COMPLETE CHILDBIRTH CLASSES FOR MINDFUL PREGNANCY, BIRTH, AND PARENTING IN BOULDER

What are you looking for in a childbirth class?

It's a beautiful thing to be where you are in this moment. So many opportunities and options are out there, and you are feeling into what type of prenatal, birth and/or postpartum education and support is right for you. Dive into Birth offers Birthing from Within childbirth classes for first time parents and parents who are giving birth again.

These prenatal classes are designed for the discerning and  conscientious-types who want more than power-point presentations and a standard class syllabus in their birth preparation class.  Those who know that self-inquiry, connection with their partner, building community with others, and taking risks are a part of preparing for birth and beyond (in addition, of course, to things like pain-coping strategies, nuts and bolts about how labor unfolds, and other practical resources).   Those that can feel a big shift coming on - knowing that the transition to becoming a parent is HUGE, and is a rite-of-passage.

You may feel a big "YES!" in your gut, and you may also notice the flutter of uncertainty - and maybe even both!   You are in the right place!  With your toes hanging over the threshold... are you ready to DIVE IN?

Birthing from Within Childbirth Preparation Class

What is it you are hoping to get out of a birth preparation class? This interactive and dynamic class offers a safe and nurturing environment for pregnant folks and their partners to prepare for their unique birth journey. The goal of this class is to prepare parents to be mindfully present as their child's birth unfolds, rather than holding on to ideas about how it should look/feel/progress.

I offer multiple formats for my childbirth classes - which works for you?
During the Covid-19 pandemic, all classes have a virtual option, via Zoom.
$450/family for retreats and 6 week classes, or "pay what you can."

WEEKEND RETREAT

The weekend retreat is perfect for those who are ready to take a deep dive into birth preparation and be immersed in the experience; also great for those who don't have much time before their due date, or who's schedules make a weekly series difficult.

Friday, 6:30-9:00pm
Saturday/Sunday 10:00am-4:00pm

Friday, March 10th - Sunday, March 12th, 2023

Friday, May 19th - Sunday, May 21st, 2023

Pleaese contact me for additional class dates.

WEEKLY SERIES

My 6-week series is perfect for folks who want to give themselves time between sessions to process, practice and integrate what they get from each class; also good for those who's due date is still a ways off, or who's schedule makes giving up an entire weekend tricky.

Six Weekday Evening Sessions
6:30 - 9pm

Tuesdays, January 24th - February 28th, 2023

Tuesdays, April 4th - May 9th, 2023- CLOSED

Tuesdays, November 7th - December 12, 2023

Please contact me for additional class dates.

DIB
review1

"We were so grateful...
Both my husband and I were so grateful to have taken her class as it allowed us the time to truly connect with each other, with our baby and with our birth. It was a beautiful experience for us."

Lori

review2

"Extremely valuable experience...
We found Erika's Birthing From Within class to be an extremely valuable experience. We also really appreciated the more right-brained, creative approach. The weekly rituals were grounding and centering. We were able to tap into reservoirs of strength we didn't know we had and we learned about our relationship. Erika was inclusive and really able to customize the activities and language to fit our needs and situation."

C.J.

review3

"Erika was an effective, responsive, organized leader.
Erika was an effective, responsive, organized leader for my Birthing From Within class; she creatively taught many strategies to prepare us for our birth experience. She exudes a sense of warmth and true love of her work. After attending her class, I felt much better prepared for childbirth and less afraid of the process. I have recommended her to many friends and will continue to do so - she is wonderful!"

Hailey

review4

"A prenatal birth class that combined both sides of the pregnancy/birth journey
My husband and I had long been searching for a prenatal birth class that combined both sides of the pregnancy/birth journey:  The practical and the magical, the bones and the heart, the actual and the creative..."

Sophie

review3

"Erika was an effective, responsive, organized leader.
Erika was an effective, responsive, organized leader for my Birthing From Within class; she creatively taught many strategies to prepare us for our birth experience. She exudes a sense of warmth and true love of her work. After attending her class, I felt much better prepared for childbirth and less afraid of the process. I have recommended her to many friends and will continue to do so - she is wonderful!"

Hailey

review1

"As a nurse-midwife, I recommend Erika’s class...
As a nurse-midwife, I recommend Erika’s class to all my clients who feel committed to getting an empowering experience from their birth. The techniques Erika teaches help women stay strong in the extreme challenge that is childbirth, but they also help them adapt to circumstances they didn’t plan on or desire. These couples are more likely to feel satisfied with their births, regardless of whether they went “according to plan."

Ana Williams, Boulder Certified Nurse Midwife

review2

"A safe & calming environment...
Erika provided a safe and calming environment to learn and prepare for the wonderful experience of giving birth. Although birthing a child may bring pain or challenges, Erika gave us the resources, information and encouragement to feel the beauty of the journey."

Rachel

Are Birthing From Within classes a good fit for you?

  • Small class size which allows time and space for discussion, reflection, and connection.
  • Class is designed to prepare parents to give birth-in-awareness, not to achieve a specific outcome.
  • Birthing From Within treats birth as a profound rite of passage, not a medical event (even when medical care is part of the birth).
  • Class dynamic encourages active, creative self-expression and interactive dialog.
  • In order to help parents mobilize their coping resources, it is acknowledged that unexpected events may happen during labor.
  • Parents receive  support for any birth option which might be right for them  (including epidurals, cesarean, and home birth).
  • Partners enhance their ability to be truly present and to offer loving, effective, support.

Our childbirth classes address "The Three Kinds of Knowing":

  • 1 Primordial Knowing  (your innate, parental instinct)
  • 2 Inner Knowing  (who are you, where you come from, and what  motivates and guides you).
  • 3 Modern Knowing  (information that helps you make informed decisions  and navigate the birth experience);  Inner Knowing  (who are you, where you come from, and what  motivates and guides you).

> read more about the 3 Kinds of Knowing