A Time to Birth
Childbirth Education with a Jewish Twist
This class, taught by Rabbi Shira Shazeer, integrates traditional childbirth education with Jewish approaches to pregnancy, birth and early parenting.
- As in any excellent childbirth education class, you'll learn about the normal labor and birth process, pain relief and management options, relaxation skills, understanding your options and communicating with your caregiver, and your partner.
- At the same time, you'll explore Jewish traditions, texts, attitudes, and innovative approaches to pregnancy and birth. You'll explore the themes of childbirth education from a Jewish perspective and discover your personal way to connect with the miracle of birth in a supportive pluralistic environment.
- By the time your baby arrives, you'll have the chance to create a birth plan, and a plan for your baby's bris or welcoming / naming ceremony that reflects your vision of the family you are building. You'll also form a mini-community of emerging families to support each other through birth, brit, babies and beyond.
Upcoming Classes
Tuesdays - Winter 2011-2012 in Brookline/Boston
The first A Time to Birth series starts this winter in Brookline / Boston.
Contact us for specific location information, or with questions.
Meets 7:15-9:45pm 12/6, 12/13, 1/10, 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, and 2/7 or 2/14 TBD
Class size limited to six couples - Register soon to reserve your spot
Don't see a class that works for you?
Let us know when and where you'd like to take A Time to Birth, and if we can find others who are interested we'll make it happen!
The first A Time to Birth series starts this winter in Brookline / Boston.
Contact us for specific location information, or with questions.
Meets 7:15-9:45pm 12/6, 12/13, 1/10, 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, and 2/7 or 2/14 TBD
Class size limited to six couples - Register soon to reserve your spot
Don't see a class that works for you?
Let us know when and where you'd like to take A Time to Birth, and if we can find others who are interested we'll make it happen!
Themes of A Time to Birth
This breakdown of the seven weeks of A Time to Birth should give you an idea of many of the themes that are covered. Health-care, parenting, and Jewish elements are integrated throughout each class session. There will also be the opportunity to continue discussions online between classes, strengthening the connections between classmates, and allowing participants to ask questions without the time constraints of class.
Class 1
Pregnancy and Early Labor
| Setting out on the Journey -Where are we coming from? - Where do we hope to go? -How do we fortify ourselves?
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Class 2
Active Labor
| Understanding what happens - Exploring aproaches to managing and supporting labor - Breaking the Pain-Fear-Tension cycle
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Class 3
Bringing baby out
| The pushing stage - Approaches to managing pain - Spirituality in labor and birth - Movement and birth positions.
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Class 4
Pre-Parenting
| Parents responsibilities - Worries about the what ifs - Is birth dangerous? - Writing and sharing a birth plan
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Class 5
The First Week
| Right after baby is born - Nursing - Resting - Understanding Brit Milah traditions and choices
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Class 6
The First Week pt. 2
| Welcoming traditions for girls - Personalizing ritual
Your Bris Plan - Starting to adjust - Finding your parenting style |
Class 7
Life with Baby:
| Naming - Adjusting to the new normal - Other new baby traditions - The big labor rehearsal
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Price Structure
The Winter 2011-2012 session of A Time To Birth will be offered for the introductory price of $180 per couple. Register below or call or email with questions.
Many health insurance providers will reimburse you some or all of this fee.
Many health insurance providers will reimburse you some or all of this fee.
If cost is an issue beyond what your health insurance will cover, please contact us. Cost should not be a barrier to participating in this class.
