Welcome to the personal web site of
JULIA & ANDREW CHEMOTTI AAHCC

I knew that women have been giving birth without medical intervention for millennia and that natural childbirth was both possible and the healthiest option for me and the baby. Still, I wondered if I would be able do it. With the national c-section rate too high for my comfort level, showing up at the hospital planning to breathe through the contractions no longer seemed like a sound strategy for a drug-free birth experience. Luckily, a friend recommended I check out Bradley® classes, and after researching it, I determined it would give me the tools, information, and confidence to give birth naturally.

My next hurdle was to convince my husband (distracted by a demanding job) to accompany me to a class that would take about 24 hours in total and cost as much as several months' worth of diapers. "Why don't we just take the class at the hospital?" was his first question. I persuaded him that while a hospital-based class might be geared towards producing "compliant patients," an independent class would help us to make informed decisions and provide better health outcomes.

The class introduced many topics which we otherwise may never have discussed, including his role in supporting breastfeeding (which I thought would be as easy as rolling off a log but was most certainly not in my case), what he would say to me during labor after he'd said, "breathe. . .relax. . . and great job!!" several dozen times, and what we should do if I were to beg for drugs but had previously adamantly stated that I under no normal circumstances want drugs. The fruits of our preparation were most evident during the birth of our second child who arrived before the midwife showed up while the attending nurses were screaming "don't push!" An RN tried to whisk our healthy baby off to be checked at the warmer. (Our first child had been "whisked" and we deeply regretted missing the bonding and believed missing out on this sensitive period may have complicated breastfeeding.) My requests to be handed the baby were met by the nurse's proclamation, "It's an emergency!" to which my husband, recognizing that we'd all just witnessed a normal childbirth, replied, "Emergency? I don't think this is an emergency." The nurse then terminated the "whisk" and immediately gave me the baby. Then Andrew and I drank in our new son's gaze, nuzzled his soft skin, and marveled at his ears and dimple. What better way to begin our life together?

Classes are scheduled based on student demand.  Please contact me with your due date and scheduling needs, and I will let you know if I have a class coming up that can accommodate you.  

A private class (at your home or mine) is also available for an additional fee. Classes last 2 hours. Throughout the series, class will include discussion, labor rehearsals, videos, practicing relaxation to help you in labor, and exercises that will help you stay comfortable during pregnancy and help prepare your body for childbirth. You will be prepared to give birth at home, in a birth center, or in a hospital. Whoever will be supporting you at birth is welcome to attend class in addition to your primary support person.  I also offer doula services and birth photography, and my students receive a reduced fee.

Please contact me at 808.779.5824 day or evening or juchemotti00@yahoo.com.  Please provide your day and evening contact info, email address, and your due date.