Childbirth birthing classes

Typically an in-hospital childbirth-preparation class is the one most families choose. It s conveniently located in their birth location, and it s usually given by a member of the staff familiar with the hospital, which can be reassuring. Unfortunately, that sense of security is often a false one. Many in-hospital classes lack a focus on individual choices and, most important, evidence-based care (rooted in recent studies).These classes have a tendency to educate families about what to expect upon arrival at the birth location, but not about their options and preferences once they arrive. Moreover, some hospital-based classes reflect the institutions policies and are more focused on creating compliancy than on helping patients achieve their individual goals. 

Out-of-hospital childbirth-preparation classes frequently offer a broader picture of the labor and birth process and the choices that are available to laboring mothers and their partners. Often they are run by educators who include evidence-based information in their classes. They teach families about the risks and benefits of a myriad of choices and empower them to make the best decisions in the individual circumstances of their labors and births. Of course, these kinds of instructors can be found in hospitals as well. 

Birthing classes should empower you with knowledge—about the birth process and about yourself. You need to take the time to return to your instincts and inner self and realize that for the most part you already have what you need to bring to this labor and birth. Childbirth classes should helpyou see your inherent pain-coping abilities and reframe them within a context of labor and birth— What will I do contraction after contraction The classes should also help you crystallize your desires for the birth experience and create a simple birth plan that expresses your preferences. They should ultimately allow you to make the best decisions possible in whatever circumstances that may arise. 

Types of Childbirth Education Classes 162 Birth Plans 167 Doulas 168 Packing for Labor 169 Bringing on Labor 170 Episiotomy 174 Pain Relief 179... 

Excellent childbirth classes can certainly exist in various environments—your birth location (hospital or birth center), an independent education center, or in a series taught by a private educator. As a certified childbirth educator and labor support doula, I know how seriously women should and do take childbirth class, and so I would like to offer some recommendations of my own. 

Birthing a child is a natural, normal, instinctive process with which the modern world seems to have lost touch. Today, it is too often seen as something that is done to a woman, rather than by a woman. Childbirth education is essential in debunking that falsehood and critical in helping women and their partners reclaim knowledge and an awareness that was once very common. The goal of a good childbirth class should be to leave you so well informed that you will be able to make decisions confidently—whatever the circumstances. 

Dr. Robert Bradley introduced the husband/partner into the birthing room. He believed that the partner could and should be involved in the labor and birth. The Bradley classes call the partners coaches, and there is a heavy (some might say intense) emphasis on birthing without medication. A downside is that women who have studied this method, and for whatever reason go on to have to have a medicated birth or a C-section, often report feeling like they failed at childbirth. Couples interested in Bradley might want to supplement their classes with reading about pain medication just in case. For more information visit www.bradleybirth.com. 

---