SCHEDULE OF WORKSHOPS FOR 2014

Choose the best date that fits your schedule. Our one day classes are very suitable to the busy moms and dad- to- be!

Schedule for 2014

THE BIRTH BASICS WORKSHOP
January 11
February 8
March 1
April 12
May 10
June 14

THE INTERMEDIATE BIRTH WORKSHOP
March 8
Other schedules to be posted later

Venue: Partnership Center, 59 C. Salvador St., Loyola Heights, Quezon City
Time:   8:30 am to 5:30 pm

Contact Betty through mobile 09165205787 or send her an email at beasanluis@yahoo.com for more details and reservation.

THE INTERMEDIATE BIRTH WORKSHOP

For those who have gone through "The Birth Basics Workshop", this is the next level class for you. It will help you to further understand and confidently practice the Instinctive & Engaging (I&E) way of birthing, which was introduced to you during the first class. Through a combination of different methodologies, such as: - Interactive Lectures - Birth Art - Mandala Affirmation - Body & Relaxation Exercises - Practice of Labor and Birth Positions - Sharing of Positive Birth Stories - Viewing of Relevant Videos - Role Playing - Fun games ...this workshop will definitely help you to be more prepared and equipped for the kind of birth you desire. So enroll now and learn more how to effectively empower your BODY, encourage your HEART, enlighten your SPIRIT, and educate your MIND—the four elements of a fulfilling childbirth experience!

Benefits of Attending the Birth Basics Workshop

Birthing is a Blessing—The Birth Basics Workshop is designed to educate, empower, encourage and enlighten expectant mothers (and their partners) for the extraordinary journey of pregnancy, childbirth and parenthood.

It aims to help participants to understand the power and life-long impact that birthing offers and to see it as a source of joy and blessing. 

The workshop is holistic--integrative (informative) and transformative, and it builds a foundation for active and positive birthing. 

Finally, this workshop series hopes to prevent or minimize emotionally difficult births through a compassionate, honest and even spiritual preparation.

Benefits of the Workshop

1.Our class will build your confidence in your body’s ability to give birth.

2.You will get invaluable support from our Childbirth Mentors and from other expectant parents who share common concerns about giving birth and early parenting.

3.You will know about the benefits, risks and alternatives that you have when it comes to medical procedures, thus, you will be empowered to make informed choices.

4.The father/partner will know his role in taking care of you during your pregnancy, how he can support you in your labor and in the birth of your baby. You may find that attending the program together will create a special bond—not just with each other but also with your baby.

We hold classes every month. Contact Betty at 09165205787 / 9861546 for more details.

Registration Steps for the Workshops

For the Birth Basics Workshop and Intermediate Workshops

For registration and reservation of slot, please deposit the registration fee of Php1,000 at any BPI Branch or through online:

Account Number: 4275 0014 36

Account Name:   Ma. Beatrice Lina L. San Luis

Once payment has been made, please send me an email at beasanluis@yahoo.com  or text me at 0916 5205787 with the following details:

1.  Complete Name,Nickname and Birthday (Pregnant Mom and Partner)

2. Your expected due date

3. Your hospital and doctor

4.  Amount Paid

5.  Date

6.  BPI Branch

Please present the Deposit slip to the Secretariat on the day of the workshop.

Thank you!

BIRTHING IS A BLESSING PROGRAMS...A Holistic Preparation for Childbirth and Early Parenthood

BIRTHING IS A BLESSING PROGRAMS

Our Childbirth Preparation Workshops aim to educate the mind, empower the body, encourage the heart, and enlighten the spirit of the expectant parents for the extraordinary journey of pregnancy, childbirth and parenthood. We utilize a holistic and creative approach in our workshops. 

1. THE BIRTH BASICS WORKSHOP (BBW)

This is a one-day workshop filled with the basic information and skills necessary for expectant parents to use the Instinctive and Engaging Way of Birthing. We will introduce participants to our Seven Guiding Beliefs for Pregnancy and Childbirth and provide practical tips for both expectant mom and dad on how to have a fulfilling childbirth experience regardless of what birthing option is chosen.

