Courses

Alchemy of new life

Courses

Weekend Course Alchemy of Childbirth

Five weeks course From Partner to Parent

For second time round pregnancies - Alchemy all over again

Private course - intimate childbirth preparation

Birthing after (sexual) trauma

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Topics that will be covered

  1. Pregnancy
  2. The birthing system in the Netherland
  3. Childbirth physiology
  4. The birth of a family
  5. Postpartum as the fourth trimester

Practical information

  • The course is set up in 2 sessions with a total of 9 hours of learning
  • You are welcome to bring your birthing companion, loved one or family member to this course and partake in it together
  • Cost: €350 (incl. btw – per couple)
  • Location: YogaZenter in Amsterdam 
  • Upcoming course dates: to be announced soon. Contact us if interested. 
  • For more questions, send us an email at info@alchemyofnewlife.com 

 

Five weeks course: From Partner to Parent

based on our Alchemy of New Life principles. 

We believe that in approaching childbirth as a transitional process we can meet you where you are and give you the tools to work your way through, lean into the process and prepare mentally, physically and emotionally for your childbirth. This is why we present a unique childbirth preparation course: FROM PARTNER TO PARENT. Our course takes place in a beautiful location, with an intimate setting, two teachers, and working with small groups where over the course of the 6 weeks there is space for your individual process as well for a beautiful and supportive group dynamic. This course is designed especially to cover the topics below and to give you an overview of where the alchemy of childbirth takes place. At the same time we want to give you practical tools and walk with you through a process of learning and integrating. We do so through tailoring the course to your needs, crafting personal homework assignments and meaningful group discussions.

 

More information on the topics covered in From Partner to Parent

  1. Pregnancy: we start off with where you are: pregnant. We discuss the physiology of pregnancy, movement and self exploration. How are you feeling? What are your needs at this moment whilst you are pregnant?
  2. The Birthing System in the Netherlands: How does the Dutch healthcare system work? In what ways does it differ from other places? How can you navigate it? What are some of the social and cultural perspectives on childbirth that are particular to the Netherlands? What do we see on television and in films? What conversations and stories do we read in newspapers and glossy magazines? What are some perspectives and expectations about giving birth in the Netherlands that you bring along?
  3. Childbirth Physiology: a transformative experience. What happens when and why? We will go through the birth phases, pain relief techniques, postures and movement, (medical) interventions and explore consent based decision making and what it means to do so with autonomy.  
  4. The Birth of a Family: the shift from partner to parent. Childbirth signals a change in family dynamics. Actually, multiple changes and finding ways to navigate these: finding ways of asking for support, of giving support, of nurturing healthy relationships, of managing your household with an (extra) baby. Childbirth is not just the birth of the baby, it is also the birth of a (new) family. 
  5. Sensuality & the Senses: why connection matters. Childbirth is not mechanics only. Your senses, all of them, play a role in childbirth. They are intimately connected to your hormonal system, which in turn operates the various stages of childbirth. We will talk about activating your senses, about different forms of touch and being present. When we learn to nurture connection during pregnancy, this helps to make connection during childbirth and lays a solid, sensual foundation for thereafter.
  6. Postpartum as the fourth trimester: Sometimes referred to as the forgotten trimester, as it is little talked about, but actually still very much connected to the transition that is childbirth. We will talk about the ‘kraamtijd’ a.k.a. postpartum-time, go through Duch Kraamzorg and other options, talk about breastfeeding and baby feeding, look at the qualities of the placenta, and into old and new ceremonies and rituals. But also: what food and other support can we give and receive? How important is rest? And how can you deal with all the feelings that might come up after childbirth and integrate them into your new life? 

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Topics that will be covered

  1. Pregnancy
  2. The birthing system in the Netherland
  3. Childbirth physiology
  4. The birth of a family
  5. Sensuality & the senses
  6. Postpartum as the fourth trimester

 

Practical information

  • The course is set up in 5 sessions over the course of 5 weeks (one session per week) with a total of 12,5 hours of learning
  • Tuesdays 18:30 – 21:00
  • You are welcome and encouraged to bring your birthing companion, loved one or family member to this course and partake in it together
  • Cost: €525 (incl. btw – per couple)
  • Location: Amsterdam, t.b.a.
  • Upcoming course dates: to be announced soon. Contact us if interested. 
  • For more questions please check out our FAQ page

 

Weekend course: here we go again, second (or more) time around birth

based on our Alchemy of New Life principles

When you have been pregnant and have given birth before you have your experiences. So you might not be looking for a pregnancy & childbirth course that starts at zero. You actually might be looking for a pregnancy & childbirth course that caters to your needs around this repeat childbirth and connects you with other women and partners who are also going to a repeat pregnancy.

We believe that in approaching childbirth as a transitional process we can meet you where you are and give you the tools to work your way through, lean into the process and prepare mentally, physically and emotionally for your childbirth. With a repeat pregnancy your needs have a different focus. and we cater to those needs. This is why we have created a unique weekend course HERE WE GO AGAIN. Our course takes place in a beautiful location, with an intimate setting, two teachers, and working with small groups where there is space for your individual process. This course is designed especially to tend to your specific needs and give you an overview of where the alchemy of a repeat childbirth takes place. At the same time we want to give you practical tools and walk with you through a process of learning and integrating. We pay attention to check in with you on day #1 and use this in crafting day #2. In this way we make sure that the course meets your needs and expectations.

