Preparing for Childbirth? Take a Prenatal Class

As a couple embarks on the journey through pregnancy, it usually comes with many surprises and lots of unknowns. One of the best things first time parents can do to prepare themselves is to take a childbirth or pre-natal class.

The best time to take a class may be different for each couple. My local hospital recommends taking a class so that you finish it 3 to 4 weeks before the baby's due date. My husband and I followed this recommendation and I found it to be very beneficial. Taking the class at this time has allowed us plenty of time to finish the class in case our baby decided to come early, but it is also close enough to the due date that we will be more likely to remember what we learned.

Though it may not be required, I would recommend attending a childbirth class with your spouse or whoever will be your main support person during delivery. Mommies-to-be aren't the only ones with questions and anxieties. You may find that many men are not very familiar with the birthing process, so a childbirth class can be especially educational for them. Each week my husband leaves our class asking me different questions and being excited about the new information he has learned. It has really helped him feel more a part of the pregnancy.

Obviously, childbirth classes will differ from hospital to hospital, but most will probably go over the same basic information. The class my husband and I took met once a week for 4 weeks. During the first week our teacher, who was a registered nurse working the labor and delivery unit, talked with us about different things women may experience during pregnancy. Some of these symptoms included varicose veins, swelling feet, back aches, headaches, and many others. The class came up with a huge list of different discomforts and our teacher took us through each one and explained the causes of each and many times offered suggestions to relieve some of the discomfort.

Your teacher will also probably go through what a normal, vaginal birth looks like. They should teach you about the different stages of labor, and signs to look for that will tell you when it is time to go to the hospital. Your teacher should be able to answer your questions and help put your mind at ease. In our class I appreciated our teacher's advice on when to come into the hospital. Instead of rushing in to the hospital the minute you begin labor, she recommended staying in the comfort of your home during the early stage so you can be free to move around without being hooked up to IV's and other monitors. She was very clear in teaching us when the woman needed to come to the hospital.

A childbirth class should also go over other types of deliveries with you such as a c-section, and a forceps or vacuum assisted delivery. I was very grateful to learn about all of these and have my questions about them put to rest. Knowing about all of the options that you may face in labor can help mentally prepare you because you will have some knowledge of how a procedure will work beforehand, instead of going into it blindly.

As you take a childbirth class they will also probably go over different methods of pain relief. In our class we talked a lot about epidurals, which are becoming increasingly popular. Our teacher took all of our questions and also showed us the epidural needle. Again, being more familiar with how the procedure works can help to put your mind at ease instead of having fear over the unknown. Learning about the different types of pain relief options can also be very helpful because you can make a more educated decision about how to deal with the pain. As a mother to be, I was glad to learn how different medications would affect me and the baby. Knowing this information has helped me make a decision about pain relief that will fit the type of birth experience I want.

Another great part of taking childbirth classes is that often times you will be given a tour of the facility. If your class takes place somewhere other than where you will be delivering, or the tour is not part of your class, many hospitals will offer a tour separately. I found this part of the class to be really enjoyable and comforting. As part of our tour we were shown the best place to enter the hospital, and the check-in procedure. I am glad we learned this ahead of time, instead of trying to figure it all out through the stress and excitement of the actual labor. Seeing the hospital rooms where deliveries are done is also a real plus. This can help take away some of the fears of the unknown. When the time for the actual delivery comes, having seen the room before, it can seem more friendly and familiar.

Another perk of a childbirth class is that your teacher may go over some relaxation techniques with you. We learned some basic breathing in our class. The instructor also went over some basic massage techniques with the men in the class. Being the person on the receiving end of the massage, this was one of my favorite parts of the class. I now make sure my husband practices every night! Our instructor also reassured us that the nurses during delivery could remind you of the relaxation techniques if you are having trouble.

One of the other benefits of taking a childbirth class is that you can learn about post-partum care for the mother and also how to care for your newborn baby. For first time parents there will be many surprises and changes awaiting you and being familiar with some of them can help you be more prepared. Our instructor was very helpful to go over some of the aspects of childbirth, childcare and post-partum care that are often glossed over in books or by your doctor. Again, your instructor should be willing to answer any questions you have.

Classes may also offer educational materials that parents may find very helpful to use as a reference. Our class also received some samples and coupons, which are always welcome especially when you are trying to stick to a budget!

To find a class in your area I would recommend starting by calling your local hospital, or checking out their web site. Your doctor should also be able to offer some recommendations.

Preparing for the birth of your baby is an exciting time. Pre-natal classes can help ease many of the anxieties parents-to-be may have as the arrival of their little one approaches.