Our first prenatal meeting is scheduled once you've finished your childbirth education classes.  This meeting gives us an opportunity to get to know each other and for me to understand your wishes, desires and plans for your baby's birth.  It also allows me to find out what resources you may need, whether it's a good massage therapist or breastfeeding DVDs, so I can provide those referrals and resources for you.  This meeting typically lasts 1 1/2 hours.

Here's a sample of the client intake form I use during our prental meetings, and what I share with my back-up partners so they also understand your preferences and plans for your baby's birth.

During our second meeting, we'll spend time practicing labor coping skills and discovering what works well for you.  You'll have an opportunity to practice the positioning I typically suggest for enhanced progress and coping with difficult contractions.  Your partner and I will get a chance to work side-by-side and trade tips and suggestions for supporting you best.  I'll bring you a TENS unit  (see below) for you to keep the last month of your pregnancy as an additional coping tool during early labor. This meeting can last up to 2 hours.

Gail Tully's Spinningbabies website is loaded with great suggestions for helping make efficient progress in labor through positioning.