Homebirth Preparation Classes

Kim Pekin offers a comprehensive 6 week series of childbirth education classes aimed at enhancing your homebirth experience and helping you get off to a great start with your new baby.

Classes are taught on Tuesdays from 7-9pm at Peggy Franklin's home in Gainesville, Virginia.  Attend the whole series of 6 classes, or pick and choose your classes as needed.  Each class is $30 per couple.  Space is limited and available on a first come, first served basis.  Contact Kim for more details or click on the links for each class to register.

Kim is taking a little break after this fall's classes.  Classes will resume in January after the fall 2009 series:

Fall 2009 Class Registration & Schedule

Class 1 September 8

Class 2 September 15

Class 3 September 22

Class 4 September 29

Class 5 October 6

Class 6 October 13

Course Outline:

Class 1 – Staying healthy throughout your pregnancy.

Prenatal care doesn't stop after your appointment with your midwife; YOU provide prenatal care 24/7!  Learn how you can get the best results for a healthy pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery.  We’ll cover nutrition, pregnancy exercises, and common pregnancy concerns.

Class 2 – The first stage of labor.

We’ll cover the anatomy and physiology of the amazing changes your body will go through during the first stage of labor, as well as how you and your partner can work together.

Class 3 – The second stage of labor.

We’ll cover the anatomy and physiology of how your body works during second stage, basic pushing techniques, as well as your partner’s role.  We’ll also cover third stage.

Class 4 – Preparing your home for birth.

In this class, we’ll discuss the practical matters of how to prepare your physical environment for your homebirth, as well as ways to prepare your children and other family members for their new addition.  We’ll cover birth plans, water birth, and postpartum support.

Class 5 – Breastfeeding

We’ll cover the benefits of breastfeeding, how to get off to a good start, and overcoming common challenges.

Class 6 – Your wonderful newborn.

In this class, we’ll discuss common concerns like circumcision, diapering, cord care, sleep, and life with your baby.  We’ll explore the various options available to you for baby gear, including how to take a critical look at what is out there and what you truly need.  We’ll also cover babywearing and attachment parenting.