Pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant? Birth stories abound, but it can be confusing to figure out all the choices available to you. 

In this workshop we'll discuss your options for types of provider (including family practice doctors (FPs)/obstetricians (OBs)/Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) and Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs).  We'll also discuss the options for birth place including hospitals, the Madison Birth Center, and home. 

Other topics include:

• What are my options for my type of insurance?
• Should I hire a doula, and how do you go about that?
• Prenatal education: what are the options for classes (including online education)?
• What can I do in early pregnancy (and pre-conception) to stay healthy and prepare my body for a healthy birth?

Instructors Alison Dodge and Lea Wolf are co-founders of Happy Bambino.  Both have extensive connections within the Madison birth community and many years of experience supporting expectant & new parents.

Lea Wolf is mother to daughter Ma'iingan (1/02) and co-founder of Happy Bambino. She is a Native woman (Bad River Anishinaabe) and has lived in Madison for the better part of 8 years, having moved here initially to attend the University. Lea has a bachelors in American Indian Studies and Educational Policy, and has completed the coursework for her master's in Educational Policy at the UW. She and her daughter's father strive to co-parent Ma'iingan in ways that support and build upon the values of parenting that they hold dear.  Lea is a birth/postpartum doula.

Alison Dodge is is co-founder of Happy Bambino, a certified lactation counselor, and happy mama. Her son is Liam (7/03) and daughter Ariana (12/07). Alison brought a human resources background to Happy Bambino, but her love of children and fascination with the childbearing year have been with her from an early age. Alison is passionate about parental empowerment and choice in healthcare and the advancement of family-friendly social policies.