Childbirth Education What kinds of classes are available to pregnant women?

Childbirth Education

• Helps you work through labor pain in a positive way. If you know what to expect, you`ll be more accepting of the pain. You will be more likely to understand that what you`re experiencing is normal, even if it hurts. Perhaps that`s one of the reasons women who`ve participated in prepared-childbirth classes ask for less medication for pain. Consequently, they and their babies have fewer unwanted side effects from anesthesia.
• Actually can reduce your labor pain. Certain techniques you learn in class even may block pain sensations from reaching the brain. One such technique is massage. Its success stems from the "gate theory," which says that an injury sends its pain message to the brain along three kinds of nerve fibers. The theory says that if you can send a different message - a touch message, for example - on the fastest nerve fiber, it will reach the brain before the pain message and will close the "gate" behind it.
• Builds your confidence. One of the aims of prepared childbirth is to teach you that you can give birth successfully, even though you`ve never done it before.
• Teaches you breathing and relaxation techniques. These techniques can help break the cycle of fear, tension, and pain.
• Helps your partner understand labor. Certified Childbirth Educators can show your partner important ways to provide you with both physical and emotional support.

Most expectant mothers eagerly await baby`s birth, but at the same time dread the labor and delivery. To learn how to maximize the birthing experience - and minimize the dread, enroll yourself and your spouse in childbirth classes. These classes will give you a real understanding of what`s happening to your body. Knowing what to expect can make labor and delivery less frightening.

You`ll find childbirth classes conducted at hospitals (check with the hospital where you`re planning to deliver), in church basements, and at other community centers. Your health-care practitioner also can direct you to local classes. You`ll want to check the credentials of the person presenting the class. Your best bet is to find a Certified Childbirth Educator. These certified professionals have achieved a certain level of knowledge and competence in areas tested by the International Certified Childbirth Association.

The Bradley Method
Relies on an abdominal-breathing technique to relax you and thereby reduce your need for pain medication. You`re taught specific exercises for muscle development and are shown how to synchronize your breathing with your uterine contractions. Your partner plays a major role in the delivery by acting as the labor coach.

The Lamaze Method
Based on the theory that if you understand the nature of labor pains, you`ll be less afraid. Instead of anguishing over each contraction, you`re taught to think of it as a necessary step in dilating the cervix and the eventual birth of the baby. Lamaze says that if the negative aspects of labor pains can be neutralized, you can be taught to respond to them as a signal for a special type of breathing. The breathing acts both as a distraction from labor pains and as a way of easing the pain itself.

The Leboyer Method
Focuses on the baby during labor, as well as on the mother. It first attempts to reproduce a womblike environment as the baby is being born. The delivery room is warm and dimly lit so the baby won`t be shocked when she leaves the mother`s body. The infant is placed immediately on the mother`s abdomen, so she feels warmth and comfort. The umbilical cord isn`t cut until it stops pulsating, allowing the maximum amount of oxygen to pass into the body. Finally, the baby`s back is massaged and she`s placed into a body temperature bath.

The Reed Method
Teaches you about your anatomy, your physiology, and what`s involved in labor and delivery. You`ll learn relaxation techniques and breathing exercises to help you reduce your fear of labor and thus alleviate pain. You also are put on a program of general physical fitness. Finally, this method asks the baby`s father to become involved in labor and delivery and to help meet the mother`s psychological needs.



Comments: Childbirth Education

Comments 1 to 24 of about 33.
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starby - 31 days ago.
I was so excited to take a childbirth class and then when it met last Sunday, I was really really dissapointed :( There were 45 people in this tiny little room, super stuffy and hot and uncomfortable chairs all squeezed together...we watched a video that was quite informative but I just dont think I can do the class for 2 hours every Sunday if its going to be like that...especially paying for it...although its only 25.00 compared to the hundreds lots of you mention thats a lot for us and we need to pinch every penny...I feel a bit guilty about not going back to the class but it really wasnt what I expected and I dont want it to be a negative experience...I just had such a different idea of how it would be...I'm kind of bummed about the whole thing...

Tori(a.k.a. Tinkerbell) - 51 days ago.
ok even though alex n me aren't together anymore he's gonna be in the delivery room..well i asked him if when i start my childbirth classes n his response was 'What do you need me there for?'

kara8385 - 74 days ago.
Anyone know where to buy the child birth education videos? I know they are out there.

Martina26 - 95 days ago.
Never went to any classes but i 2nd the poop-push technique. Worked for me in 15 min as well.

10.12.07 - 95 days ago.
best advise i got was 'push like your taking the biggest poop of your life'..it worked for me!! i pushed for 15 min!

nadiaandbrian - 101 days ago.
I saw some DVD's being sold on Ebay. After watching it you could probably resell it.

sugarmomma - 114 days ago.
Who has good suggestions on videos? I want a video of a good birthing class. I looked on the Lamaze website to see if they sell a DVD of the Lamaze class, but NOPE. All the local hospitals in my city offer birthing classes, but they're all scheduled in the early evening and lasting for many weeks. I have no problem with that but my husband is in the military and works crazy hours and the base is too far from where we live. So we need a really good up-to-date video that teaches breathing techniques, birthing positions, relaxation techniques, coaching, etc. I've already looked on Amazon.com and in bookstores, but no success.

kerriberri74 - 120 days ago.
When I took lamaze, my mom told me that it would help ,but that the best advice she could give me was if I felt the need to scream , do so out of my uhhh Butt hole, not my mouth, as that just wastes energy I would need. As crazy as it sounded to me at the time, she was 100 percent correct..

