Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less. ~ Marie Curie
I love learning! Childbirth Education is something that I always knew I'd experience as an expectant mother. While pregnant, I was full of hope, joy, wonderment... fear, anxiety, and nausea. Even as a women's wellness consultant, prenatal massage therapist, yoga instructor, and birth doula, I needed professional guidance along my pregnancy journey. Birthworkers claim that there is a tremendous and noticeable difference in moms who attended a childbirth class and moms who did not. The parents who attended are more knowledgeable and less anxious.
Even if you are certain that you want an epidural, or have a condition in which your provider will schedule a C-section, it may be worth it to take a childbirth education, just in case anything goes differently than planned or imagined. I know of a mother who was carrying twins and considered high-risk. She went into labor before her scheduled C-section. When she arrived at the hospital, her physician asked if she wanted to continue to labor naturally. She ultimately declined because she had not received any education about natural childbirth. She regrets that misstep today. Childbirth education builds confidence.
Childbirth education classes are not just for first time parents. Experienced parents may want to consider attending a refresher course for reminders and information on updated practices, a new class with a different model of teaching, or a class at a new hospital.
Childbirth education classes are not just for first time parents. Experienced parents may want to consider attending a refresher course for reminders and information on updated practices, a new class with a different model of teaching, or a class at a new hospital.
There are a variety of birthing techniques and approaches. They vary in length of class, teaching format, and school of thought. Deciding which class is best for you depends on your learning style, your pain tolerance, your ideal birth, your budget, and instructor access within your community. If you are planning a hospital birth, you might be interested in taking more than one class. A class at the hospital might include a basic overview of labor and birth and may teach specific hospital practices, policies, and standards. Classes taught outside the hospital may equip you with in-depth information about coping skills, physiology of labor and birth, emotional aspects, and childbirth options. My husband and I attended both. If attending both is not an option, I highly recommend at least taking the hospital tour for those taking a class in the community, and I recommend augmenting a hospital-based class with additional reading in order to explore additional options.
Your childbirth educator is knowledgeable, experienced, and passionate. She is often a registered nurse, but mat also be any healthcare provider, doula, or educator who is passionate about empowering expectant mothers throughout the birth process and beyond. You will leave the class with tools, tips, techniques, warning signs, and reminders concerning labor and birth. You will have a greater sense of confidence and may possibly even begin to build your community of moms, dads, and babies.
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| Doula Nikia Michelle Birth Blessings Professional Birth and Doula Services Community Childbirth Educator Training |
The Alexander Technique can be used by anyone, at anytime. It teaches posture and movement techniques to ease muscle tension, is actually a general practice adapted for expecting women. The Alexander technique aims to restore your original poise and posture, which will improve balance, coordination, back pain, breathing and digestion as your body adjusts accordingly. You’ll also work to coordinate your breathing and strengthen your pelvic muscles in preparation for delivery. The techniques can also be used postpartum to Aid in recovery from childbirth, and Ease the discomfort of nursing. Consider taking these classes early, as more you practice, the greater the benefits.
Birthing From Within® prepares mothers to give “birth-in-awareness,” not to achieve a specific birth outcome. The class curriculum is adjusted to meet the specific needs and differences of parents. This method also recognizes that pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period involve continuous learning; holistic support and education should be available throughout this time.
Birth Boot Camp is a 10-week course taught online. Students receive a manual, relaxation training, weekly links to additional reading on complementary topics like pregnancy nutrition, exercise, common tests and procedures in pregnancy, and a comprehensive, downloadable breastfeeding video.
The Bradley Method® helps women prepare for a natural labor and birth without the use of medication. This comprehensive 12-week course covers: Importance of nutrition and exercise, Relaxation techniques to manage pain, Labor rehearsals, How to avoid a cesarean birth, Postpartum care, Breastfeeding, and Guidance for a coach/doula about supporting and advocating for the mother
Hypnobirthing® teaches mothers that if you remove fear and tension, severe pain does not have to be part of labor. Intense relaxation will enhance natural birthing instincts that lead to a calm and serene birth experience. Teachers emphasize pregnancy and childbirth, as well as on pre-birth parenting and the consciousness of the pre-born baby. It is presented in a series of 5 two-and-a-half-hour classes or 4 three-hour classes. The community or home-study (via manuals and meditative CDs/ mp3s) curriculum also teaches women how to experience a feeling similar to daydreaming, while remaining controlled and happy during labor and birth.
Lamaze® International uses a contemporary curriculum that supports birth as normal, natural, and healthy, and empowers expectant women and their partners to make informed decisions. The class content includes: Normal labor, birth, and early postpartum period, Positioning for labor and birth, Relaxation and massage techniques to alleviate pain, Labor support, Communication skills, Information about medical procedures, Breastfeeding, and Healthy lifestyle.
There are other childbirth education styles that offer more flexibility in terms of time commitment, presentations, and learning styles for both the teachers and their expectant students.
Birth Arts International takes a holistic approach to offering information about Pregnancy- common issues and comfort measures, health and well being and natural progressions, Labor and Birth- comfort measures, support person techniques, Parental Communication, Informed Consent, Comfort Techniques, Sexuality and Relationships, Health & Nutrition, Alternative Health, Postpartum Period, Types of birthing environments and so much more.
The CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Association) Approach allows the freedom for CAPPA professionals to incorporate their own style, meet the particular needs of their community, and teach the curriculum that best matches their skill set. CAPPA professionals are able to utilize a large variety of techniques, skills, and coping strategies that are both evidence-based and personalized to the individual, as opposed to being limited to a set, static method.
The International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA) does not emphasize any particular approach to childbirth. They offer general information about the process of labor and birth. They discuss natural childbirth, teach various methods of dealing with the pain of labor and birth, and present the options available for pain relief.
Many health departments and community-based organizations offer free childbirth education classes. At Blossom Health And Maternal Wellness, we offer an eclectic, evidenced-based, and family-centered approach, especially for mothers who are on bed rest. Many of them are so fragile that they are unable to attend classes at the hospital or in the community. We bring the important information to them and their support team.
In order to decide which class or teacher to choose, it may be helpful to ask these questions: Is the instructor certified to teach childbirth classes? What is the instructor’s philosophy about labor and birth? What topics are included in the curriculum? Will my partner learn how to play an active role in labor and birth? What is the cost? How many couples will be in the class? How often will the class meet? Will various birth philosophies be taught in the class? For example, will a woman wanting an un-medicated birth learn coping skills for pain relief? Will a woman wanting an epidural learn how to cope with a medicated labor and birth? Does this location offer different types of childbirth classes? For example, some locations offer classes on childbirth basics or natural childbirth, in addition to a refresher class and a sibling class.
Mothers who attend a childbirth education class, report a greater sense of empowerment, inclusion, awareness, confidence, and satisfaction in their overall birth outcome. Dad's who attend report a greater sense of empathy and compassion. If you are expecting a child, or know someone who is, please consider a childbirth education class, as early as the second trimester.
What is your experience with a childbirth education class?
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