 

Topics that will be covered

  1. Pregnancy – how are you doing right now? what do you need to sustain your pregnancy and prepare for birth?
  2. Childbirth physiology – what elements need tenting to based on your previous experiences?
  3. The expansion of your family – how is your family changing this time? What dynamics do you expect and fear?
  4. Postpartum as the fourth trimester – how to tend to the postpartum woman? how to tend to the elder child(ren)? How to stay nourished as a partner?

 

More information on the topics covered in HERE WE GO AGAIN

  1. Pregnancy: we start off with where you are: pregnant. We discuss the physiology of pregnancy, movement and self exploration. How are you feeling? What are your needs at this moment whilst you are pregnant?
  2. Childbirth Physiology: a transformative experience. What happens when and why? We will go through the birth phases, pain relief techniques, postures and movement, (medical) interventions and explore consent based decision making and what it means to do so with autonomy.  
  3. The Expansion of a Family: the shift from partners, parents with a child(ren) to parents of elder child(ren) ánd a newborn. Childbirth signals a change in family dynamics. Actually, multiple changes and finding ways to navigate these: finding ways of asking for support, of giving support, of nurturing healthy relationships, of managing your household with an (extra) baby. Childbirth is not just the birth of the baby, it is also the birth of a (new) family. 
  4. Postpartum as the fourth trimester: Sometimes referred to as the forgotten trimester, as it is little talked about, but actually still very much connected to the transition that is childbirth. We will talk about the ‘kraamtijd’ a.k.a. postpartum-time, go through Duch Kraamzorg and other options, talk about breastfeeding and baby feeding, look at the qualities of the placenta, and into old and new ceremonies and rituals. But also: what food and other support can we give and receive? How important is rest? And how can you deal with all the feelings that might come up after childbirth and integrate them into your new life? And, what is the place for the elder child(ren) and the partner, to stay nourished and connected?

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Practical information

  • The course is set up in 2 sessions with a total of 7 hours of learning
  • Fridays 12:30 – 16:00 
  • You are welcome to bring your birthing companion, loved one or family member to this course and partake in it together
  • Cost: €350 (incl. btw – per couple)
  • YogaZenter in Amsterdam
  • Upcoming course dates: to be announced soon. Contact us if interested. 

Private course: intimate preparation for childbirth coaching

This private course is designed especially to cater to the needs of partners who would like to journey through a birth preparation course together, in an intimate manner. Set up in 3 sessions – of 2,5 hrs each, this course touches the core concepts, range of information as well as practical tools that we discuss in the group course, but in a way that is tailored to your needs. This course can take place in your house or in a beautiful yoga studio in de Amsterdam Oost.

The following topics are discussed:

  1. Pregnancy: physiology, movement and self exploration
  2. The Birthing System: social & cultural perspectives
  3. Childbirth: a transformative experience
  4. Birth of a Family: the move from partner to parent
  5. Sensuality & Sexuality: why connection matters
  6. Postpartum: the fourth trimester

This private course is corona proof.

Cost: €575 (incl. btw – per couple)
Location: in your private home or at YogaZenter, Derde Oosterparkstraat 86, Amsterdam
Dates: contact us for your preferred starting date. We recommend to meet once a week for the duration of 3 weeks, but are flexible with your time constrains and wishes.

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Birthing after (sexual) trauma​

Alchemy brings you an in-depth weekend childbirth preparation course after (sexual) trauma​​

If you were pregnant but have not carried until term, have given stillbirth, or have given birth before in any way and felt it was a traumatic experience for you, or you have within you another traumatic experience that could impact on your pregnancy and birth –  then you are probably not looking for a pregnancy & childbirth course that starts at zero. 

You actually might be looking for a pregnancy & childbirth course that caters to your needs and connects you with other women and partners who are also had some trauma around pregnancy birth or sexual abuse of any kind.

Trauma around birth is unfortunately becoming more common, and how each woman copes with her experience is a very personal journey. Having a baby after a trauma can seem incredibly frightening. We believe that with careful planning and good support, you can give yourself the best possible chance of a good birthing experience.  This is why we have created a unique three day course BIRTHING AFTER TRAUMA. Our course takes place in a beautiful location, with an intimate setting, two teachers, and working with small groups where there is space for your individual process. The last day we offer as a private session, rather than a group session. This course is designed especially to tend to your specific needs and empower you in your autonomy in the alchemy of birth. At the same time we want to give you practical tools and walk with you through a process of learning and integrating. We pay attention to check in with you on day #1 and use this in crafting the second day #2. The third day #3 is all about accompanying you in the very personal integration of what you learned in the course and what came up for you. In this way we make sure that the course meets your needs and expectations.

 

Topics that will be covered

  1. Childbirth Fysiology: how do our bodies birth
  2. Choose Wisely: autonomy, decision making and consent 
  3. Birth Philosophy: how and why to create your birth plan
  4. Know your Crisis & Trigger points: where and how might you experience triggers?
  5. Postpartum as the fourth trimester: importance of time and space for coping and healing

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Practical information

  • The course is set up in 2 sessions with a total of 5,5 hours of learning

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