Topics include:

·         Celebrating the Gift of Motherhood

·         Physiology of Labor and Birth

·         Stages of Labor

·         Prenatal Exercises, Breathing and Relaxation

·         Bonding with your Baby in the Womb

·         The Father/Partner as Guardian of the Birthing Place

·         Comfort Measures in Labor

·         Your Birth of Choice—Natural, Medicated, C-Section, Water Birth

·         Overview of Hospital Procedures

·         Caring Tips for the Newborn

2. INTERMEDIATE BIRTH WORKSHOP

This intermediate workshop engages the expectant mother to further discover and trust her body’s innate wisdom and ability to give birth through more exercises, breathing and relaxation. This workshop also aims to further educate expectant parents on how to deal with hospital procedures and to work effectively with your caregiver/birthing team; how to prepare your own birthing plan; and how to make informed decisions in case of complications or if the unexpected happens. During this workshop there will be interactive lectures, sharing of positive birth stories, viewing of audio-visuals, birth art, role-playing and other activities to equip the expectant mother and her partner for labor and birth. (Pre-requisite: BBW)

THE BIRTH BASICS WORKSHOP...An Essential Preparation to Childbirth and Beyond

WHAT EXPECTANT PARENTS SAY ABOUT THE BIRTH BASICS WORKSHOP

Here are the feedback of some of the participants from the recent August workshop:

“This workshop has given me more knowledge—not only about (my) pregnancy—but also about myself. It taught me what I can do and what I can be. The session also made a way for me and my partner to have time for our baby and to prepare ourselves for his coming.”

—Rachelle B. (26 weeks pregnant)

“It is very informative (for me) as a father and partner. (The workshop) has enlightened both of us with what we have to do and what we can do to make this blessing even more worthwhile and memorable.”

—JP I. (First time father-to-be)

“What I like most about the workshop was the coverage of the topics which included the before, during and after birth. (I also liked) the use of different tools such as videos and personal sharing (of positive birth stories) that cannot be found in books.”

—Ivy D.C. (27 weeks pregnant)

“My most significant experience in this workshop was the way I bonded with my wife...and learning more about what she’s going through right now.“

—Em G. (First time father-to-be)

We are inviting all expectant mothers and their partners to join us in this unique one-day program— a holistic and creative approach to childbirth preparation..."The Birth Basics Workshop"—on September 14, 2013 (Saturday), from 8:30AM to 5:30PM at the Isis International, No. 3 Marunong Street, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila...

                                                             Register now! Contact Betty San Luis at 0916-5205787. 

The Heart of a Doula

I am Betty. I have been married since January 1993 to my best friend Manny. We are blessed with five beautiful children.  My journey in becoming a doula started with the powerful birth experiences I had with each of our five children, who were born naturally.  Each birth was unique. Each labor was different from each other, in terms of the length, intensity, and how I coped with these "birthing embraces" (contractions). The common factor in all those births was the love and support  I got from my  husband Manny, who was my constant companion and encourager all throughout my pregnancy, especially in labor and birth. He has been my "doula", who helped me go up to the end and be focused on my goal of having a natural birth. We were a team...Manny, myself and our baby...in each of my birthing experience. Truly, birthing is a blessing. I am blessed and appointed by God to be a co-creator of this miracle of life within me!

As a woman, I felt I was a totally different person after each birth. It is true that you can almost do anything in life after giving birth to a child. I would say the agonies and ecstasies I have experienced in pregnancy, labor and birth have inspired me to pursue my studies as a Birth Doula ...In my first four pregnancies, Manny was my labor coach...In my last pregnancy, he transformed into a gentle and supportive companion...who respected me in how I wanted my labor to be...I was empowered the most in my 5^th pregnancy, since this was after I finished my Doula certification. Here, there were no particular techniques followed... I simply trusted my body’s natural ability to give birth. I would say I saw myself birthing instinctively. I can attribute this to my holistic preparation of myself for this birth...preparing my heart, my mind, body and spirit. I found myself visualizing my birth through my daily prayer and meditation. I tried to have a healthy diet and lifestyle...also working out and preparing my body through exercises..I had counselling and spiritual direction.  We even had a special time as a family to prepare ourselves for this new phase in our life. I guess these all helped me have an engaging and instinctive birth experience.

