Gentle Birth Support got its start in 1996 with one of the first DONA-approved doula training courses at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.  By that time, I had had three boys already - two births at hospitals in Cincinnati, OH and La Crosse, WI, and one homebirth in St. Peters, MO.  La Leche League had been a wonderful source of information and support, and I was working on my LLLeadership Application.  I attended the births of friends after that, and had one miscarriage and two more homebirths of my own.  Three years ago I began working as a doula professionally - hurray!  In July 2007 I attended an ALACE doula training in Rolla, and will have certification by summer 2008.  I am also a certified instructor with iCare Childbirth Classes.  I live in Franklin County and travel up to 60 miles in any direction to serve the families I work with.  Please let me know if I can help you as you research and explore your options for birth and parenting!

Having just returned from the premier of the Ricki Lake documentary, “The Business of Being Born”, I am even more passionate about supporting local moms in birthing their babies. It has always been an honor and blessing to serve the St. Louis community in this special way. I have been attending births for over 20 years and still am in awe at the miracle that unfolds and the power of our bodies. Currently, I serve as President of Doulas of Greater St. Louis, St. Louis’ local doula group. Please visit me at: www.doulasofgreaterstlouis.com and click on my home page for more personal information and photo.

Inner Rhythms Birth Services - Serving Mid-Missouri Families
Contact: DeeDee or Sarah
Phone: 573-443-8574
Phone: 573-474-8865
email: Doulas@birthrhythms.com
website: http://www.birthrhythms.com

1. Doula Services
2. Early Pregnancy and Childbirth Education
3. Breastfeeding Classes
4. Prenatal Bellydance
5. Bellycasting and other Birth Art

Baby Dance is a fun and easy fusion of African Dance, Ballet and Interpretive movement with a focus on Belly Dance. Learn why women use dance to facilitate labor as you tune in to your body, your baby and your labor’s unique rhythm. Learn positions to encourage optimal fetal positioning. Practice moves to use during pregnancy and labor and to tone yourself post-partum. No prior dance experience necessary. Wear comfortable clothes. Open to professionals who work with birthing women, such as midwives, doulas, nurses, doctors, and also open to the expectant mother’s birthing partner and postpartum moms (babies welcome!).

 

Baby Dance is led by

Stephanie Larson is a professional dancer with 31 years of dance training, performance and teaching experience.
She especially loves partner dances such as mambo, swing, and ballroom. Stephanie has studied with Pam England of Birthing From Within, and perinatal psychologist Phyllis Klaus. A Certified Birth Doula and the founder of Birthing with Ease Support Services, Stephanie is the mother of four children under 6 years old. She has used dancing to enhance her four birth experiences - hospital, birth center and home birth.

Here are some comments from Baby Dance students:

 

“Great workout, helps you forget about any discomfort in pregnancy when you just focus on the music, and feel the music.” Chrystal

 

“Class was very enjoyable – great to get moving, also good ideas for labor – I’m looking forward to putting it into practice. I hope to come to more workshops in future. Thank you! ” Jessica
 

Classes are held in the Birthing With Ease Dance Studio at 2427 Glen Arden Dr. St. Louis, MO. Mondays, 8:00-8:55PM. Pre-registration required. Classes are ongoing (as of September 18, 2006). To register for a 3 week session, please send check for $30.00 made payable to Stephanie Larson and your preferred start date to Birthing With Ease 2427 Glen Arden Dr. St. Louis, MO 63146 or click “add to list” to pay by credit card.

Can’t make the regular session?

Private classes available at $30/hour. Private group classes available for you and your friends, $10 per person/hour (3 person minimum). Call 314-469-9118 to schedule.

Prenatal Fitness

Birth With Ease Childbirth Preparation Series

This evening series will quickly become the highlight of your week! You and your partner will learn how to work together to bring your baby into the world in the way that is uniquely right for you. This interactive approach goes beyond other methods and hospital classes to access your inner knowledge of how to birth and discover your individual coping skills. You will also learn how to help your unborn baby achieve optimal positioning to make your birth experience easier and quicker.

Your Instructor, Stephanie Larson CD(DONA), BFA is a Certified Birth Doula and has trained with Pam England of Birthing From Within and Perinatal Psychologist Phyllis Klaus. She is the founder of the Birthing With Ease approach and also of the prenatal fitness class: “Baby Dance” She is the Vice President of the Doulas of Greater St. Louis, and the Editor of DONA International’s International Doula magazine. Stephanie is the mother of four children under 7 years old. She has used the Birthing With Ease approach to enhance her four birth experiences - hospital, birth center and home birth.

The series takes place in Maryland Heights, MO at 2427 Glen Arden Dr.

Next Series begins Wednesday November 15, 2006 from 8:00-9:30pm and continues on 11/22, 11/29, 12/13, and 12/20. Registration required by 11/13/06. To register please send your check for $199 per couple made payable to Stephanie Larson to: Birthing With Ease Support Services, 2427 Glen Arden Dr. St Louis, MO 63146 or click “add to list” to pay by credit card .

Register early, space is limited..

Birth Education

Childbirth Education and Doulas for the Expectant Mother in the St. Louis, MO area

A Labor of Love Childbirth education and Doulas for the expectant mother is a local nurse-owned company offering a unique approach to labor and delivery education, giving you the options and knowledge every expectant mother deserves.

Our mission is to provide top-quality education and service to mothers while allowing you to explore your options in childbirth education and delivery. A Labor of Love offers HypnoBirthing classes taught by a Certified HypnoBirthing Practitioner as well as conventional childbirth education classes taught in weekly sessions or in a new one day weekend class with lunch provided. All classes are offered in group or private sessions, the option is yours!

A Labor of Love also provides doulas who are experienced and knowledgeable. A doula of your choice is with you during labor to provide the emotional and physical support every laboring mother deserves. Preparing the mind and body is the key to a healthy, satisfying delivery.

We like to pamper our mothers providing aromatherapy products and prenatal message by a skilled Certified Massage Therapist in the privacy of your own home. A Labor of Love is here to stand beside you and support you through your pregnancy and delivery let us pamper you like you deserve. Visit us at http://www.a-laboroflove.com/ for more information.

 

 

For more information our prenatal services, please contact:

A Labor of Love
524 Spring Meadow Crossing
Wentzville, MO 63385

PHONE: 636-448-9326
CONTACT: Cindi Hedrick
WEBSITE: http://www.a-laboroflove.com/

Preganancy Bellydancing,Yoga and Partners Yoga Workshop 

 with  

Cameron Metheney and DeeDee Folkerts 

November 3,4,5th 

Reserve your space today, space is limited! 

Send in your regestration form in by 10/15 and save or request the form by email and save $10.00  

All forms should be mailed to:  

Masterpeace Studios 

1099 Milwaukee,
suite 10

314.909.8333  

  

Name: Doulas of Greater St. Louis
Contact NameKate Kennedy
Address:Unavailable
Website:Doulas of Greater St. Louis

Services:
Doulas of Greater St. Louis is a non-profit organization that offers support, education and fellowship to doulas in the St. Louis and surrounding area. We also provide families with referrals to qualified doulas that can assist them as they make their journey into parenthood. Our membership continues to grow as more women realize the benefits of having a doula supported birth and also having a postpartum doula assist them in the weeks following birth.