Choosing a Childbirth Class

When you think of childbirth education classes, you may automatically think about being taught how to cope with labor by learning breathing techniques and how to control pain.

Most childbirth education courses offer much more than this. You will find a broad range of them with different focal points and philosophies.

Here are some of the things a childbirth class might offer:

        Nutrition. You may be taught the basics about eating during pregnancy, or your class might go into a lot of detail about recommended vitamins, calorie requirements, and even recipe suggestions.
        Body awareness and conditioning. Many teachers will include Kegel exercises or yoga postures to help prepare your body for birth.
        Visualization and relaxation. Your instructor may take you through one, or many, visualizations to help prepare you for labor and birth. Some may teach meditation techniques.
        Communication and community. Being in a group with other parents-to-be is an important part of most childbirth education classes. You can discuss issues ranging from worries about parenting to finding a pediatrician. You may develop friendships that can last for years and give you the beginnings of a community of fellow parents.
        Labor preparation. You may learn breathing and other techniques that can help you manage pain and other stressors of labor.
        Parenting and breastfeeding preparation. Most teachers include preliminary instruction on breastfeeding and the basics of newborn care.
        How to be your own advocate. You and your partner will learn how to ask questions and take appropriate steps to help ensure you will have the type of birth experience you want.

In order to help you choose a course and teacher that is compatible with your particular needs, it helps to look at the different organizations that certify childbirth educators. Each has its own specific philosophies and techniques. You may find instructors who are certified by one of these organizations and teach only those methods, or you may find an instructor who incorporates a number of different philosophies.
   
Lamaze International:  Lamaze promotes a natural, safe and healthy approach to pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting and serves as a resource for information about what to expect and what choices are available during the childbearing years.  Lamaze education and practices are based on the best, most current medical evidence available, and can help reduce the use of unnecessary interventions and improve overall outcomes for mothers and babies. Working closely with their families, health care providers and Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educators, millions of pregnant women have achieved their desired childbirth outcomes using Lamaze practices.

These Six Healthy Birth Practices form the foundation of Lamaze education and are tried-and-true ways to make birth as safe and healthy as possible:

· Let labor begin on its own 

· Walk, move around and change positions throughout labor 

· Bring a loved one, friend or doula for continuous support 

· Avoid interventions that are not medically necessary 

· Avoid giving birth on your back and follow your body's urges to push 

· Keep mother and baby together - It's best for mother, baby and breastfeeding 

Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educators (with the LCCE credential) offer interactive childbirth education in a variety of formats throughout the childbearing year to support informed decision-making. This may include a series of classes with a group of parents, several independent classes, or one-to-one teaching. Classes may be in-person or online. First time parents should receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction.

Bradley Method: The Bradley Method promotes natural childbirth and attempts to achieve this goal with a very thorough and detailed course program for new parents. They teach avoidance of drugs during pregnancy, birth, and while breastfeeding unless absolutely necessary. A key component of the method is to train the husband as a coach and the main supporter during labor.

Classes are held over a period of 12 weeks and include information on nutrition, as well as relaxation and natural breathing as tools to use during labor. Parents are taught how to handle unexpected situations and how to self-advocate. Bradley courses follow a strict formula and are the same wherever you take them.

Birthing From Within: The founder of Birthing From Within, Pam England, draws from several different cultures in her philosophy, focusing on the spiritual nature of giving birth. Parents are not forced to learn any one method. Instead, they can use different ideas and sources to help them though labor and birth. The goal is to be present for your baby’s birth. In general, classes tend to be experiential, incorporating active exercises for learning, rather than lecture-oriented.

A typical class is divided into three parts: (1) a multisensory activity, using song and drumming, for example; (2) pain-coping practices such as Coyote Circle, where parents learn that vocalizing during labor is normal and helpful; and (3) practical information about specific topics such as, “How to push your baby out.”

Birthworks: Birthworks’ major goal is to develop a woman’s self-confidence and faith in her ability to give birth, and was inspired by the work of famous French obstetrician, Dr. Michel Odent. Odent believes that women need to give birth in any way that is comfortable for them, and Birthworks encourages women to use their intuition. Women and their partners are encouraged to begin the course as early in pregnancy as possible, or even before becoming pregnant. This is because a large part of the course helps parents learn how to choose and communicate with care providers.

Nutrition is also taught, as well as a method known as Pelvic Bodyworks, which teaches women how the pelvis moves and opens in different labor position. The classes generally meet for two and a half hours each week for ten weeks. Women with any type of medical history are encouraged to attend, including women who are expecting twins or who have had previous cesarean sections.