Renowned New York City facilitators provide a non-judgmental space for new parents, expectant parents, and childbirth professionals to engage in conversation surrounding choices in childbirth. Hear couples share their inspiring birth stories in these interactive workshops and gain insight from NYC Mother-Friendly Care Providers. You will be able to consider the risks, responsibilities, and realities associated with childbirth to make informed decisions regarding where, with whom, and how you plan to birth your babies. Location: New York City Locations; Time: 6:15 to 8:30pm; Please Click on the Workshop Titles to Register. Thank you to our professional childbirth educators who volunteer their time to facilitate our workshops and keep these at a suggested donation for moms and families.
Is Home Birth Right For You?
January 22; Are you interested in looking into midwifery care and the option of birthing your baby at home? Are you wondering what are the differences between home, birth center, and hospital births? Do you have questions about what takes place if a transfer to a hospital needs to happen? As you consider your choices, we hope you will join us for an evening of stories from new and experienced parents who recently made the decision to birth their babies at home in the care of a midwife.
How to Have a Great Hospital Birth
February 26; Join us for one of CiC's most popular nights and hear first hand from new parents about their experiences having satisfying hospital births. Additionally, meet New York City providers, Elaine Keller-Duemig, CNM and Annette Perel, DONA, who will be on hand to answer your questions as you consider what is best for you.
Birth Team: Who Do You Really Want at Your Birth?
March 19; From midwife or obstetrician to doula or other support person, assembling your birth team is one of the most important decisions you make as you plan for the birth of your baby. Is a midwife or an obstetrician the right choice for you? Should you invite someone else such as a family member or doula to join your birth team? What does a doula actually do? Come hear first hand from new parents about their experiences putting together the team that was right for them.
Prenatal Parenting
April 1; Meet a panel of new parents and professionals working in the fields of pregnancy health and nutrition and the emerging field of perinatal psychology who will speak about and offer a hands-on experiences of tools to offer your baby a healthy start, even while still on the inside! Find out about the science linking pregnancy preparations to later development, learn about the latest in pregnancy nutrition, acquaint yourself with helpful mind-body practices like prenatal yoga, and more.
What to Know About VBAC & Cesarean Birth
April 23; Are you considering VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean) or having a second cesarean and want to learn more about your options? Are you unsure if you are a candidate for a VBAC? Please join us for an evening of inspiring birth stories and discussion on a range of issues related to cesarean birth and VBAC. Meet other moms with similar questions, and representatives from the International Cesarean Awareness Network. (April is Cesarean Awareness Month)
Breastfeeding & Beyond
May 21; Come and separate breastfeeding myths from reality. This workshop will feature stories from new parents who will share the joys, frustrations, successes and challenges they experienced while breastfeeding and parenting. An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and Licensed Social Worker specializing in postpartum health will also be on hand answer questions and help us learn new strategies for a successful "fourth trimester".
Men & Birth
June 18; Men & Birth In this workshop you will hear stories from men who have recently become fathers. They will share what they did to support their partners through labor and how having a baby has changed their lives. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss your thoughts and concerns regarding birth, babies, and fatherhood. Nothing is off limits in the candid and open forum for men AND women to attend.
Choosing a Care Provider & Birth Setting
July 16; Choosing a Care Provider & Birth Setting Given that choosing a care provider who is a good match for you is one of the most important decisions you will make as you prepare for the birth of your baby, we hope you will join us for an evening of inspiring birth stories from new parents who have recently given birth in the hospitals, birth centers and homes of NYC. For families in any trimester!
How to Have a Great Hospital Birth
September 10; How to Have a Great Hospital Birth Back by popular demand, join us for one of CiC's most popular nights and hear first hand from new parents about their experiences having satisfying hospital births. Additionally, meet New York City providers and other birth professionals who will be on hand to answer your questions as you consider what is best for you.
Breastfeeding Choices
September 17; Breastfeeding Choices Are you an expecting mom who is preparing to breastfeed? Or, are you a partner looking for ways to support your partner when it comes time to feed your baby? This workshop will feature stories from new parents who will share the joys, frustrations, successes and challenges they experienced while breastfeeding. An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant will also be on hand answer questions and help us learn new strategies to initiate and maintain successful breastfeeding.
Preventing First Cesareans
October 1; Preventing First Cesareans Join us for an evening of inspiring birth stories from NYC parents and familiarize yourself with steps you can take now to minimize the likelihood of an unnecessary cesarean.
Choices in Childbirth: A Sampler of Childbirth Education
October 15; Choices in Childbirth: A Sampler of Childbirth Education Bradley... Lamaze... HypnoBirthing? Doula or no doula? Midwife or OB? Are you thinking about how you and your partner will prepare for birth and parenting? Feeling overwhelmed by the options? This workshop is an opportunity to hear inspiring birth stories and sample different approaches to childbirth preparation.
How To Support Your Partner: Comfort & Coping Options
November 19; How To Support Your Partner: Comfort & Coping Options Come discover ways to cope with labor as you hear new mothers and their partners share what worked for them. In addition, try out hands-on support techniques with New York City doulas who will introduce a range of comfort measures and coping techniques that might work for you.