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	ask the experts shantell herndon

Shantell Herndon
Childbirth Education, Doulas, Integrative wellness for the childbearing years

• Choosing a childbirth technique

My question is about selecting a childbirth technique that will be most effective for me. At the birth of my son three years ago, I had practiced hypnobirthing as well as yoga before his birth. He was early so I didn't get as much practice with the meditation associated with hypobirthing as some moms, but I didn't find it very effective for me, even though I did give birth without pain relief. Can you recommend any questions that I should be asking myself to help clarify a birthing method (Bradley, Birthing from Within, etc.) that I might try for my next birth?

I think the two most beneficial questions that a couple can ask themselves while considering a childbirth class are "who are we?" and "what do we need (to have the birth we want)?" 

Those may sound like silly questions, but are very important ones.

We all have different ways in which we absorb information. Assessing who you are in terms of learning styles and personality provides valuable information.  Some of us are multi-sensory oriented people who learn through stimulating activities. Maybe Birthing from Within would be the best option for this personality type as it is an 'out of the box' teaching style. Some of us are more studious people who learn through fact-based investigation. Maybe the Bradley Method would be the best option for this personality type as it is a formatted, information-intensive series of classes. Some of us are spirit-oriented people who learn through sensory exercises. Maybe Hypnobirthing would be the best option for this personality type, as is geared towards visualizations and deep breathing exercises.

Now, after figuring out how you and your partner learn best, you need to move to the second question. In probing deeper, to discover "what you need" to have the birth you want, you might discover that the answers to "who we are" might actually get in the way of you having the birth you want.

Let me explain further:
If you are a Type-A personality who typically likes structure and being in control, you might naturally gravitate to the Bradley Method because it is details and the structure involved. But when asking yourself "what do I need (to get through this labor)," you may find that your biggest obstacle is to surrender. Maybe you should consider a different sort of class such as Hypnobirthing, which will help you to connect to the baby and trust your inner self in giving yourself to the birth process (whatever that may look like).

Another example:
If you're a Yoga Momma type of personality, who typically connects to breath and visualization, you might naturally gravitate to the Hypnobirthing Method. But when asking yourself "what do I need to get through this labor," you may discover that your biggest obstacle is a need to know the stages of labor in order to surrender. Maybe you should consider a different sort of class such as the Bradley Method, which will help you gather and explore all the information so that you can feel free to connect to the baby and trust yourself to give over to the birth process (whatever that may look like).

Another example:
If you're an independent, detail-oriented personality, you may typically read every book available as a means of understanding what's to be expected. But when asking yourself "what do I need to get through this labor," you could find that your biggest obstacle is that you want some personal growth. Maybe you should consider a different sort of class such as the Birthing From Within, which will help you to explore the cultural and ritual aspects of birth so that you can consider this time as a sacred rite of passage for you and your family, which may allow you to give over to the process (whatever that may look like).

The combination of assessing your innate strengths and learning styles, as well as embracing the deeper question of what you need to experience birth as the most optimal passage it can be, will help you narrow the focus and choose a helpful class.