The line has turned double pink and you are experiencing a myriad of emotions. Whether expected or not, whether your first or your fifth (yes, I have five!) the events of pregnancy will be like a whirlwind and at the same time a period of frustration, impatience and learning.
Childbirth education is a class where a mother and her chosen birth partner learn about the workings of the body during birth, how to make choices about the care they are receiving, how to cope with the work of labor, breastfeeding and the basics of becoming a family or welcoming a new addition. There are multitudes of different attitudes regarding childbirth. Women come to birth as individuals and with their life experiences. The education program they choose should reflect the same values as the woman holds. On the same note, the instructor should be a good match as well; sitting in a classroom and listening to someone that irritates you will not be conducive to soaking up all that good knowledge.
Whether this is your first time or you want to better educate yourself for a subsequent birth, try the links below to find the class or person best suited to your specific childbirth education needs.
Hospital Based Classes – with these classes there is not much choice about your educator. The classes are basic and offer a ‘cookie cutter’ type of education. The instructors come from a variety of backgrounds and philosophies about birth. Whom you get is a matter of scheduling, which is more important for some and than it is for others.
Bradley Method – This is also known as “Husband Coached Childbirth Education”. The standard length of the classes is 12 weeks covering 12 units of instruction. This course has a focus on ‘natural birth” http://www.bradleybirth.com/
HypnoBirthing® – A unique method of relaxed, natural childbirth education, enhanced by hypnosis techniques which allow women to use their natural instincts to bring about a safer, easier, more comfortable birthing experience. http://www.hypnobirthing.com/
Birthing From Within – Teachers believe that childbirth is a profound rite of passage, not a medical event (even when medical care is part of the birth). Parents are taught the power of birthing-in-awareness, even when their birth experience is not what they had anticipated. http://www.birthingfromwithin.com/
Lamaze International– Birth is normal, natural, and healthy. The experience of birth profoundly affects women and their families. Women’s inner wisdom guides them through birth. Women’s confidence and ability to give birth is either enhanced or diminished by the care provider and place of birth. Women have the right to give birth free from routine medical interventions. Birth can safely take place in homes, birth centres and hospitals. Childbirth education empowers women to make informed choices in health care, to assume responsibility for their health and to trust their inner wisdom. http://www.lamaze.org
Birth Works® embodies the philosophy of developing a woman’s self confidence, trust and faith in her ability to give birth. The goal is to promote safe and loving birth experiences through education, introspection and confident action. http://www.birthworks.org
Association of Childbirth Educators and Labor Assistants (ALACE): http://www.alace.org
The prime emphasis of the program is for pregnant women to make active choices to create the best possible birth experience–whether it be in the hospital, at home or in a birth centre.
Patti, an urbanmoms.ca member, is a mother of 5 children, including a set of twins. She is a Registered Nurse, a Doula, and a childbirth educator. Patti runs Pre-Natal Plus in Calgary and will be contributing regularly to urbanmoms.ca. Please send Patti an email if you have any questions or suggestions for topics.