Mikayla Hansen, founder of Mountain Momma Maternity.

Birthing Classes Upcoming At AH YMCA   Low Moor, VA (April 15, 2024) - The Alleghany Highlands YMCA Healthy Highlands program is offering two upcoming birthing classes led by Mikayla Hansen, founder of Mountain Momma Maternity. Mountain Momma Maternity provides holistic maternity care and support to families from conception to beyond birth. It is a nonprofit organization that is passionate about women’s health, informed choice and empowering births. The upcoming classes include: •Feed, Bond, Thrive: A Holistic Approach to Breastfeeding: Sundays, April 28-June 2, from 2-3 p.m. •Birthing with Confidence: A Holistic Childbirth Experience: Thursdays, May 2-June 6, from 6-7 p.m. Classes are free of charge and will be held in the Activity Room at the Alleghany Highlands YMCA. Participants are asked to register by calling the YMCA’s Member Services Desk at (540) 962-9622. Mikayla resides in the Eagle Rock area of Botetourt County with her husband, Taylor, and daughter, Ada, eight months old. A native of Covington and graduate of Alleghany High School, she is the daughter of Michael and Kristy Morgan. Mikayla received her undergraduate degree from Radford University and earned a master’s degree from Clemson University. She said that for a number of years the Alleghany Highlands has lacked services and support that expectant moms need as they progress through their pregnancy and childbirth experience. “We are a maternity desert,” she said. “I am super passionate about women’s health, and I just wanted to offer services and educational classes to the Alleghany Highlands so moms don’t have to travel out of the county to get the care that they need.” Mikayla, a doula, lactation counselor and midwife assistant, studied at the Healthy Children Project Center for Breastfeeding to become a certified lactation counselor. She attended Birth Arts International to become a doula and midwife assistant. “My own birth experience and lactation journey did not go as planned, so I am passionate about helping families adjust to changes and educating them to have the birth they dream of,” she added. These birthing classes are the latest offerings designed through the Alleghany Highlands YMCA Healthy Highlands program, an initiative aimed at creating positive, healthy lifestyle changes throughout the area. “The Alleghany Highlands YMCA is incredibly excited to partner with Mountain Momma Maternity and offer these much-needed classes that empower and support women as they navigate the journey through pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum phase,” said Dr. Sandra McHenry, Healthy Highlands program leader. To learn more about Mountain Momma Maternity, email MountainMommaMS@gmail.com or call (540) 968-0635. For more information on the Alleghany Highlands YMCA Healthy Highlands program, email Dr. McHenry at smchenryahymca@gmail.com or call (540) 962-9622.

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