What a blessed and educational time we all had at the Charis “Labor Support” Workshop!   The ladies who attended can't wait to put into practice all that they learned!  Birth professionals, students and others gathered at Charis childbirth in North Port, Florida, improving their abilities to support laboring women with excellence. The day was filled with interactive, hands-on, fun, and interesting activities taught from a Christian perspective, giving God the glory for His marvelous creation and how He so wonderfully created women to bear children.

We made new friends and became more skilled in knowing how and when to use many techniques to bring a woman comfort during each phase of labor, understanding the science behind why the comfort measures work, creating an environment conducive to the natural progression of labor, recognizing when a woman is beginning to panic and helping her regain control, gently encouraging a woman to effectively push out her baby while taking advantage of the natural physiology of second stage, assisting a woman in breastfeeding for the very first time, and so much more.

In addition to the valuable skills acquired at the workshop, we also took home a beautiful “labor support bag” filled with an assortment of tools to help successfully support, serve, and bring comfort to future clients as they labor.

Our director, Kristin Schuchmann, opening the workshop.

learning Rebozo techniques

deep shoulder press

What we learned today really brought to life what I've been studying in my Charis course. Some of the most memorable things were learning and practicing massage and comfort measures for labor. Kristin Schuchmann is so sweet and such an amazing teacher . This workshop was absolutely wonderful and I learned sooooo much! ~ Brooke Boisvert, Charis Doula, LC student

Brooke and Madeline

 

Such a great experience to gather with other birth professionals and learn more about helping a mamma in labor. I love Rebozo techniques and what to do to adapt in the hospital setting. Pressure points are easy to use in every stage, too! ~ Andrea Kuntz, LifeSong midwife assistant & administrative assistant

 

I was impressed by how thorough and informative Kristin was during the Labor Support Workshop. Being a first-time father I am grateful to learn how I can support Andrea with the birth of our child. I am confident that I can apply what I learned in this class to fully support and help her through labor and birth. ~ James Knurek, Daddy to-be

James and Andrea

First, it was a pleasure to meet and converse with Kristin Schuchmann and all those who attended the workshop. It was great to learn with them and from them. Kristin is a great teacher! She mixed stories and experiences that helped me visualize what she taught! I look forward to applying the labor support techniques I learned and practiced here. ~ Alyssa Willis, Charis midwifery student

Jenna Gilleland and Alyssa Willis

Enjoying lunch and company as we got to know each other better during our midday break.

This workshop was well organized and the content very applicable. It was filled with great information for doulas and childbirth educators. The rebozo information was great. Good practice for comfort measures. ~ Deb Fuentes, CPM, LM, LifeSong midwife

Danielle Revette and Deb Fuentes
Can you find the acupressure points?
Experiencing the benefits of pressure  to various points in the body,
learning how it can positively assist labor and birth.

Enjoying our activities.

I especially enjoyed learning about the various comfort measures and how they can significantly reduce pain during labor. It was interesting to learn more about the Gate Theory. Amazing how a firm and loving touch, massage or pressure can counter the intensity of labor pains. God's design is so amazing! Learning to use the rebozo was great. I truly enjoyed this workshop! ~ Tamara Bernal, Charis CE, Doula, LC student

Tamara Bernal and Jenna Gilleland

Practicing the Gate Theory
We were each a part of the process: sensory fibers, receptors,
electrochemical impulses,  instinctive and rational responses and stimulus passing between us.

From the workshop my interest was very peaked when Kristin spoke about women who have pendulous uteruses. I very much related to that from my own recent pregnancy. The rebozo explanations and demonstrations were very useful and enjoyable to learn about. I find it amazing that something so simple can aid in the laboring process so profoundly. Remembering the demonstrations makes me excited to serve women and their families, and of course their new babies! ~ La Sondra Smith (and baby Samantha), Charis Doula, LC student

Everything taught and discussed during this workshop will be very helpful and useful assisting families during labor and birth. I especially value the education about acupressure and rebozo. Everyone at the workshop was so nice and so much fun to be with! ~ Jenna Gilleland, Charis midwifery student

Jenna Gilleland and Alyssa Willis

This workshop was wonderful in many ways. Not only did we learn several comfort measures to help laboring mammas, we also learned the reasons these comfort measures work. I am looking forward to using this information to better serve mothers and families in the future. ~ Madeline French, Charis CE, Doula, LC student

Brooke Boisvert and Madeline French enjoying hand massages

Kristin demonstrated many uses for the Rebozo.

I loved everything about the workshop. Knowing how labor works and ways to help bring comfort and relief to a mother during labor is great, but being able to see and practice the different techniques and positions was very helpful! I feel like I learned a lot and look forward to serving mothers. Thank you so much for the incredible information that was taught! ~ Makayla Hunt, Charis CE, Doula, LC student

Mary Spicher and Makayla Hunt

practicing effective hip squeezes

During this workshop I learned techniques for helping a mamma be more comfortable during labor and ways to use the rebozo. I feel even more excited to assist women in labor with excellence. I heard a lot of  the same things I've heard before but never heard them explained so well! ~ Mary Spicher, Charis CE, Doula, LC student

The parts of the workshop that were valuable to me were:  1 - Pressure Points  2 - Massage  3 - Places to touch and places to avoid touching and why and  4 - Pain Relief Methods ~ Danielle Revette, LifeSong midwife assistant