What is Birthing From Within®?

Birthing From Within® is the title of a book and the name of the organization created by midwife and psychologist, Pam England. As a Birthing From Within® Mentor I have received intensive training with Pam and immersed myself in the processes. It is not just something I have learned and now teach, but has introduced me to enriching ways of living life with awareness, compassion, and honesty.

Birthing From Within® is an invitation to pregnant couples to uniquely and holistically prepare for the journey of labour and birth. Not only by teaching about the physiology of pregnancy and labour, but through storytelling, art, and experiential activities parents learn to build a pain-coping mindset, to birth in awareness, and are empowered to truly prepare for what birth and parenthood means to them individually. These classes are a mental and emotional preparation to the journey of childbirth and parenting unlike any other!

Do I have to read the Birthing From Within® book to take the class?

Reading the book is definitely recommended, but not required. Reading the book will give you a familiarity with the Birthing From Within® philosophy; even simply flipping through it should be enough to prepare you for the classes. Birthing From Within® is a dynamic, changing process. The companion Keepsake Journal is included in your class registration, and will be a part of the class discussion. There will be home study after each class from the Keepsake Journal that does correspond to pages in the book so I do suggest you purchase the book as it will add to your class and personal growth experience.

I have read the book Birthing From Within®. How is this different from the classes?

Reading Birthing From Within®, by Pam England, is wonderful preparation for birth, and an excellent complement to the classes. While the classes are based on the book, they are much more than just the book, in live form. The activities and ideas presented in class go far beyond what any book could offer.

I don't have a partner - what do I do?

You are welcome to come on your own, or bring a family member, or friend, who will be joining you at the birth as a support person. Birthing From Within® classes are not dependent on having a partner or 'coach,’ and all kinds of families are included in group discussions. If you will be attending on your own, I do encourage you to consider inviting a friend to join you through the series, even if they won’t necessarily be attending your birth.

I’m getting an epidural – why do I need pain-coping practices?

To quote Pam England: “Pain is an inevitable part of childbirth, yet much can be done to ease suffering.” Even epidurals are not inserted painlessly, and most women will experience at least a few hours of contractions until their labor is “established.” Few women experience a pain-free postpartum period, as well. Pain is part of life, and the coping practices you will learn in class can be applied to all of it.

Why should I take a class about something my body already knows how to do, unless I'm just going to learn about how you want me to give birth?

This is exactly what Birthing From Within® is all about. Birthing From Within acknowledges that you already know everything you need in order to give birth - it is certainly going to happen with or without any childbirth class! Like most women in our culture, however, you probably do not realize how much you already know. Birthing From Within® classes help you and your partner dig deeper, to go beyond the mask of technical information and pop-culture dramatizations, and discover your own deepest questions, face your fears or doubts, learn to cope with unexpected outcomes, and remain connected to your experience, your partner, and your baby as you give birth.

How can I tell if this is the right class for me?

Birthing From Within® classes have something for everyone. Because of the unique class format, each class is able to address the needs of the individuals. If you are seeking a class that will meet both your need for practical knowledge about birth and babies, and support you in exploration of the emotional aspects of birth and parenting, Birthing From Within® is the right class for you!

Art? I can't draw!

Using art, in several mediums, to explore your perceptions and feelings about birth provides a great way to help you understand how you are approaching your upcoming birth. You don't need to be Picasso to benefit from the process of art, just like you don’t need to be an obstetrician to give birth! The creative activities are designed to help you explore birth from the intuitive side of your brain, put you out of your comfort zone (just like birth), and see things with a new perspective — it’s a tool for self-exploration in a safe, friendly environment. And if you really don’t want to, you don’t have to! You can still benefit from the other aspects of class even if you don’t participate in the art projects.