We were referred to Jana by our midwives, Shelly and Seannie at Childbirth at Home. I'm due in less than 6 weeks, and am planning a home birth. My husband and I found this class extremely informative and quite honestly has made me more confident in myself and my ability to do this birth, especially at home. The other couples were all having hospital births planned, but I still felt like all of my questions and fears were addressed. My favorite part was how much I feel my husband has learned from it and can more effectively support me through this time. I would highly recommend this class or anyone who is giving birth anytime soon! I would come out of these classes feeling like I learned a lot and just went through a therapy session. It was fantastic. read more

I highly recommend this series of classes to anyone having a baby. My knowledge on childbirth was very limited, and my fiancé's was even less. Not to mention that he's very squeamish and was worried about seeing me in labor and the birthing process as a whole. Jana turned us around. This series of classes are not only affordable, they are priceless. No one can prepare you for the big day more than Jana. I particularly enjoyed her sense of humor and thoroughness when explaining details of all angles of what could happen during labor. My fiancé went from not being able to watch a birthing video without hiding his eyes, to holding one of my legs and watching the whole birth of our daughter! I could not believe the transformation that Jana instigated. The classes were successful in keeping my anxiety at bay too. About four months after the classes end, Jana arranges a reunion with our babies! Ours was last week. It was incredible to reunite with the couples we connected with in Jana's class and have our babies meet. Five stars all the way!!! :) read more

Jana at Supported Birth is an exceptional instructor who has designed a birthing class that is both engaging and well-structured. The seven-week course provided my husband and me with the proper tools, knowledge and confidence necessary to navigate the birthing process. Not only was the class educational, but we found it to be very therapeutic. With each session we developed a stronger bond and it best prepared us for the journey of parenthood. Supported Birth is unlike any other birthing class and proved to be invaluable for us! read more

If you're a type A, super driven, high performing, #boss like I am, then this is the class for you! I know what you're thinking: 7 weeks. 2-3 hours per class. This is too much of a commitment! We thought it, and our husbands were especially wary of it; we almost had to drag them to class. But after just 15 minutes in Jana's presence, you'll quickly realize how wrong you were and how glad you are that you actually pulled the trigger and signed up for this class. As first-time parents who were due in August 2020, we knew we needed to gain some knowledge on what to expect from the birthing process. Jana shares an incredible wealth of information in an objective, fact-based way, never judging how you feel or what you want to do with your birth. She simply presents the information, helps you think through the pros and cons, and then lets you make your own decision on how to proceed. What I found most impactful from Jana's teaching were her role-playing scenarios and various learning exercises, including understanding the pain we may experience and the different massage/laboring techniques we could utilize. It turns out, there really IS a lot to learn and process about this huge, life-changing event; and the class isn't just about coping with labor- it's about absorbing a new way of thinking, which is a skill needed after becoming a parent! We leveraged every single thing we learned in our own birth experience, and as new parents, and we've been texting with Jana every step of the way! During COVID times, finding that human connection became increasingly important to us, and Jana's home was warm and inviting. She has been doing virtual classes during the pandemic, but she made an exception to do in-person courses for us with another couple whom we have been quarantining with. Jana practiced all the COVID safety precautions to ensure we all felt comfortable. Learning with Jana in-person was a huge game changer for us that we felt we could not have achieved virtually. Both our husbands came out of the first class with eyes wide open and in awe of how much they had already learned and how excited they were to continue on. We are indebted to Jana for how she prepared us for labor/birth, and she has become family as a result. She has met both our babies and we'll continue to do regular play dates with Jana from here on out! read more

This review is long overdue! My husband and I took this class when I was pregnant with our first daughter and it was one of the best choices we every made. Jana is an expert in childbirth and her warm and caring presence really helped calm all my fears and apprehensions about the birthing process. Her class really brought me closer together with my husband and we have such wonderful memories because of the experience we had at Supported Birth. Lots of laughs and good times! Her class also helped me deal with the unexpected change in our birth plan, when I had to have a C-Section vs. a natural birth, which is what I really wanted. I cannot say enough about Jana and this class. We drove from the Valley each week to attend the class in West Los Angeles and it was totally worth it! read more

