During the covid-19 pandemic we will be offering our classes live via Zoom!
MotherWit Birth Essentials Prenatal Classes are for anyone birthing in Canada, whether you are hoping to have an all natural birth, know that you want pain relief or are having a planned caesarean. We will provide you the information and resources to help guide you through all birthing scenarios in a fun hands-on class!
What to REALLY expect when you're expecting.
Is the idea of giving birth and the prospect of life with your new baby a little intimidating? Do you feel that the information you have been getting so far is overwhelming or full of conflicting opinions about how you “should” do things? Our childbirth educators are highly experienced, deeply compassionate and currently active birth and parenting support professionals. In over two decades we have taught our Birth Essentials labour and delivery support skills to countless expecting parents and nursing students. Our judgement-free prenatal classes will give you the knowledge, tools and confidence to birth and parent like a rock star.
Register for a class now!
May Virtual Group Prenatal Classes
Class is 4 three hour sessions live via Zoom. May Class Dates: Monday May 6th 6:30pm-9:30pm Thursday May 9th 6:30pm-9:30pm Monday May 13th 6:30pm-9:30pm Thursday May 16th 6:30pm-9:30pm MotherWit Birth Essentials Prenatal Classes are for anyone birthing in Canada, whether you ...
Prepare Wisely
More than just learning what to REALLY expect when you’re expecting, you’ll learn what to DO! Birth Essentials Prenatal Classes prepare the birthing parent and partner for all aspects of pregnancy, labour and delivery, and life with a new baby! Our fun, interactive, and inspiring classes will demystify the birthing process, outline your options, and help address your fears.
Birth Powerfully
Birth is unpredictable. We provide you with judgement-free information, techniques and skills to help you cope effectively with the expected AND the unexpected. Whether naturally, with pain relief, or by Caesarean, MotherWit Birth Essentials Prenatal Classes will prepare you to birth like a rock star.
Parent Authentically
New parenthood can be overwhelming. MotherWit Birth Essentials Prenatal Classes will help you feel confident about understanding you and your baby’s physical and emotional needs. You will learn about feeding and newborn care through interactive hands-on demonstrations.
We educate and support you unconditionally in your choices.
There is no one ideal way to give birth or parent!
Birth, Coping, and Partner Skills
- How the body prepares for birth (and how you can help it)
- Signs of labour
- The experience of birth
- The problem with timing contractions
- When to REALLY get going to your place of birth
- Coping with labour (pacing, relaxation, breathing, identifying your natural coping skills)
- Partner skills (massage and emotional support)
Newborn Feeding and Bonding
- The baby’s experience of birth
- The immediate postpartum experience for Mom and Baby
- Family bonding in different scenarios
- Breastfeeding
- When breastfeeding needs help
- Options in feeding
- The partner’s role in supporting infant feeding
Options in Childbirth
- What happens when I get to the hospital/birthing centre?
- Demystifying clinical routines
- Medical pain management options
- Cesarean birth
- Use your BRAIN (Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, Intuition, Need time or Nothing)
- The rights of the labouring parent
- Managing your expectations
Baby Care and the New Family
- Home with Baby…now what?
- Basic baby care skills and concerns
- Postpartum recovery
- Why is my baby crying?
- Newborn sleep and parent survival
- I’m not myself; signs of anxiety and depression
- Importance of community and support
Who?
Birth Essentials are taught by certified doulas from MotherWit Doula Care. Our MotherWit Certified Childbirth Educators have diverse backgrounds and expertise in such fields as breastfeeding support, baby wearing, infant sleep education, counselling, homeopathy, nutrition, massage therapy and so much more. Having attended well over a thousand births at all the hospitals and birthing centres in Montreal and Ottawa, our highly experienced, engaging and fun team of educators can address protocols and available resources at your chosen place of birth as well issue insurance receipts as Naturopaths. (Quebec only)
What?
Our group classes are small and intimate to ensure personalized attention for all participants. Not only will you receive the most comprehensive childbirth education, you will also get several additional bonuses such as:
- A Birth Essentials swag bag containing small gifts, discounts, information and other fun things from some of our friends.
- Online access to our detailed class notes, supplemental reading and videos, for your reference.
- Postpartum check-in by phone after your baby has arrived to ensure all is well.
- Access to our weekly Pregnant and New Mom Meet-ups.
- Access to our lending library.
- Referrals to other local pregnancy resources.
Where?
Our group classes are held in convenient, easily accessible locations in Montreal and Ottawa. Our spaces are cozy and inviting to make you feel at home. Enjoy free coffee, tea and a snack while you learn. Our private classes can be held either at our offices or in the comfort of your own home.
When?
Birth Essentials are offered in several different formats to accommodate your schedule. Group classes can be taken either in a 2 Saturday intensive or a 4 week evening class. Don’t feel you need to take the whole series? Each class, in either format, can be taken separately to deepen your knowledge in a specific area or as a refresher if you’ve already taken a prenatal class. Private classes are also available that can be tailored to meet your specific needs and schedule, in our office or the comfort of your own home.
Weekend or evening classes to fit YOUR schedule!
MotherWit Birth Essentials Prenatal classes believes that new parents and babies are our community’s most precious citizens.
Non-judgemental, supportive social contact is essential to the wellbeing of parents. Our popular weekly MotherWit Moms’ Meet-ups are safe places to bring your belly or your baby, share experiences, resources and expand your village. A MotherWit certified doula always facilitates to answer questions.
Choose your city to see local events.
Robin and I would like to thank MotherWit for the great Birth Essentials Prenatal Classes they gave, we really enjoyed the format and information given!
It was great being in such an open, welcoming environment and we really liked that all types of birth were covered and there was no judgement or pushing in any one direction as being the “best”.
I wanted to thank you all again for the Birth Essentials Prenatal Classes. I thought you would be happy to hear that Nicole gave birth to our little baby, Luna Mercy, on August 20th. Labor was swift and intense but through what we learned in your classes we felt empowered and prepared. Throughout labor Nicole was able to tap into her MotherWit and I could feel the power radiating from her the whole time. It was a wonderful birth experience and we can thank MotherWit for contributing to that. The three of us are now nesting, resting and bonding on our little babymoon.
Pregnant for my first time, so clueless as to what to expect, I knew my husband and I needed guidance and knowledge. Lesley and the team at MotherWit Birth Essentials Prenatal Classes did such an incredible job of laying out the facts of childbirth with humour and warmth. They opened our eyes and prepared us in ways we would never have figured out on our own. Thank you MotherWit!
Would you like more information?
Have questions about any of our services or classes? Please send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can!