Labor
of Love offers many different classes, opportunities to meet the doulas,
and trainings.
Please click on the different links below to find out what offerings
we may have that you would be interested in. Thanks!
All attendees must either register or RSVP prior to attending.
Childbirth Classes
Each childbirth class is a bit different from the previous one or the one to come. In teaching Birthing in Awareness classes, the curriculum is different due to making the class individualized to meet the needs of the individual students who are attending the series. Teresa teaches the group classes on Saturday mornings and Pam teaches Sundays, early in the evening. Guina teaches an abridged weekend immersion class.
Please check our calendar for the upcoming classes and don't hesitate to register early as these classes fill quickly. Teresa will send you a class agreement via email for you to see costs of the varied classes and register.
The purpose for our childbirth preparation classes is to help the couple become closer and communicative about their desires not only for labor and birth but for parenting and to learn to listen to their instinctive voice, and to allow their fears to be resolved prior to labor beginning. This release of fears enables a couple to enter their labor capable, confident, aware, prepared and informed. The class is not specific to one way of birthing or method of childbirth as we believe births unfold in an unexpected and unplanned way many times, and it is important to be able to make the "next best thing" decisions along the way. Instead of teaching one method we teach you at least twenty pain coping skills and practices that you may find useful. We offer the option of incorporating some guided imagery (hypnosis) for birth situations, some active birth postures and information on non-medical pain relief as well as medical. We try to impart a different way of thinking about your labor and birth- one without fear and with an enhancement of knowledge that helps to build communication skills not only between you as a couple but as well as with your care provider. You develop a team mentality instead of a "them and us" thinking.
We make our classes fun! We do some active learning through role playing, hands on teaching and practice. We have videos to watch, homework assignments that are fun and unique and we encourage students to ask questions and involve themselves fully in the process. Our curriculum includes learning a pain coping mindset and the techniques to help with pain in labor. We include some birth art and listening to birth stories as well as some hands on practice of positions that may facilitate a faster labor. You will learn about the mind body connection and its effect on labor, your birth place preparation- whether home or hospital, effective postures for birth and pushing, the companion's role (we offer an additional class for dads), informed consent and making decisions, playing the "Doing the Next Best Thing" game, postpartum adjustment, breastfeeding and care of the newborn and welcoming your newest addition to your family. We want you to leave our class talking throughout the week about the things you learned. We encourage you to explore ideas you may not have ever explored, deepening your awareness about your body, birth in general and your relationship. We want you to leave as an informed consumer, actively involved in the decisions that surround your birth.
We have many years of exposure to different teachings and experiences. We have read tons of books on childbirth methods, parenting ideas and more including our favorite authors who include Ina May Gaskins, Michel Odent, Janet Balaskas, Pam England, Shelia Kitzinger, William Sears, Jay Gordon and others. There is not just one specific type of training that goes into our classes.
- Teresa Howard has had experience personally with both the Bradley and Lamaze methods of childbirth when giving birth to her children. She has done extensive training over the 16 years of teaching in many areas that enhance her skills as an educator. She is a retired La Leche League leader after ten years of being an active leader and is also a certified lactation educator (CLE) and previous lactation educator trainer for CAPPA. She is also a previous postpartum doula trainer for CAPPA and is certified as a postpartum doula (CPD). Her training specific to being a childbirth educator has been with Pam England who pioneered the method based on Birthing From Within (www.birthingfromwithin.com), with additional Lamaze training, her labor doula training with DONA (CD) and CAPPA (CLD) as well as with Gail Tully in learning about optimal fetal positioning techniques (www.spinningbabies.com). She is a certified childbirth educator for CAPPA (CCCE), completed two levels of training with Birthing From Within as well as being a Happiest Baby on the Block certified instructor (CHBE). She keeps current with new research and attends continuing education annually.
- Pam Roe has had experience personally with Bradley and Lamaze. She is a retired La Leche league leader after ten years as an active leader and is a certified labor doula with both CAPPA (CLD) and DONA (CD). She is a Birthing from Within Mentor and a certified childbirth educator (CCCE) with CAPPA. She is also certified as a Happiest Baby on the Block instructor (CHBE). She too keeps current with new research and attends continuing education annually.
- Guina Bixler has had experience personally with the Lamaze method of childbirth while giving birth to her children. She also has personal experience of a cesarean birth as well as a VBAC (Vaginal Birth after Cesarean). She is a certified labor doula with CAPPA (CLD) She has completed her training as a lactation educator, childbirth educator and postpartum doula. She has been trained by Gail Tully in learning about optimal fetal positioning techniques (www.spinningbabies.com). And she is currently a Birthing From Within mentor Level I. She will be completing Level II in November 08.
