With the number of Caesarean births on the rise, longtime friends Fiona Cottrell and Inka Rector are offering "Empowered Birth" workshops at various locations throughout the Hudson Valley to educate women on the alternative techniques for a "positive birthing experience."

According to a report released by the National Center for Health Statistics, the number of C-sections has been steadily increasing since 1996. In 2004, 29.1 percent of United States women giving birth had C-section births.

Cottrell and Rector say women are not being fully informed on how much better natural birth is for both mother and child.
"Birth is a learning process," said Cottrell, a trained childbirth coach and postpartum doula. "A positive birthing experience can help new parents start off the right way and give them confidence in their own natural instincts."

During the free sessions, Cottrell will discuss alternatives to using medication during labor and explain how things such as walking, rocking and massage can contribute to a better childbirth.
Rector, a certified hypnotist and yoga instructor, will then discuss the benefits of hypnosis and yoga as a way to enhance childbirth. The session will include demonstrations of relaxation techniques and stretching exercises.

According to Cottrell, the goals of the workshop are to help women achieve an optimal birthing experience and to promote natural birth techniques.

"We want women to use their own inner strength and confidence and realize that childbirth can be a very empowering experience," Cottrell said. "It doesn't have to be the medically managed emergency that we see on TV."

Workshops will be held:
10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Rhinebeck Women's Health, 6460 Montgomery St., Rhinebeck.
10-11:30 a.m. Feb. 21 at Healthy Start, 400 Aaron Court, Kingston.
7-9 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Muddy Cup Café, 742 Warren St. in Hudson.
For information or to register, go to www.babymoon.org or call 845-247-2888.