Curious about home birth? Start here.
If you’re considering giving birth at home, or just wondering if it might be right for you, this class is for you.
Home Birth 101 is a no-pressure, information-rich session designed to help you understand what home birth actually looks like in real life. We’ll walk you through the details, clear up common misconceptions, and give you the tools to make informed decisions about your care.
Whether you're already planning a home birth or still weighing your options, you’ll walk away with clarity and confidence.
✨ Home birth safety:
What the research says—and what it actually looks like in practice.
✨ Signs your midwife is home birth friendly:
Questions to ask and things to look for, especially if you're not sure where your midwife stands.
✨ Hospital transfers:
When and why they happen, how they work, and what to expect if your plan needs to change.
✨ What your midwife brings to the birth:
Spoiler: it’s more than just catching babies. Learn about the gear, skills, and expertise midwives bring to your home.
✨ Tips for a successful home birth:
Simple, practical ways to prepare your space, your people, and yourself.
Rachel Parris (she/her) and Jesse Bauman (she/her) are birthworkers with deep roots in Calgary’s birth community and a shared commitment to providing grounded, inclusive, and evidence-informed care.
Rachel is an educator, experienced doula, and student midwife who brings warmth, clarity, and a deep respect for your autonomy to everything she does. Her approach is steady and thoughtful, and she’s especially skilled at helping families navigate birth decisions with confidence and calm. Read more about Rachel here.
Jesse is a longtime doula and talented birth photographer who blends practical know-how with a huge heart. She’s known for her gentle presence, honest communication, powerful advocacy, and ability to create space for whatever a birthing person is holding. Read more about Jesse here.
Together, they’ve supported hundreds of families through birth and postpartum and they bring that experience and insight into every class they teach.
“It helped calm a lot of anxieties I had about the previously unknown aspects of a home birth (and just birth in general)... It definitely helped me and my partner feel secure in our decision.”
— Paola
“Rachel is supportive, kind, wise, and has a unique perspective that can help you celebrate beautiful moments and find your way through tough decisions.”
— Tadhg
“From beginning to end Jesse was THE BEST. Jesse made me feel completely at peace—honest, clear, and calm. I felt so held.”
— Jessica
You're planning a home birth or thinking about it.
You're wondering how home birth works in Calgary.
You want to feel more prepared, grounded, and informed.
You’re not into hype, fear, or judgment, just solid information and supportive guidance.
We’re here to hold space for your questions, your worries, and your hopes—no matter what you decide.
Cost: $25.00 + GST (includes birthing person/mother + partner/father/designated support)
Location: Rachel’s house, Woodbine (exact address provided after RSVP)
Date & Time: Saturday, July 26, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Spots are limited so we can keep the group small and focused. We’d love to see you there! ❤️
