Childbirth and New Parent Classes

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Childbirth and New Parent Classes

Childbirth Preparation Classes

April teaches a variety of childbirth preparation classes:

Private childbirth preparation classes for first-time parents
Private refresher classes for experienced mothers/couples
A 7-week birth preparation series for women/couples planning to birth in the home or at a free-standing birth center
A 7-week birth preparation series for women/couples planning to birth in a hospital or birth center

April was our guide into parenthood. We met her as our childbirth instructor and asked her to be our doula. We were drawn to her deep level of expertise, her wit and humor, and the evident significance of love, acceptance, and intuition in her life and in her work. From building our birth plan, to sharing clues that labor was on its way, to the actual childbirth and delivery, she was a confident advocate that birth is a celebration and that we would be ready to be parents.
--Jeanne & David, expectant parents in my Great Starts Childbirth Preparation Class and doula clients, Spring 2009

April's Private Childbirth Classes

These private classes are tailored to meet your individual needs and schedule. They are taught in April's residence in West Seattle and you can invite anyone who is going to support you at the birth to this class. We cover a lot of material in a short amount of time and it's explained so you understand it all. April teaches using visual aids, demonstration, drawings, handouts, practice of coping measures, and a touch of humor. This is a professional, current class where information is shared in an energetic way that is engaging and memorable. Since it is your class, you can choose which topics we talk about and which practice techniques you would like to emphasize. For example, some parents want a complete overview of labor and birth and newborn care. Others may have read many books and have a good idea of what to anticipate in labor and just want to concentrate on practicing comfort measures for labor and birth. I always recommend that you take a good breastfeeding class taught by a lactation consultant to supplement this class.

We are extremely thankful to have met April and feel lucky to have had her as our teacher. She was present for us during our baby's birth and her teaching was so important to us during the entire time. She's been a gift to our entire family. --Expectant parents in my Great Starts Childbirth Preparation Class, 2004

Home Birth and Birth Center Birth Series

These classes are offered through Penny Simkin's office and the instructors are Penny Simkin, PT and April Bolding, PT. Penny's classes are held in Seattle's Madison Park neighborhood (E Madison ST) and April's classes are taught in her residence in West Seattle. We recommend a class that ends 2-5 weeks before your due date.

2012 class schedule:
February 22-April 4 , 2012, Wednesdays 7-9:30p - taught by April Bolding FULL
March 3-April 24, 2012, Tuesdays 7-9:30p - taught by Penny Simkin FULL
April 4-May 23 , 2012, Wednesdays 7-9:30p - taught by April Bolding FULL
May 1-June 12, 2012, Tuesdays 7-9:30p - taught by Penny Simkin FULL
May 23-July 11, (skip July 4) 2012, Wednesdays 7-9:30p - taught by April Bolding FULL
July 25-Sept 5, 2012, Wednesdays 7-9:30p - taught by April Bolding
Sept 12-Oct 24, 2012, Wednesdays 7-9:30p - taught by April Bolding
Oct 2-Nov 13, 2012, Tuesdays 7-9:30p  - taught by April Bolding in Madison Park
Nov 7-Dec 19, 2012, Wednesdays 7-9:30p - taught by April Bolding
Nov 27-Jan 22 (skips 12-25, 1-1), 2012, Tuesdays 7-9:30p - taught by Penny Simkin

To find out a complete schedule of these classes or to sign up, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Penny's office or call (206) 325-1419. If a class series is full, you can request to get on a waiting list or you can contact April for a private childbirth class.

Read more for a detailed description of these classes and the cost....

Refresher Classes

April teaches this as a private class in your home. You will review your previous birth experience(s) and explore how you would like things to happen this time. April will help you plan and prepare for the birth experience you want. If you want a different experience than before, choosing a different care provider and birth setting may make all the difference. If this is not an option, then developing a strategies to move through this labor in the way you'd like to. Everyone can benefit from a review of what to expect in labor and coping measures.

As with all April's private childbirth classes, this refresher class is tailored to meet your needs, schedule and you can invite your labor support team to be in this class with you. She teaches using visual aids, demonstration, drawings, handouts, review and practice of coping measures, all with some humor. This is a professional, current class where information is shared in an energetic way that is engaging and memorable. There is a class outline of topics to cover, should you wish you review the topics prior to our meeting. Since it is your class, you can choose which topics/practice techniques you would like to emphasize. This class typically takes two to three hours. If you are working within a budget, April will work within the time constraints you set. Class includes handouts. The 2010 edition of Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn is available for purchase.

Teacher Education Workshop

For those who are interested in becoming a childbirth educator, consider this excellent course. Great Starts Basic Teacher Education Workshop will increase your knowledge and confidence so you feel prepared to begin teaching birth preparation and parenting classes. The workshop is designed for nurses (working in public health, hospital maternity units, clinics and doctor's offices), midwives, labor support persons, physical therapists, maternal-child health care professionals and anyone with a solid working knowledge of the birth process who would like to learn how to share that knowledge with expectant families. Janelle Durham is the lead instructor for this workshop, and it includes guest instructors, including Penny Simkin, Janet Whalley, April Bolding, and Kim James.

Presentations

April enjoys giving presentations on issues related to childbirth and beyond. She engages the audience with current information, inspiring stories and a touch of humor. She presented Tuning into our Clients: Activating Our Doula Intuition at the DONA International Conference in Boston, July 2011.

This is April speaking at the Northwest Women's Show on Sunday, March 29, 2009 at the Seattle Qwest Event Center.

She presented "Woman's Work: Making Informed Choices in Childbirth." Northwest Medical Center sponsored this event.

More Articles...

AprilBolding.Com

Childbirth Preparation Classes

April's Private Childbirth Classes

Home Birth and Birth Center Birth Series

Refresher Classes

Teacher Education Workshop

Presentations