Lumina offers a variety of classes for your birth-year support. Scroll down for offerings and online payment for many of our classes or events.
Birth Doulas
Meet the Doulas Mixer
Mondays: Sept 13, Nov 8. 7:30-9:00 pm
Location: Office of Kham Henderson, LLC at 1350 Spring Street, Suite 485 Atlanta, GA 30309
Saturday: December 11. 10-11:30 am
Couples, women, friends, grandmothers-to-be, alternative couples… from anywhere in the greater Atlanta area, are invited to join us for our mixer. It’s the best way to meet several doulas at once, ask your questions, and make a personal appointment. Find out how a doula helps at birth, the difference between a midwife and a doula, and about all of our childbirth services. Whether you are just gathering info or are certain that you want a doula, this is the place to learn more! We often have guest presenters such as chiropractors, massage therapists, midwives, etc.
RSVP now via our Contact page or by phone 404-388-6107. This event is always FREE!
At any time, Contact us to ask questions or schedule personal appointment with a doula.
Childbirth Education
Conscious Parent Movie Matinee
Join us for a monthly birth film hosted by Lumina Birth and Lotus of Life Chiropractic. Films will be followed by a discussion and sponsors will be set up with info on their services and/or products.
Tickets: $3 per person or $5 per pair/couple. Bring your spouse! Bring a friend! Buy tickets online (below), at Lotus of Life Chiropractic, or at the door. Info: 404-377-7743. Print your Paypal receipt and bring it with you if you purchase tickets online. FREE for Lumina clients!!
Childcare will be provided on-site for a small fee of $2 per child, for children ages 4 months to 4 years. RSVP for childcare is highly recommended by completing our Contact form or calling Lotus of Life 404-377-7743. Please mention child(ren’s) ages and date of the film you are attending. Childcare can be pre-paid online below.
Time & Place: All films at 3:00 pm at All Souls Fellowship, 647 E College Ave, Decatur, GA 30030. (Corner of New Street. Look for the Lumina Birth banner on the railing.)
Dates – film titles TBD – Sept 12, Oct 10, Nov 14, Dec 12, 2010 & Jan 9, Feb 6, 2011.
The Lumina Birth Course
The Lumina Birth Course builds parents’ trust that natural childbirth is normal, and teaches effective tools to achieve it. You will learn your birth options, and how to go into labor with an open, relaxed mind about what will unfold. Sometimes there are turns the road, but you’ll be prepared to navigate them! You will be encouraged in your emotional and physical connections through this unique journey as a couple, while remaining an educated consumer of maternity health care.
Some of the topics covered include: physiology of birth, the labor process, nutrition, labor support, comfort measures, breath awareness, relaxation, communicating with caregivers, breastfeeding, and more. Couples are expected to attend together, though other support people are welcome with instructor permission. A more complete description can be found at our Services page.
The Lumina Birth Course Fee: $190
A $75 deposit will secure your spot. (Full class fee is due by the first class and is non-refundable after the first session.)
Questions? Contact: Jenn Purdy
OctoberWeeknight Course: Thursday nights in October. 6:00-9:00 pm.
Info: Located at Cafe of Life Chiropractic Center, 1014 Piedmont Ave, 2nd Floor, Atlanta, GA 30309
Instructor: Gwynne Knap, CD(DONA), CCCE, CPD (CAPPA)
September Course: Friday nights, September 10 – October 1, 2010. 6:00 – 9:00 pm.
Location: Avondale Estates
Instructor: Jenn Purdy, CLD, CCCE (CAPPA)
Private Childbirth Classes
Private and semi-private childbirth classes may be arranged upon request with the following childbirth educators. Fees range from $200-$300 for a 4-6 hour session(s) in your own home. Contact us if you are interested. Registration and payment is arranged with the individual instructor.