All of these experiences come together in the classes we offer. Please contact Teresa at teresa@alaboroflove.org to hear more information about the classes and offerings on our upcoming schedule. Please visit our calendar to see when these classes are being offered.
Private Classes Although we believe that the group interaction is something that helps not only solidify the information, but also makes our classes more fun, we offer private classes in our childbirth class locations or your home for those whose schedules don't allow a group interactive class setting. If you have children, childcare is necessary so that you will not be distracted during the class time set aside if it is in your home. There are four modules that last about 2- 3 hours each that can be selected ala carte to tailor them to your specific needs. Each module can be individually priced or the set of four modules are available at a discount.
For more information on classes or events call Teresa at 770-923-6914 or email her at teresa@alaboroflove.org.
Back to topBirthing Again Again These classes are for those who have birthed previously. It is only 9 hours of classes over a Friday evening time with just the moms and two Saturdays for the couples . This is not to be taken as an initial class- you must have taken a childbirth class with your previous pregnancy. Teresa Howard teaches this series. The series includes:
- Review and learn more pain coping techniques
- How to push effectively and with less perineal trauma
- Sibling integration
- Birth trauma resolution and self discovery
- Partner reminders
- Baby care and breastfeeding review
Please visit our Calendar to see when our next classes will be held. For more information on classes or events call Teresa at 770-923-6914 or email her at teresa@alaboroflove.org.
Back to topAdditional Classes
Breastfeeding Couple Class, taught by Teresa Howard and Pam Roe, is to prepare you prior to the birth of your baby in understanding the whys, hows and whens to breastfeeding to insure success. This is a unique class with new approaches to learning positions and latching techniques.
Infant and Child CPR Class, taught by Natalie Coleman who is certified with the American Heart Association. Know what to do in an emergency situation to save your child’s life.
Infant Massage Introductory Class taught by Teresa Howard. Learn how to sooth your baby with some basic techniques that you may find invaluable. Come with your baby to have some fun! Better digestion, happier baby, longer sleep and great bonding times!
Preparing for Parenthood taught by Teresa Howard to help you flourish as new parents- helping the transition flow much smoother. More sleep, more money, more family time, more fun, more intimacy… want to learn more?
I'm Pregnant- Now What? early pregnancy informational class taught by Jennifer Fargar Do you want to know not only your birth options but also how to have a great beginning to your pregnancy? Nutrition, exercise, body changes, prenatal testing, classes, doulas, memory making and more!
Line Up your Baby for Labor! Optimal fetal positioning techniques to avoid back labor taught by Guina Bixler based on her training with Gail Tulley.
Parenting your Toddler beyond babyhood, now what do you do? Taught by Pam Roe. Having a toddler can be very challenging at time- this class will help you navigate new ground.
VBAC/CBAC- what is right for me? - taught by Pam Roe & Guina Bixler. Explore the options for a safe and satisfying birth experience after a previous surgical birth.
Baby Sign Language – taught by Persis Bristol Dodson. Communicate more effectively! Babies are more content when conveying a need is not a constant struggle. Learn preverbal communication and teach your baby the ability to express his or her needs and thoughts. Baby sign language will benefit babies from ages 4 months to 36 months.
Homebirth vs. Hospital- What’s the right option for me? taught by Jennifer Fargar Are you considering your birth location and options? This class will give you the legal information as well as the exploration of experiences.
Fathering in Awareness class for dads by dads. The dads share tips on partner skills for labor and birth as well as parenting skills.
Happiest
Baby on the Block, CALMS/ HUGS parenting and soothing your baby classes.This class is multifaceted. We offer the techniques of Harvey Karp of the Happiest Baby on the Block along with the CALMS techniques for soothing your baby based on Drs. Contey and Takikawa in combination with the HUGS techniques by Jan Tedder.
Dr. Karp's 5 soothing techniques to prevent colic and help to calm your baby will be accompanied by a take home DVD with the techniques as well as a white noise CD that has a retail value of $40+. Plus, we include the ideas of CALMS which teach five ways to interact with your baby to keep you and your baby calmer, along with Tedder's techniques to learn to understand the amazing language of your newborn and help to regulate your baby- therefore having a baby that cries less in the first year and is more independent in the 2nd year of life.
These are essential tools to equip every parent. This is a couple’s class and it is strongly recommended that both the mom and partner attend to get the full benefit of the class. This class is facilitated by either Teresa Howard or Pam Roe.
For more information on classes or events call Teresa at 770-923-6914 or email her at teresa@alaboroflove.org.
Please visit our Calendar to see when our next classes will be held.
