MY GOAL AS AN
EDUCATOR
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As a childbirth educator, I know
that each couple takes something
different away from their birth
experience. My personal goal is for
every couple to have a positive
birth experience, whether it is a
natural birth or a cesarean, for the
memory of this birth will stay with
the woman for the rest of her life!
Painting by Mara Friedman
What my students have
said about my Informed
Childbirth classes...
"My husband Larry was really skeptical about taking the classes. Now, not only does he try to
convince all of our expecting friends to take the classes, he offers to pay! We wanted to be
thoroughly educated about pregnancy, labor and delivery so that we could confidently make
decisions or challenge the procedures that are routinely offered and that is what Nicole's class
did for us." -Dana & Larry C.
"We have no doubt that taking Nicole's Bradley class was the most important decision we made in preparing for our
VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). Through the Bradley classes we learned the importance of selecting a care
provider that we could trust and who would support our birth choices. We learned how to avoid interventions
which would impede a vaginal birth and what to expect during labor and delivery. Most importantly, we learned to
have faith in the natural process of birth. Nicole was a great teacher, and provided us with the support we needed
to have a successful unmedicated VBAC." -Carol B. & Ross S.
"We had our hearts set on a natural childbirth, but despite our best efforts, our baby was still
breech when I went into labor and we were told our only option was a c-section. Nicole was right
there on the phone with us on the way to the hospital - she really gave me the confidence to
make the c-section as family friendly as possible. We now have a beautiful baby and I am
convinced that my birth experience was as special as it was because of all we learned in our
Bradley class." -Denise & Doug S.
"I went into Nicole’s class not understanding how little I knew about the childbirth process and about the choices
and decisions that awaited us. I came out feeling empowered, with a definite plan for the birth experience. I know
that what I learned there prepared me for the wonderful challenge that lay ahead. The fact that we met a great
group of people who shared our views was just a bonus. It’s some the best training I’ve ever had. It made a very
real difference." -Tim M.
"As the dad, I have to admit that I felt a bit left out for the whole first part of Ginny's
pregnancy. There's just not much for us dads to do. I loved Nicole's class because she showed
me ways that I could be an active participant during the pregnancy, labor and birth and also
helped me deal with my fears about the whole birth process (I was scared I would pass out
during the birth!) I didn't pass out and we had the most wonderful natural birth. Our baby,
Lilly, was so awake and alert right after her birth and began breastfeeding within the first few
minutes of her life!" -Tom & Ginny C. (and Lilly too)
We will be forever grateful for the educational experience of taking Nicole's class. We gained more than expected
because her class went beyond preparing us for an informed childbirth experience. First of all, had it not been for
the class, I would surely have found myself under the knife for a Cesarean delievery. Instead, when things didn't
go according to our hoped scenario, we used relaxation techniques and made informed decisions. After 30 hours
of labor and a pre-labor injury (a back injury five days previous) that complicated my labor, choosing an epidural
was our last resort and the best option for avoiding a C-section. Secondly, Nicole opened our minds to things like
attachment parenting (co-sleeping, baby wearing, breastfeeding, bonding, etc...) vs. detached parenting, making
an informed decision about leaving our son intact instead of circumcising, and whether or not to vaccinate. And
third, the class empowered us as parents to not sit back and let anyone else dictate what is best for our child. As
the parents, we feel in tune with our baby's needs and know that we are the ones ultimately responsible for his
well being.
Thank you so much Nicole! We excitedly recommend your class!
-Stacey, Rodney, and Warren A. of Severna Park
"I had originally taken Nicole's class because I have a fear of needles and knew I would never get
an epidural. I was shocked at how much I learned! As the class went on, it stopped being about
my fear of needles and started to be about my wish for an empowering and natural birth. The
class reminded me that women's bodies are made to give birth and that I could work with my
body instead of against it. I never could have done it without this class!"
-Sue & Robert W.
"Not only was this class imperative in me achieving my goal of an unmedicated birth, but Nicole also helped us
find a care provider who was truly supportive of our wishes (it took us switching 3 times to finally find her).
Nicole taught us the important questions to ask to get the real answers we needed to make informed decisions. I
now know I would not have the birth I did had I stayed with any of our prior providers!" -Jamilla & Will H.
"What a great name for Nicole's homepage - Informed Childbirth - that is exactly what the
classes were. The knowledge we gained from the classes surpassed the amount of knowledge
we would have gained from just reading books. We did have some interventions, but only after
exhausting all of the techniques we had learned in class. A vacuum extration was suggested
after two hours of pushing but I was able to give birth 15 minutes after the suggestion. I am
sure that what we learned in Nicole's class helped us to make informed decisions. Thanks,
Nicole." -Jenn, Dave & Samantha B.