Jana's childbirth classes were very educational and helped my husband and I learn a lot about the birthing process. It was really great to have a class full of students that were all in the similar birth stage as you and having Jana educate us on everything from labor, post partum, doulas, birthing videos and techniques for pain really helped prepare us for the big day. We couldn't be more thankful for all the great knowledge presented in class. It helped me feel much more confident in the big day. When I eventually did give birth with the help of a doula, it went exactly as planned. I labored most of the night at home and got to the hospital at 3am. My daughter arrived at 9:28am with only 10 minutes of pushing and totally unmedicated. No pitocin or epidural needed. Thanks to Jana's class and the help of a doula, my birth plan went exactly as planned. I highly recommend educating yourself and taking Jana's class to help prepare you for that big day. read more

The opportunity to take this course was invaluable owing to Jana's wealth of knowledge and personal experience as a doula. Each class features a combination of activities, group discussions, and helpful videos that educate one regarding labor, birthing methods, pain management techniques, and life with a newborn. Learning these things in a small group setting of 5-6 other couples who are in similar stages of pregnancy and preparation for parenthood is truly ideal - everyone has a chance to contribute, be heard, and learn together in a relaxing and informative setting. My husband and I looked forward to each and every class and found at the conclusion of the course that we felt much more informed and confident. Our understanding about labor and childbirth grew from week to week and helped me to make informed decisions that I would not have known about without the benefit of the course. Due to the knowledge I gained, I was able to labor at home for as long as possible before departing for the hospital, knew what to expect once I arrived there, and was able to decisively and confidently communicate my wishes, questions, and concerns with medical staff during and after labor and delivery. Jana is an empathetic, encouraging, and supportive instructor. Her passion for helping parents prepare for birth is readily apparent and truly wonderful to experience. I cannot praise her and the course enough and highly recommend both! read more

My husband and I took Jana's class and absolutely loved it. Jana did such a wonderful job, especially during this difficult COVID time, creating an engaging and informative curriculum for us and the other couples that completely transformed our readiness for the birth of our daughter. She always put in extra time during the classes to ensure we got our money's worth, and she went the extra mile to foster connections between us and the other couples through reunions. We had a successful home birth in the end, and we have Jana to thank for helping us reach that decision! read more

I admit that I was very skeptical of the the usefulness of a birthing class in the beginning. My mind is completely changed and I will recommend this class to anyone having their first child going forward. After going through a difficult labor, and our little guy ending up in ICU, the knowledge passed on, and Jana being there for us afterwards are the main reasons we were prepared and able to get through this with nothing but great memories. Justin and Lisette read more

Jana's class was awesome! We liked how intimate and informative the content was. Jana gave a very accurate view of what it's like to have a baby, and we felt so much more prepared for any eventuality after taking the class. We covered hospital and home birth, relaxation techniques and found the experience very bonding as a couple and with the other couples in our class. The post partum information was very helpful too. Thanks Jana! Natasha and Sam x read more

Being pregnant during a pandemic definitely has its challenges! However, Jana's birthing classes have helped me and my husband feel more prepared for labor and postpartum. We attended all of the classes on Zoom, and Jana was able to give us the same amount/quality of information that we would receive for in-person classes. She gave us the "just right" amount of information per class so we didn't feel overwhelmed afterwards. Also, I really value how she spent time in the classes allowing couples to explore their relationships with one another to build stronger partnerships during the laboring process. She gave partners specific tools to help mothers during the laboring process, which made my husband feel a lot more equipped to support me! Definitely recommend Jana's class! read more

My husband and I attended Jana's 7 week childbirth class. We ended up joining the class a week late, and Jana arranged for us to meet with her for a private class to make up for the first class that we missed. Our class was with four other couples, and we met on Sunday evenings. When I first signed up for the class, I wondered what we would be covering to make it last the full seven weeks, but Jana does a great job of spreading out the class materials and leading discussions to help the attendees process the materials. We found the classes very helpful, and this class in combination with our doula was what prepared us both for the labor and delivery of our baby. I would highly recommend taking her class! read more

