Certified doula Sohia Cannonier caters to expectant mothers and couples specifically looking at natural childbirth options.

She teaches a six-week foundation class entitled Better Birth “A”. It runs every 6 weeks on a Tuesday evening from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at a very peaceful location in Devonshire called Spirit House.

Ms Cannonier can accommodate up to ten couples in her classes. She said the small number results in a group bonding experience for the expectant parents. “As the Island’s most active doula, I am present for at least two births per month,” she said. “I share birth stories with the couples in the class and we have open discussions about their fears and their hopes surrounding their births.

“We watch thought provoking natural birth, water birth, women squatting to give birth and many other videos. Parents always leave the class inspired and asking how can we change the way we birth in Bermuda,” she added. She said her classes are different because they focus on “how women can be more in control of their own birth experience even though their only real choice for birth location is the hospital”. She said parents should take special care in choosing courses. “Classes taught in and by an institution can’t help but send a message ‘You are on are turf now. Listen, and we’ll tell you how we’ll deliver your baby when you come here’,” she said.

“It’s understandable that teachers will be familiar with, support and even defend the policies and procedures of the institution that hired them,” she continued.

“The indirect hypnotic message sent by both the ambience and content in an institutional classroom suggests what your role in birth is likely to be i.e., that of a passive patient.” Ms Cannonier’s next series of classes begin on April 3 and then again on May 15. The cost for the six-week programme is $350 and includes materials and nourishing refreshments at each class.

Fathers are asked to attend the first two and the last class of the series.

A continuation series Better Birth “B” is also available for new mothers. For more information, or to register call 236 0336.