Services offered
Childbirth Education Classes
Childbirth Education Classes
Childbirth Education Classes
Mothering the Mother offers a comprehensive childbirth education program. Families can attend a few classes to supplement their other or previous education, or take a full day express class and learn it all. Virtual and in person options available.
Breastfeeding Assistance
Childbirth Education Classes
Childbirth Education Classes
Mothering the Mother offers several different options for getting breastfeeding help. If you are struggling, or just have questions we are here to help. We offer email and phone support, virtual visits, in office visits, and home visits.
Professional Workshops
Childbirth Education Classes
Professional Workshops
MTM Training and Mentoring offers workshops and mentoring, to those looking to work as a birth or postpartum doula, childbirth educator, or who want to take a business, curriculum design, or safety and self care workshop. You will be re-directed to our other website.
Meet Michelle
Founder - Michelle Hardy
Michelle started her journey in the birth world in 2003. She is a certified birth doula, childbirth educator, postpartum doula, breastfeeding counselor, hypnotherapist, and is licensed in the state of Wisconsin as a massage therapist, and teacher. Michelle is also the founder of Mothering the Mother (a non-profit organization in Milwaukee), the owner of Milwaukee Doulas, and the owner of MTM Training and Mentoring where she offers workshops for birth doulas, childbirth educators, postpartum doulas, early lactation, curriculum design, safety and self care for birth professionals, business for birth professionals, and more.
Childbirth Education
Learn in our office or from the comfort of your own home
Mothering the Mother‘s classes are very unique because unlike other programs where you have to take the entire series with our classes you can pick and choose the classes that fit exactly what you are looking for. The benefit to this is you can learn what you want to, or you can add some of these classes onto what you might have already learned to complete your educational experience.
At Mothering the Mother we believe in giving back to our community so we offer our classes on a pay what you can afford basis (for families who cannot afford our fees we suggest you send us an email letting us know your circumstances and we can figure out a plan on how we can make it work for you). We ask our clients to look at their personal budget, determine how much the class is worth to them, and then simply sign up and pay what you can afford.....no questions asked.
For your safety: We are currently following the CDC guidelines concerning mask wearing.
All fees are non-refundable. We understand that sometimes things are out of our control, but our classes and appointments are private, one on one so it is essential that clients make their scheduled class/appointment and are on time because that time is reserved just for you. In the event, a change needs to be made we ask that clients call, email, or text at least 2 days prior to their scheduled time. If contacting us at least 2 days prior to the appointment time we will offer you at least three days/times for the make up class. If we cannot accommodate the reschedule we do not offer refunds because the original time was scheduled just for you, and we often cannot schedule someone else in your place at the last minute. In the event of a baby coming early you can gift your class to another individual, but refunds will not be given. We ask that you plan classes accordingly. In the event of a no-show, no call, or if you are more than 15 minutes late there will be a $20 re-scheduling fee assessed or all monies paid will be forfeited.
Express Childbirth Education Class (learn it all in one day)
ONE ON ONE CLASS FEE: Pay what you can afford $100-$150
This class is for families who want to learn all about labor and birth! In this one day class you will learn about the stages of labor, natural comfort techniques (labor support), medications and medical interventions. (Please note this class does not include newborn care or breastfeeding……those classes need to be taken separately.). This is an all day class, so please bring your lunch along. Class is approximately 6-7 1/2 hrs long depending on class participation, questions, etc.
Individual Classes by Topic
When scheduling the classes below please note that you must schedule each class individually.
