5 Reasons to Take a Childbirth Class
"What is the placenta?"
The question surprised me. I was a newbie childbirth educator, and by this point in 2013 I had been teaching childbirth classes for only a few months. In our culture, people are generally pretty interested in information, googling, watching videos etc, so the genuine total lack of knowledge about what a placenta even was caught me off-guard.
The questions wasn’t coming from an uneducated or naive person either! This new mother was a lawyer, skillfully managing a prominent local firm. She had been to college, received graduate degrees, had a successful professional career.
But on pregnancy and birth she still knew very little…
And at 36 weeks in her pregnancy, she was unaware of some of the most basic anatomy and birth information - stuff that would surely have surprised her in the labor process had she approached her birth unprepared!
Fortunately, she chose to take a childbirth class!
I think most people think of Lamaze in the 80s and 90s when they imagine childbirth classes: long classes with birth parents leaning up against their partners - practicing breathing patterns.
We’ve come a long way since then.
Childbirth classes are an essential part of the birth preparation process. And here are 5 reasons why you should take one:
This is your first birth.
First time parents, take note! While people have been giving birth for centuries without a formal childbirth class, it is arguable that the majority were doing so in settings where they participated in supporting labors and births within their own communities. Their mothers, sisters, aunts, local midwives etc were experienced in the process of labor and could explain it to them beforehand, as well as provide a sense of personal guidance through the process.
This is now the modern childbirth class. Because our culture has moved away from communal birthing and frank conversations surrounding anatomy, sex and health - not many first time parents have good information or experiences with birth before they first become pregnant themselves.
If this is your first time giving birth, a childbirth class will walk you through the basics of what you should know before you approach the big day. It will teach you what to expect, as well as the options available in your chosen place of birth. It will teach you labor comfort measures, how to advocate for yourself in a medical setting, newborn procedures, information about complications, infant feeding and more!
The biggest benefit to this is that it is GOOD evidence-based information, provided in an organized and relevant way. Much better than scraping info from doctor google.
2. You are birthing in a new environment this time.
If this isn’t your first birth, but you are birthing for the first time in a different environment then the last time (like the hospital or a homebirth), taking a childbirth class focused on information for that specific setting can make a huge difference in preparing you for this different and new type of birth experience.
One of the most common reasons I see people choose NOT to take a childbirth class is that “they’ve given birth before.”
But if you had a hospital birth with an epidural the first time, and are now choosing an unmedicated community-based birth for this pregnancy there is so much to be gained from taking a class focused on that type of birth. The same is true if you first chose to birth in a community setting, but are now going to the hospital for this pregnancy!
These classes can give you personalized information (especially if they are local!) which will help you prepare for this unique birth.
3. You have a history of trauma or anxiety (of any kind).
We know that preparation and education makes a difference when it comes to anxiety or trauma during the childbearing year. When you have someone you trust and respect teach you about the process and what to expect - as well as dive into detail about the more difficult or challenging aspects of the process - it can help to relieve anxiety and promote a sense of mental and physical well being.
Because fear and anxiety can increase tension and pain in labor itself, using as many tools as possible to eliminate unnecessary fear can help to create a less painful and stressful birth process overall.
It also helps you to build trust with your care provider, because a lot of the subtext and foundational information assumed in prenatal visits has actually been learned and explored by you before labor. This helps prevent you from being caught off guard or unaware during the process, and helps to avoid miscommunications with your care provider.
4. You want to (or think you should) make a birth plan, but don’t know where to start.
So much talk about birth plans! But how can you plan for an experience that is so unpredictable? One of the most famous quotes about birth plans describes it this way:
This is where a childbirth class can help pave the way for an exceptional “birth plan” you actually understand and care about. The class teaches you about your options, risks, benefits, how to ask questions and what to anticipate with your care provider of choice.
Get educated first! Then think about your birth plan.
5. You need help preparing for the newborn and postpartum period.
Labor and birth are BIG transformative events, no doubt. But learning about and preparing for the first few weeks of the newborn period is super important too. Knowing a little bit about what the recovery process is like after birth, whether vaginal or cesarean, is also key.
Some childbirth classes often spend a small amount of time preparing you for newborn feeding basics, comfort measures as you recover, and providing you with resources in case you find you need additional support or help (which many people do after birth!).
This gets you started off on the right foot once your baby is in your arms.
Feeling ready to sign up for childbirth classes? I am teaching one together with Jen Holland of Fig Midwifery coming up in the new year!
Find out more on our Facebook events, or text 405-596-7326 for more information and to register!