Family And Parenting: How To Choose A Good Childbirth Class

When childbirth classes were first introduced, their focus was mainly on how a woman could achieve labor and delivery without the benefit of any pain medicine. Today, there is a variety of childbirth classes that are available, and they are typically based upon a couple's personal preference.

When you begin researching the various classes that are available in your area, you will certainly want to check on the qualifications of each childbirth instructor. Find out if she is certified, and what type of training she has had. You should also ask how large the classes typically are. You may want to choose a class that is limited to eight or ten couples, if possible. Some classes may even be smaller.

Another important aspect of a childbirth class is how it is formatted. Is the class mainly a lecture course, or does it also offer hands-on practice and opportunities to interact with other couples? Does the class include information on all aspects of childbirth, including caesarian procedures, or does it only focus on vaginal births? How long is the class? Is it an intensive class, which only meets for one or two Saturdays, or is it a slower paced class, which covers six to eight weeks? Do you want a class that focuses only on pain management, or do you want a class that incorporates medication options and relaxation techniques? All of these questions are extremely important points that you should consider when choosing a childbirth class and instructor.

Many couples prefer a class that incorporates lectures along with applicable techniques that are practiced weekly. Your instructor may begin the class with a lecture that covers a certain aspect of labor and/or delivery. In the first part of the class, your instructor may also go over some of the physical and emotional changes that a woman experiences during her pregnancy. Once she has finished lecturing, she may instruct couples to get into a position on the floor so that they can begin practicing the labor techniques. These techniques may incorporate exercises that can be used by the laboring mother to handle the pain from contractions and delivery, or they may be used as relaxation methods to help the laboring mother even if she has an epidural or other form of pain reliever.

Some childbirth classes are specifically geared toward particular labor and delivery preferences. If you are certain that you want to experience a completely pain-free childbirth, you may even be able to find a class that offers the option of hypnosis or water births. The hypnosis classes will teach you how to focus your attention inward to block out the feeling of pain. The water birth option will give you the opportunity to labor and possibly deliver in a warm tub of water.

Finally, your childbirth instructor may offer you the opportunity to tour your hospital's labor and delivery section or the opportunity to familiarize yourself with your birth center's facilities. You should also feel comfortable asking your instructor questions. If you are having a difficult time finding a certified instructor, you should ask your ob-gyn for a list of recommended teachers in your area.