I had no idea how helpful Jana's class was until my wife was deep into labor. For the first time fathers-to-be out there, very little goes as planned. At some point, you may be operating on very little sleep while your emotions are running high, your wife is fighting her way through contractions, nurses are bustling around, machines are beeping, your wife is groaning again while you're trying to comfort her with one hand and keep your eye on what's happening all around you at the same time. Then a team of doctors are going to suggest some option that involves needles and chemicals that your wife was adamant about avoiding. Sooner or later, all those eyes are going to look at you to make some very important decisions. For me, four months before that day in the delivery room, I couldn't have told you the difference between "pitocin' and 'robitussin'. I thought doulas were invented by weird vegan cultists, and that home births were the province of Vermonters with bad moustaches. But in the hospital for those critical 18 hours, I was so comfortable and tuned in to what was happening, that it was a profound, positive experience. It wasn't until it was all over that I could appreciate how thoroughly Jana's classes prepared me for everything that came up. I was able to ask informed questions, and make confident decisions in the heat of the moment. I knew what to anticipate, I knew the pros and cons of what the doctors were suggesting, and most importantly, I was able to support my wife in all the ways she needed. Her classes are method agnostic. She doesn't tell you how to have birth; instead she prepares you to have the birth experience that you and your partner want to have. She won't push you in one direction or another, she'll share a wealth of knowledge that will help you decide what's best for you. Other reviews talk about what she covers in class. I'll tell you that when it was all said and done, I was extremely grateful for everything we learned. Can't recommend her class highly enough. read more

I can't recommend the Supported Birth pre natal classes highly enough. Because of the Corona virus Jana now provides the classes via zoom. My hospital where I plan to deliver cancelled their classes so I was very concerned about how I would get all the training & information that I needed for motherhood. To begin, the class reading materials are excellently compiled, comprising of really practical information in quite some detail, I will be bringing the booklet with me to the hospital! It covers so many topics from nutrition, birth plans, signs of the various stages of labor, laboring techniques, diagrams of various laboring positions, lactation and what to expect post partum. As a teacher myself I was really impressed with how she kept each class moving as in the past sometimes I have found zoom to have certain limitations. Jana used various formats; flip charts, videos, interviews (from mothers, fathers and professionals in various fields), she did demonstrations with various props, did revision/ knowledge reinforcement exercises and led group activities. Every question we asked her she had an answer to & she emailed us numerous articles & lists of contacts or resources to supplement the class content. Of course we also got to meet other couples who are also pregnant & it was really nice to learn from their questions & opinions and feed off their excitement at becoming parents in the near future. All in all the Supported Birth classes were a very informative, enjoyable, relaxing & exciting experience. Thank you Jana. read more

When looking for a birth class I had hoped to find three things: 1. A class that taught us about the potential circumstances that may arise in labor and childbirth, 2. A class that gave varied labor techniques and did not subscribe to one particular method, and 3. An opportunity to meet other expecting parents. I found all three of these items and so much more in Jana's class. If you check out her website, you will see that she does not focus on one particular birthing method, because she supports the concept that there is no "right" way to birth. We learned many different methods of coping with labor and were able to talk through our preferences and questions in a truly supportive and informational environment. We loved that her class was held for 8 weeks - the class time went by fast and honestly, we were really sad when the classes finished because the time spent together was fun, informative, and a great opportunity for my husband and I to focus on what is to come for us and to connect with each other on our hopes and desires for this amazing process ahead. Plus, we gained so much from each class - not only in knowledge imparted by Jana, but also in hearing the questions posed by our fellow expecting parents, and in just being part of this developing support network. Jana's book is wonderful, and she provides so many additional outside resources as far as referrals for doctors, doulas and pediatricians, articles and book recommendations. My husband and I finished this class having overcome many fears and feeling very excited and optimistic about the birthing process. I would recommend Jana's class to anyone! read more

If you're looking for a very informative birthing class, then this is it. Someone recommended her, and since this was our first child, we didn't know what to expect. Expect it all. We learned everything from the emotional to the physical to the technical parts of giving birth...and the post-birth duties as parents. Most of my friends took their birthing classes from the hospital, and they knew less than half. Jana is very knowledgeable, kind, friendly, and open to your situation. In our class, we had everything from home births to c-sections to vaginal delivery. That's the thing she always stressed. You should plan how you want your birth and let others help support that, but there are things that happen that we can't control either. Also, I had to have an induced labor and she took all of my phone calls and answered all of my questions. She was/is really great. Contact her for prices, but I think we paid 280 or 230. I can't remember now. Classes are small and in her home. So it's also more personal. read more