Jenny Cochran, CLD, CCCE (CAPPA)
Diane Lentine, CLD, CCCE (CAPPA)
Gwynne Knap, BA, CD(DONA), CCCE, CPD (CAPPA)
Jenn Purdy, CLD, CCCE (CAPPA)
Childbirth Refresher “Short Course”
Designed as a condensed childbirth education class, ideally used as a refresher class for parents expecting a child beyond their first. It is not intended to be a complete childbirth course! If you need a full course, especially for your first birth, and cannot attend The Lumina Birth Course as scheduled, a private class is recommended above this one. Also, if this must your only childbirth class for your first birth, hiring a doula is even more crucial! “Short Course” instructors will cover some essentials of birth and also focus part of the class content on what the students most want to learn.
Course Instructors: Jenny Cochran, CLD, CCCE
“Short Course” Fee: $115 (Due upon registration.)
Contact: Jenn Purdy or Jenny Cocran
September 25, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Location: Cafe of Life Chiropractic Center, 1014 Piedmont Ave, 2nd Floor, Atlanta, GA 30309
Instructor: Jenny Cochran, CLD, CCCE
Birth Plan Workshop – If You Don’t Know Your Options, You Don’t Have Any!
Do you know your options in birth? Wondering what the difference is between an epidural and an episiotomy? Do you know the pros and cons of typical medical practices in birth? Join with one (or two) of the Lumina Birth experienced doulas or childbirth educators to think through your own preferences in labor and birth. We will discuss typical choices that are presented in a hospital birth environment. It’s up to you to decide how certain choices matter to you. Couples will also learn how to effectively communicate with care givers about their birth preferences (both prenatally and during labor), how to work with a birth support team, how to be educated consumers of your own health care. Most importantly, we will discuss working with your plan and the unexpected curves that your labor may bring. This workshop will get you on the track to writing an effective set of birth preferences and to further research those options after class. This is not meant to replace a childbirth education class. Minimum 3 couples, maximum 8 couples.
Course Instructors: Jenn Purdy, CLD, CCCE
Birth Plan Workshop Fee: $30 (per couple)
Contact: Jenn Purdy
Epidural Birth Prep
At Lumina Birth, our philosophy and classes are geared toward normal, natural birth, we do not assume that all women will want a natural birth experience, or be able to given other circumstances. The area hospitals that offer water birth, commonly know as the “aqua-dural,” require parents to take a class and earn a water birth certificate – just for adding water. We all get wet every day, maybe even take a bath or get in a pool. Water does not become dangerous when a laboring/birthing woman gets into a tub beside a highly qualified midwife and nurse. Yet, no hospital requires birthing mothers to take a class on preparing for birth with an epidural. The known risks of these pain-relief measures are incomparable.
In this class, you will learn about epidurals in labor – the method, risks, effects on the mom and the labor, side effects, how the baby is influenced, best time to use the epidural, and it’s possible effects on breastfeeding. Birth satisfaction stems from feeling in control, and you still have to birth the baby and make many choices in labor even with an epidural. Our goal is not to dissuade you from your plan/need to use an epidural during labor, only to educate on the benefits and risks of the procedure, and know what you do have control of, so you are fully informed when you sign that liability release form.
Epidural Prep Class Fee: $30 (per couple)
Breastfeeding Education
Prenatal Breastfeeding Class
Class Description: Preparation is key for ensuring a positive and beneficial breastfeeding relationship with your newborn. Our prenatal Breastfeeding Class will equip you and your partner with the necessary knowledge to successfully & naturally nourish your infant from birth. Together we will learn basic breastfeeding skills such as: latching, positioning, learning baby’s hunger cues, pumping & overcoming common obstacles. Snacks are included.
Prenatal Breastfeeding Class Fee: $70 (Due in full upon registration).
