Birthing from Within

Childbirth Preparation

with Deborah Raoult
Contact Deborah:
deborahr@losangelesbirthpartners.com
310-625-3739

Course Description:

Birthing from Within is a creative and innovative approach to preparing for birth developed by midwife Pam England. It begins by asking key questions such as:

  • What is it that YOU need to know to give birth?

  • How will you cope with the intensity and unknown of birth and parenting?

  • How are you preparing to give and receive support in labor and beyond?

Birthing from Within's guiding principles acknowledge childbirth as a profound rite of passage, not a medical event (even when medical care is part of the event). It sees the essence of childbirth as a self-discovery process, not assimilating obstetric information. Here the purpose of childbirth preparation is to prepare mothers to give birth in awareness, not to achieve a specific birth outcome. It acknowledges pain as an inevitable part of childbirth, yet looks at what can be done to ease suffering. It accepts pregnancy and birth outcomes are influenced by a variety of factors, but can't be controlled by planning. Birthing from Within encourages Fathers to help best as birth guardians or loving partners, not as coaches; they also need support.

Our sessions include:

  • Learning and exploring a variety of proven pain coping practices that can serve as on-going resources throughout your life.

  • Exploring cultural and personal views about parenting.

  • Learning practical information about birth and early parenting.

  • Being introduced to the "labor land" and what environmental conditions support a woman's physiology to give birth.

  • Meeting other couples in a small group format to share the wonder, concerns and questions that are a part of the pregnancy experience.

  • ....and much more!

Yoga teacher and movement educator Deborah Raoult has been teaching and working with pregnant women and new mothers since 1982. Her practice as a Birthing from Within mentor and doula now serves women throughout Los Angeles. Deborah has devoted her work to serving women and supporting their connection with their bodies and their spirituality. She has a particular passion for the childbearing year. Her mission is supporting women and their families, celebrating pregnancy, birth and parenting as powerful rites of passage that can transform our relationship to body, community and the Earth.

A Dharma practitioner since the mid-seventies, Deborah is also the mother of three grown children, two of whom were born at home.