Sample Course Outline

EMPOWERED CHILDBIRTH COURSE

Module 1: Welcome, Intro + Pregnancy

• Pregnancy anatomy: what + how things are happening inside you

• Nutrition during pregnancy: how much + what to eat + prenatal vitamins

• Movement during pregnancy: what is recommended + safe

• Mental and emotional health during pregnancy

• Prenatal appointments: tests, scans, and what to ask your Dr.

Week 2: Do Not Disturb: Labor in Progress

• The 6 key practices that help ensure a healthy and safe birth for mom + baby

• What is a "normal" birth, anyway?

• The role of hormones in birth

• Are you in labor? How to know + what to do when

• A-Z of birth: a step-by-step account of labor

Week 3: But What About the PAIN?

• Labor pain + options for pain relief

• Coping skills + comfort techniques: building your toolkit to cope with pain

• Partner’s role in labor

• Labor positions

• First bathroom trip + other (unspoken) fears

• How to protect yourself from tearing

• Doulas: their role, benefits + how to find one

Week 4:  When Things DON’T Go as Planned

• Pain meds in labor

• Labor complications + interventions

• The “back” story on epidurals

• All about cesarean birth and what to do “if…”

• The cascade of intervention: how did we get here?

Week 5: What Happens AFTER Birth

• Moments after birth: tests and procedures

• Your postpartum body + recovery: vaginal and cesarean

• Caring for a new baby

• Creating your birth preferences (“birth plan”)

• Breastfeeding 101: How to set yourself up for success

Week 6: What Noone Tells You About Postpartum

• Physical, emotional, hormonal and other identity changes for pregnant women

• Changes for partners: your role, changed identity + balancing it all

• Your relationship with your partner: changed but not forgotten

• What life is really like for a new parent (hint: it’s not all “OMG I LOVE YOU BABY”)

• Setting up your postpartum support system

• Resources for new parents: books, websites, podcasts, etc.