3 hour, single-session class for both parents. Questions? Contact: Jessica Cruz
Saturday, September 11, 2010 ~ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Tuesday, October 5, 2010 ~ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Location: Decatur Area
Instructor: Jessica Cruz, BSN, RN, CLC
Lactation Consulting – In-Home Support
We offer private breastfeeding classes and in-home lactation consulting with Jessica Cruz, BSN, RN, IBCLC (pre and postpartum). The Lumina Birth lactation support is comfortably in your home and not restricted to work-week hours only! Jessica can teach you feeding options if difficulties arise in your baby’s first few weeks. Many feeding options are often not available at area hospitals because of pediatrician mandated restrictions. Jessica holds the highest certification possible for lactation consultants as well as ongoing experience in the hospital setting.
In-home Lactation Consultation: Home visit with unlimited phone/email contact for $150.
Contact: Jessica Cruz, BSN, RN, CLC to discuss your concerns and schedule your appointment.
Postpartum Doulas & Support
Postpartum Doulas
Contact us about postpartum doula support in your home. Our initial contract is 6-8 hours, with the option to schedule more as needed. See our Services page for a complete description of postpartum doula care, and our Doulas page for our certified postpartum (CPD) staff.
Postpartum Counseling
Who should seek care: Mothers who are struggling or who have struggled with postpartum – depression, anxiety, OCD, panic and/or PTSD. Husbands, partners, and loved ones encouraged to contact professional support for postpartum depression in mothers who are struggling at any time in the postpartum year, even if the mother is not seeking care for herself.
Contact: Jacqueline Cohen, LAPC, 404-822-1026. See our Resources page for a link to Jacqueline’s web site.
Postpartum Nutrition & Fitness Coaching
Jenn Purdy is accepts a limited number of nutrition coaching (registration below) and semi-private fitness sessions. Fitness coaching focuses on overall strength, fat loss, and balance as you regain and even improve on your pre-baby physique. Sessions are one hour or less. Infants are welcome if they will sleep through the class for the most part (you know your baby!). Moms are welcome to come try and see how it works out. Individual semi-private sessions are $15 each (the cost will rise once Jenn has certified as an NSCA Strength & Conditioning Coach). Get your spot on the waiting list!
Contact: Jenn Purdy or at 404-832-5670.
Nutrition Coaching Includes a 4 Week Period of:
1. home visit (or in-depth phone/photo consult if you are not local, which also applies to #2 below…)
2. pantry purge & paleo cooking session
3. 4 weekly calls, email/text support
4. food log evaluation/accountability
5. measurements before/after if desired by client
Other Events
Georgia Birth Network’s Birth Ball
Come have a ball with us! Sit in on the Momma Prep Talk, designed to help you prepare for your birth. Then mingle with Georgia Birth Network members, including Lumina Birth, to learn what “Birth Support” really means! Educators, doulas, lactation consultants, massage therapists, chiropractors, and more! Find the support that you’ll be looking for throughout your pregnancy and postpartum year. The Birth Ball is a free event, held every other month.
Date: Saturday, September 18 at 10:30 AM
Location: Trinity Anglican Mission at 2270 Defoor Hills Rd. NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Intown Midwifery’s Open House at Atlanta Medical Center
Join the midwives of Intown Midwifery every first Wednesday of the month at 7:00pm (in the basement-level conference room of the main hospital, through the cafeteria). Learn about midwifery care, water birth, labor support, insurance coverage, and anything you may want to ask about. Take a tour of the Labor & Delivery floor. Atlanta Medical Center: 303 Parkway Drive Ne, Atlanta, GA 30312. Call 888-457-5204 to register. This event is directed by Intown Midwifery, a maternity care partner of Lumina Birth. Lumina Birth doulas may be present to discuss doula support in addition to the information provided by the midwives.
Atlanta Medical Center ~ Water Birth Class
Couples who are planning to have a water birth with the midwives at Intown Midwifery must attend the Water Birthing Class at Atlanta Medical Center. The class meets every other Thursday at 7:00 pm. Call 888-457-5204.
