[mamabtt]

I am 33wks along and planning a homebirth. My midwife has sibling preparation classes (I don't think she teaches them herself). Does anyone have experience with this type of class? What was it like? How did your children respond? So far my 3 yo is very excited about the birth and helping out at the birth. To be honest, I am afraid that something about the class will scare him or change his mind about the birth or baby. He is *very* sensitive.

Please share

 

[indiegirl]

I took photos for Mothering of a Penny Simkin class (she is the uber birth-prep class instructor) in Seattle and it was so great! It was for three/four year olds and they did a bit of talking, Penny had a birthing doll that she used. The doll was not anatomically correct but it had all the female bits. Penny mimicked birthing sounds near the end of the doll's labor and she talked about what the mama would be doing with her body. The baby came out (another doll) and it had an umbilical cord, placenta, etc. Then there was a real newborn for the kids to see and hold. It was so relaxed and fun for the kids. I want to take my dd later this summer.

Jesse