Childbirth Classes

Childbirth Classes Include

Exploring attitudes/fears about birth
Discovering your internal resources
Physiology of labor & birth
Stages and process of labor
Comfort measures for dealing with pain
Fathers and birth partners
Birth environment
Guided relaxations & coping techniques
The needs of the laboring woman
Sexuality & birthing
Labor scenarios & practice

Judicious use of medical interventions
Complications & cesarean birth
Fetal monitoring
Doulas and labor support
Postpartum and your newborn
Sex, love & babies
Breastfeeding
Becoming parents
Films and discussions
Local resources
Reunions with babies

The Complete Childbirth Preparation Class

There is no right way to give birth. Supported Birth childbirth education classes explore the factors that can influence labor, what are true complications, and when medical intervention is appropriate. However the naturalness, normalcy, femaleness, and primitiveness of birth is emphasized.

Using interactive exercises, candid films, group discussions, and guided relaxations, our childbirth preparation class gives you a shared journey of self-discovery with other pregnant couples – building confidence, strengthening your relationship, and reducing your fears. Maximum 6 couples.

The complete childbirth education course is also Part One of the Supported Birth Doula Training. If you would like to become a doula, please sign up for one of the complete childbirth education classes.

Private Childbirth Preparation Classes

Scheduled to your convenience.

If you travel, cannot make the group class, or prefer the privacy of sessions tailor-made to your needs & concerns. In addition to the private sessions, you will be given films and Guided Relaxations to take home.

Semi-Private Or Condensed Childbirth Preparation Classes

Please call (310) 739-4024 to discuss your scheduling issues. Frequently we are able to arrange alternative dates/times for smaller groups with approaching due dates or challenging schedules.

Payment Options

$100 deposit (non-refundable) through Zelle or Venmo Below

"The wealth of information we gained in your class exceeded any and all expectations that we ever imagined. The relaxations were incredibly effective and we used most of the other techniques including: deep abdominal breathing, visualization, back massage, stroking, using different positions, and getting into the bathtub. We realize that the experience could not have been as wonderful without the knowledge that you gave us."

"This course was invaluable owing to Jana's wealth of knowledge and personal experience. Each class features a combination of activities, group discussions, and helpful videos that educate one regarding labor, birthing methods, pain management techniques, and life with a newborn. Learning these things in a small group setting of 5-6 other couples who are in similar stages of pregnancy and preparation for parenthood is truly ideal - everyone has a chance to contribute, be heard, and learn together in a relaxing and informative setting."

"She creates a very comfortable, open, caring environment. The whole birth class was amazing. It couldn't have been more perfect for us. She tells it like it is and is so well-informed, thorough and attentive, using techniques, props and exercises to demonstrate, including postpartum prep not just labor. She answers questions thoroughly, without judgement. She also has several special films, including ones made by herself, that candidly and unflinchingly explore issues that are underlying an expectant couples' anxieties."

"Supported Birth provided us with the perfect combination of clear honest information and exercises to help us see what birth experience we really wanted. It's easy to feel you can't trust the source of information when it comes to birthing decisions but our teacher's approach, her honesty, and her insight into the birthing community here in LA gently empowered us."

"She not only presents all the information you need in a clear, straightforward manner, she also does so with genuine care and compassion for you in the experience ahead. My husband and I felt informed and prepared, and were able to handle the unexpected thanks to what we learned. Jana creates a warm and open environment where you not only learn about the birth process but are able to discuss your fears, concerns and hopes with others who are giving birth and becoming parents for the first time. Thanks so much Jana - we had an amazing time in your class and are so grateful we found you!!"

"Jana is an empathetic, encouraging, and supportive instructor. Her passion for helping parents prepare for birth is readily apparent and truly wonderful to experience. She was also completely understanding and supportive of everyone's different choices and lifestyles; the class consisted of such a wide variety of people, and all were treated with respect, and there was no bias or judgment towards people for different attitudes towards the birthing experience. I cannot praise her and the course enough and highly recommend both!"

"Jana is a wonderful teacher and doula and I learned SO much from her about the physiology of childbirth. She is very warm and engaging and she is supportive of ALL kinds of births- home, hospital, c-sections, VBAC's. She empowers her students to go into their births armed with knowledge and confidence. And, on top of all that, she is a super-fabulous human being!"

On Pregnancy Classes & Birthing Classes:

Adapted from writings by Sheila Kitzinger, Pam England, A. Lowe, R. Zimmerman

“It is terribly easy to tell people how they ought to have their babies and run their lives and bring up their children. To give advice seems such a simple, obvious thing to do when people are confused and muddled, especially when they are eager to be given a formula for success....I have learned that telling people how they ought to behave creates more problems than it solves and all too often means that they are unable to adapt to challenges confronting them, because instead of flexibility they are armed with a series of magic formulae which they hope will work when the going gets difficult. It is much more valuable to give people information and self-confidence so that they can make their own informed choices in terms of the reality they face. To do that it is also important for you to know yourself, be honest about your own feelings and start from inside awareness rather than external mechanical acts.”

“We need approaches in childbirth education (formerly but not now limited to Lamaze) which are fluid enough to adapt to different women’s personalities and the varied choices they make....also giving a woman the best opportunity to adjust to any sort of labor."

“Authentic preparation for childbirth opens the mind and instills a hopeful attitude and a sense of proportion...imparts a dignity and a sense of awe toward the birth process, the life a woman is carrying, and the woman herself. It should enlarge a woman’s - and a couple’s - vision about the significance of what they are undertaking in bringing a baby into the world, and what the baby - and the mother - will need, emotionally and physically, in order to thrive.”

"Birthing is never a small event. It is the event that changes your life permanently, from that moment forward. It's the event that demands your attention, mentally, emotionally, and physically, in a way that nothing else can in life. And the way birth is handled can affect women and their families long into the future."