group class

Support Person Prep Class

A two-hour workshop that’ll equip your support person (or team) with the tools and techniques they need to best support you during the end of pregnancy, through labor + birth, and into postpartum life

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Pregnancy support person prep class workshop participants in Richmond Virginia

It probably isn’t news to you that pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postpartum period can feel like such a physical, mental, and emotional rollercoaster.

→ Like, why is it so hard to get comfortable toward the end of pregnancy?

→ How can you make sure your birth partner(s) understand what to do to actually, you know, help you instead of just sitting there and saying something frustrating, like “Good job, Honey,” while patting you on the head and reading the newspaper?

→ Is there a way for the members of your support team to help keep you comfortable – both physically and mentally – especially when you’re in labor

→ You’re anticipating that the postpartum period is going to be both wonderful and exhausting. You’re not exactly sure what kind of support you might need, but you’re ready to get prepared (and to prepare your support people) for anything that might come up.

Obviously, the person – or people – there to support you as you welcome your baby into the world have an important role to fill.

When your support team is well-prepared, they’ll be ready to step in with the physical and emotional support that’s vital as you navigate the end of your pregnancy, labor, birth, and those first few months as a new parent.

If your support team isn’t prepared, though? If they don’t know what to expect, what to do, and how to do it? Then, in addition to your already high-stakes job of creating and birthing this baby, you might be facing the frustrating surprise task of managing the person or people who are supposed to be supporting you.

Um, no thank you.

The good news: it doesn’t have to be that way.

Support person prep class for birthing in Richmond, VA

Imagine what a relief it would be if your chosen support partner or team (whether that’s your spouse, parent, friend, or all of the above)...

Knew exactly what to do to help keep you comfortable at the end of your pregnancy

Could assist you in laboring at home for as long as possible (if you plan on leaving your home for birth)

Understood not only what the best physical and emotional comfort measures are, but knew how and when to offer them, too

Was aware of what not to say, do, or eat while giving support (hint: labor is probably not the best time for your support person to be indulging in tuna melts or blooming onions)

Knew how to continue their support even after the new baby arrives

The best part? This is all totally possible when your support person – or team – has the right training, tools, and preparation.

So, how do we get there?

introducing

Support Person Prep Class

It’s a live, two-hour group workshop specifically designed to teach your support person (or people) the comfort measures and techniques necessary to help support you – physically, mentally, and emotionally – throughout your pregnancy, labor, birth, and life as a new parent.

This is very much a physical touch and movement class, so be sure to bring your support person, wear comfy clothes, and have water ready. You’ll find a list of suggested props below, too.

Note: there is not a replay available for this workshop.

next session: TBD

investment:

$75

sign up now

Want to upgrade to a private Support Person Prep class for just you and your chosen support person/people? That option is available for $295. Just reach out here to get started!

Love note:

When I look back on those moments…

“…One thing I notice is that my husband was able to be a very present, motivating, and integral part of our daughter’s birth because Katie showed him exactly what to do. She enabled him to be helpful. I often talk to friends who said their husbands just kind of sat there and said, ‘good job, sweetie,’ over and over again, and that was SO not my experience. My husband was an incredible birth partner thanks to what he learned from Katie.”

-MA

What materials will you need?

Since you and your partner will be doing plenty of movement and physical touch during the Support Person Prep Class, you’ll want to wear comfy clothes and have water ready so you can be sure to stay hydrated.

Other recommended props include:

Yoga Mat
Birth Ball
Yoga Bolster (or firm pillows)
Tennis or Yoga Balls
Blankets

Love Note

As a first-time dad, I don't think you can really prepare yourself for what's about to happen.

“You can read all of the books, take classes, talk it out (and I recommend all of those), but in the end, it’s like nothing you will ever go through.

Katie guided us through the whole process, and she remembered all of the things you might forget (or didn’t even know you needed), like a speaker, Gatorade, and Jolly Ranchers. By knowing the positions, techniques, exercises, and distractions to use to help my wife get through labor, Katie took a lot of the pressure off of me and kept me engaged in the delivery.

I’m not sure how I would have done during labor without Katie helping guide both my wife and me through the process.

For all soon-to-be-fathers, I can’t recommend Katie enough. She’ll help you stay present in the moment and allow you to truly enjoy one of the greatest experiences in life.”

-RG

Who made this for you, anyway?

I'm Katie Painter

a Certified Childbirth Educator, Certified Birth + Postpartum (also called Full Spectrum) Doula, and Certified Prenatal + Postpartum Pregnancy Yoga Teacher based in Richmond, Virginia.

Over the past five years, I’ve helped hundreds of families grow!

You can think of me as your birth bestie, your big sister, or your favorite Auntie who just so happens to be an expert on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, where judgment is not a thing, no questions are off-limits, and TMI doesn’t exist.

Certified Childbirth Educator, Birth + Postpartum Doula, and Pregnancy Yoga Teacher Katie Painter

I got tired of seeing the system fail parents-to-be over and over again – they’d get stuck on what I call the “birth conveyor belt,” just riding out the journey while never being asked what they want and never realizing that they have options – let alone being shown what those options are.

And providing comfort and support for parents-to-be in pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and beyond? It’s a topic that doesn’t get talked about – let alone taught – nearly often enough.

You deserve support at any and every stage of your journey. That’s why I do this work, and that’s why I created this workshop.

Love Note

This woman is MAGIC!

“Katie helped my husband be there for me in ways he wasn’t with my first. She reassured me that I could just when I thought I couldn’t and reassured me when things were normal. I loved her spirit, positivity, and love for all the mamas and babies! If you have any doubt about your pregnancy, delivery, or just know you want an amazing motivator by your side, don’t hesitate and just hire Katie!”

-AJ

Certified Full Spectrum Birthworker & Educator

Frequently Asked Questions

A: Yes! This workshop is specifically designed for you to attend with your support person, whether that’s your spouse, bestie, mom, etc. If they’re educated and prepared, they’ll be in a much better position to support you throughout this process!
A: It will! Whether you’re planning to give birth in a hospital, at a birthing center, or in your home, this workshop will help your chosen support people understand how to offer you emotional and physical comfort and support when you need it most.
A: Yes! This is your birth, and you get to decide what kind of birth experience you want. Whether you plan for a medicated or unmedicated (the technical term for “natural” birth – because having an epidural or c-section doesn’t make your birth any less “natural”) birth, the Support Person Prep Class will help your chosen support team better understand the process so they can best support you in creating the birth you want.
A: Chances are good that you will! The thing I hear most often from 2nd-time parents who work with me is: “I never knew it could be like this!” Whether this is your first baby or your fifth baby, my goal is for you and your support person to walk away feeling prepared and empowered.

A: You’ll need yourself, your chosen partner(s), an internet connection, a device on which to join the workshop, comfy clothes, water, a yoga mat, birth ball, yoga bolster (or firm pillows), tennis or yoga balls, and blankets.
A: This is a live workshop, and there will not be a replay.
A: Yes! I offer doula services, VIP Birth Days, childbirth classes, prenatal and postpartum yoga, and more! You can get all the details right here.
A: Feel free to send me an email so I can get you the info you need to decide whether the Support Person Prep Class is the right workshop for you!