Birth Essentials Childbirth Classes

Looking for a childbirth class taught by an Award Winning Educator?

Then Look No Further!

Looking for an in-person option for childbirth preparation but also want the comfort and safety of social distancing?

Then This is the Class for You!

All group classes take place at In Good Hands Chiropractic’s NEW LOCATION, 3074 Brickhouse Court, Virginia Beach, VA 23452

If class gets booked to full in-person capacity (11 couples), there is also the option of attending virtually over Zoom.

What Is Birth Essentials?

Birth Essentials is an in-depth childbirth series taught by Amara Minnis, CCE. Originally certified through BirthWorks in 2012, Amara has taken what she has learned through study, research, and over 850 births attended, to develop a unique curriculum designed to prepare you for your birth, regardless of your circumstances and ideals. This class is offered in an in-depth 7-week format as well as a condensed 1-day format that uses the same materials as the 7-week series, but meets one time for 6 hours and moves at a quicker pace, emphasizing the most relevant information for those who have previously given birth. The 7-week in-depth series fulfills the childbirth education requirement for WomanCare Midwifery couples and the 1-day refresher series fulfills the refresher requirement for WomanCare Midwifery. For those with challenging schedules or childcare issues, I also offer a one-on-one childbirth class that meets twice for 3 hours in the comfort of your own home.

Birth Essentials covers the following topics:

• Making thoughtful decisions about your provider, birthplace, and childbirth preparation so your birth options mesh well with your beliefs about birth

• Physical, hormonal and emotional aspects of pregnancy, labor and birth, and postpartum

• Nutrition and exercise, and other modalities key for a healthy and comfortable pregnancy, your baby’s well-being, and increasing your chances for a shorter birth and recovery time

• Optimal fetal positioning and optimal maternal positioning in pregnancy and in labor

• The connection between fear and stress and possible implications on your birth, and making changes in your lifestyle when necessary

• The stages of labor and birth and knowing how to recognize and cope with each one

• A large repertoire of non-pharmacological comfort measures for those desiring an unmedicated birth

• Navigating the hospital setting in regard to giving birth and understanding your rights as a patient as well as an expectant parent

• Assessing the risks, benefits and alternatives to medical procedures for both you and your baby so you can make the best decisions for your family

• Strategies for optimizing your postpartum recovery, bonding with baby, and breastfeeding

My 7-week Comprehensive Birth Essentials series is supplemented with guest speakers including a chiropractor and lactation consultant to bring additional insight to the topics covered, as well as connections to local resources for the expectant couples.

Book an Upcoming Class Series

7-Week Comprehensive Series

These in-depth classes meet once a week for 7 consecutive weeks and cost $300/couple, with a $50 deposit to secure your spot, and the remainder of fee due by the first class. Choose the series that works best with your due date. It is recommended that you complete your childbirth education by your 35th week, careful not to take it too early in your pregnancy that you might forget what you learned. This is an approved class series for couples birthing with WomanCare Midwifery.

1 Day Refresher class

This refresher class meets once for 6 hours of intensive review and instruction. This option is only for parents who have previously given birth. We use the same workbook as the 7-week series but emphasize the most relevant material for veteran birthing families: emotions and hormones, comfort measures, optimal fetal and maternal positioning, labor and birth, and postpartum adjustment. If scheduling is a challenge, this class can work for first-time parents. Just be sure to read the entire workbook to fill in any gaps. The cost is $225/couple, with a $50 deposit to secure your spot, and the remainder of the fee due by the first class. This refresher course will also fulfill the refresher requirement for eligible couples birthing with WomanCare Midwifery.

one-on-one Private classes

A one-on-one class is ideal for those with challenging schedules or childcare issues. We meet twice in your home (or over Zoom, if you prefer) for three hours, and cover the most pertinent information for your unique birth situation. The cost for this class is $400, with a $50 deposit to secure your spot on my teaching calendar. This option is approved as a refresher class for those birthing with WomanCare Midwifery, but does not qualify for their in-depth childbirth education requirement for first-time parents.