Brio Birth Childbirth classes offer the perfect mix of time-honored traditions and cutting edge research to empower 21st century moms to give birth with confidence.

Brio Birth Classes include:
• Natural methods of pain management
• Safe, effective comfort techniques
• How your partner can be an active participant
• Pregnancy exercises and nutrition
• Stages of labor and birth
• Writing your birth plan
• Breastfeeding
• Complications and interventions
• Postpartum care
• Newborn care
• Optimal Fetal Positioning
• Choosing the care provider, birth place, and support partners that work for you
• And much, much more!


Frequently Asked Questions

What is Brio Birth?
Brio Birth is a brand new organization that certifies teachers in prepared, natural childbirth. There is an emphasis on being an informed consumer, staying healthy and low-risk, the role of the birth partner, and preparing for a joyful childbirth experience. For more information on Brio Birth, please visit the main website at Briobirth.com

Brio? What Does Brio Mean?
brio n. \bre-o\: fertile; energy; productive; strong; liveliness or vigor; spirit; life

Brio Birth is a new organization. Does that mean that its members are inexperienced?
No. The vast majority of Brio Birth educators have years of experience in childbirth education. Many were previously certified by other childbirth organizations. Brio educators who are new to childbirth education receive intensive, hands-on training and mentoring to ensure that every student receives the highest quality childbirth education. All teachers must meet rigorous continuing education requirements to retain their certification with Brio Birth.

How up to date is the material in your classes?
Brio Birth childbirth classes offer the perfect mix of the wisdom of the pioneers and leaders of the natural childbirth movement and a comprehensive curriculum that includes cutting edge research to empower 21st century moms to give birth with confidence. The Brio Birth curriculum has been designed by a team of top childbirth educators and birth professionals.

Does my support partner need to be my husband?
No. Although my experience shows that a woman’s husband makes the best coach in labor, it is not required in order to attend the classes. Although I refer a lot to “couples,” anyone whom you choose can be your birth partner. It is ideal if this person is someone who will be part of your child’s life.

How big are your classes?
My classes are limited to eight couples to ensure time to address questions that arise and to contribute to an intimate atmosphere, allowing you to get to know your fellow students.

What if I already know I want to use pain relievers in labor?
My classes are unapologetically pro-natural childbirth. This does not mean that you won’t benefit from the classes if you do decide to use drugs in labor. The exercises and nutrition information will go a long way towards ensuring an easier labor, a healthier mom, healthier baby, and easier recovery. Plus, the couple will benefit from the communication exercises, labor rehearsals, and birth videos. There may be a difficult point in your labor when you have not yet received pain medication. At this time, the relaxation techniques and non-pharmacological comfort measures you have learned will be most beneficial. The emphasis is on a joyful, informed birth experience, and providing the laboring woman with many techniques to avoid pain medications and unnecessary interventions, without passing judgment when interventions are used out of necessity or personal choice.

How much does all this cost? The cost for my class series is $300, including the $50 deposit to reserve a space in class. The remainder of the fee is due at class one, unless payment arrangements have been made. Some insurance companies will pay all or part of this fee. 

What exactly is included in the class fee?
In addition to the 24 hours of instruction, you will receive a Brio Birth workbook, handouts pertaining to the topics addressed, electronic resources via Brio Birth (when these become available) access to an extensive lending library, including videos, and unlimited phone and email consultations.

What if we can’t afford the class fee?
Because I feel that the information in Brio classes is very important, it is my desire that no one be excluded from the classes for financial reasons. Therefore, I am willing to work out payment arrangements with the balance being paid in full by class 6, and accept barters for the class fee, if payment in full by class one would not be possible for you. Please contact me to discuss this if needed. The classes are not pro-rated, so the full fee is always due, even if you miss a class. An exception to this would be if I canceled a class myself, in which case I would schedule a make-up class.

Does it matter where or with whom I am birthing?
No. My classes support birth in any location, with any type attendant, with an emphasis on the couple making informed choices they are comfortable with. Throughout the series, you will see videos portraying births in hospitals, birth centers, at home, and with doctors and midwives.

Will you be available to come to our birth?
I do offer doula services, as a separate service from my childbirth classes, and for an additional fee. Depending on availability, I may or may not be able to be your doula. Please contact me if you are interested in my doula services, or if you would like me to refer you to any of the other excellent doulas in our area.

Why are the classes 10 weeks long?
Many other childbirth methods offer a shorter series than 10 weeks. I feel that 10 weeks  is the perfect amount of time to absorb all of the material taught. It also gives you time to practice the relaxation techniques, which will be so vital in your labor. The exercises and nutrition information are best put to use as early in pregnancy as possible. In addition, there is so much information presented about choices in childbirth, that many couples go on to make changes in their original birth plans, or even switch birth location or care provider to a more labor-friendly one. The earlier you learn this information, the easier it is to make changes, if desired.

I wanted to sign up for a particular class, but I forgot all about sending in the deposit and now the first class has passed. What do I do?
Don’t worry! Just give me a call, and in most cases you can jump into the series late, as long as it’s before class 3. I may be able to schedule a make-up class to cover material from the classes you’ve missed, or you may be able to make these classes up with another teacher in the area.