Attending Jana's class was one of the best things that we could have done before having our baby. She came highly recommended from a good friend, and I can totally understand why. It was our first baby, and we knew nothing. Jana helped us feel supported (pun intended) from the first minute we met her - it's so apparent that this is her passion, not just her profession. While Jana's super knowledgeable on anything and everything related to childbirth, her attitude is also super open-minded and curious in regards to the latest in childbirth research and trends (which is constantly changing). She's also got such a vast network of people she knows from doulas to lactation consultations to doctors in the area, which was so helpful. There were 4 other couples in our class with us, and they were awesome! There were no dumb questions, and I realized all of our classmates were in the same situation as first-timers. 2 of us have already had our babies, and I really look forward to the reunion later this summer. We were both very well prepared and felt comfortable and ready by the time it was "go time" to head to the hospital. No birth is easy or typical, but we felt good about dealing with situations that may have arisen during the birth. Fortunately, we had a great birthing experience. Things went smoothy, and we had a beautiful baby girl. We dealt with a few minor things with the baby (jaundice), and Jana was one of the first people we called to ask her opinion. Jana, thank you for the work that you do! read more

We credit Jana's class with helping make our birth so amazing and for helping birth us as parents. My entire birth experience was nothing short of incredible in every way. It was so empowering and miraculous, truly a wonderful birth! My husband utilized a lot of skills he learned in the class to help refocus and comfort me. He suggested position changes, knew exactly what to say, and stayed totally calm. My midwives encouraged me to trust my body and surrender (echoing much of what was taught in class). Thank you, Jana! read more

I am so happy to write this review. My husband and I took Jana's class this summer and we had a great time. It was fun to meet other couples and share stories. Of course, we also learned a lot. A lot! I am a worrier and and a planner and I had already done quite a bit of homework to prepare for the birth of our first child. I knew that I wanted as little intervention as possible, and was hoping to go for a totally natural birth. And, this is something I would NEVER say, much less about something as crazy as becoming a first time parent, but by the time we finished the class, I actually felt prepared! I don't ever feel prepared for anything unless I know every tiny scrap of information, and yet...I felt calm and prepared heading into our last few weeks of pregnancy. Wow! That is quite a testament to Jana's instruction and the info delivered in her 8 week, small group class! Jana's presentation of each class topic is straightforward, really well-informed and not judgmental. She simply presents information, in a fun and enlightening way, from studies and childbirth and medical literature, but also from her own experience as a doula and as someone who has studied birth in its many forms. I would highly recommend this class to anyone looking to explore natural unmedicated childbirth or anyone who just wants to learn a ton about the process and a TON about your options for the process. Jana lets you decide the birth you want, of course, but she wants you to know all the options and the reasons for the options that might help you decide. GREAT course! read more

My husband and I took Jana's class together and loved every minute of it. She is a wealth of knowledge and we met a lot of great people through her class. Before taking her class, I was toying with the idea of trying for a medication- and intervention-free birth, but I was nervous about it. After Jana's class, there was no doubt in my mind that not only did I want that birth, I absolutely could do it too. And I did! I was lucky to have no complications in my labor, and was able to deliver with no drugs or interventions of any kind. It was the most magical experience of my life, and Jana gave us the courage to do it, for which I am eternally grateful! read more

My wife and I took this class and would recommend to anyone having a baby. It was our first child and Jana really creates such a wonderful environment to learn and feel comfortable asking any questions. She is passionate about what she is doing and dedicated to the families she supports. read more

My husband and I are so thankful for the knowledge we gained from attending your 8 week course. We love the small group. We had a successful natural birth at the hospital. We felt very much in control and empower of the labor! There is so much to learn especially being first time parents. Thank you Jana! read more

Jana's class was a complete game changer.  I didn't have the time to read every book out there and didn't know how to sift through all the advice and horror stories people share about birth so Jana's class was a life saver.  After the first class alone, it was like a weight was lifted off my shoulders and I was able to be more excited about the birth experience and less terrified.  She armed my husband and I with the honest facts we needed to understand the birth process and to understand our rights and options when we make it to the hospital.  Jana took the time to research certain questions our group had even further, to send additional articles, information and resources.  She will spend as much time as you need answering additional questions and tailoring sessions to your group.  She helped form a bond with our group of new parents which will extend well past the class.  Not only did Jana teach about the birth process but she dedicates important time to topics I didn't even realize are tantamount to understanding the transition to becoming parents- such as the changes in a couple's relationship after the transition to becoming parents.  Her sessions helped my husband and I have deeper conversations about our expectations and what we want- out of birth and parenthood.  The relationship with Jana will be lifelong as she is warm and inviting and takes a genuine interest in every couple she teaches. read more

