If you are
having a child for the first time
, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by questions, fears, and just not
knowing what to expect. Many new parents find that birthing classes
can really help calm their worries and answer many questions.
These classes cover all kinds of issues surrounding childbirth
including breathing techniques,
pain management
, vaginal birth, and cesarean birth. They can help prepare you for
many aspects of childbirth: for the changes that pregnancy brings,
for labor and delivery, and for parenting once your baby is
born.
Typically, new parents take birthing classes during the third
trimester of the pregnancy, when the mother is about 7 months
pregnant. But there are a variety of different classes which begin
both sooner and later than that. It's a good idea to talk with
your doctor about the different kinds of classes that are offered
in your community.
Benefits of Taking a Childbirth Class
A childbirth class can provide you with a great forum to ask
lots of questions and can help you make informed decisions about
key issues surrounding your baby's birth. Some of the
information you can find out from a birthing class includes:
- how your baby is developing
- healthy developments in your pregnancy
- warning signs that something is wrong
- how to make your pregnancy, labor, and delivery more
comfortable
- breathing and relaxation techniques
- how to write a birth plan
- how to tell when you are in labor
- pain relief options during labor
- what to expect during labor and delivery
- the role of the coach or labor partner
Many classes also address what to expect after the baby is born,
including breastfeeding, baby care, and dealing with the emotional
changes of new parenthood.
You might also find support from other expectant couples at a
childbirth class. Who would better understand the ups and downs of
pregnancy than couples who are going through them, too? Many people
find friends in their childbirth class who last long past the birth
of their child.
If your birth coach is also
the baby's father
, taking a class together can mean his increased involvement in the
pregnancy, and can act as a good bonding experience. Like the
mother, the father can also benefit from knowing what to expect
when the mother goes into labor - and how to assist in that
process. Some classes have one session just for fathers, where men
can discuss their own concerns about pregnancy and birth. There are
also classes geared just for new fathers. Some classes even offer a
special session for new grandparents, which is a great way to get
them involved in the process and to make sure they're up on the
latest in baby care techniques and safety.
Of course, some people get more out of childbirth classes than
others do. But even if you find the techniques you're taught
don't work for you when you finally go into labor, you may get
other benefits from the class. The common goal of all birthing
classes is to provide you with the knowledge and confidence you
need to give birth and make informed decisions. This includes
reducing your anxiety about the birth experience, as well as
providing you with a variety of coping techniques to aid in pain
management. Remember that the ultimate goal is to have a healthy
mom and healthy baby.
What Types of Classes Are Available?
Many childbirth classes embrace a particular philosophy about
pregnancy and birth. The two most common methods of childbirth
breathing, relaxation, and exercise in the United States are the
Lamaze technique
and the
Bradley method
.
The
Lamaze technique
is the most widely used method in the United States. The Lamaze
philosophy holds that birth is a normal, natural, and healthy
process and that women should be empowered through education and
support to approach it with confidence. The goal of Lamaze is to
explore all the ways women can find strength and comfort during
labor and birth. Classes focus on relaxation techniques, but they
also encourage the mother to condition her response to pain through
training and preparation (this is called
psychoprophylaxis
). This conditioning is meant to teach expectant mothers
constructive responses to the pain and stress of labor (for
example, controlled breathing patterns) as opposed to
counterproductive responses (such as holding the breath or tensing
up). Other techniques, such as distraction (a woman might be
encouraged to focus on a special object from home or a photo, for
example) or massage by a supportive coach, are also used to
decrease a woman's perception of pain.
Lamaze courses don't advocate for or against the use of
drugs and routine medical interventions during labor and delivery,
but instead educate mothers about their options so they can make
informed decisions when the time comes.
The
Bradley method
(also called "Husband-Coached Birth") places an emphasis
on a natural approach to birth and on the active participation of
the baby's father as the birth coach. A major goal of this
method is the avoidance of medications unless absolutely
necessary.
