Birth of a Family
Childbirth Education with Soul
A ten week series for couples who acknowledge birth as a life changing Rite of Passage. We’ll explore a combination of evidence-based-teachings, mindfulness and somatics, and a group council that nurtures attunement to self and the family constellation.
By the end of these ten weeks, your family will have:
Confidence in birth as a normal physiological process
Greater capacity to navigate the unknown
Shared reality and genuine connection with other couples in the same life phase
The knowledge and experience to take responsibility and make informed choices
Coherence in your partnership, with clear roles and invitations for collaboration
Grounded expectations and tools for a healthy newborn and postpartum time
Awe, reverence and wonder for what it is to be a life giver and sustainer in these times
First Class May 15th
“Being in a circle like Paeonia’s throughout my first pregnancy has been wildly supportive. It not only helped me see I’m not alone in my struggles, fears, anticipation, and excitement (and everything in between), but it also guided me in connecting to the parts of myself that are often overlooked in our fast pasted, mind-based society. So thankful for this opportunity to dive deep with other mamas!!!”
— Jess L, Birth Circle Participant
What We’ll Cover:
Week 1/May 15: Orientation: Meeting each other, Intention setting, and Papa’s circle and Mama’s circle
Week 2/May 22: Prenatal: Care and Nourishment, addressing common pregnancy symptoms. Neutral pelvis and mobility for birth
Week 3/May 29: Prenatal pt. II: Testing and care options, power dynamics and discernment in decision making
Week 4/June 5: Labor and Birth physiology: Physiological birth, facing fears and creating your birthing environment
Week 5/June 12: Labor and Birth physiology pt. II: Variations of normal birth, interventions and self-advocacy
June 19: Integration week, no class
Week 6/June 26: Tending the undercurrents: Papa’s circle and Mama’s circle and a Guided Breathwave Ceremony
Week 7/July 3: Postpartum pt. I: Pillars of postpartum care and an Ancestral connection ritual
Week 8/July 10: Postpartum pt. II: Breastfeeding, latching, nutrition and the (Conscious) Newborn
Week 9/July 17: Closing: Integration, harvesting the lessons and a Papa’s circle and Mama’s circle
Week 10/(Date TBD) : Reunion: A follow up and integration gathering held after everyone has given birth
The flow of a typical evening: centering meditation and opening circle, physiologically-based teachings, movement and couples connection activities, spacious snack and tea breaks, relational and somatic exercises, and a group council.
A part of our mission is to break free from dogma about family structure and nuclear family expectations that limit the health of every family. This means stretching into interdependence, discovering our authenticity in the roles we choose to inhabit and letting go of outdated expectations. Same sex couples, trans couples and single mothers are welcome here. If you are a single person, consider inviting a supportive loved one to join you. If you don’t identify as “mama” or “papa” for our special circles, we will create a different space for you or make you a place in the circle that feels like the best fit for you.
This is offering is for your family if:
you are ready to take the space you deserve to deeply feel and receive this passage
you are ready to take full responsibility for your birth and your family
you want down to earth information that you can trust
you want to listen to and honor the consciousness of your body and your baby in the womb
You can show up in a tight container for community and for yourself
First Class May 15th
Your Facilitators
Paeonia Sherrow
I care for women, children and families on behalf of all life. I believe that a vibrant and healthy human culture begins with mamas and babies and contributes to thriving life for every community of organisms on the earth.
I came to this work by way of a vision inviting me to “pursue the path of midwifery.” More than ten years later, I am still uncovering layer after layer of depth on this journey. One thing I know is that this calling came to me from the Earth and my alliance is with Her. Her living waters, forests and deserts are my friends and teachers. I believe Humans can do better for the earth, and that it starts with birth.
Having attended scores of births in the past three years as a student of midwifery and accompanying even more women in the past 8 years through their pregnancies and postpartum time as a body worker and postpartum care provider, I am more assured of this now than ever before.
I believe in the simple medicines. I weave the medicine of good food and water, herbal remedies, therapeutic touch, conscious connected breathing, nourishing movement and community connection into all that I do.
Thomas Doochin, Papas Circle Facilitator
(and my husband!)
Thomas is the founder and lead facilitator for the Heart of Men 6-month Brother’s Council. He has been on a voracious search for truth since his late teens and has found men’s work as a balm for his spirit. Thomas’ magic is his belief in you and what you have to contribute to Life. He lives with his family on land in the Appalachian Mountains. www.heartofmen.community
Rhea Amalnoor, Breathwave Facilitator
Rhea is a senior Breathwave Trainer and Advanced EFT Facilitator with a focus on pattern integration. She has been working with Breathwave for over a decade and is one of only three facilitators worldwide approved to offer trainings in the technique. She has a private practice in Asheville where she works with clients one on one and in group format. For more info, visit www.blessedrebirth.com
Commitment and Investment
We’ll meet Wednesdays from 5-8pm in a cozy space in Weaverville, NC. It is expected that each couple attend every class together and demonstrate a commitment to show up for the members of their cohort with presence and care.
-Investment is $997 per couple, to be paid in full by May 15th or in 3 installments of $332.33 due May 15, June 12th and July 17th
-includes ten 3-hour group sessions, take-home worksheets and practices and a telegram group moderated by Paeonia.
-“When should we join?” Couples should join when mama is between 12 and 27 weeks pregnant in order to finish class by 37 weeks.
*Two partial scholarships are available, please fill out this form