Maternal Wellness Center
Pregnancy Support Services & Childbirth Education in the Philadelphia Area

BEST OF PHILLY: Place to Meet New Moms, 2006

The Maternal Wellness Center is a non-profit charitable organization whose mission is to support, educate, and empower women and families during the transition to parenthood. From pre-conception through the early child rearing years the center provides a variety of services to help women and families discover and follow their intuition in making healthy decisions. All of the money we generate from the sales of our products and services is put back into programs to ensure all of our resources are available to families in financial need."

Pregnancy and postpartum classes and workshops available at the Maternal Wellness Center include:

Holistic Childbirth Education Classes

• Birthworks — (Eight weeks) The knowledge of how to give birth exists within every woman, yet in today's society birth has become a medical, technological event. Learn how to trust your body to open to your baby in a safe, supportive atmosphere. We will cover lots of material including medical interventions, birth plans, nutrition, non-medical pain relief, how to avoid a C-section, and breastfeeding. We will examine beliefs and feelings about birth and plan for the post-partum period. Exercises will include pelvic bodywork, relaxation, meditation, and visualization. Workbook will be provided. (For pregnant women and their birth companions.) Contact Kathleen Furin, MSW, CCE

• Birthing Again

• Hypnobirthing

• Birthing From Within

• The Bradley Method

• Survivors of Sexual Abuse — Women with a history of sexual abuse can have special needs during pregnancy, labor, and post-partum. A positive birth experience can be a very healing, empowering event for women who are survivors; a negative birth experience can be traumatizing. We carry our histories with us into our labors. This class is designed to support women in making the most of their strengths as survivors and minimizing any damaging or traumatic effects of the abuse. In addition to the material we cover in Birthworks general classes we will discuss how to choose a careprovider who is sensitive and skilled, whether/how to disclose your history, "triggers" during pre-natal care and birth and how to cope with them, and adjustment in the post-partum period. We will work together to design individualized birth plans and to create the safest possible environment in which to experience birth. As in general Birthworks classes exercises will include meditation, visualization, birth art, and journaling. Most classes will be for women only; partners will be invited to attend the appropriate classes.

• Training for Professionals

Prenatal/Postpartum Services

• Midwifery Services

• Belly Casting

• Pregnancy and Family Photography

• Yoga

• Massage

• Full-Day Retreats for Pregnant Women

• Acupuncture

• Infant CPR

• Infant Massage

Counseling and Workshops

• Nutrition Workshops

• Baby Carrying and Cloth Diapering Workshops

• New Mothers Groups — (Eight sessions) Becoming a mother can be one of the most emotionally, physically, and psychologically intense periods in a woman's life. Join other new mothers in sharing and processing the many experiences of this time. Group leaders, trained social workers, and mothers will provide support, insight, and timely resources. Contact Kelly Lauer, LCSW, or Kathleen Furin, MSW, CCE

• Individual Psychotherapy — Individual sessions are available to help women or their partners manage the transformative process of becoming parents. Through support and exploration of feelings and social context, individuals are often better prepared for birth and parenthood. Sessions are also available for individuals coping with infertility, pregnancy loss, or birth of a special needs child. Contact Kelly Lauer, LCSW

• Couples Counseling — Exploration of each individual's expectations and beliefs about pregnancy, birth, and parenthood can help couples cope with the immense changes of parenthood. With the support of the therapist, couples can often find better ways to work together and understand one another's perspectives. Contact Kelly Lauer, LCSW

• Support Groups
  

We also offer childbirth education classes for women who are survivors of sexual abuse. financial assistance is available for those who may need it.

For class schedules or more information, please contact:

Maternal Wellness Center
606 Carpenter Lane
Philadelphia, PA 19119

PHONE: 215-713-2666
EMAIL: Kathleen Furin
WEBSITE: www.maternalwellness.org