Bull City Beginnings

My wife and I wanted an in-person birth class to prepare for the birth of our first child. We went in relatively well-prepared, but still had the traditional hospital->epidural->childbirth routine as really the only option we thought would work for us.
Cue BCB: they taught us all about Evidence Based Birth practices, and armed us with the knowledge and confidence to discover what we wanted to take place during the labor/birth process.
To say the class is worthwhile is an extreme understatement: Jenny and Elise are knowledgeable, compassionate, experienced doulas (and mothers!) that were able to impart their wisdom on their students in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. We feel extremely confident entering the last few weeks of our pregnancy.

The classes at BCB were fun and informative! Both Jenny and Elise are knowledgeable about Evidence Based Childbirth. They helped build our confidence and provided detailed information on labour, birth, lactation, medical intervention options. Highly recommend!

As a second-time mom, I was unsure if I needed a birth class, but after just one session with Jenny & Elise, I realized that YES, I desired a deeper foundational understanding of birth and what my body is doing/can do. I’ve found their class to be incredibly helpful as I reflect on my last birth and plan for the one to come. I feel so much more empowered, educated, and in-control. Also, this class gives you one priceless thing: courage. Courage to enjoy your pregnancy and birth, courage to fall even more in love with your partner in the process, and courage to be your own educated advocate in a birth setting. My partner and I are so grateful for the things we’ve learned and look forward to implementing them at our birth. Thank you, Elise and Jenny!

Elise was the best doula that we could have asked for during the birth of our first baby! I wanted to give birth without an epidural, and I knew that a doula would help me achieve that goal. Elise helped connect me with a birth educator in the months leading up to the birth (this was before she was offering classes herself). She checked in with me during my pregnancy, and met with my husband and me before the birth to formulate and discuss our birth plan.

Elise did an excellent job educating me on my options throughout the pregnancy and labor without ever making me feel pressured into a decision. She was able to tell me pros and cons based on evidence, which helped my husband and I make the best decisions for the birth.

Elise has the most wonderful calming presence and it was exactly what we needed during labor. She helped my husband know the best ways to support me, and prompted me to change positions during labor to help things progress. I truly believe that she was a big factor in my labor moving relatively quickly! The birth could have easily been a fear and anxiety filled time, but Elise helped make it a calm, natural, and celebratory experience. No matter the type of birth you are hoping for, hiring Elise was such a worthwhile investment— my husband and I both highly recommend her!

My husband and I took their class and from the start we were struck by the compassion and warmth Elise and Jenny both share. They are respectful of where you are coming from, whether you are expecting your first child or your fourth. Both create a welcoming environment that encourages questions and learning. They incorporate all aspects of learning, including auditory, visual, and hands on approaches. Both Elise and Jenny were a joy to work with!