S/O Can we compare/contrast different birth classes?

[turtlewomyn]

This is a spin-off to the Bradley vs. BFW thread. I was wondering if we could get a discussion of the different types of classes available to give people (esp. myself) an idea of what might be most beneficial for them. I took a hypnobirthing class last time, but got coerced into a scheduled c-section for fetal macrosomia. I used my hypnobirthing to help deal with the pain and fear of the catheter and then spinal going in, and that was it. When I VBAC I plan to review my hypnobirthing, but also have a BFW mentor in town that I really like. I am not sure that BFW is the right class for me though.

So, can we compare/contrast these methods: Bradley, Lamaze, Birth From Within, Hypnobirthing and Hypnobabies, Birthworks, any others???

I guess if we could discuss different aspects of each one including: pain management techniques, emotional preparation, physical preparation, understanding of the physiological process, information on possible interventions and informed consent about those interventions, anything else?

I just thought this might be helpful information for women trying to choose the right childbirth class for them.

[momileigh]

I'll be very interested to hear about this. I took Bradley classes as a doula but didn't find the coping techniques to be very helpful. I teach generic childbirth classes, but I would like to find a better program to teach.

[SublimeBirthGirl]

The class I teach is called Intuitive Birth. It's not widely available yet, but we hope to expand, and also offer a distance program at some point. Class summary:

Class One: Nurturing Your Baby and Yourself:
Nutrition & Exercise for Pregnancy
Discover how specific exercises and proper nutrition can keep you low-risk and make your labor and birth a more enjoyable experience.

Class Two: Reframing Your Birth Concepts
Examine your feelings and beliefs about labor and birth, and begin down the path towards a fearless, comfortable, natural birth.

Class Three: Your Birth Begins
Learn about the physiology of first stage labor, including what your body and baby are doing during this time, how fear impacts labor, and how to stay comfortable without medications.


Class Four: Psychological, Emotional, and Mental Aspects of Birth
There are many hormones involved in labor. Learn how they help you and your baby through labor and birth, as well as how your emotional state impacts your labor.


Class Five: Transition & Second Stage
How do you remain comfortable through the most intense part of labor? Is there an ideal position for pushing? Let your intuition be your guide as your labor peaks and your baby is born.

Class Six: Creating Your Birth
There are nearly endless options to explore when deciding the kind of birth you’d like. You’ll learn to evaluate these options critically and make the best decision for you and your baby.


Class Seven: Off the Beaten Path
(exploring variations and complications)
Every birth is different. It is important to understand different variations and complications before your labor begins. In this class, we discuss how to make your experience a positive one, no matter what path your labor takes.


Class Eight: Putting it All Together
Clarify your expectations for your labor and put into practice the techniques you will use during the birth of your baby.


Class Nine: Your New Family
What can you expect postpartum? What do a new mom and baby need in the first weeks? Why do babies cry? How do they sleep? What is breastfeeding like? These questions and more will be answered.

We do a different relaxation script each week (we hope to provide CDs soon, but don't have them yet). we have 2 different intensive labor rehearsals, one for comfort measures and one for dealing with situations that may arise during labor (this one has home and hospital alternatives, since we wrote the class to be practical for everyone no matter where they're giving birth). The class is pretty comprehensive

[Mrsboyko]

That sounds awesome Laura. I would love to get my hands on that when it is ready. Let me know. No hurry as we aren't even TTC yet, but I am on the look out for next time.

[SublimeBirthGirl]

We teach classes in GA now, but hopefully will expand out of state in the next year or so It's very overwhelming to think about training teachers!

[herwitsend]

I am an ALACE CBE. You may recognize the organization name as a big name in doula certification! I took Bradley when I was expecting, but was looking for something a little a little broader to teach. As a Bradley instructor, you do not really have a lot of freedom to modify your curriculum to meet the needs of individual students. ALACE is such a wonderful, woman-centered organization!
ALACE classes do not offer a "method" for avoiding pain, but give you the tools you will need for an active, normal birth. Here is a sample course outline from my website.
You can find ALACE certified instructors in your area on their website!

[Veritaserum]

Originally Posted by turtlewomyn

I guess if we could discuss different aspects of each one including: pain management techniques, emotional preparation, physical preparation, understanding of the physiological process, information on possible interventions and informed consent about those interventions, anything else?

I've taught three types of childbirth classes: CAPPA (my own generic natural childbirth curriculum), HypnoBirthing, and now Hypnobabies. My favorite is Hypnobabies.

For "pain management" we use hypno-anesthesia. It's the same type of technique people learn if they are allergic to dental meds but want to be comfortable during dental work. There are a variety of ways to enter and deepen hypnosis as well as cues to release anesthesia in the body in the exact place a woman needs it. Most Hypnobabies students who take their practice seriously and choose to use the techniques experience very comfortable, if not pain-free births. In addition to hypnosis we talk about other things that can enhance a woman's comfort: water, movement, birth ball, massage, etc.

For emotional preparation I personally found Hypnobabies to be invaluable. I had a lot of fears going into my second birth due to a bad first birth. The Hypnobabies Fear Release was liberating and the Affirmations were a huge confidence boost.

For physical preparation, Hypnobabies covers nutrition and exercise (squatting, tailor sitting, etc.) and covers optimal fetal positioning.

For physiological information, Hypnobabies covers anatomy and physiology: how the uterine muscles work, cervical change (softening, effacement, dilation, position), what happens in the pelvis, how the baby moves through the pelvis (cardinal movements), how to reduce/avoid tearing, the benefits of delayed cord clamping, etc. We have about 20-30 min. of breastfeeding instruction in the last class, which could be more. I encourage my students to go to La Leche League, a breastfeeding class, or to read a good book in addition.