After deciding not to get a doula my husband and I wanted to take a class to be informed about the birthing process and found Jana's class here on Yelp. We absolutely loved Jana's class. We feel confident and empowered and our doctor has echoed many things that we learned that we wouldn't have known to ask about. We looked forward every week to the class and would have been happy to continue for even longer than the 8 weeks. read more

This was the best class that prepared me and husband for the birth of our first child. I can't tell you how grateful we are for your knowledge, encouragement and faith in me. Belief that I was made to be able to give birth, unmedicated and supported. We moved across the country and we still called Jana! I'm a mom of three now and what we learned in her classes have been extremely valuable. All my births I kept being told that I was high risk and needed to get baby out as soon as possible. It's a balance of respect for the medical side and yet holding onto my instincts and fighting for that space. My husband has been a doula to me for the last two and it's all because of what we were taught. I can't say enough. More pregnant women and their partners, support system/community need to be informed and given such tools to make the best the decision for their health and the health of their unborn. Much Love from the East Coast!! read more

My husband and I just finished the classes. I highly recommend it! Jana is very knowledgeable and open to any questions. The groups are small which made me feel comfortable to open up about my thoughts and feelings. I liked Jana's general approach that a woman's body is design to cope with labor and giving birth and about pain management. Thank you Jana. read more

I recommend Jana without hesitation. This class helps take the fear out of labor and childbirth and will make you feel more empowered as a woman and confident in your abilities and strengths to deliver a baby. I am planning to deliver naturally with the Midwives at UCLA and this birthing class was all that I was hoping for and more. In the comfortable setting of her living room, Jana educates you about labor and teaches techniques to help you get through it. You will learn the different options and positions of delivering and the pros and cons of all of the interventions and 'help' that may be offered to you so that you can make informed decisions for you and your baby. read more

My husband and I decided to take Jana's class based on all the wonderful Yelp reviews and it was indeed a great class. We looked forward to our weekly meetings and just loved sharing in the experience with other couples. Jana creates a comfortable environment and provides a balanced perspective, which I really appreciated. The class is comprehensive with very useful information and it's really a lot of fun! read more

I strongly recommend this class to all expectant couples in LA. Jana's class was a fantastic experience for my wife and I. We learned a lot and had fun in the process. She is a wonderful teacher who clearly loves what she does. read more

Jana's class was incredible. There were so many unknowns going into pregnancy etc, and this class was recommended by a friend. It saved us! Answered all the questions, scenarios, fears, etc that had been on our mind. Jana has so much experience, and I had complete confidence in her. The information put me at ease, and let us know that we are not alone as new parents to be! Feeling as prepped as one can for birth! The odd thing that happened to us, was the stay at home order issued for Covid-19 in the 3rd week of class. She transitioned us all to Zoom and it was incredible. We were able to pick up right where we left off, interact with her and the other couples, watch all of the films, have discussions, etc. She was able to adapt on the fly and we are so grateful! My sister in law is pregnant and I can't wait for her to take it and learn all that we did- so so so helpful and so grateful for all of this! read more

My husband and I took Jana's birthing class in preparation for our first child and we're so glad we did. It helped demystify the labor process, educate us on our options and potential situations that could occur and get us a little more prepared for what's to come. We were complete beginners (like, never-changed-a-diaper-ever newbies) and felt welcome in the class. It was especially helpful for me, as I've been viewing labor as a stressful, scary experience my whole life instead of something natural and positive. Shifting that perspective has been huge in the weeks leading up to the due date. Labor and all of its uncertainties can be scary, but seeing it this way makes it less intimidating and gave me a greater confidence going into it. Jana is knowledgeable, experienced, and has a ton of great information: from birthing doulas, postpartum doulas, placenta encapsulation services, lactation consultants, books, you name it. You really do feel supported after taking her class. read more

