Our Prenatal

Program

Prepare for birth with a program designed to support you, your partner, and your growing family with confidence and clarity. Led by a Perinatal RN with real-world experience at Victoria General Hospital, this evidence-based, Lamaze-aligned series blends respectful, inclusive care with practical, hands-on learning.

You’ll gain the knowledge, skills, and reassurance you need for labour, birth, postpartum recovery, newborn care, and feeding—whether you’re planning a physiological birth or one with medical support. Throughout the program, you’ll learn how to stay calm, informed, and empowered, with guidance tailored to local maternity practices and an emphasis on reducing stress, worry, and fear.

Day 1 /Unit 1

NAVIGATING THE FINAL WEEKS:
Preparing for Labour

Day 2/Unit 2

LABOUR OF LOVE:
The Stages and Phases of Labour and Birth

Day 3/Unit 3

FROM BIRTH TO BONDING:

Postpartum Wellness, Newborn Care and Breastfeeding

Lesson 1: Your Birth Journey Begins

The history and principles of Lamaze and advocacy for informed birth
How the autonomic nervous system influences labour (fight/flight vs. rest/digest)
The effects of stress on labour progress
Preparing your mind for birth: confidence, mindfulness, and self-trust
Creating a calm, supportive birth environment

Lesson 2: Empowered Birth

Informed choice and shared decision-making with your maternity care providers
Birth preferences and creating a flexible birth plan
Giving birth at VGH: real experiences and making confident, informed choices
Induction of labour and understanding your options
The role of partners and support people during labour and birth

Lesson 3: The Final Stretch of Pregnancy

Key hormones of pregnancy and their role in labour
Common physical and emotional discomforts in late pregnancy
Building your healthcare support team
Understanding common medical challenges (preeclampsia, GDM, preterm labour, GBS, breech)
When to call your GP or midwife — and when to go to Labour & Delivery

Lesson 4: Getting Ready for Labour

What to expect in the final weeks and days before labour begins
Recognizing the signs of labour
Early labour: why it matters, how to support progress, and when to call your care provider

"Embrace the power of pre and early labor with Born to Birth prenatal classes. This captivating image showcases a woman finding comfort and strength on her hands and knees with a birthing ball—an essential tool in optimizing labor and birth. Recognizing the significance of these early stages, our evidence-based approach empowers mothers to navigate this crucial phase with confidence and grace. Join us to learn holistic techniques that promote a smooth and empowering birthing journey."

Lesson 5: Physiology of Labour

The stages of labour: early, active, transition, birth, placenta, and recovery
The 3 Rs of labour: relaxation, rhythm, and ritual
The WAVE breathing technique
When to call your GP or midwife — and when to go directly to Labour & Delivery
What to expect when arriving at the L&D unit
The purpose and benefits of pain in labour
Comfort strategies: creating your NEST, WAVE breathing, hydrotherapy, massage, TENS, and more
Pain relief options: nitrous oxide, opioids, and epidural — understanding benefits, risks, and choice
Movement in labour: positions for labour and birth, including use of the Birth Sling
Monitoring you and your baby during labour
Meeting your baby: what happens right after birth
Understanding perineal tears
Newborn assessment after birth

Lesson 6: Labour Challenges

Labour dystocia: the 5 Ps, common causes, and management options
Assisted vaginal birth: episiotomy, forceps, and vacuum — benefits and risks
Cesarean birth: when it’s recommended, what to expect, recovery, and early bonding

"Experience the serenity of childbirth with Born to Birth prenatal classes. In this image, witness a mother leaning forward on a hospital bed, calmly breathing through contractions. This gentle posture aids in positioning the baby for a stress-free and empowering birth experience. Our evidence-based approach equips mothers with the knowledge and techniques to embrace labor with confidence and grace. Join us to discover holistic methods for a harmonious journey into motherhood."

Lesson 7: Welcoming Your Baby

The 4th stage of labour: the Golden Hour, skin-to-skin contact, and early breastfeeding
Meeting your baby: normal appearance, reflexes, and breathing patterns
Postpartum unit care: recovery, assessments, and routine newborn tests and procedures

Lesson 8: Transitioning Home

Postpartum changes: physical healing, hormones, and mood shifts
Family adjustment and building a support system
Postpartum mental health: recognizing concerns and knowing when to seek help

Lesson 9: Essential Newborn Care

Reading baby cues: crying, cooing, body language, growth, and development
Safe sleep practices
Calming a fussy baby
Understanding the Period of Purple Crying
Baby wearing and supporting closeness
When to call your doctor versus when to go to the emergency room