After my studies, I thought that I would simply teach and coach women to give birth. I opened myself where God will lead me in my desire to help women experience joy and fulfillment in the births of their children...no matter what type of  birth it may be...medicated or non-medicated.

I started teaching women as a volunteer in a pregnancy crisis center. I then moved to facilitating childbirth preparation classes together with my husband Manny.. However, I found myself wondering whether I was truly helping them since I simply taught them in a class or spoke to them individually.  I was not around when they were in labor and birth.

Then I was led to this beautiful place, Shiphrah Bahay Paanakan in Taytay, a birthing home where pregnant women are cared for with the dignity and respect that every pregnant woman deserves. It is a center catering to the underpriveleged pregnant women. I experienced working with midwives as part of the birthing team, as a doula.  I am privileged to witness natural births taking place. This time, .I am the one learning not only from the midwives but especially from the mothers, who trusted their womanly instincts to give birth. To this day, I see these miracles of birth unfolding before my eyes.  At the end of a birth, I am blessed, recharged, and empowered to go on with my passion of caring for women.

I have experienced accompanying  women in both medicated and unmedicated births.  I see my role especially  not only in the births but also in my postnatal visit to my clients.  I see the need to listen to them on how they are after the birth.   I recall with them the memories of the labor and birth..and try to integrate the experiences we had together, to mirror back to her what has transpired, what was good and challenging in the experience. The emotional support for me is essential as she moves on to motherhood. What’s important is women are supported, cared for, listened to, encouraged to focus on how and what they want their births to be.

Women, by nature, are wise and courageous. She just needs the right birth environment and support for her to have a satisfying birth experience whatever the outcome of her birth. As long as she calls the shots, or has the say, through making informed choices and simply trusting her body's capability to give birth,she will experience a transformational birth...the birth of not only her baby, but her birth as a mother.

About My Doula Services

                                                  Source: www.birthdaypresence.net

The word Doula (doo-la) , an old Greek word which means one who serves. Doulas are also called Labor Coach, Labor Support Professionals, Birth Companions or Childbirth Assistants. 

A Doula is a woman of experience who supports women during pregnancy, labor and in the postpartum period, in whatever choices she makes.

                                       

Siya ay isang tunay na kaakbay, kasa-kasama sa  pinagdadaanan ng buntis sa labor at panganganak.

As a Doula, I aim to Educate the mind...Encourage the heart...Enlighten the Spirit and Empower the Body of the mother...to have a positive and enriching birth.experience. 

As a Birth Doula I will....

•  Encourage and support her during labor to ensure a positive and active birth experience  and to  help her achieve the type of birth that she envisions. 
•  Apply my knowledge, skills and experience to provide emotional support, physical comfort, and assistance with immediate newborn care.  I will also communicate with the medical staff to make sure the woman will have the information she  needs in order to make informed decisions during labor.
•  I can provide reassurance and perspective to her, make suggestions on how to help labor  progress, and help with the relaxation, massage, positioning and other techniques for comfort.
•  I will also help her in coping with unexpected changes  or events , such as the need for  interventions, assisted birth or a C-section. 
• I will not replace the role of the mother's spouse or birth partner,( not unless I am hired for this purpose, to give support to--either teenage pregnancies or single moms), rather I also help and coach the partner on how he can play his role fully of loving and supporting his partner. At the same time, that he may also have an enriching birth experience as well
• 
  

What are the Benefits of Working with a Doula?

•  Recent studies  involving more than 1,000 women have shown that the having  a doula during labor , birth and  postpartum has a lot of benefits:
  
  • Shorter labor
  • Lower levels of fear and anxiety
  • Higher satisfaction with the birth experience
  • Reduced pain medication and epidural requests
  • Reduced Cesarean Section rates
  • Reduced need for vacuum or forceps delivery
  • Better communication with the medical staff
  • Lower levels of stress hormones
  • More successful breastfeeding experience
  • Lowered chances of postpartum depression
  • Improved parent-infant interaction and bonding
  • More confidence in caring for the baby
  
  

Birthing is a Blessing Doula Support Package

A flat fee includes up to 10 hours of the doula's time to be with you during the labor, delivery and postpartum portions of the childbirth process. The average labor and delivery would last nine hours.

