Hoosier Mama Childbirth Education

My name is Melissa, and I am a Certified Nurse Midwife with over 10 years of experience. When I see patients in my clinic close to their birth, I try to make time to talk to them about what plans they have made for their birth, and I am often surprised that they have none! This is in no way their fault- I blame the education system that doesn’t put much emphasis on health, the medical system that I am a part of for having so little time for each patient, and our culture that does it’s best to not ever portray pregnancy and birth in a true way… how can anybody possibly know what they want out of birth?!?

This is why, when my dear friend, Pastor Emily, came to me with the opportunity to create a birth education course, I got really excited.

It is very true that birth is unpredictable, and that you can make all the plans you want- for an unmedicated waterbirth- for a epidural- for a planned cesarean- and then life happens- birth happens- babies happen, and those best laid plans go completely out the window. We can’t, and you can’t, control your birth (I tell people this all the time- birth is the first lesson in parenting: You are no longer in control.) HOWEVER- we can help you prepare: we can talk about different labor scenarios, discuss pain management options, practice helpful positions and non-medication techniques, answer your partner’s questions and give them advice about what to do (and to NOT do, under any circumstances), so that when you go into labor, or get induced, you are not going in completely blind. Instead you know your options, know what questions to ask, and feel more prepared for this crazy adventure. We hope you’ll join us!