Classes for the Childbearing Year

I am a huge believer in the transformative potential of birth. How you experience giving birth matters. It sets the stage for your postpartum recovery (physical and mental), your ability to bond with your baby, your breastfeeding relationship, and your confidence as a parent and as a person.
The US spends more money on birth than any other country in the world and yet ranks the worst of all developed nations for maternal health and infant mortality. How could this be true?
Birth works, most of the time. If it didn't, we wouldn't be here! There are physiological processes in place to facilitate labor and birth, and if we don't interfere with those processes, birth unfolds naturally, just as it should, most of the time. If we do interfere, the physiological process is interrupted, and labor can become more complicated and more difficult.
Childbirth education is about giving you the information you need so that you can make the decisions that will lead you towards a safe and empowering birth experience. What type of provider is right for you? Where should you give birth? How safe is birth, really? What can you do to support your changing body and growing baby? And once baby is here, what about breastfeeding? Postpartum recovery and support? Caring for a fussy baby?
The US spends more money on birth than any other country in the world and yet ranks the worst of all developed nations for maternal health and infant mortality. How could this be true?
Birth works, most of the time. If it didn't, we wouldn't be here! There are physiological processes in place to facilitate labor and birth, and if we don't interfere with those processes, birth unfolds naturally, just as it should, most of the time. If we do interfere, the physiological process is interrupted, and labor can become more complicated and more difficult.
Childbirth education is about giving you the information you need so that you can make the decisions that will lead you towards a safe and empowering birth experience. What type of provider is right for you? Where should you give birth? How safe is birth, really? What can you do to support your changing body and growing baby? And once baby is here, what about breastfeeding? Postpartum recovery and support? Caring for a fussy baby?
Natural Childbirth Preparation Weekend Intensive
This comprehensive two part series is designed for folks planning a low-intervention, natural childbirth in a hospital, birth center, or home setting. Taught by a midwife, this fun class covers:
Upcoming classes
Please note that I plan a backup class date in case of sickness or getting called to a birth. I rarely need to reschedule a class, but if I do, it will be on the backup class day listed.
September 16th and 17th 2023 10am-3pm (backup class September 30th)
November 11th and 12th 2023 10am-3pm (backup class November 18th)
January 13th and 14th 2024 10am-3pm (backup class January 20th)
1130 Liberty St SE Ste 250 Salem, Oregon
$250 per couple
Sliding scale for folks with OHP or financial hardship - email for more info.
Preregistration is required - email jenhollandwellness@gmail.com with questions, or use the button below to register.
This comprehensive two part series is designed for folks planning a low-intervention, natural childbirth in a hospital, birth center, or home setting. Taught by a midwife, this fun class covers:
- The physiology of pregnancy and birth
- Labor support tools and techniques
- Choices and procedures in birth
- Setting yourself up for a healthy postpartum period
- Breastfeeding
- Newborn care and things to consider
Upcoming classes
Please note that I plan a backup class date in case of sickness or getting called to a birth. I rarely need to reschedule a class, but if I do, it will be on the backup class day listed.
September 16th and 17th 2023 10am-3pm (backup class September 30th)
November 11th and 12th 2023 10am-3pm (backup class November 18th)
January 13th and 14th 2024 10am-3pm (backup class January 20th)
1130 Liberty St SE Ste 250 Salem, Oregon
$250 per couple
Sliding scale for folks with OHP or financial hardship - email for more info.
Preregistration is required - email jenhollandwellness@gmail.com with questions, or use the button below to register.
Preparing for Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond
This rotating class series takes place on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, from 6-7:30pm in person in Salem, OR. Each class is a different topic. Please note the topics on the calendar below, and register for each topic you're interested in.
The cost of each class is $25 (per couple when partners are welcome). Sliding scale offered for financial need, just ask!
9/12/23 - Pelvic Floor Wellness for Everyone - Dr Molly Weinbender DPT, WCS
You've heard you should be "doing your kegels", but can there really be a one size fits all exercise for pelvic floor health? Whether you have never had a baby, you are currently pregnant, or you are 3 weeks or 3 (or 30!) years postpartum, this class is for you! Learn about pelvic anatomy and some things you can do at home to optimize your pelvic health.
9/26/23 Planning for Postpartum – Jen Holland CPM, LDM
Baby is here... now what?? Learn from a midwife about what the fourth trimester is all about and how to best plan for this time. We will discuss physical and emotional recovery, breastfeeding, postpartum depression and anxiety, local support resources, and more.
Partners are encouraged to attend this class!
