me better then I could have hoped for and I will recommend for all my friends and family to take it even if they are not planning a natural birth. You never know the circumstance you may be in when you go into labor so it is best to be prepared for anything and Amy's class does just that, prepares you for everything. Chris and Tamara
Perfect little boy Christopher Ryan, born Aug 27 2009
We walked into this class with the idea that I wanted to avoid an epidural. What we got was so much more and changed our family's lives forever! Not only did I avoid an epidural, but we learned the importance of avoiding common (and uncommon) interventions. My family is much more natural minded now in all pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and parenting related issues. The support and friendships I formed from this class is irreplaceable! I recommend it to all my friends and I walked away with a bigger picture in my head about what it really means to create, support, and give life. We are forever grateful, as is our newest (and 3rd) addition, Andrew. Born 12/15/06. ~Tara and Chris
Having a natural birth in a hospital setting can be a challenge. Every where you turn there is a medical-minded person looking to intervene in the natural process of birthing. While the hospital setting was the right choice for our daughter's birth, I knew I had to arm myself to face the work of birthing and the possible pressures of the hospital staff. Taking Amy's class strengthened my resolve to have a natural birth and helped me prepare mentally and emotionally for the task ahead. After 52 hours of labor and 7 days in the NICU we left the hospital having had a drug free, intervention free birth (not even an IV!) and an exclusively breast fed baby who remained in mama's arms for her entire extended stay. I am so grateful for the education I received in Amy's class. I truly believe that our natural birth helped our daughter have the strength to be a strong nurser and overcome her initial challenges quickly. Thank you, Amy!
After taking Amy's natural childbirth class, my husband and I felt very prepared and ready for the birth of our baby. The class educates parents about all of their birthing options and I often found the answers to my birthing questions during class. The
atmosphere of the class is warm, fun, inviting and it is exciting to have Amy share her knowledge and passion for pregnancy and birth with us each week.
Amy was also our doula for the birth of our son. She provided my husband and I with excellent care,guidance, security and commitment during an eventful and sometimes difficult two-day birthing experience. Our goal was to birth naturally but due to complications, our son was born via c-section and we are very grateful to have had Amy at our birth.