Back to topClass Location
Many of our classes meet at the Mail and Business Service Center, but Pam Roe is now teaching in Marietta, Guina Bixler is teaching in Roswell and Jennifer is teaching in Atlanta. So, note the classes they teach and realize the location may differ from our regular class location. The Mail and Business Service Center is located at the Riverside Exchange Shopping Center. It is easily accessible off of Sugarloaf, Hwy 316 and I-85. The actual address is 2100 Riverside Parkway, Suite 119B, Lawrenceville, GA 30043. If you are coming from Atlanta you take 85 north to 316. When you turn onto 316 take the third exit- just past Sugarloaf Parkway. Off the exit you turn left and the shopping center is on the right. But you need to come to the back of the building. Turn onto Lakes Parkway next to the QT and then turn left at the second shopping center exit past the hotel on the left. When you come to the back of the shopping center look for the door with the sign for Labor of Love on it and come in that door. Lakes Parkway runs perpendicular to Hwy 120 also- so if you are coming from that area, turn onto Lakes Parkway next to Parson's Orthodontics and it is also the second entrance to the right to the back of the shopping center. There is ample parking in the back area near the entrance. Occasionally other classes are offered elsewhere. Please check the calendar for more location details.
Contact Teresa for further details on her classes. Don't let the location scare you if you are not used to driving out to the burbs! It is less than 30 minutes to the center of downtown on a Saturday. Gwinnett county offers great shopping once you are here as well with the Mall of Georgia not too far away and the Babies R Us around the corner from where class is held. So- city dwellers give us a try!
Check MapQuest for exact directions.
Back to topMeet the Doulas Tea
You
are invited to attend a bimonthly introductory tea of the Labor of
Love Women. Every other month, on the odd numbered months we will be
meeting on the third Monday night at 7:30 pm (although this is subject to change-
so please check the calendar on the website or make a confirmation
phone call to Teresa). This is a great time for couples to casually
meet each doula. We show a short video and then introduce the company's
services. Each specialist will have a chance to be introduced and say
a little something about the area with which she is involved within
the company. This presentation is less than an hour. Then there will
be a time to mingle and informally meet all of the women of love that
work with Labor of Love Doula and Childbirth Services, Inc.
We have childbirth educators, labor and postpartum doulas, lactation specialists, massage therapists, belly casters and also have apprentice doulas that would love to meet you. This is a couple event, so please bring your partner if they would like to meet us as well. If you want to come alone that is fine too. We do ask that you not bring children to this tea, but babes in arms are welcomed.
This is an opportunity of sorts to do informal interviews with each person within the company. It allows time for you to meet each one individually and decide if you would like to set up a formal interview or make plans to hire one of the ones you have met from this informal interview setting. There is no obligation on your part at all. Just come and see what we are all about and let us share our philosophy and services with you.
There will be products that we sell available for you to see at these meetings as well. If there are items on the www.laborofloveshack.com site you would like to perhaps purchase, let Teresa know and she can bring them to the tea.
This meeting is free and open to any friends or family members that are also interested in hearing more about our services. Feel free to spread the word among your friends. We do ask that if at all possible, you send an email with your name, due date and location for your birth to Teresa to confirm your attendance a few days in advance.
Please visit our Calendar to see when our next classes will be held. For more information on classes or events call Teresa at 770-923-6914 or email her at teresa@alaboroflove.org.
Directions for the Tea:
Northminster Presbyterian Church
2400 Old Alabama Rd.
Roswell, GA 30076
From 400 take exit 8, Mansell Road and turn east onto Mansell (coming from the south turn right, if coming from the north turn left). go to Alabama Rd.connecter (about the 3rd light, gas station on left) turn right. At the end of the connecter turn right onto Old Alabama Road. Northminster Presbyterian church is immediately on your right. Park in front and enter through the main double doors on the left building. The Fireside room is to the right through another set of double doors.
From 141 (Peachtree Parkway) turn onto Old Alabama Rd. Continue on Old Alabama, veering sharply to the right at Mount Pisgah church (intersection of Nesbit Ferry and Old Alabama). You will still be on Old Alabama, Northminster Presbyterian church will be on your right immediately after the third light. Park in front and enter through the main double doors on the left building. The Fireside room is to the right through another set of double doors.
From 285 go to 400 north and follow directions above.
From Holcomb Bridge Road turn North onto Old Alabama. Church will be on the left about 1.8 miles. Park in front and enter through the main double doors on the left building. The Fireside room is to the right through another set of double doors.
RSVP via an email to Teresa as soon as possible, but at least the day before the tea if you plan to attend.
For more information please contact Teresa Howard at 770-923-6914 or Email her at teresa@alaboroflove.org.
Back to topAnnouncements
We have a new blog spot. Check it out at http://blogginboutbirthandmore.blogspot.com