Lesson 10: Feeding Your Newborn

Breastfeeding basics: latch, positioning, milk supply, and troubleshooting
Health benefits of breastfeeding for both parent and baby
Feeding as a responsive system: signal and response
Understanding supply and demand
Tips for achieving a deep, pain-free latch
Maintaining a sufficient milk supply
Common feeding challenges and how they’re managed
Alternate feeding options

"Unlock the beauty of breastfeeding with Born to Birth prenatal classes. This heartwarming image captures the essence of nurturing as a baby breastfeeds. Our classes prioritize optimizing breastfeeding and newborn care techniques and fostering maternal confidence. Join us to gain invaluable insights and support for a fulfilling breastfeeding journey. Empower yourself with evidence-based knowledge for a strong start in motherhood."

Respectful & Empowering Care

Every family deserves a safe, inclusive and empowering birth experience - whatever their history or plan.

Support for Both Physiological & Medically Supported Births

Learn how to support physiological birth and understand when interventions may be needed - without pressure or judgment.

WHY FAMILIES TRUST

Knowledge.Support.Confidence.

Every step of your journey

Taught by a Perinatal RN

All classes are led by an RN with hands-on experience in labour, birth, postpartum, newborn care and breastfeeding.

Real Insight from

Victoria General Hospital

With real experience at VGH, we offer practical guidance on what to expect in a local birth setting.

Reduces Stress, Worry & Fear

We help you feel calmer and more prepared for labour, birth, postpartum recovery, newborn safety and feeding.

Evidence-Based & Lamaze Aligned

Grounded in the Lamaze 6 Healthy Birth Practices and current BC maternity standards.

Tools for a Positive & Empowered Birth Story

Even when plans change, we help you feel informed, supported and empowered in your birth.

Practical Hands-On

Learning

We provide real-life strategies and tools for labour, birth, postpartum recovery, newborn care and breastfeeding.

1:1 In-Person Breastfeeding Support

Personalized feeding support is available at VGH or once you return home.

NEW! Trauma-Informed Birth Preparation Add-On

For families who carry trauma, heightened fears or emotional triggers, we now offer an optional add-on collaboration with Jeevan Atwal Counselling.

Supporting Families Through Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond with Confidence, Compassion, and Care

At Born to Birth Prenatal, we go beyond traditional prenatal classes—creating a supportive, evidence-based space where families feel informed, respected, and confident in their decisions.

With Diane’s trauma-informed approach, you’ll learn through real-life labour scenarios, practical coping techniques, and decision-making tools to help you feel calm, prepared, and empowered for both hospital and home birth.

Classes are offered in-person at Lagoon Prenatal in Colwood and Maven Pelvic Health in View Royal, or online at your own pace, with optional live Zoom support through Ask Your Nurse.

We also provide 1:1 breastfeeding and postpartum support in hospital and at home—because support shouldn’t end after birth.

Small class sizes, flexible learning, and personalized guidance make Born to Birth Prenatal a truly supportive experience for every family.

You’ll learn how to:

Work with your body’s natural physiology
Reduce pain, stress, and fear with practical strategies
Explore hospital and home birth options
Ask the right questions at prenatal visits

Class Schedule

Evidence-Based Childbirth, Newborn, and Breastfeeding Education —
Featuring the Lamaze Six Healthy Birth Practices and Trauma-Informed Support

Meet your

Hi, I’m Diane — Registered Nurse, Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, and founder of Born to Birth Prenatal.

With years of experience in labour and delivery, postpartum and newborn care, and breastfeeding support, I’m passionate about helping families feel informed, supported, and confident through their perinatal journey.

My approach combines evidence-based education, real-life guidance, and compassionate, trauma-informed care that places you and your support person at the centre of the experience.

I believe every family brings their own unique story and needs into birth, and my goal is to help you feel calm, prepared, empowered, and confident making the decisions that are right for you and your baby.

The Lamaze International Certification is the only internationally recognized childbirth educator accredited

"Elevate your birthing experience with expert care from a seasoned labor and delivery nurse. Meet Diane Spicer, a dedicated professional with extensive expertise in labor, birth, postpartum, newborn, and breastfeeding care. With a wealth of experience and a compassionate approach, Diane provides comprehensive support to expectant mothers and their newborns. Trust in your Lamaze certified childbirth educator and nurseguidance for a confident and empowering journey into parenthood."

My goal is simple:

to help you feel calm, informed and confident as you prepare for labour, birth, postpartum, and life with your new baby.