holistic birth preparation
artis moon amarche
NOVA/DC/MD
welcome
“When enough women realize that birth is a time of great opportunity to get in touch with their true power, and when they are willing to assume responsibility for this, we will reclaim the power of birth and help move technology where it belongs - in the service of birthing women, not their master.” - Christiane Northrup
At the very foundation of this class
is the notion that birth is a process
for which women
are divinely designed, rather than
something we must learn to do.
This class is geared towards people
planning a holistic birth
experience, who wish to reclaim
the power and beauty of one of our most sacred - and essential - aspects of existence.
Together we will explore
varied ways to fully experience
this journey of growing
and birthing - our children,
and ourselves as parents.
WHO this is for: women and partners planning a natural birth, especially those planning to birth at home or in a birth center, ‘on land’ or in water;
first-timers, or those who have birthed before but are looking to deepen their experience this time around; those planning an HBAC or VBAC (HomeBirth After Cesarean or Vaginal Birth After Cesarean). Some evenings will be mamas only.
WHAT it is: a fun & exploratory way to inform yourselves about this seemingly mysterious process, confront & dispel fears, bolster courage, and embrace our bodies’ inherent wisdom, using dialogue, journaling, art, touch, movement, and stillness. See ‘THE FOCUS’ for more details.
WHEN & WHERE: Classes are now forming for spring & summer 2012. The session will be held at my home in S. Arlington (VA), near the intersection of S. Glebe and Columbia Pike (easily accessible by 395, 66, or route 50), from 6:30-9 on a weeknight.
If interested, contact me now and voice your preference for which night of the week! Tea will be served. Please feel free to bring your dinner with you.
Condensed private sessions or customized one-time workshops are available on request. I will also be offering a condensed session - three 3-hour classes to take place over two or three weekends, with a 4th class to be scheduled postpartum.
WHY: I believe that birth profoundly impacts who we are as individuals and as a culture. Babies who are born under the influence of pharmaceuticals and/or in a traumatic way can develop a variety of physical and emotional symptoms throughout their lives as a result. Mothers who experience traumatic birthing of their children often lack the resources and support to acknowledge, resolve, and heal from such a difficult experience. This can feel alienating and result in suppressed emotion, or a misdiagnosis of postpartum depression, when really what these moms suffer from is PTSD. It is my hope to help return the culture of pregnancy & birth to its rightful place as a natural and healthy occurrence that should be honored and celebrated, where interventions are reserved for emergencies; and to support women’s innate power and choice to bring children into the world in the most peaceful, mindful, and loving way possible.
HOW MUCH: $350 - all materials included. The last class will be postpartum. Pay in advance to reserve your spot. If needed, payment plans are negotiable, and if cost is truly a prohibitive factor, please speak to me about this.
If you have any questions at all, or if you are considering whether an out-of-hospital birth is right for you, don’t hesitate to contact me. If you have not yet seen the movie “The Business of Being Born”, I highly recommend it. See the trailer here. They have a second movie coming out soon. If the possibility of birthing out-of-hospital is a new idea for you, this movie can be a real eye-opener.
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Rebecca at 6 months