Birth Network Info night

The Birth Network
This information night was filled with vendors: yoga, massage, accupucture, birthing classes, breastfeeding classes, doulas, midwives, support groups, infant care, etc... it's a place to go and meet with all the various practitioners and ask questions, etc. It's helped me to realize the huge variety we have here in Santa Cruz. Of course not every community is so in touch with giving mothers and expecting parents options to choose from. We almost have too many options!

Birthing courses that interested me are:
HypnoBirthing
Birthing from Within I really like this one and plan to sign up for the Sept14-Oct26 session
The Bradley Method

It seems that LaMaze is outdated and not even offered. Most of these newer techniques are all based on LaMaze, but are updated with new methods and preparation for emercency cesarian or use of epidural, etc. They all include the father (or birth coach) to play a more active role in the coaching efforts.

Both Dominican and Sutter hospitals offer birthing courses, but I get the feeling that they prepare you more for how to be a good patient than how to become a mother...