Participating Partner Bundle

Having a supportive birth team can create confidence as you head into labor and birth. Knowing your team has an array of coping skills and an understanding of what birth looks like and ways to support you can lead to a more satisfying birth experience.

In these two workshops, partners learn essential tools for reducing stress and discomfort during labor so that you can focus on the all-important task of birthing your baby!

This bundle includes:

Childbirth Education (Note: Choose between Childbirth Express and Childbirth Preparation below)!
Massage Techniques for Pregnancy & Birth

Childbirth Education

Upcoming Dates (Childbirth Education Express): March 22 | June 7

Upcoming Dates (Childbirth Education Preparation): February 21 | March 28 | May 2

Our Childbirth Education course is available in two formats:

Childbirth Express (3 hours): This express childbirth class provides a clear overview of the birthing process. You’ll learn how to recognize the signs that your body is preparing for labor, how to know when you’re actually in labor, understand the stages and phases of labor, and know when it’s time to go to the hospital.
Childbirth Preparation (6 hours): In this course, you’ll gain a clear understanding of childbirth: when to go to the hospital, what to expect in each phase and stage of labor, and how to navigate common medical interventions with knowledge and confidence. You’ll also learn how to ask the right questions to ensure your care aligns with your values and preferences.

Massage Techniques for Pregnancy & Birth

Upcoming Dates: March 1 | April 19 | May 31

For parents-to-be who love massage, Massage Techniques for Pregnancy & Birth is for you! Knowing how to touch your partner before, during, and after birth will help you feel more connected as a couple and help them feel more grounded and comforted throughout the birth process. When pregnant and birthing people feel supported and held by their partners it helps them know they can relax, let go and handle the work of birth.

In this 90 minute online class couples will:

Learn a variety of massage techniques and acupressure points to use during labor to bring comfort, both during and between contractions.
Understand the fundamental principles of skillful touch so partners have the tools they need to succeed in providing the touch you want and need.
Receive time devoted to practicing with your partner to help you both feel more connected to each other and support you in giving birth.
Receive guidance from a seasoned practitioner and birth doula with over 25 years of experience.
Leave feeling more confident about using touch to comfort and support your partner.

Details (including times) are available on each individual workshop’s page. Please note our cancellation policies here.

Option 1: Includes Childbirth Express

$440 PER TWO ATTENDEES

IN STUDIO

Option 2: Includes Childbirth Preparation

$540 PER TWO ATTENDEES

IN STUDIO

MEET THE INSTRUCTORS

Please note: Many of our instructors are active birth workers and therefore subject to change. In the event your scheduled teacher is called in to a birth, a substitute will be sent in their place.

Janet Bogardus

Coming from a dance background, Janet has always been interested in movement. After giving birth to her daughters, she found the experiences profound and decided to deepen her understanding of birth by becoming a certified childbirth educator. From 2006 – 2020, Janet was on faculty at Mt. Sinai West (formerly Roosevelt Hospital) and currently teaches online childbirth education, comfort measures, and lactation classes for Mt. Sinai in NYC.

Janet has been a labor support doula since 2008 and earned her lactation counselor credential in 2014. She co-founded NYC Birth and Baby with Danielle Jackson and has helped thousands of families in the metropolitan area. A longtime yogi, Janet is also certified in prenatal yoga and previously taught at the Prenatal Yoga Center! Recently, Janet has been consulting with Maven, an online healthcare platform, assisting families nationwide.

When Janet isn’t helping people welcome babies into their lives, she enjoys hiking, dancing, writing, and spending time with her actor husband and children. Learn more about Janet here!

Robin Douthit

Robin is a seasoned birth doula, Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, Body Ready Birth Pro® and Lactation Counselor with over 20 years of experience.

After experiencing two very different births, she became passionate about empowering women with knowledge and tools for a confident, informed birth. She teaches childbirth education, breastfeeding, and newborn care at NYU Langone, Birth Day Presence/Boober, and privately.

Robin has served as President of Lamaze International and is currently the Program Director for NYC Lamaze. A graduate of Adelphi University and NYU, she lives in Manhattan and is dedicated to helping women trust their bodies during pregnancy and childbirth.

Yiska Obadia

is a passionate teacher and healing arts practitioner, with over 25 years of experience as a massage therapist, acupuncturist and birth doula. Yiska created Massage Techniques for Pregnancy & Birth to teach doulas and parents-to-be how to skillfully provide hands-on support for birthing people, through her workshops and digital guidebook. Most recently she added Comforting Touch for Babies and Havening Techniques to her repertoire. Yiska is based in NYC. Find more info at yiskaobadia.com.

Please Note: Yiska is a working doula. In the event that she gets called to a birth during the scheduled workshop, she will send a teacher in her place.

Listen to our podcast episode with Yiska: Comfort for Birth