Fall Classes
If your family is growing, this community offers many great classes to help you feel prepared. Be informed about your birth choices by taking a comprehensive childbirth education class. Classes are offered through the Nantucket Cottage Hospital or privately. Classes cover managing the discomforts of pregnancy through improved nutrition and movement, going into labor, stages of labor, natural pain coping techniques, medical options, cesarean birth, newborn procedures,breastfeeding in the early days,and taking care of your postpartum body. Group classes through the hospital for September begin this Wednesday. Classes are forming for October and December with the strong likelihood that there will not be class offered in November. Private classes are always available and the schedule and contact is flexible to meet your needs.
Newborn care classes pick up where childbirth education classes leave off. Breastfeeding is covered in greater detail, nighttime parenting, soothing a fussy baby, knowing what’s normal and what needs the attention of a doctor, and taking care of your relationship are covered in 2 two hour classes offered for free through the Nantucket Community School. Registration is required.
Breastfeeding support is available for free through La Leche League, a mother to mother support group. This month’s topic is the Advantages of Breastfeeding. La Leche League meets the third Thursday of every month at 9am in the Early Childhood Center at 128 Old South Rd.
MotherWoman group is new support group on island this year. This group offer mothers a chance to talk openly about the challenges of parenting to gain support and build community.When mothers are valued and supported, we are more successful in all areas of our lives, benefiting our children, families and communities.This group will meet Thursday mornings at 9am beginning in October.
In addition, I have added placenta encapsulation services to support new mothers. If you are interested in learning more about how the amazing placenta can nourish you in your postpartum period, just ask. Or keep checking back here as there is sure to be a blog post about this soon!
As I eluded to, I will be in Utah for the month of November working at Better Birth Centers as a student midwife. I am working here on Nantucket as a student midwife under the supervision of three experienced midwives; Sybille Andersen CPM, Sarafina Kennedy CPM, and Audra Karp CPM, but I will be unavailable for the month of November.
My doula services are filling up for the fall. If you are interested in learning more about how support can help you enjoy your birth experience please let me know. I offer a free introductory meeting so that I can gain a sense of what is most important to you during your birth experience and you have the opportunity to ask questions.
Preparing for and giving birth can be a highlight of a woman’s life. Let me help you approach your birth and mothering experience without fear.