10/10/23 Breastfeeding Basics – Margy Porter CPM, LDM, IBCLC
Taught by an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant and homebirth midwife, this breastfeeding primer will cover the basics: skin-to-skin contact, baby-led breastfeeding, latch, frequency and duration, positions, trouble-shooting, bodywork/infant massage, resources, and more.
Partners are encouraged to attend this class!
10/24/23 Babywearing 101 - Lennon Clark CPM, LDM
Learn how to use a wrap carrier to carry your baby from birth through toddlerhood. Taught by a mama with 18 years of babywearing experience! Bring your sweet baby for hands on help, or come while you're still pregnant to get some tips.
Partners are encouraged to attend this class!
11/14/23 Advice for Partners - Michael Zinkowski MAT, MFA
Every mother-to-be will experience pregnancy differently, and so will every partner. You play a pivotal role and should be just as informed and equipped to do so. In this class, we will focus our attention particularly on how partners can be knowledgeable, supportive, and present throughout pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. If you are looking to discuss and brainstorm real ways you can support your person, this is the class for you.
This class is for partners only!
11/28/23 Physiology of Labor and Birth - Jen Holland CPM, LDM
Learn about the physiological process of birth. What is actually happening in the body during labor? How are hormones guiding the process, and how can you support that? This class will help you visualize the labor and birth process so that you can work with your baby as they are working to be born. This class is a MUST for folks who are hoping for an empowering, low-intervention birth.
Partners are encouraged to attend this class!
12/12/23 Labor Support - Jen Holland CPM, LDM
Build your labor support tool kit in this class. We will practice hands-on support techniques, relaxation and labor positions, techniques for getting through the hard parts, and more. This class follows up on the info covered in Physiology of Labor and Birth.
Partners are encouraged to attend this class!
12/26/23 Holiday break
This rotating class series takes place on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month, from 6-7:30pm in person in Salem, OR. Each class is a different topic. Please note the topics on the calendar below, and register for each topic you're interested in.
The cost of each class is $25 (per couple when partners are welcome). Sliding scale offered for financial need, just ask!
9/12/23 - Pelvic Floor Wellness for Everyone - Dr Molly Weinbender DPT, WCS
You've heard you should be "doing your kegels", but can there really be a one size fits all exercise for pelvic floor health? Whether you have never had a baby, you are currently pregnant, or you are 3 weeks or 3 (or 30!) years postpartum, this class is for you! Learn about pelvic anatomy and some things you can do at home to optimize your pelvic health.
9/26/23 Planning for Postpartum – Jen Holland CPM, LDM
Baby is here... now what?? Learn from a midwife about what the fourth trimester is all about and how to best plan for this time. We will discuss physical and emotional recovery, breastfeeding, postpartum depression and anxiety, local support resources, and more.
Partners are encouraged to attend this class!
10/10/23 Breastfeeding Basics – Margy Porter CPM, LDM, IBCLC
Taught by an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant and homebirth midwife, this breastfeeding primer will cover the basics: skin-to-skin contact, baby-led breastfeeding, latch, frequency and duration, positions, trouble-shooting, bodywork/infant massage, resources, and more.
Partners are encouraged to attend this class!
10/24/23 Babywearing 101 - Lennon Clark CPM, LDM
Learn how to use a wrap carrier to carry your baby from birth through toddlerhood. Taught by a mama with 18 years of babywearing experience! Bring your sweet baby for hands on help, or come while you're still pregnant to get some tips.
Partners are encouraged to attend this class!
11/14/23 Advice for Partners - Michael Zinkowski MAT, MFA
Every mother-to-be will experience pregnancy differently, and so will every partner. You play a pivotal role and should be just as informed and equipped to do so. In this class, we will focus our attention particularly on how partners can be knowledgeable, supportive, and present throughout pregnancy, labor, and postpartum. If you are looking to discuss and brainstorm real ways you can support your person, this is the class for you.
This class is for partners only!
11/28/23 Physiology of Labor and Birth - Jen Holland CPM, LDM
Learn about the physiological process of birth. What is actually happening in the body during labor? How are hormones guiding the process, and how can you support that? This class will help you visualize the labor and birth process so that you can work with your baby as they are working to be born. This class is a MUST for folks who are hoping for an empowering, low-intervention birth.
Partners are encouraged to attend this class!
12/12/23 Labor Support - Jen Holland CPM, LDM
Build your labor support tool kit in this class. We will practice hands-on support techniques, relaxation and labor positions, techniques for getting through the hard parts, and more. This class follows up on the info covered in Physiology of Labor and Birth.
Partners are encouraged to attend this class!
12/26/23 Holiday break