GROUP CLASSES FOR BIRTHING PEOPLE/COUPLES

My group childbirth preparation classes  are Evidence Based Birth® Childbirth Classes which you can learn more about here.

Class schedule:
6 week group class starting January 20th (closed)
6 week group class starting April 14th (closed)
6 week group class starting May 4th (closed)
6 week group class starting July 14th (closed)
6 week group class starting October 14th (pending)

There is a limit of 6 couples for each group class.  Classes may fill quickly.  You can request to join the wait list for the above tentative classes by messaging me and I will notify you when registration opens.

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1-DAY WORKSHOPS FOR BIRTHING PEOPLE/COUPLES

Are you looking forward to having a baby, but worried about all the unknowns… like how do I know if my wishes will be respected? Will my birth plan be followed? Can I avoid a traumatic birth experience, if I had one before?

The Savvy Birth Workshop for parents was developed by Evidence Based Birth® to give you and your partner the confidence and know-how you need to have a more positive, empowering experience in the birthing room.

At the Savvy Birth Workshop, you’ll learn ways to communicate effectively with your doctor, midwife, and nurse.  You will discover strategies for asking questions without seeming disrespectful and you’ll get the inside scoop on how to stack the odds in your favor of having a positive birth.  

Unlike other childbirth classes, we will help you avoid the typical assembly-line care with six virtual “tickets!”  These “tickets” are your secret advantage to coping with the unknowns of birth! At the workshop you’ll find out how you can use these tickets in the hospital or wherever you intend to give birth!

I am excited to offer the Savvy Birth Workshop to parents in the Metro Detroit/Ann Arbor community. I believe that the knowledge you will gain from the Savvy Birth Workshop will leave you and your partner inspired, hopeful, and excited about the upcoming birth of your baby… ready to approach the big day with a savvy swing in your step!

Learning Objective covered in the Workshop:

1. Define evidence-based care
2. Discuss the availability and pros/cons of local birth options
3. Practice respectful ways to talk with your provider
4. Discuss how partners, doulas, and nurses can work together to provide labor support
5. Describe the benefits and limitations of birth plans
6. Discuss the human and legal rights of birthing persons

Upcoming Savvy Birth Workshops:

• September 21st, 2019 1-4pm Nature’s Playhouse, Ferndale MI register here
• November 4th, 2019 1-4pm Deanne Spivey Photography, Brighton, MI register here

Are you passionate about evidence based care, but regularly witness hospital policies taking precedence over your client’s choice? It can be frustrating to watch clients receive care that isn’t based on research and not quite knowing how to help.

The Savvy Birth Pro Workshop (3 contact hours) was developed by Evidence Based Birth® to give professionals the skills you need to make a genuine difference and help your clients attain the best possible chance at evidence based care during pregnancy and labor.

After attending the 3-hour Savvy Birth Pro Workshop, you will walk away with confidence in your ability to help your clients assert their right to evidence based care in a respectful way that builds bridges, not walls. We believe that the inspirational knowledge you will gain from the Savvy Birth Pro Workshop will have a positive ripple effect that extends to your clients, the professionals you work with, and your community!

You’re no longer alone in the quest to help more families receive respectful, high quality maternity care! The Savvy Birth Pro Workshop does more than provide great skills; it creates a strong community of connected professionals who together share this important mission.

See more from Rebecca Dekker, PhD, RN, APRN

Upcoming Savvy Birth Pro Workshops:

July 27, 2019 11am – 2:30pm – @The Firecracker foundation in holt, michigan.  food provided.  click here to register,

Evidence Based Birth® Seminars

These classes are available to your professional organization or medical/nursing student groups. Contact me for further information.

Due Dates and Advanced Maternal Age (1.5 nursing and ACNM contact hours)

Did you know that the number one reason for induction is “post-dates?” In this Evidence Based Birth® seminar, packed with facts, you will learn the evidence on induction for reaching the duedate and for going past 41- 42 weeks. We’ll also cover a bit about “advanced maternal age,”and discuss the actual numbers of increase in stillbirth with older age.

Newborn Procedures in the Golden Hour (1.5 nursing and ACNM contact hours)

What is the evidence on the safety of Vitamin K? Does delayed cord clamping lead to jaundice?How can we help families who give birth by Cesarean get skin to skin in the operating room? In this seminar, we will take a look at the research on newborn procedures for term infants during the “golden hour.” We will cover the history and research on interventions that happen during the first hour of life—including which procedures are the “best practices,” and which procedures can be safely delayed or declined!

Home Birth Transfers (1.5 nursing and ACNM contact hours)

This workshop will challenge you to address your fears and concerns about transfers fromplanned home births into the hospital. What guidelines can hospital staff follow when acceptinga home birth transfer? What can home birth providers do to ease the transfer? What are thebasic safety statistics of home birth, and what is needed to make home birth safer? 

 I am a mother of 4 children and wife of 16 years to my amazing and supportive husband, Chris.  I have been teaching childbirth education and attending births since 2010 and have loved every minute of it.  I am certified through CAPPA and enjoy advocating for women and babies through education, activism and community outreach.  I became an Evidence Based Birth® Instructor in 2015 and a Certified Health Coach in 2016 through the Dr. Sears Wellness Institute.  I have found great purpose and enjoyment in supporting many families during their pregnancy, birth, postpartum period and helping them navigate the early months of parenthood.

They call me “Earth Mama Jenn” because of my crunchy ways.  I like to eat ‘close to the earth,’ though I still enjoy a donut (or two) from time to time.  We have a kitchen garden and backyard chickens, and prefer to shop at the local organic food co-op and health food stores.  I relate my birth philosophy to my lifestyle choice in that I believe our bodies were created as nature intended and under normal circumstances need very little intervention to bring forth “fruit”.

My passion for birth came after a life-changing birth experience of my own with my third born.  I felt called to share my passion with other parents-to-be.  Over the years, I’ve learned that something we all have in common is the desire for a positive birth experience.  This means something different for every mother.  My wish is to help you come away from your birth experience with gratitude and a sense of satisfaction knowing that you were supported and respected throughout your labor, birth and postpartum period.

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I’d love to chat with you about your pregnancy and birth wishes.  Please include your estimated due date in your comment so I can better understand your needs.  Thanks!