Other topics stressed include the importance of good nutrition
and exercise during pregnancy, relaxation techniques (such as deep
breathing and concentration on body signals) as a method of coping
with labor, and the empowerment of parents to trust their instincts
and become active, informed participants in the birth process. The
course is traditionally offered in 12 sessions.
Although Bradley emphasizes a birth experience without pain
medication, the classes do prepare parents for unexpected
complications or situations, like emergency cesarean sections.
After the birth, immediate breast-feeding and constant contact
between parents and baby is stressed. Bradley is the method of
choice for many women who give birth at home or in other
nonhospital settings.
There are several other types of birthing classes available.
Some include information from the two previously mentioned
techniques, and some are offshoots that explore one particular
area. Two options that might be available in your area are active
birth classes that teach yoga techniques to prepare for labor and
"hypnobirthing" courses, which use deep relaxation and
self-hypnosis as relaxation techniques.
When Should I Start Taking a Class?
In addition to offering many techniques and curricula, birthing
classes also vary greatly in terms of duration. You'll find
classes that begin during the first trimester and focus on all the
changes that pregnancy brings; 5- to 8-week courses offered late in
pregnancy aimed at educating parents mostly about labor, delivery,
and postpartum issues; and one-time-only refresher courses for
repeat parents. Most parents opt for a course that meets about six
or seven times in the last trimester for 1 1/2 to 2 hours per
session, or for full-day versions that take place over one or two
weekends. What's important to remember is that a variety of
options are often offered, so be sure and find one that fits your
needs.
Choosing a Class
The type of class that's right for you depends on your
personality and beliefs, as well as those of your labor partner.
There is no one correct method. If you're the kind of person
who likes to share and is eager to meet people, you might like a
smaller, more intimate class designed for couples to swap stories
and support each other. If you don't like the idea of sharing
in a small group, you might want a larger class, where the teacher
does most of the talking.
Of course, the community you live in may limit your choices -
expectant parents in rural areas often have fewer choices than
those in large cities. You may find childbirth classes offered
by:
- hospitals
- private teachers
- health care providers (through their practices)
- community health organizations
- midwives
- national childbirth education organizations
- videos and DVDs
Before you sign up for a class, it's a good idea to ask what
the curriculum includes and what philosophy it is based upon. You
can also request to see the course outline. A good class will cover
a range of topics and prepare you for the many possible scenarios
of labor and delivery. Classes should include information about
vaginal births and cesarean sections; natural childbirth techniques
as well as the use of pain medication during labor; tips on pre-
and postnatal care; and postpartum adjustment.
If something you wanted or expected to see isn't included in
the outline, ask about it - if your teacher doesn't seem
flexible or his or her philosophy doesn't match yours, you may
want to look elsewhere.
You should also feel free to contact the teacher or childbirth
class coordinator with questions, such as:
- What's your background and how were you trained?
- Do you have certification from a nationally recognized
organization?
- What is your philosophy? Do you teach a particular
method?
- How does the class time break down between lecture,
discussion, and practicing techniques?
- How many people are in the class?
Whatever course or method you choose, you'll want to begin
exploring your options early - some classes fill up well in advance
of the start date.
Finding a Class
There are a variety of ways you can find out about your birthing
class options. A good place to start is with your obstetrician,
family doctor, or midwife, followed by friends or acquaintances who
have had babies in your area. Your local
hospital or birthing center
should also be able to provide you with a list of classes.
You can also contact national organizations that certify
childbirth educators. The International Childbirth Education
Association supports families and trains childbirth educators - you
can contact them to find out what certified courses are offered in
your area. Lamaze International can give you information on where
the Lamaze technique is taught in your area; for information on the
Bradley method, contact the American Academy of Husband-Coached
Childbirth.
Whether it's a healthier pregnancy, increased knowledge,
reduced anxiety, or a greater closeness with your labor partner,
there are many benefits to taking a birthing class.
Updated and reviewed by:
Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: April 2008
Reviewed by:
Sue Bechhold, RN, BSN
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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