Mindfulness-Based Childbirth & Parenting
A nine-week series to prepare for the journey of a lifetime
Preparation for Birth and Beyond
Pregnancy is nine months…parenting is a lifetime. You deserve a childbirth and parenting preparation course that honors the magnitude and uncertainty of the journey you’re about to take.
Similar to other childbirth ed classes, you’ll learn all the content you need to know to navigate labor, birth, and the fourth trimester. But becoming a parent is more than just the process of labor and birth.
What makes MBCP unique is that this content is integrated with an evidence-based curriculum in mindfulness and movement practices that will support you no matter how your birth unfolds.
Rather than relying on a single coping technique or “method” to get through physical pain or emotional distress, you will gain skills in self-awareness, compassion, attentional focus, and communication that create a multi-dimensional scaffold of support.
Each week of the course, you’ll learn a new practice, building up a toolkit that you can carry with you not just for your labor, but through the rest of your life.
Day of Practice
In between Weeks 6 and 7, there is a day-long practice retreat, giving you an opportunity to delve deeper into mindfulness practice while nourishing your connection to your baby, your partner/support person, and most importantly, to yourself.
This retreat is often described as the highlight of attendees’ MBCP experience. This summer’s retreat will be held in outer SE Portland, near Powell Butte, at MotherTree Doula Services’ beautiful urban farm.
Topics Covered
Formal and informal mindfulness practices that strengthen your ability to be in the present moment even during periods of stress and fatigue
The physiology of labor and birth and how mindfulness practices integrated with physical and emotional support can be used to navigate labor and postpartum recovery
Common labor complications and interventions; and strategies for effective communication, advocacy, and decision-making when things change from what you anticipated
How to support mindful newborn feeding via chest/breast and bottle
How to support optimal newborn transition for your baby through attentive awareness of newborn sleep/wake cycles
Gentle movement practices that can support comfort and mind/body integration throughout pregnancy and postpartum
Communication techniques to facilitate intimate and courageous conversation about parenting hopes, fears, and intentions with your partner and family
MBCP At A Glance
Your guide on this journey, Lena Soo Hee Wood, is a practicing nurse-midwife with over ten years of experience in perinatal care, and another ten+ years of experience as a Montessori educator
9 weekly 2.5 hour classes
One day-long (8 hour) practice retreat with lunch and snacks provided
Life-time access to audio downloads of guided meditation and movement practices
Scaffolded, science-backed curriculum of mindfulness practices to help prepare for labor, birth, and parenting
Comprehensive overview of physiology of birth, common complications/interventions, and mindfulness-based coping strategies
Guided practice in hands-on techniques for pain relief in labor
Postpartum Class Reunion
Digital Course Workbook with resources, journaling prompts, and mindfulness practices
Built-in community and support that extends beyond the class
