The Ultimate Guide to Childbirth Classes

Childbirth classes are available to expectant mothers and partners throughout the country. Childbirth classes are in place to prepare both partners for the upcoming birth of their baby. There are a variety of different classes to choose from. You can call your local hospital or ask your obstetrician/midwife for information on available classes in your area. Women often wonder if they need classes to prepare themselves. Although books and other literature is a good start, the childbirth classes do tend to prepare you better for the impending delivery of your child. Not all childbirth classes are the same, but they all should offer you the opportunity to learn alot about what to expect and how to work with your body during labor. Some childbirth classes will show videos of actual births. Other classes will cover nutritional information, exercise information, relaxation techniques, breastfeeding instruction and newborn care information.

Lamaze is named after a French doctor, named Fernand Lamaze. Lamaze classes are the most popular among childbirth classes and can be taken privately or in a group setting. Breathing exercises are stressed for each stage of labor. The Lamaze instructor will teach relaxation techniques and the use of taking your mind off of the pain and focusing on something else, such as a poster or your labor coach's face. Supposedly with this method, the pain of childbirth is minimal because you are so focused on breathing. Lamaze teaches slow breathing during the first stage of labor, rapid breathing during the second stage and panting during the third stage of labor-when the baby's head is crowning. Most Lamaze classes are twelve hours long and you are asked to bring a pillow. The instructor will also touch base on the different types of anesthesia available for women, if you find you need it.

Dick-Read is based around a British doctor's theories of slow abdominal breathing and focus. The class teaches you how to focus on your body's feelings and signals during labor. Dr. Grantley Dick-Red thought that if you get rid of the fear of childbirth, you will get rid of the pain. Kind of a mind over matter type of approach. Some women find this method harder to learn than the Lamaze method.

The Bradley approach was developed in the 1950's by Robert Bradley, a Denver obstetrician. The class is similar to the Dick-Read method. Classes will teach couples the importance of breathing and relaxing during labor pains. More emphasis is placed on doing what comes naturally and knowing all of the options before the actual delivery. This was the first childbirth class to introduce the idea of husband's acting as labor coaches. Bradley teachers must remain up to date on the latest in medicine and obstetrical information through regular recertification processes. The class emphasizes the importance of a healthy diet and regular exercise during pregnancy. Bradley classes do try to ease you through the delivery without medications-so if you know that you want to leave an option open for anesthesia, you might want to rethink the Bradley approach.

Childbirth classes are offered at local hospitals as well as private facilities. When looking for a childbirth class, you should ask a series of questions and address any concerns you have. Find out where the instructor received their training and certification from. Ask if they are required to get recertified. How long has the instructor been teaching and why do they prefer the method that they are teaching about? You might want to ask if the instructor herself has given birth using the method that she teaches. Find out where the class meets, how long it is, and how much it costs. Some insurance policies will reimburse for childbrirth classes. If you are taking a group class, it might be important to you to find out approximately how many people will be in your childbirth class.