Educating mothers toward a less painful & more peaceful birth.
A little science & a well-informed plan can help you overcome the fear & confusion that often overshadow this joyous transition.
The Natural Childbirth Prep Course
My name is Caitlin
and I love childbirth. Everything about it—baby bumps, nursery decor, the intensity of labor, sweet baby cheeks, and the birth of a new mother.
My life's purpose is to raise my babies and help other mothers find joy and peace as they raise their own babies. I'm a physical therapist trained in obstetrics and pediatrics. I teach women how their bodies actually work so that they can combat fear and anxiety with knowledge.
From coping with labor pain to healing correctly in the fourth trimester to raising strong and healthy children, Mom Bodies Physical Therapy provides the education you need to thrive in your motherhood journey.
— Dr. Caitlin Deems | @caitandhercrew
Fear of Childbirth
is a common occurrence experienced by 20% of mothers today.
(Increased from 14% just a few years ago.)
Prolonged labor
as well as dystocia are associated with moderate to severe FOC.
Cesarean birth
with no medical indication often results from FOC, placing mother and baby at unnecessary risk.
Postpartum depression
and PTSD are common side effects of moderate to severe FOC.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7390386/
More and more birth professionals are recognizing the need to address the mental health of pregnant mothers.
What can we do about it?
We can start by educating ourselves.
Until recently women inherently understood what to expect during pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood… and they didn’t need a book to teach them. This is because they lived with multiple generations of women. Young women saw their mothers and sisters carry and bear children. They saw their grandmothers and aunts help new mothers heal in a healthy way. They cared for babies before they ever had their own. They knew what to expect and because of this there was less to fear.
Now we have many modern conveniences for which to be thankful, but one of the consequences of our modern society is the fact that we don’t have much experience with pregnancy until it happens to us. We don’t grow up watching babies being born. We don’t have women beside us to help us heal. And, often, we don’t even have women to whom we can ask our intimate questions. We don’t know anymore, and this lack of knowledge leaves a void that is filled by fear.
So what can we do about the problem that ranges from a lack of knowledge to the increasing epidemic of Fear of Childbirth?
We can start by educating—rather, re-educating—ourselves.
Knowing how your uterus works shouldn’t be privileged information. Every woman should know why childbirth can be painful & what they can do to calm their bodies & their minds during labor. Every mother should have the chance to find joy in their childbirth experience.
I won’t be teaching you a method.
I will be educating you.
A method tells you what to do and how to do it.
Education tells you why to do it and how it works.
You rely on methods to empower you.
Education empowers you to use any method you would like.
Methods are like boxes.
Education is a foundation upon which you can build your own box.
So cut through
the clutter of
marketed methods & opinions.
And simply
educate yourself.
Who is this course for?
The planner.
I’m looking at you, mama, with the decorated nursery in the first trimester.
The one who raises their hand to say, “Yes, but why?”
You need context, I get that. I have what you need.
The scientifically-minded woman.
Affirmations are great. Hypnosis sounds good. But what you really need is an understanding of your anatomy & research to back up the claims (or bust the myths) that you read about on mom blogs.
The girl whose fear is assuaged with knowledge.
The fear of the unknown is a real thing. And fear is more than a feeling, it is a catalyst for chemical changes that cause pain. Knowing what to expect can remove the fear of the unknown so that your body can work as it should, without pain.
The mama-to-be with information overload.
I’m a mom. I understand the overwhelm of all the opinions. So I’m just going to give you the facts. You can take this information—wisdom that used to be common knowledge when our world moved a little more slowly, plus the latest evidence in women’s health & obstetrics—& apply it however you’d like, as a stand-alone childbirth prep tool or in tandem with your chosen method.
Education empowers you to make informed choices & enjoy a peaceful childbirth.
No matter how anxious you may feel, you can have a joyful birth experience!
Try this with me.
Close your eyes. Imagine you are feeling that first labor contraction. What is happening in your body? Does your breath stop? Do you smile? Do your fists clench? Do you panic slightly?
You might feel that you don’t know quite as much about childbirth as you thought…
That was me! And that made me anxious.
How did I overcome my anxiety about childbirth? Education. After learning the science of pregnancy and labor I applied these truths to my second birth experience.
The results were miraculous!
Minimal pain. A feeling of calm and alertness all at once. And joy. Pure joy.
If you’re holding your breath & mentally withdrawing when you think about labor,
If you’re telling yourself “The pain is all in my head. Mind over matter…”
If you need more context & information about what is happening in your body in order to find peace & joy,
Then the Natural Childbirth Prep Course is for you.
The Natural Childbirth Prep Course
Educating mothers toward less pain & more peace during childbirth
FAQs.
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Every woman needs something different. For many, these courses are great! The Natural Childbirth Prep Course is different, though. First, it is taught by a doctor of physical therapy, as opposed to a nurse, midwife, doula or lay-person trained in birth education. Because this course is based on the practice of physical therapy, you will learn about your body as a whole, not just as it relates to labor. Instead of teaching you new techniques that have been created, you will learn what has always been true, along with the latest evidence & research about pregnant anatomy & pain science.
This course can be used as a stand-alone way to prepare for childbirth, or it can compliment your choice of method.
