Birth Mama Childbirth Education | every birth is beautiful

We hope to help you find your way...

Childbirth Education, Doula Trainings, Doula Services, and more...For 6 years in Missoula, we have been a community resource for pregnancy, birth, and early motherhood and love to help women by answering questions, or giving you a place to go for fun, inspiration, local resources, and support through your process. These years of your life are a precious unfolding and blossoming, and we also are going through this time of our own lives. Having honest, down to earth, woman to woman, non-judgemental information just feels good. Women today are nestled in our homes with books nowadays and we hope to spread information out there for our community~from one woman to another....

What we have to offer you:

In 2009, we have childbirth education classes for first time and repeat mamas, Birth mama community reunions, a motherhood and birth art show again in 2010, vbac discussion group, and locally made Birth Mama Doula Trainings(April 24, 25, 26 and Sept 11,12,13 only). Please email us at chardoula@msn.com or bearruncreek@aol.com or call 546.6452/251.4401. We would love to tell you more about us, and meet you as well as hear about you and what you are looking for! This year in 2009, we teach our childbirth education classes privately to any person, or in small groups as the need arises every couple of months. We try and do these in the daytime if at all possible, but are flexible indeed. Once we have a group going, we then set dates that work with everyone. In our future, we will be teaching evening classes again once our littlest ones are older, but for now consider us, even in addition to another class you are doing in Missoula. If you are birthing at home and have great education from your Midwife, this can be a fun addition. If you are birthing at the hospital and taking the hospital classes or other multiple evening classes, consider us for a fresh fun intensive perspective. If this is the only class you are taking, you will be filled and confident from the experience, even with our short class.

Information About Our Childbirth Class Series

We believe that birth is a natural and normal process. Just like anything natural, we believe also you cannot plan it and that it may be different than you expect. Whether you are a first time mom, or a mom that had a hard birth prior to coming to us- we hope to help you find trust in your own process. Our chilbirth class series is usually around $100 depending upon how many women are enrolled. Our intro- contains information about pregnancy choices, nutrition, birth plans, honoring and taking care of your body, and more. Our second part/Tools for Labor- We go over the placenta in detail and learn about the use of it and customs from around the world. We also go over every conceivable tool for natural childbirth to reduce labor pain and give you ideas for your own -toolbox-. Our third part/ Ripening and Labor- As you get close to your due date, trust in the natural ripening process of your body! We go over signs and symptoms of labor, as well as the labor process itself (if you can describe it). We have videos, recommend visualizations, and much much more. Our fourth part/ Breastfeeding and Postpartum Mama and Baby- Our fourth section is about breastfeeding. We also go over some common questions with newborns as well as a mother and her healing process. Our classes are much more than this description, and we hope you make it! Our teachers and curriculum developers are- Charlotte McCarvel, Licensed Midwife, Lactation Counselor, and Doula as well as, mother of Nevica born Oct 2005, and Crin born Aug 2008. Colleen Alber, Doula, realtor, yoga teacher and mama of Cassidy and Cale. We hope to be a valuable resource to you during this wonderful process. To register for classes, please call Charlotte at 543.1232/546.6452 or email chardoula@msn.com. In 2009 Charlotte is the main instructor for the childbirth classes.

Birth Mama Doula Trainings:

Do you want to be a doula? Being a doula is amazing, inspirational and fun no matter how much doula work you do. There is not much greater than supporting a woman through her most intense and life changing time. We teach 2 trainings a year and they get full so the earlier you register the better. We support women as doulas at Community, and HomeBirth, and of course the Birth Center if it re-opens and teach based on our local experience. Train locally with Birth Mama- ask women who have taken our training, as it is pretty life changing, even if you do not decide to even do doula work. Call Charlotte at 543.1232/546.6452 or email chardoula@msn for more information. Colleen is also happy to chat with you about the training also and is the official registrant at bearruncreek@aol.com or 251.4401. She can send you a registration packet. Once you are registered, we will send you a training notebook. Our training is an intensive collaboration of local doulas to support you as you move into the birthing world. Our 2009 trainings are end April 24, 25, 26 and Sept 11, 12, 13. We usually teach at Happy Mama Yoga Studio. We have 3 full days with potluck lunch and heartfelt interaction. We follow our tranings with group circles at 3 and 6 months out from the training. The group also stays in contact. Charlotte and Colleen are always available to you for help and guidance along your path. We teach what all other doula trainings teach, but more intense, more hand on, and support through your process, as well as birth referrals and guidance along a Montana path. The other instructors who teach here primarily are from out of state. We believe there is value in going local. We teach you and then see you grocery shopping, or at the market...

Motherhood and Birth Art Show Information:

First Friday of April every year since 2005 we have put on a gorgeous art show with mothers in our community! We put art into a fundraiser/party event that opens first friday as a party and viewings occur all month. Birth nd Pregnancy Art is inspiring and unique and gorgeous. There is music and food and children and a sweet celebration. The art is about pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, mothering, adoption... anything really. The venue changes. Please come, and most importantly participate. To participate or for more information, please call Charlotte at 546.6452/543.1232 or email chardoula@msn.com. We can tell you about it or send out participation information. We must have submissions by Feb/March prior to event. Usually art is hung 2 days the week of. Art is also expected to be picked up on a particular date at the end of the month. We hope you are a part! In 2009 we will not do an art show, but look for them in future springs. It is such a huge event and a big thing to plan, we are thinking every 2 years. Look for one in spring 2010. People are always welcome to help plan it and put it on. Contact us if you are interested.

VBAC meeting Information and signing up for Birth Mama Emails

VBAC- We also have a meeting of support and talk for women who have had prior cesareans and want to emotionally process for their next birth and are thinking about VBAC. Women from our community who have successfully had VBACs come and lead the group and offer insight and pointers and what helped them. It is a one time event and is mellow and welcoming. If you are pregnant again, or plan to be come- not for stats, but to hear women`s stories.

Birth Mama emails: Come only a few times a year, but contain great local information. If you would like to be on our mailing list, contact chardoula@msn.com and you will be added on.

Do you want a doula for your birth or postpartum?

We have a doula circle for women interested in our doula services. We love being doulas and want women to feel supported in any place of birth that they feel most comfortable in. Each of us have different strengths as women and, in general, have even been one anothers births. If we have not, we adore each other and are trusting friends anyway. If you decide to not have a birth doula, but are interested in some postpartum doula support, do call. Local birth doulas have varying individual prices and varying visit schedules, but range anywhere from $300-$500 which includes 24 hour phone support, 2 prenatal visits, attending the birth however long you need her, and a postpartum visit. Postpartum services are usually hourly, or come in a package of days support, for a fee. Charlotte(543.1232/546.6452), Colleen(251.4401/531.4980), We know there are lots of great doulas out there as well. Our doula circle is open to you and we always refer, recommend others so women connect with the closest fit for them.