Choosing the Right Childbirth Class

The day you found out you were pregnant is a day you will not soon forget. Making the preparations for the baby should begin shortly after. Many women spend most of their time during pregnancy planning on what name to choose, fixing up the nursery, and making appointments to see their physician. It is also very important to choose the right type of childbirth for you if you are looking for a positive birth experience. Today there are many choices depending on your preference for delivery. Aside from the excitement of having a baby, most women dread the day they will give birth, especially if it is their first child.

Everyone can benefit from preparation for the delivery day, whether this is their first child or tenth. If you do not have any knowledge on childbirth, it can produce fear and in turn the fear can produce more pain and agony during delivery. With all the knowledge available to us today on childbirth, there is no reason to enter the day of your delivery with fear. Most areas around the United States offer some form of childbirth class, if not several options. If you live in an area where it is almost impossible to attend a class on childbirth, it would be wise to purchase a book or video available about childbirth. Most are available in bookstores, in libraries, or even online for your convenience.

The majority of childbirth classes are offered through two sources: your primary provider (OB/GYN, general practitioner, or midwife) and your local hospital. You can also call the national offices of the childbirth schools of thought to find a local class in your area, some of which may be privately taught and held in homes, educational centers, and retail stores.

Here is a list of some of the different types of childbirth classes with an explanation on each and their contact information.

• Lamaze: this type of class trains the mom in labor to look outside her body and focus on a particular point, while incorporating breathing techniques to ease through the labor and delivery. For more information on this type of class you can contact The American Society for Psycho prophylaxis in Obstetrics at 1-800-368-4404, or visit their website at http://www.lamaze.org

• Bradley Method: these classes usually start around the 5th or 6th month of pregnancy. They emphasize nutrition and exercises to prepare for childbirth. Deep breathing techniques and focusing on what is happening inside your body is taught, therefore, allowing your body to open up for the baby to be delivered. The Bradley method promotes a drug-free birth and is a popular class used for home births. You can find an instructor in your area by contacting the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth at 1-800-4ABIRTH or visit their website at http://www.bradleybirth.com.

• Grantly Dick-Read: This class teaches techniques of relaxation and educates the mother on labor and delivery. The class normally begins around the 4th month of pregnancy. You can find an instructor in your area by contacting the Midwest Parentcraft Center 1-312-248-8100.

• Prepared Childbirth Classes: These are classes that are normally offered by OB/GYN clinics and hospitals and are taught by educators that are certified by the International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA), obstetric nurses, or labor-and-delivery nurses. These classes usually cover the hospital procedures for labor and delivery and go over all of the mechanics for the delivery process both vaginal and cesarean. For more information on this type of class you can contact the ICEA at 1-612-854-8660 or visit their website at http://www.icea.org/info.htm.

There are still several other childbirth classes offered by hospitals and clinics specializing in VBAC's (vaginal birth after cesarean) and cesarean births, as well as classes on siblings, breastfeeding, and infant care.

Make sure you discuss your birth plan with your physician or midwife before attending any childbirth classes. Also, find out if the hospital will support the type of delivery you plan of having. Most hospitals today will all the all natural approach and offer Lamaze classes themselves. Some of the classes that are offered by the clinics and hospitals will be free of charge, however, some may charge a fee. Most private instructors for childbirth classes will charge fees for their classes. Whichever method you decide to choose, you will want to decide early just in case you choose a class that must be started early on in the pregnancy such as the Bradley Method or Grantly Dick-Read. Most of the other classes will not start until the 7th or 8th month of the pregnancy.