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This course is taught by Dr. Caitlin Deems, a physical therapist, certified athletic trainer, & mother of two. After the birth of her first child she began a formal education in obstetric physical therapy before opening a private practice—Mom Bodies PT—where she continues to treat pregnant & postpartum women. She also has experience in pediatric & orthopedic PT. She is currently completing her CAPP-OB certification. She has also been trained in Spinning Babies (r) techniques.
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The information in this course is primarily based on the scientific study of human anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, & pain science. While Dr. Deems is not a certified Spinning Babies (r) childbirth educator, she is trained in these techniques & utilizes this knowledge in the course. She also draws heavily on the writing & teaching of Dr. Grantly Dick-Read, an English OBGYN who coined the phrase “natural childbirth.” Dr. Dick-Read went on to influence the practice of Hypnobirthing. However, Dr. Deems has not taken formal childbirth courses, such as Hypnobirthing, Lamaze, or Bradley.
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No. While those seeking to manage the discomfort of labor without intervention or medication will benefit from extra education and preparation, this course will also assist those who plan on receiving an epidural, or even a cesarean. This course addresses pregnancy discomfort & postpartum recovery, as well as childbirth.
It is also prudent to be aware of natural pain management techniques in the event that you may not be able to receive an epidural for some reason.
The modules on body balancing & fetal positioning are helpful for preparing your body to labor efficiently, whether or not you plan to use of pain medication or intervention.
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The Natural Childbirth Prep course is a self-paced virtual course. You can take this course in as little or as much time as you wish, though it is recommended to complete this course (as well as the other Mom Bodies courses) prior to your third trimester.
You will have access to each successive module once you have finished the current one. You will be able to return to previous modules for review for 9 months from the time you begin the course.
While this course is not live, you may communicate with Dr. Deems via email or direct message on social media at any time.
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Awesome! You are making a very important investment in your health & the health of your baby.
Because this course provides instruction on movement & exercise during pregnancy, it is best taken prior to or at the beginning of pregnancy. However, it should at least be taken prior to the third trimester in order to implement the principles & benefit from the information.
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Each Mom Bodies course can be purchased for $197. This includes hours of professional clinical advice, access to the course for 9 months, and a handbook with pertinent information & opportunities to apply the principles to your unique situation.
This price is slightly more than a one-on-one initial assessment with Dr. Deems.
The Motherhood Bundle includes the Natural Childbirth Prep Course & the Natural Postpartum Healing Course. This bundle can be purchased for $335 (15% discount).
The Mom Bodies Course Bundle includes all three courses—The Natural Childbirth Prep Course, The Natural Postpartum Healing Course, and The Natural Baby Development Course—can be purchased for $479 (20% discount).
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No. While this course is beneficial to first-time mothers who have not experienced childbirth, the information will also benefit mothers who have given birth before & are seeking a more peaceful & less painful childbirth experience this time around.
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Both! This course offers ample resources to help you manage labor pain & improve the efficiently of your labor, it will also give you the knowledge you need to have a more comfortable pregnancy. All of this information will set your body up for a more complete postpartum recovery, as well.
Sample Curriculum
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Knowing how the uterus works shouldn’t be privileged information. In this module you will learn how this organ functions and changes, as well as why it can cause discomfort. You will also learn about how your pelvis should move and identify abnormalities in your own body. You will learn what your “core” actually is and the role it plays in pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery.
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Posture. Breathing. Deep Core. Pelvic Floor. Flexibility. Strengthening. These activities can help you both feel better during your pregnancy AND help you labor more efficiently and comfortably. This module applies what you learned in Your New Anatomy.
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Here you will find everything you need to know about exercising safely during pregnancy, as well as what to strengthen in order to prepare for labor!
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This module is worth its weight in gold. Fetal positioning refers to where your baby is and how they move in your womb. If you want a boring labor (which is the really the goal, isn’t it?) your baby needs to be in the right place at the right time. This module includes activities to perform during pregnancy, as well as during labor if needed. You will learn how to balance your body and trouble shoot fetal positioning issues to set you and your baby up for a boring labor.
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If the last module was worth its weight in gold, this module is priceless. The mind and body are intimately connected. There is a little truth to “mind over matter” but that mentality alone is quite toxic. This implies that you may not have the mental strength to overcome your fear. In fact, there is plenty you can do even in the midst of fear. Just as your mind can calm your body, your body can also calm your mind. You will learn and apply some basic pain science principles so that fear can be replaced with peace.
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There is nothing wrong with a “long” labor if there are no medical concerns for you and your baby. However, there are times when your baby needs a little help descending and rotating. This module walks you through where they may be “stuck” and how to get them “unstuck” in order to help labor progress.
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They are not always bad! The best way to birth your baby is to birth your baby. Here are some facts about medical interventions and when they may be warranted.
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In this module you will learn the basic principles of a healthy postpartum recovery.
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You will be given a PDF handbook to go along with the course that outlines the basics of each module and allows you to make notes of your personal status as it relates to the information given.
I understand most of this info will be new. So each module will include a review, personal reflections and action steps as applicable.
As always, I am a DM or email away. As your instructor I look forward to your questions. (The clinical information in this course does not replace medical advice or instruction.)