I found Supported Birth on Yelp and agree with the other reviews. The best part about SB is that Jana encourages you to seek out the birth experience that YOU WANT based on informed and practical knowledge! I am assuming that if you read this you are researching and comparing classes on natural childbirth as I did or at least trying to avoid going blindly into childbirth. Speaking with friends who took hospital classes, and the 1 hospital breastfeeding class we took, I believe that Supported Birth classes were well worth our time and money, and even exceeded my expectations. From my first contact with Jana, she was personable, professional and on top of things. My husband and I, who are about as opposite as can be, liked the variety of teaching methods Jana uses including videos, discussions, demonstration, and practice sessions, that the classes are taught in the warmth of her home in small groups, and that we could ask a lot of questions. We are unique because we ended up having an unplanned homebirth, in which I was assisted by a fabulous doula and paramedics for the delivery of a healthy baby. People are surprised to hear that it was not scary for me to deliver at home and without pain medication, but basically I went into my own zone while I was in labor and was able to get my mind away from the pain and remain calm enough in order to achieve a natural birth as I was hoping for but just not making it to the hospital as planned. I admit that I feel we did miss out on the uninterrupted family bonding time we were expecting in the hospital after the birth but that was because our homebirth was unplanned! I can attribute some of my confidence and calmness during childbirth to the Supported Birth classes, but also to having my doula and husband's support, and to other resources on natural childbirth. Ultimately, based on my Supported Birth education and personal experience, next time I am thinking we will plan a home birth. Thank you, Jana. read more

I was referred to Jana by my doctor. I wanted to have a natural birth. My doctor had even taken her class when she had her children. I am SO glad I found Supported Birth! Jana's class was very comprehensive and I felt like I finished with all my questions answered and armed with the tools to make informed decisions regarding my daughter's birth. Jana does a great job of not focusing on only one way to give birth or to handle labor and she remains objective when discussing touchy topics like epidurals and cesareans. My husband and I drove all the way from Orange County and it was well worth it. I will recommend Supported Birth to everyone I know! read more

I can't say enough about how great this class was. I was looking forward to having a natural birth, and was referred to Jana by one of the midwives my husband and I met with, even though we ended up deciding on a hospital birth. During the course of the classes, we learned so much, not only about the labor and delivery process but also about how many different situations are actually "normal". We learned all about medical interventions and why they might be needed. We learned enough to know how soon to go to the hospital when you're in labor, or what to do if the baby is coming out and you're on the way to the hospital. We learned about what changes to expect between the couple having the baby, both before and once the baby is born. We got to meet other couples in the class, which was also really great. Different people brought up different fears or misconceptions about labor, delivery, and postpartum, which we were all able to learn from. It was also comforting to have other couples who are experiencing the same things, so we could all relate to each other. It turned out that our baby was breech and my doctor was pushing for a scheduled c-section, which is the opposite of what I wanted. Jana helped me find a chiropractor who deals with breech pregnancies and also put me in contact with other women who had less than ideal birth experiences. It turned out that I ended up having a c-section, and Jana went above and beyond to help me deal with loss of my ideal delivery, and made me feel better about the feelings I was experiencing. I didn't end up needing to deal with labor pains, but I did need the support that I received from this class. All of the information we learned was invaluable and I know that we will be using it for future pregnancies. I'm sure that with the knowledge we received from this class, my husband and I will definitely feel confident with having a home birth in the future. read more

My husband and I were recommended this class from one of the doulas that we were interviewing, and I am so glad that we took the class! Jana is very kind and is a wealth of information... the referrals alone are worth the money! (everything from doulas to placenta encapsulation to pediatricians and more). Having attended 5 births myself, I was happy with the information that Jana provides... she really does cover everything you need to know. Jana has not only created a lesson plan that is practical and informative with videos, activities, demonstrations, and handouts/books, but she also creates a sensitive and open environment for you and your partner. I especially enjoyed that activities that she had us do as couples (specific to both labor preparation and regarding our own intimate paths to parenthood). If you take only one class in preparation for your birth, it should definitely be this one! read more

