Classes & Workshops * Mikaela Lynn - Perinatal Care Specialist

Classes & Workshops

As a Perinatal Care Specialist, my job is to hold space for people as they navigate reproductive health and perinatal care by providing emotional support, physical comfort, practical assistance, and non-medical care. What that may look like depends on each client's individual needs and situation, and for some, the best way to learn and receive support is in a group setting of peers. If this describes you then classes are the way to go!

I am passionate about education and love to not only learn new things myself but also pass on my accumulated knowledge and experience to others. I have been teaching for over ten years and coaching for nearly as long. I strongly believe that knowledge is power, and in class together we will explore ways of navigating the healthcare field, knowing your options and alternatives, and working with your support system to advocate for yourself, your body, your family, and your choices. I look forward to seeing you in class!

Childbirth Education

Babies are born every day, do I really need to take a class about it‽

Do you know the physiological process of labor and birth, or are you putting all your trust and faith in your provider?
Are you aware that doctors only show up at the last minute and nurses only check in occasionally?
Are you prepared to make choices about your body and your baby during contractions?
Do you wish someone could give you all the cheat codes for a 'perfect' birth experience?
Are you watching television and movies and thinking your birth will look like that?
Does all of this sound overhwelming‽

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While birth is a completely natural and normal process very few of us have seen it first-hand. And to be completely honest the media has done you dirty, they're not portraying birth anywhere close to how it actually occurs day-to-day. It's okay, you are here now and have taken the first step to learn more about the ACTUAL 'ins and outs' of labor and birth. Together we will explore physiological birth (what happens when birth is left to happen on its own) and common hospital interventions. Knowing what you may see, hear, feel, and experience, before you are there in person, will give you a head start on crafting your list of birth preferences. We will also discuss your rights as a birthing person in hospital so you are prepared to advocate for your body, your baby, your birth, and your family.

This course is for you if:
*You want to know the process of labor and birth
*You want to have the information before you get to the hospital
*You want to be able to make informed choices for your body and your baby

This course is NOT for you if:
*You trust your provider completely to make all the choices for you in your labor and birth.

Contact me here to find out more!

Lactation Education

Are you planning to bodyfeed your baby?

Feeding your baby from your body looks easy and carefree on social media, so why is it so hard‽
Are you worried you won’t be able to supply enough milk for your baby?
Did you struggle with bodyfeeding previously, or are you struggling now?
Are you looking for education, guidance, and support on your bodyfeeding journey?

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Human body feeding is biologically designed to be challenging, and as social creatures, we are meant to learn from others. The challenge is that we no longer live in a community-focused way that supports this need, so we must seek it on our own. Starting during pregnancy it’s important to learn what it takes to build a successful body feeding relationship with your little one. Together we will explore what you already know and what information and support you need to be successful with your lactation goals. You will learn the physiological process of lactation, how to hand express, common hurdles and how to work through them.

Questions? You can contact me here to find out more...

Sleep Coaching Education

Are you and your baby not seeing eye to eye on sleep?

Do you need some new ideas to help your little one rest more efficiently?
Are you wondering if Gentle Sleep Coaching is the answer?

It is true that the CIO method and the starker extinction methods can work well and a bit faster than gentler methods, IF you as the parent can follow through consistently and for long enough.

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The Gentle Sleep Coach® philosophy was developed by Kim West LCSW-C, The Sleep Lady® because she found so many parents had difficulty following through with a sleep coaching program that they feared will damage their child emotionally or filled them with so much guilt they couldn’t follow through.

The GSC approach is a gentler alternative for families who:
emotionally or philosophically resist letting their babies cry it out
Tried “Ferber” (controlled crying) and it didn’t work,
Let their baby cry-it-out earlier but now find it doesn’t help
Believe in co-sleeping but find that their children aren’t really sleeping all that well, even nestled snugly with their parents
Did co-sleep and now want to transition to solo sleeping
Families who want support and guidance along whichever path they choose

Can you guarantee “no crying” you might ask?

No, no one really can. For example, if you as the parent have taught your child that the way to fall asleep is to be held to sleep for all naps, bedtime and wakings and you decide that you want to change this; your child will naturally protest or resist this change. After all, they don’t know why you have changed your approach. If your child is pre-verbal then they will cry. My goal is to have as little crying as possible. I encourage parents to be loving and responsive but to allow the child the room to learn this vital life skill of putting themselves to sleep. The parent responds and stays with their child and offers physical and verbal reassurance without putting the child to sleep. This supports the development of a secure attachment between parent and child.

Do I have to stop bodyfeeding to sleep coach my child?
Nope! As a Lactation Education Specialist, I will work with you to help your child sleep while preserving your bodyfeeding relationship -- it is never necessary to end nursing when gentle sleep coaching your child.

What if we cosleep?
Great! You can continue to room share while sleep coaching.

Contact me here to find out more!