Wholesome enriched labor from a homebirth experience.

Gentle Spirit Course Description

Gentle Spirit offers educational presentations to increase awareness regarding valuable women’s health care issues. Our goal is to reduce infant and maternal morbidity and mortality through education.

For 15 years, through out the New York and New Jersey Metropolitan area, Gentle Spirit has presented to community organizations, programs for at risk women, and educational institutions. These Presentations and classes have been presented to women at the Northern Manhattan Prenatal Partnership, teens at Hope House and students at Columbia Midwifery Program, Downstate Midwifery & Physician Assistant Program, Bronx Lebanon Physician Assistant Program, and a host of other grass roots organizations.

Below is a brief summary of some of the courses offered by Gentle Spirit.

Teen Self Awareness/Building Self Esteem

Explores multiple elements involved in the establishment of identity. This presentation includes an interactive game and self-esteem building exercises.

Breast Self Exams

Participates will gain basic understanding on the anatomy of breast. Following Model demonstration, participants will learn how to conduct self-breast exams. Includes Video presentation & self-breast exam reminder handouts.

Self Image & Your Sexuality

Explores self-identity issues. Adolescent Developmental Visual Aids. A stimulating discussion will be conducted including female reproduction, menstruation, hygiene, honoring ones identity, and respecting the body as a holy temple.

Your Prenatal Visit

An overview of each prenatal visit that focus on what to expect during the physical assessment/exam, and questions to ask your healthcare provider. This session will encourage women to play a more active role during their pregnancy, emphasizing the importance of developing a more patient empowering, women-centered interview session.

What to Expect During Labor & Birth

As a way to empower clients participants will review what to expect during the labor and birth journey. A model demonstration of the birth journey will be provided.

How To Better Prepare for Labor

A stimulating discussion will be conducted on pain management, including

The use of massage therapy, the use of birth balls, birth chairs, the use of water during labor & birth, and other alternative remedies to enhance a woman’s birth experience.

First Time Parenting

This session focuses on challenges facing new mothers. Topics include birth spacing, time management, and helping moms recognize and address their changing needs.

Childbirth Options

Expectant Parents will explore options for place of birth including the hospital, the birth center, and the home.

The First Gynecology Exam

This session teaches participants the female anatomy and the screening tools used during this exam. Participants will gain a better understanding of the Pap smear exam using a step-by-step approach.

Family Planning

Depending on target audience, this presentation also features preconception counseling, basic nutrition and conception planning.

(See below)

Contraceptive Options

Introduction to current birth control methods will be discussed including advantages, and disadvantages of each method. Discussion and demonstration of the various methods to include, Hormonal Contraceptives, The Intrauterine Device, Barrier Devices, Natural Family Planning, Birth Spacing, and Female Sterilization.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases/Prevention

An introduction to the most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases using a power point & slide presentation. This presentation will examine the cause, signs, symptoms, and method of transmission, treatment and prevention of each disease. Includes interactive display and informative handout material.

Childbirth Education Series

This presentation includes a 4-part Child Birth preparation series.

Anatomy and Physiology of Pregnancy Labor & Birth
Labor Coping Methods/Medications
Complications/Monitoring Devices
Breastfeeding/Newborn Care/Postpartum Care

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation For Adult/ Child/ Infant

Hands on instruction in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Practice and demonstration of basic first aid skills for infant, child and adult choking, respiratory, and cardiac arrest.

Labor & Delivery

This session presents an in depth look into the anatomical and physiological changes of labor. The presentation will include the stages of labor, birth, and the postpartum period.

Postpartum Care (Maternal)

This seminar presents basic maternal and newborn postpartum care. A discussion will be conducted to include nutrition, exercise and care during this post transition period. Other topics include identification and prevention of postpartum blues, postpartum depression, postpartum hemorrhage, fever and/or infection.

Breastfeeding For The Expectant Mom & New Moms

An Overview of the anatomy & physiology of the breast including demonstration of proper mouth and body positions for breastfeeding. Discussion topics include identifying fears, myths and phobias of breastfeeding, hind milk, foremilk, manual expression, and breastfeeding pumps. Presentation focuses on the maternal and newborn benefits of breastfeeding and explains the underlying principals of successful breastfeeding.

Newborn Care

Basic concepts will be presented in the care of the newborn during the first days of life. Discussion and video presentation on practical guidelines for care giving, bonding, nurturing, SIDS prevention, and Shaken baby syndrome.

Homebirth & Out Of Hospital Deliveries

Reviews fundamental benefits and risks of each setting includes discussion of evidence based research.

Anatomy and Physiology of Pregnancy

An overview of the human body focusing on basic anatomy & physiology of each body system including the effects of pregnancy. This session includes illustration of physical changes of both mother and baby.

African American Midwives

An overview of the statistically disproportionate percentage of African American Midwives practicing in the United States. This session will discuss the critical role of our profession in communities of color.

Infant Mortality in the African American Community

An introduction to high infant mortality rates through out urban cities within the United States. A close look at prenatal outcomes in communities of color and a comparison of other industrial nation’s healthcare systems.

History of Granny Midwives

A historical overview of African American Midwives. Discussion of the political history of the profession, with a particular focus on Midwives in the southern parts of the United States.

***Audio Visual and /or Power Point equipment is needed for most sessions. Handouts distributed for all sessions. ***