Class was absolutely amazing, teaching style and personality (with sense of humor) perfect for class. I thought I would just be learning birth techniques but I received so much more! This is probably the best class you can take. Loved Jana and her style, honesty, and warmth. Because of the class I've thought much more in depth about my support system before during and after the birth. It was so helpful to watch multiple labors and see that not all women give birth the same. It was great to learn about the intervention options, the visualizations, and to see my partner learn so many ways to support me during the birth & recognize the stages. I feel confident and empowered now with the knowledge I have. I am so so glad we took this class! My husband says "I feel more empowered and capable as a birth partner. I'm less afraid, more excited. Even desensitized to the "yuck" factor - it's natural!" read more

My husband and I took this class as an alternative to the childbirth class at UCLA. We were looking for some different perspectives on what is often a purely medical approach to the process of labor and delivery. I was really happy with Jana's class - above all, it gave me the confidence I needed in my own body's ability to handle what is the most natural of all human processes. Because, let's not kid ourselves, natural or not, childbirth just seems freaky. and scary. and dangerous and painful. But Jana's class definitely instilled in my a sense of self-efficacy and gave me the capacity to push that little sucker out, naturally. Classes are held in her house, and we had about 4 other couples in our group. We got comfortable with everyone fast, and it was great to share fears, questions, jokes, etc throughout the class. It was also nice to see everyone at the "reunion" gathering Jana holds at a park, a couple o months after we'd all delivered, and to meet the babies we'd spent so much time together preparing for. All in all - it was a good experience, and nice to have a knowledgeable, supportive teacher. She was also always available for questions offline, or even after the class finished. We had a few bumps close to my delivery date and she helped us through all of our concerns and questions, by phone and email. She's also a very experienced birth doula, which can come in handy if you're looking for one! read more

I cannot recommend this class enough! I believe 100% that this class, and Jana, and the subsequent books that she recommended, are the reasons that I had my PERFECT envisioned/ideal labor and birth...no medical interventions and no drugs! And going ALL NATURAL (especially for a gal that didn't know if she'd have what it takes to make it through, since I am not one for pain endurance) in an age where cesarean births are very common, I'd say, is quite an accomplishment! The classes are held in Jana's home, where it's much more warm and intimate than a sterile class room. Jana presented the information in an unbiased way, and it was interesting to learn both the historical and biological backgrounds of birthing. It was also great to meet other couples and hear their questions, concerns and views. As much as I didn't want to watch the birthing videos (I found it funny at the time that all the videos were from the 80s, but the info was very valid and still is relevant even now), or talk about what actually happens to a woman's body/change in demeanor/ baby's descent during labor and birth (*yikes!*), yet it gave me so much more confidence from being informed when the time came. It led me to not worry, to know I was made for this, and to be able to LET GO during labor and let my body and baby do what it was meant to do. I knew that I wanted to remain upright, labor at home as long as possible (go birth ball!) before entering in to hospital policies & stress, and that's what I did. Thanks to Jana for giving me the information that I needed to create the birth that I wanted! As a matter of fact, my husband used Jana's handbook (I read it several times, and it gave me the info and mental and emotional perspective I needed to go all-natural) during my labor, as a guide to know the symptoms of when I was in 'transition' and to take me to the hospital! You can't get a birthing preparedness class like this anywhere else....it will give you every advantage when the big day comes. It is well worth your 8-week investment (which is not as bad as it sounds...every week my husband and I agreed that it was educational and worthwhile), and know that being guided by a well-connected, caring and well-educated lady like Jana is truly the best way to approach the birth of your baby! THANKS SO MUCH, JANA! read more

I am a pre/postnatal massage therapist who is very particular about who I recommend my clients to. I am happy to say that I have absolutely no reservations about recommending Jana and her classes at Supported Birth! She is not only a wealth of knowledge, she's also a joy to be around! If you're looking to have all your questions answered and all your nerves quelled about all things birth and baby, run to Jana! read more

I strongly recommend taking a birth class with Jana at Supported Birth. Through this class, I was able to discover the relaxation and pain management techniques that worked best for me, and to gain the confidence that my body was designed to give birth, that I could trust my instincts. I appreciated learning about the perspective of the medical establishment towards childbirth and the spiral of interventions that can occur. After the first class, my husband told me, "We're getting a doula!" That was one of the best decisions we made about the labor/delivery process, and we were so happy to have trusted the information from the class. Thank you, Jana! read more