The day you found out you were pregnant was an exciting day. The preparations for the baby should begin shortly thereafter. Many women spend much of their pregnancy planning the nursery, choosing a name and making doctor appointments. It is also important to begin planning which type of childbirth class you will attend. Probably aside from the excitement of “having a baby” the most looked forward too and most dreaded day is the day you will give birth - especially for first time moms.
Whether or not this is your first baby - everyone benefits from preparation - especially preparing for delivery day. Ignorance of childbirth is what produces fear and fear produces more pain and agony. With all the knowledge available today about childbirth - there is no reason to face this day with fear. Most areas are offer some sort of childbirth class - if not several. If you live in an area where it’s impossible to attend a childbirth class it would be wise to find books and video tapes on the subject. These are available online, at bookstores and at the library. There is no excuse for facing the birth of your baby with ignorance nowadays.
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Many childbirth classes are offered through your OB/GYN or midwife or hospital. You can also call the national offices of the childbirth schools of thought that I’ll list to find an individual in your area. A lot of times the doctors and hospitals will not necessarily know about private classes offered and it’s up to you to find out.
Here is a list of the different types of childbirth classes with a brief explanation of each and the address and phone numbers.
Bradley Method - These classes start in the 5th or 6th month of pregnancy. Emphasis is on
nutrition
and exercises to prepare for childbirth. Deep breathing and looking inward - focusing on what is happening inside your body - is taught - allowing the body to open up for the baby to be born. Bradley Method promotes drug-free births and is a popular class widely used for home births.
Grantly Dick-Read - This thought came from a nurse of Dr. Dick-Read, Margaret Gramper, who inspired Dr. Dick-Read to come up with this method of childbirth class in the 1940’s. The class teaches relaxation techniques and educates about labor and delivery. The Grantly Dick-Read classes usually begin in the 4th month of pregnancy. |
Prepared Childbirth Classes - These classes are normally offered by OB/GYN clinics and hospitals and are taught by educators certified by the International Childbirth education Association (ICEA) or by labor and delivery or obstetric nurses. These classes normally cover hospital procedures for labor and delivery and go over the mechanics of the birthing process both vaginal and cesarean.
There are several other types of childbirth classes offered by clinics and hospitals specializing in cesarean births, VBAC’s (vaginal birth after cesarean) as well as breastfeeding, sibling, and infant care classes.
Discuss with your doctor or midwife your birth plan before taking any class. Find out if the hospital will support the type of birth you are planning. Most hospitals nowadays will allow the all natural approach and most offer the Lamaze classes themselves. Some of the clinic and hospital offered classes are free of charge and some charge a fee. Most private instructors will charge a fee. Which ever you decide to do - try to decide early - in the event you should choose a class that starts early in the pregnancy such as Bradley Method or Grantly Dick- Read. Most of the other classes will start in the 7th or 8th month of pregnancy.
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