Having
a baby is one of the most important, transformative events in a woman’s
life. More and more women are becoming interested in the process of birth
itself and recognizing that it is important to be well-educated and informed
about all aspects of pregnancy and birth. Today there are a number of
different birth preparation classes to choose from. Although they may
have different philosophies, methods, and techniques, all classes should
cover these important topics: labor and delivery, including how labor
begins; benefits and risks of common medical interventions; comfort measures
for labor; nutrition, exercise, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle; and
the post-partum period. Some classes also cover breastfeeding and newborn
care. Holistic birth classes discuss emotional and psychological aspects
of birth as well as physical aspects. Some classes are meant to be taken
early in pregnancy; others are appropriate for the third trimester. “Refresher”
courses may be offered for those classes which encourage women to enroll
early.
Choosing a Childbirth Education Method
Right for You
Points to consider when choosing any class are:
Philosophy of the Particular Method — What do they believe about birth and labor? What do they believe about women’s bodies and pain in birth? Do they support the woman in coming to her own conclusions about birth? Are they teaching a particular method; if so, how effective is this method?
Qualifications and Training of the Instructor — Are the instructors certified in the method which they teach or by another nationally-recognized group? Bradley, Birthworks, ASPO/Lamaze, ICEA, or ALACE are national organizations which offer certification.
Class Setting, Number of Meetings, and Costs of the Class — Many classes take place in a hospital setting. Other classes are offered in community centers or in the instructor’s home. Some birth educators offer private instruction in the couple’s own home. There are benefits to this but some people appreciate getting to know other pregnant couples and prefer a group setting for this reason. Find out how many couples will be in the class; most will not take more than 8-10 couples.
Development of a Birth Plan — Many classes will help women develop a birth plan. A birth plan is a blueprint for birth which clearly states the parents’ desires. It usually includes information about the options for anesthesia, induction, IVs, fetal monitoring, and newborn care. Some birth plans are very formal; others may be called “birthing hopes” or “birthing wishes,” in recognition that birth is an amazing, sometimes surprising event! Some classes will help women write a birth plan for a C-section, so that if it is necessary the experience can be less traumatic.
Childbirth Education Methods
Choosing a birth class is one of the first of many decisions you will
make as a new parent, so it is important to think about what your needs
and desires are with regards to birth education.
This is a holistic model of birth education based on the concept that childbirth is a profound rite of passage rather than a medical event. The focus of these classes is on self-discovery. Art and other exercises are used to gain self-knowledge in preparation for birth. Women practice different coping techniques to handle pain in labor and are encouraged to develop ideas about what birthing from within means to them.
This holistic model of birth education is based on the idea that the knowledge of how to give birth already exists within. Writing exercises, meditations, art, and visualizations are used to help women and their partners connect with and express their feelings about birth and becoming a parent. Instructors recognize that a woman’s own creativity at finding her way through the birth process is one of her greatest strengths. This class encourages women and partners to develop their own voices and express their own experiences; there is no one “right” way to birth.
This method is specifically for women who desire a natural childbirth. It is based on the idea that natural births lead to better outcomes for mother and baby. The husband (or partner) is trained to “coach” the laboring woman. There is an emphasis on the coach’s role throughout pregnancy and post-partum as well as in labor. Specific techniques for labor are discussed and practiced at length. The importance of a healthy diet and how to stay low-risk is also discussed, as are common medical interventions.
This method of birth education uses hypnosis to help a woman stay calm and relaxed through contractions. Deep relaxation and slow breathing patterns are taught to help a woman release more and more of her own endorphins. Women are taught about the Fear-Tension-Pain syndrome. When women are free of fear they can relax, thus facilitating easier birthing.
These classes are based on the belief that women’s inner wisdom guides them through birth, and that a woman’s confidence can be enhanced or diminished by the care providers. The focus is on empowering women to make informed choices, to take responsibility for their births, and to trust their inner wisdom. Breathing methods are taught in the belief that they can help take a woman’s mind off the pain of contractions. This class is commonly taught in hospitals.
Which class you choose is probably less important than how you use the class and other resources. Taking class time to enjoy your pregnancy and to practice early bonding with your baby will benefit you no matter what!