Childbirth Classes

The Babble Staff

There's a wealth of childbirth classes out there: Bradley, Lamaze and ICEA, to name a few. How do you pick? The classes vary widely, as do the philosophies and techniques they teach. It's a good idea to do your research before choosing one. One writer at Pregnancy Today warns that if you have no idea what childbirth class is right for you, and little sense of what you want from your childbirth, you may end up being taught what to want by the childbirth educator. She suggests interviewing doctors and educators about their methods before selecting a class. Another expert says that, while conventional wisdom used to be that if you were going to have an epidural you could skip childbirth classes, or at least get by on an abbreviated class, even mothers who have decided on an epidural can benefit from learning to minimize stress during birth. Finally, one educator says that it matters more that you prepare and learn to relax, than how you go about relaxing, so don't fret too much over whether Lamaze is better than Bradley.

"Whether you're eagerly anticipating and planning for your baby's birth or you're full of fear at the prospect of labor and delivery, you'll probably benefit from a childbirth education class. Here you get to share notes and really focus on learning what to expect, what your options are, and how to cope with and manage the pain. But what class is right for you?" ...read the full article

"A lot of women have no idea what they want, in childbirth, before they start classes. And they are assuming they are going to learn that from their teacher. And a lot of people aren't aware that there's a tremendous amount of bias in education, and there's very little true neutrality on the part of most childbirth educators, as well as caregivers. That's kind of a shock to expectant parents." ...read the full article

"For most pregnant women, even if you already have a child, the labor and birth process can be an overwhelming and joyful experience. Many women and their partners choose to attend childbirth classes to gather information and lessen their anxiety. There are several different options when choosing a childbirth education class." ...read the full article

"For many years the desire to have an epidural meant that you wouldn't need a childbirth class. Or if you did choose to take one, you'd take the quickie version offered at your hospital that basically gave you hospital policy and how to request anesthesia, with not much else offered. However, the thinking is changing about the use of the epidural and the need for childbirth classes." ...read the full article

"Childbirth classes are an important adjunct to your learning as you prepare for the birth of your baby. While your most important teachers about birth will be women who have given birth naturally and normally and willingly share their birth stories, childbirth classes can and should be a forum for hearing the story of normal, natural birth." ...read the full article