Choosing a Childbirth
Class
Choosing a childbirth
preparation class is an important decision and can greatly influence your birth experience.
A good childbirth class will provide you with
the facts you need to make informed choices
about what is best for you and your baby. Understanding what
is happening during pregnancy, labor and delivery lessens apprehension and can help you
avoid unnecessary medication and interventions. A childbirth class will teach you
breathing, relaxation and comfort techniques as well as ways that
a birth partner can provide physical and emotional support during
labor and birth.
There are different methods of
childbirth preparation, including Lamaze, Bradley and Kitzinger, and it
is a good idea to do some research to help you decide what makes sense
for you (see Recommended
Reading
). BACE feels
that there is no one "right" way to give birth and that is why
BACE-certified instructors incorporate information from lots of
different sources into their teaching. Sometimes this is referred to as
the "eclectic method". You may find it helpful to talk to mothers
in your area about their childbirth class experiences and
recommendations.
It is also
important to interview prospective instructors to gather information
about their philosophies and curriculum. While many women choose classes
offered by the hospital or birth center they will be delivering at, this
is not a requirement. You may find another instructor offers a
curriculum that better suits your personal philosophy about birth. The
following questions can help you decide if a particular childbirth
instructor and her curriculum are right for you:
-
Who is
sponsoring the class?
-
Is the
curriculum developed by the hospital or by the
instructor?
-
Is the class consumer-oriented or provider-oriented?
Is the goal to prepare expectant parents to take responsibility in
decisions or to inform them about the type of care
the doctor/hospital provides?
-
Will
there be an open discussion about alternative approaches to
childbirth, such as water birth?
-
Where
did the instructor receive her training? How long has she been
teaching?
-
Does the
instructor have children? Has the instructor attended
births?
-
What is
the instructor's philosophy about birth? Does she teach a
particular method or are methods combined?
-
What
topics are covered?
-
What
type of "hands- on" instruction is there? How much time is devoted to
lecture?
-
What
"techniques" are presented for coping with pain?
Breathing? Relaxation? Other?
-
How much
time is spent on medical interventions?
-
Do
participants create a birth plan during the series?
-
Does the
class include information about breastfeeding?
-
What is
the maximum number of people in the class?
-
Can
participants bring anyone they want to the class (friend,
relative)?
Here's a list of BACE certified
Childbirth Instructors. Contact BACE
if you live in eastern
Massachusetts and want further information about locating a childbirth
educator.
