Private Childbirth Class*

Anna Marie is a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator.  She has experience teaching the well-recognized 12-hour Lamaze curriculum in a hospital setting.  However, she has found that most childbirth education classes taught in a hospital are restrictive.  The educator is usually restricted to teach only that particular hospitals normal routines and policies.  Parents are best-served when they are able to make decisions based on what is best for them, not what is most cost-effective for the hospital.  Because of this Anna Marie now only teaches an evidence-based private childbirth class.

Because Anna Marie is not employed by a hospital, her curriculum is not based upon promoting routine interventions to facilitate a birth to occur during normal business hours.  Nor does Anna Marie have to be sure to encourage a mother to comply with practices that help hospitals keep a larger patient:nurse ratio.  Anna Marie teaches practices that are proven to be beneficial for mother and child.  She is dedicated to providing parents with accurate, current information backed by scientific studies of what has been proven to help facilitate a safe labor, birth, and successful breastfeeding.

 Although Anna Marie fully supports the Lamaze 12-hour curriculum, she's also realized that many couples simply cannot make that time commitment, or they are not comfortable in a group setting asking the personal questions that arise while discussing childbirth.  Anna Marie has streamlined her curriculum to a one evening, private childbirth class.  The class is normally 2 to 3 hours.  She's done away with the icebreakers, games, and socializing, and instead "cuts to the chase" of labor, birth, and breastfeeding.  By cutting out the social aspect and other subjects such as nutrition and exercise, and by focusing only on one couple rather than a large group, the class is quite comprehensive in the areas of labor, birth, and breastfeeding.

This class is based upon Lamaze principles, but also includes techniques from other childbirth education philosophies which are proven effective.  In addition, Anna Marie draws upon her years of experience as a doula having attended over 150 births.  Anna Marie knows what works, and she teaches proven techniques, always putting the health and safety of mom and baby first. 

Anna Maries private class is custom-tailored for her clients specific needs.  The content of the class is based upon the kind of birth experience her clients want.  Whether a couple plans on using no drugs, getting an epidural, or even a cesarean, its always best to be educated.  This class teaches her clients what all of their options are, what to expect, and how to communicate their wishes effectively to the medical staff.  And because Anna Marie has been a doula at most hospitals in the DFW Metroplex, she usually knows what the hospitals normal routine policies are.  Therefore, she can tell her clients what to expect beforehand.  And if they desire, she can also help couples choose a hospital based on what they are wanting in their birth experience.

If the social aspect of a childbirth class is important to a couple, or they feel that nutrition and exercise counseling would be particularly helpful to them, Anna Marie is happy to make a referral to other knowledgeable private childbirth educators that teach a broader curriculum to a larger group.

Private Breastfeeding Class

Although the basics of breastfeeding is introduced in Anna Marie's private childbirth class, most couples need a more comprehensive class just on breastfeeding.  This class is also appropriate for those who choose to take a childbirth class, but want a little extra help in preparing for breastfeeding, or as a stand alone class just on breastfeeding.  As a Certified Breastfeeding Educator and Lamaze Breastfeeding Support Specialist, Anna Marie offers a class specifically on breastfeeding.  The class lasts about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. 

 While birth is instinctive, breastfeeding is a learned behavior.  Were mammals--it works.  But most parents need some help learning how.  Many mothers, especially those who have never been around other breastfeeding mothers, quit breastfeeding within the first few weeks because of frustration, pain, or exhaustion.  Of Anna Marie's over 220 doula clients, all have successfully breastfed.  We're mammals--it works, but while giving birth is instinctive, breastfeeding is a learned behavior.  This class will help new mothers achieve successful breastfeeding, and will teach the father what he can do to help mom with breastfeeding as well.

Class Fees:
Private Childbirth Class: $175
Private Breastfeeding Class: $125

Possible Travel Fee:
Anna Marie offers these classes throughout the DFW Metroplex.  Depending upon where you live there might be a travel fee.