I have heard hospital Childbirth Education classes described as "teaching you how to be a good patient." Having a baby is not the same as being sick or having surgery. You will most likely not learn everything you need to know about birth from a hospital class. Most medical professionals do not have any training on the emotional side of labor.
Get informed! Ask questions! Choose a Childbirth Education Class that fits you personality and birth plan! Some options are:
Lamaze® International
:Lamaze® International uses a contemporary curriculum that supports birth as normal, natural, and healthy and empowers expectant women and their partners to make informed decisions. The class content includes:
The Bradley Method®:
The Bradley Method® helps women prepare for a natural labor and birth without the use of medication. This comprehensive 12-week course covers:
Hypnobirthing®:
The Hypnobirthing® method teaches mothers that if you remove fear and tension, severe pain does not have to be part of labor. Intense relaxation will enhance natural birthing instincts that lead to a calm and serene birth experience. The curriculum also teaches women how to experience a feeling similar to daydreaming, while remaining controlled and happy during labor and birth.
For more information: http://www.hypnobirthing.com/
Birthing From Within®
:Birthing From Within® prepares mothers to give “birth-in-awareness,” not to achieve a specific birth outcome. The class curriculum is adjusted to meet the specific needs and differences of parents. This method also recognizes that pregnancy, birth and postpartum are a time of continuous learning; holistic support and education should be available throughout that period.
For more information: http://www.birthingfromwithin.com/
Baby Love Birth Services
A 6-week “real life” learning experience in a relaxed, inspiring, and FUN environment!
Get informed! Ask questions! Choose a Childbirth Education Class that fits you personality and birth plan! Some options are:
Lamaze® International
:Lamaze® International uses a contemporary curriculum that supports birth as normal, natural, and healthy and empowers expectant women and their partners to make informed decisions. The class content includes:
- Normal labor, birth and early postpartum
- Positioning for labor and birth
- Relaxation and massage techniques to ease pain
- Labor support
- Communication skills
- Information about medical procedures
- Breastfeeding
- Healthy lifestyle
The Bradley Method®:
The Bradley Method® helps women prepare for a natural labor and birth without the use of medication. This comprehensive 12-week course covers:
- Importance of nutrition and exercise
- Relaxation techniques to manage pain
- Labor rehearsals
- How to avoid a cesarean birth
- Postpartum care
- Breastfeeding
- Guidance for coach/doula about supporting and advocating for the mother
Hypnobirthing®:
The Hypnobirthing® method teaches mothers that if you remove fear and tension, severe pain does not have to be part of labor. Intense relaxation will enhance natural birthing instincts that lead to a calm and serene birth experience. The curriculum also teaches women how to experience a feeling similar to daydreaming, while remaining controlled and happy during labor and birth.
For more information: http://www.hypnobirthing.com/
Birthing From Within®
:Birthing From Within® prepares mothers to give “birth-in-awareness,” not to achieve a specific birth outcome. The class curriculum is adjusted to meet the specific needs and differences of parents. This method also recognizes that pregnancy, birth and postpartum are a time of continuous learning; holistic support and education should be available throughout that period.
For more information: http://www.birthingfromwithin.com/
Baby Love Birth Services
A 6-week “real life” learning experience in a relaxed, inspiring, and FUN environment!
- Are you looking for an up-to-date, relevant class you and your partner will actually WANT to attend?
- Would you like to have a birth that is faster, less painful, and more rewarding?
- Do you want to learn the techniques Doulas and Midwives use to avoid interventions and c-sections?
- Are you aware that being a “The Baby Story” junkie does NOT prepare you for birth?
http://babylovebirthservices.com/
Fear –Tension – Pain Triangle
During labor, fear and anxiety can worsen our pain: they cause the release of stress hormones (catecholamines: epinephrine, etc.) which place us in a
hyper-aroused state that makes us hypersensitive to pain. Catecholamines increase our heart rate, increase blood pressure, slow down digestion, and shunt blood supply away from internal organs and toward skeletal muscles and skin. All of these things in excess can cause complications in labor, and prolong the labor.
Fear also leads to muscular tension, which increases our experience of pain. Using relaxation techniques can help to reduce the muscle tension.
The concept of the fear-tension-pain triangle has arisen: when fear increases, tension increases, which then increases pain. Then the increased pain increases fear, and the situation continues to worsen.
The uterus contains two opposing muscle groups – one to induce and continue labor, and another to stop labor if the birthing mother is in danger and afraid. When we are frightened, we release adrenaline, which causes the short, circular muscle fibers in the lower third of the uterus to contract, stopping labor by closing and tightening the cervix. At the same time, the long straight muscle fibers of the uterus are contracting to dilate the cervix. The two powerful muscles pulling in opposite directions during every contraction causes more severe pain. (Griffin)
Thus, anything that can be done during labor to help the mother feel calm, relaxed, and safe can help to minimize the pain that mother’s experience in labor. Some specific things you can do. Prior to labor: educate yourself about labor so there’s less fear of the unknown. Throughout labor: Think about environmental factors such as dim lights, quiet music, and nice smells. Bring to the hospital: favorite clothing or blanket, etc. Use relaxation techniques and breathing techniques. http://www.transitiontoparenthood.com/ttp/parented/pain/pain.htm
During labor, fear and anxiety can worsen our pain: they cause the release of stress hormones (catecholamines: epinephrine, etc.) which place us in a
hyper-aroused state that makes us hypersensitive to pain. Catecholamines increase our heart rate, increase blood pressure, slow down digestion, and shunt blood supply away from internal organs and toward skeletal muscles and skin. All of these things in excess can cause complications in labor, and prolong the labor.
Fear also leads to muscular tension, which increases our experience of pain. Using relaxation techniques can help to reduce the muscle tension.
The concept of the fear-tension-pain triangle has arisen: when fear increases, tension increases, which then increases pain. Then the increased pain increases fear, and the situation continues to worsen.
The uterus contains two opposing muscle groups – one to induce and continue labor, and another to stop labor if the birthing mother is in danger and afraid. When we are frightened, we release adrenaline, which causes the short, circular muscle fibers in the lower third of the uterus to contract, stopping labor by closing and tightening the cervix. At the same time, the long straight muscle fibers of the uterus are contracting to dilate the cervix. The two powerful muscles pulling in opposite directions during every contraction causes more severe pain. (Griffin)
Thus, anything that can be done during labor to help the mother feel calm, relaxed, and safe can help to minimize the pain that mother’s experience in labor. Some specific things you can do. Prior to labor: educate yourself about labor so there’s less fear of the unknown. Throughout labor: Think about environmental factors such as dim lights, quiet music, and nice smells. Bring to the hospital: favorite clothing or blanket, etc. Use relaxation techniques and breathing techniques. http://www.transitiontoparenthood.com/ttp/parented/pain/pain.htm