newMAMAtiff - 120 days ago.
I am 35 wks and 4 days..I started my first class yesterday and the streching exercise felt so good!

lynna - 123 days ago.
I am first time mommy and my husband and I took the classes. My insurance is supposed to remburse me a portion of the class. I wouldn't say it was 'waste of money' but I don't know if it was worth the money. My husband learned a lot more than I did ~ but he doesn't cruze this website like I do everyday. He learned that I am not crazy ~it's just part of being preggo. But it also taught him how important he is to the process. I think it gave him more of purpose and put emphesis on how much I am gonna need him. I don't think he thought he could do anything to help but with the class they gave him procedures and hints and step by step guide to help with labor pain management and labor positions and how to run interference for me and be my advocate with the doctors and nurses... wow i guess after saying all that I would say its a little bit worth it... However I won't be taking the class again if we decide to have more kids. Good luck mommy's!

melissa08 - 123 days ago.
I personally think they are a waste of money but I am also on child 7 but I never took one of these classes. I hear they are very educational for the first time mom. But honestly to me they way they make it to be all routine and push and breathe its not like that when its time to have the baby.LOL But to each their own and you may find it to be a good thing to take. Buy a video that probably teaches you the same things if you want to save money.

nancy26 - 123 days ago.
Anikasmom08 - I was standing in the maternity store the other day waiting to pay for a couple of items, and on the rack next to the till there was this DVD which said it had everything you needed to know about giving birth - basically antenatal classes all-in-one... I didn't have a detailed look as I don't really feel like I'm far enough yet (silly, I know)... but maybe you could find something like that online somewhere? surefire a hell of a lot cheaper than blowing hundreds on face to face classes...? I'm going to start looking for it again and see what I can come up with... will let you know!

MJamison - 123 days ago.
Hey Ladies! Do you think it is a waste to take these classes! I have a lot of people who are telling me this is a waste of money!

aprilchristine - 128 days ago.
I live in Pa, and my hospital does not give free classes. They cost 100 dolars I think.

Virgobaby1978 - 143 days ago.
anikasmom08~maybe try contacting your health department and see if they can help you.

anikasmom08 - 174 days ago.
I tried asking the hospitals before and they're not free-I guess I'll just have to try and pay the fee. I should have been living in PA :).

kerriberri74 - 178 days ago.
Try asking the hospital where you are going to deliver. I am not in NY but in PA, and almost all our hospitals offer childbirth classes for free.

anikasmom08 - 178 days ago.
hey is there anyone from ny who knows about childbirth classes that take medicaid? I've been looking everywhere, and asked my dr. too-she told me to search it on google but I haven't had any luck yet.

noel - 178 days ago.
nadiaandbrian - you are right, many of our mom's didn't attend childbirth classes. My mom said that she had no idea what to expect when she was pregnant with me (32 years ago). When I was born jaundiced, she was terrified because nobody told her what it meant. They just put me under special lights and wouldn't let her take me home for nearly two weeks. She said that she was totally in the dark. Then again, they lived in the age of men not being in the delivery room, and the woman just doing whatever the doctor said because they didn't have the resources (i.e. the internet) that we have now. I've been to 2 (of 4) childbirth classes so far, and I've learned a lot about what to expect. Each of us has to make our own decision about whether or not we take these classes. It was an easy decision for me (it was also only $20). I'm happy about what I've learned about the hospital procedures and policies, as well as, what to expect upon arrival and throughout labor and delivery. The nurse teaching oru class has also provided some of insight on each of the doctors in my practice and how they handle different situations. It's been quite a relief.

nadiaandbrian - 179 days ago.
I am not sure about taking the class. The hospital offers a one day class on Saturdays and Sundays that is far cheaper than the 6 week course offered on weekdays. I told my husband the cost is $85 which we have the money but we still think it's a little much for one class. When we thought about it our moms didn't go to classes and they managed.

babymaddy - 180 days ago.
i just signed up for classes @ my hospital.. im single and a freshman in college.. the fee for the class was 95$!! i know to some, u may not think thats alot but to me that is too much to pay to sit on the floor for 4 weeks! so i explained my situation to the receptionist and she got me approved for a 50% discount :) i start on the 19th .. i hope to get all my questions answered and learn as much as i can

cko1522 - 183 days ago.
I live in a rural area and the only hospital here offers a class that lasts 6 WEEKS! Uggh. I mean, who has time for that? I'm hoping I can find some videos or something that will help me prepare for childbirth, does anyone have any suggestions?

TexasTammy - 183 days ago.
My hubby and I went to childbirth classes when I was pregnant w/ my daughter 8 years ago. We laughed through the whole thing. We both thought the whole breathing thing is silly. It hurts to have a baby and I don't think there's any amount of breathing is going to make it better. Of course, this is just me! For lots of people these exercises are helpful but I'm not really the breathing/relaxing type. The told me to take something like a teddy bear or something to focus on. It just all seemed silly. I wanted my hubby to see the birthing films so he'd know what to expect and wouldn't faint in the delivery room. He's squimish. Everyone is different and I know it's helpful for some. We actually had a young guy in our class ask this question.... 'Exactly how long does it take for the pussy to heal?' Ok that was it for us! We broke out in laughter - OMG!

noel - 184 days ago.
We started childbirth classes at the hospital this week. It's a four week course. It was very boring, but provided lots of useful information.

jamiesgirl - 185 days ago.
I took a birthing class last saturday. My hospital offers weekly classes and one all day saturday class, because of our schedule it was the smartest thing to do and it was great. Not nearly as stupid as I thought it would be. My husband even had a great time. Give it a chance if you've never taken one, they seem helpful enough.


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