If needed, additional time can be added for an additional fee.  (Send me an email to inquire about the details on the fees or contact me directly)

Doula Support Package includes:

1. ·       Three prenatal visits:

• .     Initial interview – Getting to Know You and discussion of services
•      Preparation of  Expectant Mom – one on one coaching on physiology of labor and birth, exercises of the mind, body and spirit.
• .   Preparation with the Birth Partners  –  coaching the mom and birth partner or family member on hospital procedures,  possible comfort measure in labor, detailed discussion of the birth plan

·         2.  Support by telephone or email as needed during pregnancy and immediate postpartum

          3.  Labour support from early or active labour until 2 hours postpartum on day of birth

·      

A Gentle Birthing Story

 My Birth Story by Grace Calvo-Prager

"Waterbirth is unfamiliar to me. My husband told me about it He encouraged  me that it was the best way to give birth since it will be more easy than the usual birth. He explained what water can do, which can make you calm. I know this  since we are both divers. And we love to be in the water. I always find it so relaxing to be under water. So  I agreed to do waterbirth.To prepare myself for this, I decided to attend a birthing class with Betty(BIRTHING IS A BLESSING CHILDBIRTH PREPARATION CLASS) .  It was really a big help,  especially the  physical, mental and breathing exercises.

 I chose the birthing suite of St. Luke's Global City to do my waterbirth with Dra. Rebecca Singson as my OB GYNE..The birth environment of the birthing suite helped me to feel so much at home. The good thing was my husband was there to support me, massage me and just be with me.

My Doula Betty was there to remind me to  breathe.. inhale.. exhale which  I did and to relax. Breathing and being relaxed helped ease the pain. It was 20 hours of labor and without sleep.I changed positions, stayed upright, moved my body the way I wanted to as she suggested.She  was there to support me all the way and to remind me to stay focus on my goal of having a gentle birth for my baby.   I entered the pool when I felt the contractions the strongest. The water was really soothing and comforting. It came even to a point that I was already sleeping in the tub! 

And now after a long wait, I was so excited to see my baby...bearing down...then  came the urge to push.  And so, I inhaled and exhaled,  I gave it my best...pushing and breathing out my baby.  At 8:34pm on June 3, finally, she naturally came out of me! How wonderful to hear her first cry!.I just can’t believe she's really there!. Now I can hold her in my arms. It was so amazing! My husband almost cried and he said that the sweetest cry he ever heard is the cry of our little, lovely daughter Isabella.

 It was wonderful when they put my baby in my chest....skin to skin. Isabella was crying and so I try to put her in my breast to suck and she did! I really felt at this moment the reality that I am now a mother..  

By that time, it crossed my mind  that we are now three and already a family...me, Felix and Isabella. And from this day on, we need to take care  of each other."

Meet the Facilitator for "The Birth Basics Workshop"

BETTY LUGAY-SANLUIS, CD (CBI)

Betty is our main Chidbirth Mentor. She is a Certified Doula with Childbirth International (CBI), a global training organization committed to establishing international standards for childbirth education programs and doula training.

Betty is assisted by her husband Manny, whos is an HR Professional and Trainer. They have been married for more than 20 years and they have been blessed with five beautiful children - all born through natural childbirth process.

"I am Betty and I am a doula..."

"Birthing is a transformational process. I have personally experienced and witnessed the emotional, pychological and spiritual impact it has on women and families. I am a doula because I am passionate about the process of birth and the transformation it brings. It is my privilege as a doula to support and accompany women and their families in that process."

About the One day Workshop

Birthing is a Blessing "The Birth Basics Workshop" is a one-day workshop that is designed to energize, inspire and 
empower expectant parents for the extraordinary journey of pregnancy, childbirth and parenthood. Evenif it is only a one day workshop(a short version of our 4 day classes), parents-to-be will be having an exciting day of learning and relaxing at the same time.

The program utilizes a holistic and creative approach that will help prepare the expectant parents as they honor birth and parenthood not simply as a medical event but a profound rite of passage.

