"My husband and I have both recommended this class so many times, it was really great for us. We learned exactly what to expect, to the point where I was completely calm when I went into labor. We were both calm the whole time, actually, and we knew exactly what to do. I wanted to labor at home as long as possible, and because we had all the great information from class, I was only at the hospital for two hours before our son was born. Some of my friends who took other classes have told me that they didn’t understand what the doctor was telling them during their birth, so they just let everything happen. In Jessica’s class, we learned all of the terminology, questions to ask, and all of our options. Sometimes in the hospital, they present just one option, and they don’t make it sound like there’s a choice. We knew we had choices! I loved the environment of the class, it was really comfortable, like a bunch of friends, communicating and sharing so we could all learn together. A lot of us are still friends now, too. Jessica is so positive and empowering, she really made us all believe that we could do this. Some people feel like they don’t have time for the class or that they don’t want to invest the money, but I think you really can’t put a price on having a great birth experience. It’s so worth your time and the cost of the class."

"Even as a science teacher, I learned so much in Jessica’s class, not just about emotions and pain management, but also about the physiology of birth. It was a great opportunity for my husband and I to get on the same page, and to learn and practice things together. It sparked a lot of conversation for us! The community aspect of the class was also wonderful. It was great to form relationships with the other families, and we’re still in touch and getting together with our babies. When I went into labor, I felt really prepared but I also felt ready to let my plans go and just experience the birth. That was really freeing. I like to have a plan, but I also knew that we were ready, no matter how things went, and that it would be OK. I really appreciated the format of the class — there’s information, time to practice, time to talk with other families, and time to talk just the two of us. At the end of every class, it was like, “Are we done already? That went by fast.” Jessica does a great job of pacing things, which is really important for someone who’s pregnant, tired and uncomfortable staying too long in one position. She is also great at giving information in a non-judgmental way — very objective, with lots of different possibilities and choices, without making anyone feel like there’s only one right way. We tell all of our friends that this class is worth every penny."

"My husband and I both had coworkers who told us about the class when we shared that we wanted more of a natural birthing experience. We got so much information during those eight weeks, which helped us make informed, conscientious decisions in our birth. The class also really helped me find my voice. Jessica creates a very laid back, safe environment. Kevin and I believe in putting out the energy that you want to come back to you, so it was great to be in class every week, to be around like-minded families, and to have that weekly reminder that I could do this, that I was made to do this. With my doula’s help, Kevin, and the information we learned in class, we feel great about our birth experience. I still get together with a few of the other moms from class, and we share tips and talk about parenting. I feel like I have a village now."

"I am so grateful to have found Birth Kalamazoo! The birthing class with Jessica and the support of our birth doula Teresa were two huge reasons that the birth of our little boy was such a beautiful experience. The class was great because it challenged us to think critically about what we wanted our birth experience to be like and helped us to think through different aspects of birth that we hadn't even considered before. We went into birth feeling confident, with the knowledge and support we needed to deal with anything that came our way. The additional support Teresa provided as a postpartum doula was amazing, her guidance and care as we navigated the first few crazy weeks of parenting was invaluable, and we can’t wait to see her again when our next child comes."

"I knew I wanted a natural hospital birth, and that I would need a really in-depth class. My husband wasn’t too sure when I first told him about it, but once we started going to Jessica’s class, he loved it as much as I did. As a researcher and educator myself, I liked that it was spread out over eight weeks so that we could learn, digest the information, and come back and learn some more. We never felt overwhelmed. I really appreciated that we practiced so many comfort techniques, and my husband learned exactly how he could participate during the pregnancy and our birth. I think that helped him jump right into take care of Luellen after she was born too, because he was already used to taking care of us both. The class just made a world of difference for us, and I don’t think our birth would have gone so smoothly if we hadn’t taken it. We learned so many things, and it also got me into a positive, focused mindset, which develops over time — not just one Saturday and done. I think people underestimate how important birth is. It isn’t just about that one day, it’s the start of parenting and it impacts us for a lot of years to come. It’s the foundation of becoming a family. I tell every pregnant woman I meet to get in touch with Jessica English, and that they need to take this class."

"At our very first meeting, my midwife told me that we needed to take this class. A lot of the things we learned were familiar to me, but Ronni was hearing most of it for the first time. The class opened up so many conversations between us so we could make sure we were on the same page with everything. We learned a lot about what to expect during labor, how to prepare, and lots of different ways to manage the intensity of birth. Everything was interactive and hands on. When I went into labor, we knew what to expect and when I asked Ronni to do something he was able to jump right in and do it, because we had learned and practiced. When I was having a hard time during transition, he was even able to tell me some affirmations, and that gave me the strength to keep going. If you’re having a hospital birth, you need this class to know how to advocate, and if you’re having a home birth, you need the class because you just have to have every tool available to manage without medication. Jessica is fantastic and Birth Kalamazoo is such a great organization. This class is a must before you give birth."

“I initially wanted a home birth, so when we decided on a hospital birth instead, I really wanted a great class to help us both prepare. My husband wondered before we started if it was going to be a bunch of hippy dippy voodoo magic, but we were both so happy that it turned out to be all solid, valuable information to help us prepare for our birth. We both enjoyed it so much, and it was really fun and interactive, but not in a weird way. When things got a little crazy and my birth plan went out the window, thanks to Jessica’s class we both knew exactly how to get the information we needed to figure out our options and make choices. And when I couldn’t make choices, Jason was totally ready to step in ask all the right questions. He and my doula gave me amazing support. I tell everyone they should take this class! You get so much great information, more than you ever thought, and it’s current and actually relevant to our local birth culture.”

"We really enjoyed the community aspect of Birth Kalamazoo’s class. I didn’t have any friends who were pregnant at the same time, so it was really nice to be around other families going through the same thing. All of these other families had similar questions and experiences, and there was a lot of camaraderie and excitement. The class was absolutely worth the time and money you’re putting into it. All of our partners were really included in the process, and it was really great for Matt to get the information from someone other than me, and to connect with the other partners too. You can get overwhelmed with so many places to go for information about birth, so it was a nice way to condense the information into once a week, two and a half hours. The time goes by quickly — some nights it felt like the blink of an eye — and it was really nice to leave each class and then talk about everything together afterward. It definitely brought up things that we wouldn’t have ever discussed without the class. The class was also fun, Jessica was never stuffy or unrealistic, and she brought some humor into our discussions. Our birth was pretty textbook, but we also felt prepared for other possibilities, if anything had gone different than we’d hoped. We knew how to make decisions and that it would be OK, whatever happened.” 

“We have friends who have taken the hospital classes, and they don’t know even 25% of what Travis and I learned in Birth Kalamazoo’s class. We had such a great natural hospital birth, and Travis was such an amazing support person through the whole thing — all 36 hours. He was able to step in and help me through when I was doubting and feeling weak. The level of support he was able to offer would not have happened without the time we spent in class. We both talk about Jessica’s class to every pregnant couple we know or meet. I just want them to understand the amount of preparedness they’re going to get in taking this course. Birth changes your life, and this class will change your life. I felt so good and so prepared going into my birth, it took away so much anxiety. I also think the hospital staff took us much more seriously because we knew what we were talking about. I just loved the class, it was invaluable.”