For consumer information, Hypnobabies gives a very thorough run-down of common hospital interventions, going over benefits/risks and we really harp on INFORMED consent.

Additional things that I like about Hypnobabies:

• It's updated frequently based on feedback from instructors and moms.
• Class 6 (live class) is a birth rehearsal, where women and their partners get to practice their techniques in a mock labor.
• Students receive a nice assortment of recordings and scripts so that they have the tools they need to really get good at their hypnosis techniques (without getting bored).
• Partners can be very involved or not involved at all. In the live class, partners are taught how to be helpful and knowledgable but a woman can absolutely do Hypnobabies by herself if she wants or needs to.
• It's so, so, so positive about birth! My students express how excited they are to go through the experience of labor and birth rather than looking at it as a means to an end (the baby). The birth stories I receive back are simply amazing! I love it.

[~*~MamaJava~*~]

What's the best class for learning relaxation? I have so much trouble relaxing during labor. I seem to battle my way through every contraction once I'm in transition.

[Veritaserum]

Originally Posted by ~*~MamaJava~*~

What's the best class for learning relaxation? I have so much trouble relaxing during labor. I seem to battle my way through every contraction once I'm in transition.

I think hypnosis is by far the most effective relaxation option. My favorite is Hypnobabies (see my earlier post on this thread).

[UrbanCrunchyMama]

My husband and I took a holistic childbirth preparation class series. The class is usually taught in a group setting, but no one else signed up during the time we were there. This actually worked to our advantage because my husband is a very private person.

Our instructors (a doula and a midwife) followed a variety of techniques and pulled from many sources. Over weeks of classes and lots of information-finding on my part, I had complete trust in my birth support and in myself.

What actually got me through all the contractions?

Being completely open to them, yielding to them. Moaning deeply through each one. Staying on my feet and moving as I pleased between and during contractions. Welcoming the puking and pooping in transition as a sign of progress.

So in the heat of the moment, there was no formal method to follow. I just worked it and was ready to push 4 1/2 hours later.

Lydia

[Maggirayne]

What if you don't want to do hypnosis? What are good methods/learn to use/learn then?

[ldsapmom]

Originally Posted by UrbanCrunchyMama

My husband and I took a holistic childbirth preparation class series. The class is usually taught in a group setting, but no one else signed up during the time we were there. This actually worked to our advantage because my husband is a very private person.

Our instructors (a doula and a midwife) followed a variety of techniques and pulled from many sources. Over weeks of classes and lots of information-finding on my part, I had complete trust in my birth support and in myself.

What actually got me through all the contractions?

Being completely open to them, yielding to them. Moaning deeply through each one. Staying on my feet and moving as I pleased between and during contractions. Welcoming the puking and pooping in transition as a sign of progress.

So in the heat of the moment, there was no formal method to follow. I just worked it and was ready to push 4 1/2 hours later.

Lydia

Cool! I took my Lamaze training with Stacy in February .

So I am Lamaze-trained. Lamaze has specific things you must cover, but you choose the line-up and the info/way of presenting it. Here is what my course outline looks like:

Class One:
•History of birth and current culture of birth
•Lamaze philosophy
•Six care practices of normal birth
•Developing and maintaining confidence in the inherent ability to give birth
•Anatomy and physiology of pregnancy
•Normal physiological changes of pregnancy
•Emotional changes and sexuality
•Comfort measures
•Healthy lifestyles including guidelines for exercise, pelvic tilts, and Kegels
•Optimal fetal positioning
•Warning signs including preterm labor


Class Two:
•Anatomy and physiology of birth, including hormones; The process of labor including stages and phases; Emotions of labor; Anatomy and physiology of third stage; Emotions of 3rd stage
•Benefits of upright positions for second stage; Spontaneous pushing
•Importance of mom and baby staying together; Importance of skin-to-skin
•Rights of childbearing women; CIMS 10 questions to ask; Informed consent; Communication and negotiating skills
•Importance of birth memories; Factors which increase a woman’s satisfaction with birth
•Contribution of the doula, nurse, midwife, doctor; Labor support during second stage; Role of partner, family, friends; Continuous presence; Encouragement and verbal support
•Early labor plan
•Help a Mother Out


Class Three:
•Physiology of pain; Pain theories; Difference between pain associated with trauma and normal pain of labor
•Movement and positioning which enhance progress and comfort; Birth balls, rebozos, and other aids for movement; Strategies for dealing with prolonged labor, back labor
•Stimulating all five senses as pain management strategies
oHydrotherapy
oAromatherapy
oHeat and cold
oRelaxation
oFocused attention
oFocused breathing
oImagery
•Establishing ritual and rhythm in labor; Actively working with contractions
•Creating a positive birth environment
•Creating personal plans for birth


Class Four: Variations of Normal
•Strategies for normal birth within the context of limited options
•Cascade of interventions
•Augmentation
•Restricted movement, eating/drinking, support
•IV fluids
•Continuous EFM versus intermittent
•Epidural anesthesia & opiate medication
•Amniotomy
•Directed pushing
•Episiotomy
•Instrumental delivery
•Separation of mother and baby
•Formula supplementation for breastfeeding babies
•Circumcision

Class Five:
•Cesarean birth
•Repeat cesarean birth versus VBAC
•Labor review


Class Six:
•Anatomy and physiology (postpartum)
•Emotions including warning signs for ppd
•Importance of support
•Lamaze philosophy of parenting
•Newborn appearance, needs, and capabilities
•Encouraging attachment between baby and family
•Importance of relationships on social, emotional, and cognitive development of baby
•Importance of breastfeeding for mom, baby, society
•Basic anatomy and physiology of breastfeeding
•Early infant feeding cues
•Breastfeeding positions
•Correct latch
•What’s normal in the beginning
•Where to get help (local resources)