I felt very well educated by the end of class. These can include drugs during labor which can be detrimental to mother, baby, and the progress of a normal and healthy labor. Somewhat new to the childbirth education arena, Birth Works has been steadily growing in popularity since it's start in the 1980's. According to Birth Works Executive Director and Certified Childbirth Educator Michelle Brill, the founding philosophy of the Birth Works process is that women know how to give birth instinctively. Thus, rather than being taught, a woman needs to be nurtured and helped to tap into those instincts to find in herself that which will help her feel loved, safe and honored during her birthing experience.
Birth Works focuses on childbirth from an emotional perspective.
According to Brill, Birth Works is very attentive to women who have had painful experiences in the past, such as pregnancy losses. They work through the feelings and fears from the prior pregnancy that might surface and interfere with their current one. Expectant parents are encouraged to begin Birth Works early in pregnancy as it provides information that can be used right away. Women are taught pelvic bodywork exercises to help them learn about their bodies for birth, and they are also taught how to relax, visualize and how to make use of deep breathing as a way to provide comfort during the process. Information is shared with the expectant parents about medications as well as the risks involved with them, and they are also informed about the natural alternatives to medical interventions.