Private CLASS FEES: Pay what you can afford $60-$80 per class
Stages of Labor
Learn the ins and outs of the various stages of labor, and what to expect from the very beginning of labor until the birth of your baby. You will also learn what to expect during each stage both physically and emotionally, and we will also be discussing what to expect during the postpartum period. Learn all about what your mind and body will be going through physically and emotionally after the birth, and how to care for yourself. Class length: 3 hrs
Labor Support Techniques for the Pregnant Person and Partner (NOT AVAILABLE ONLINE - THIS CLASS IS VERY INTERACTIVE)
This class is essential as you and your partner prepare for the big day. This class teaches both the expectant parent and the partners techniques for comfort, helping to progress labor, and so much more. This class is geared towards individuals who want a natural birth, or for people who want to go as long as they can before getting medication, and will go over topics such as:
- Aromatherapy for labor and birth
- Acupressure points
- Breathing techniques
- Massage techniques and the various types of massage oils that are available (we will discuss the properties of different oils and compare their uses)
- Labor support positions for comfort as well as progressing labor
- Using a birth and peanut ball
- Rebozos
- Pushing positions
- How to cope with long labors
- and so much more
Class length 3-3 1/2 hrs
Medications and medical Interventions
In this class you will learn about the various types of pain medications that might be available to you, as well as learning the risks and benefits of each one. We will also discuss many of the main medical interventions that you may be presented with in labor and explore the risks and benefits of those. When class is over you will be prepared to make educated decisions on what is in the best interest of you and your baby. This class is essential for any pregnant person to take because you do not know what interventions might happen at your birth, and you want to be as prepared as possible. Even if you are planning an unmedicated birth you should learn about the interventions that your healthcare provider might suggest. Class length 3 hrs
Newborn Expectations and Care Class
You have prepared for the birth of your baby, but what about preparing for what to expect? In this class learn about your newborn. We will discuss:
- Normal newborn appearance
- Procedures potentially performed after the birth
- sleeping and feeding patterns (this class only touches on breastfeeding, so we recommend taking the breastfeeding class if you plan on breastfeeding)
- Safe sleep
- Comforting baby
- How to keep baby safe
- How to promote social, emotional, physical, and brain development
Class length 3 hrs.
Breastfeeding and Feeding Your Baby (NOT AVAILABLE ONLINE - THIS CLASS IS INTERACTIVE)
This class helps to prepare you for your breastfeeding journey., and what to expect in those early hours, days and weeks. While breastfeeding is the main topic of this course we do talk a little bit about bottle feeding as well (for those parents who need to return to work or be separated from their baby for one reason or another. Specific topics included are:
- Anatomy of the breasts and how they make milk
- Benefits of breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding techniques (latch and positioning)
- Pumping and storing milk
- What to do when things aren't going as planned
- Introducing solid foods
Class length 3-3 1/2 hrs
Breastfeeding Assistance
Free Breastfeeding Assistance
Free Drop In Assistance: We offer free drop in assistance at Mothering the Mother in West Allis, and Grandma’s Home Away From Home in Racine (see below for days/time). We attempt to serve one family at a time, but if several families show up we may work with more than one mother-baby dyad at a time. For this reason we may ask partners and/or support persons to wait in the waiting area or outside for the comfort of the other mothers. Visits typically last 1-2 hrs.
- West Allis (1586 S. 81st St) 1st Saturday of the month 9 am - 12 pm
- Racine (2925 Rapids Dr) 1st and 2nd Monday of the month 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Temporarily on hold due to COVID
Free support for low income families: if you are low income and cannot afford to pay for services on a sliding scale click the link below to schedule an appointment with a volunteer either at our West Allis or Racine location.
Free email support: Visit the contact us section below for free email support.
Breastfeeding Consults
Phone Consults: We offer phone consults to answer your questions. $20 (up to 1 hr)
Virtual Consults: We offer virtual lactation visits, so you can get the help you need in the comfort of your own home. In order to utilize the virtual visit you must have access to a device with a camera and microphone, and have a second person in attendance to assist. Sliding scale $30-$50 (up to 2 hrs)
In Person Consults: We offer assistance on a sliding scale in both West Allis and Racine - you choose what you can afford to pay. Sliding scale $50 -$70 (up to 2 hrs) In home sliding scale $90-$125 (up to 2 hrs)