It is intended for expectant parents who are at least in the 2nd Trimester ( 13 weeks) of their pregnancy. It is open to whatever birth the couple intends to have—natural, medicated or caesarean section.

Both the expectant mother and father/partner are
encouraged to be present during the program.

Betty Lugay-San Luis, CD (CBI) and Manny R. San Luis are the Main Facilitators. They are a husband-and-wife team. They have five
beautiful children—all born through a natural childbirth
process.

Betty is a Certified Doula and a professional labor coach) with Childbirth
International, a global training organization
committed to establishing international for childbirth education programs and Doula training. Manny, on the other hand, is a Trainer, a Formator and a
Transformational Facilitator.

The program's Secondary
Facilitator is Yeyette San Luis. She is a facilitator of Healing, Wholeness and Well-Being workshops. She also conducts Retreats and Recollections, Spirit Singing
Workshops, Sound Therapy and Drum Workshops

The Birth Basics Workshop...What Every Pregnant Mom Should Know...

TOPICS FOR THE ONE DAY WORKSHOP

• Birthing is a Blessing's 7 Guiding Beliefs  on Pregnancy and Childbirth
• Celebrating the Gift of Motherhood
• Physiology of Pregnancy, Labor and Birth
• Stages of Labor
• Comfort Measures in Labor
• A Pregnant Mom's Health and Wellness
• The Expectant Father's /Partner's Role in Labor and Birth
• Vaginal Birth, C-Section, Homebirth, Waterbirth
• Hospital Procedures
• Prenatal Exercises
• Breathing and Relaxation
• Caring for the Newborn
• Breastfeeding

Birthing is a Blessing – “The Birth Basics Workshop” (One Day Class)

Birthing is a Blessing – “The Birth Basics Workshop” (One Day Class)

Birthing is a Blessing "The Birth Basics Workshop" is a one-day workshop that is designed to energize, inspire and empower expectant parents for the extraordinary journey of pregnancy, childbirth and parenthood. Evenif it is only a one day workshop(a concise version of our 4 day classes), parents-to-be will be having an exciting day of learning and relaxing at the same time.

Upcoming Schedules: July 21 (Sunday), Aug 18 (Sunday), Sep 15 (Sunday) 2013

Time: 8:00am to 5:00 pm

Venue: Bahay ni Isis International Women’s House, #3 Marunong St., Bgy. Central, Diliman, QC

Attire: Comfortable clothes for exercise; Exercise mat; Pillow

Investment: Php1,500 per couple (Promotional Price)

For Registration to the Workshop/Classes, please deposit payment to our BPI Account:

Account Number:4275 0014 36

Account Name:  MA. BEATRICE LINA L. SAN  LUIS

Once payment has been made, please send an email to me at beasanluis@yahoo.com with the following details:

1.  Complete Name (Pregnant Mom and Partner)

2.  Amount Paid

3.  Date

4. BPI Branch

*  Deposit slip should be presented to the registration committee on the day of the workshop/class.

Contact Betty at +63916 5205787 

A Doula and a Childbirth Mentor in the Philippines

What is a Doula?

A doula is a trained labor and birth support person who provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational support to the mother and her partner during pregnancy, childbirth and post-partum. Today doulas are slowly being recognized for their important contribution to the improved physical outcomes and emotional well-being of mothers and new born infants.

“I see birth as a transformational process. I have personally experienced and witnessed the emotional, psychological and spiritual impact it has on women and families.  I am a doula because I am passionate about the process of birth and the transformation it brings. As a Filipina and a doula, it is my privilege to support and accompany women and their families in that process.”

-- Betty Lugay-San Luis, CD(CBI)

BETTY LUGAY-SAN LUIS, CD (CBI) is the main Childbirth Mentor of Birthing is a Blessing.  She is a Certified Doula with Childbirth International (CBI), a global training organization committed to establishing international standards for childbirth education programs and doula training.  She conducts Childbirth Preparation Classes and nurtures birthing mothers through her Doula Support Service.

Betty is married to her husband Manny for more than 20 years and they have been blessed with five beautiful children—all born through natural childbirth process.