Gentle Care Birth Services

We offer two childbirth courses. They both focus on natural childbirth without pain medication.

Bradley 12-Week Childbirth Class   (This option is not currently being offered.)

Gentle Care Birth Services teaches The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth. We teach this because it works. Based on statistics from real couples in real Bradley classes nationwide, nearly 90% of couples who attend a full course of Bradley classes have a natural birth. This is the highest rate of natural births compared to any other childbirth method. This class focuses on techniques for natural childbirth without pain medication. However, if you are planning on an epidural, this class is very effective as well as you can use the techniques to keep you comfortable until you are ready for your epidural. Bradley is a thorough childbirth course, and you and your husband will feel confidently prepared when you have completed the 12-week course. We meet weekly for 2 hours for 12 weeks.  This option is only available if at least 5 couples sign up for the course.

In the Bradley course, the partner is referred to as a husband. However, your birth partner may look different for you. It may be a significant other, a mother, a sister, a friend, or none at all. If you do not have a birth partner, please do not be offended at the emphasis we place on training the coach. You are very welcome in this class! Being in this class will give you the knowledge and confidence to birth how you want to, regardless of if your partner is able to be with you during labor.

Private 4-Week Natural Childbirth Class

This is a one-on-one, four class childbirth education course. Each class is two hours. This is ideal if your schedule does not allow you to take a full Bradley course, but you still would like something more thorough and practical than a hospital childbirth class. This class focuses on techniques for natural childbirth without pain medication. However, if you are planning on an epidural, this class is very effective as well as you can use the techniques to keep you comfortable until you are ready for your epidural. This class teaches exercises, stretches, nutrition, relaxation techniques, comfort measures, labor practice, birth physiology, baby positioning and its importance in pregnancy and labor, birth plan preparation, and breastfeeding introduction. Private links will be given to watch birth related material each week and reading assignments will be given. This class can be taught in your home if you are under a 10-mile distance from the Ikea in Bolingbrook. Otherwise, this class can be arranged at a Bolingbrook location.