1. Knowledge.
The more you know, the more options you have. The more options you have, the more empowered you feel. The more empowered you feel, the better your partner can support your wants and needs. The more support you have, the less fear you will experience. What you don’t know can hurt you (and/or your baby in this case). Empower yourself by knowing what to expect in the process of labor, birth and postpartum. Don’t wait and see what happens, hoping for the best. Don’t give up your power to your medical provider because you really like them. Take ownership over your experience by getting the information you need to feel at ease.
2. Unbiased Information
In an institution it is common to find information typically biased towards medications, intervention and standard operating hospital procedures. With a hospital employee teaching the class, they are usually told what they can and can’t say. If they break from the script, their job might be in jeopardy. They may not be able to discuss complications or potential side effects due to common medications administered in labor or postpartum. They may not be able to discuss the differences between countries with very low and very high c-section rates. The USA currently holds 34% c-section rate, which is more than double what the World Health Organization deems necessary. They may not be able to answer “hard” questions honestly.
Private childbirth classes are generally oriented towards the natural progression of labor, birth and the postpartum experience. Having an understanding for what the body can and will do in the right birth environment in comparison to what your body can and will do in times of stress or fear assists you in making the best choices for you and your baby in the intensities and thralls of labor.
3. Comfort & Support
It has been studied and proven in multiple instances that if the “Birth Partner” (specifically the husband) becomes afraid during the labor and birth process, the chances of c-section increase dramatically. One of the best ways to reduce your chance of major abdominal surgery is to have an informed partner, one who is on the same page as the woman having the baby, respecting, encouraging and supporting her. A birth class is a great opportunity to learn exactly what you don’t know, the jargon, the standard protocol, the best comfort measures for mom and how to support and encourage her even in the most difficult scenarios. Taking a birth class as a couple allows dad to begin the process of understanding just how vital his role will be in the process of parturition.
http://harvardmagazine.com/2012/11/labor-interrupted
4. Open Communication
Having open communication with your partner is extremely important. Often times, there are topics that you never even thought about discussing, believed were necessary to discuss or that there were even options for, simply assuming “everyone does it.” The truth is, there are always options. . .Always. With birth, comes parenting. There are numerous controversial topics surrounding the early years of parenting; to have a home birth, to have a natural birth, to baby wear, to cloth diaper, to co-sleep, to vaccinate or not, to circumcise or not, to feed mama’s milk, to home school, to be a stay at home mom, to make your own baby food, and the list goes on. If you are unaware of your options or choices, then of course you are limited to what you do know. Most private childbirth education classes cover a variety of topics with full discussion on options and why you might research before deciding. The private birth class is often times thought and discussion provoking.
5. Community
In our society we encourage isolation and exclude emotions or feelings as an important bodily function. Unlike classes in a hospital setting that may cause you to feel like a number or a paycheck. Private classes allow for a sense of community and comradery. You can usually expect between three and eight couples in attendance which helps keep the setting intimate and open to discussion. This is encouraging to know that others are going through the exact same experiences at the exact same times, helping you see that what you are feeling is “normal.” Many private birth classes, even have reunion parties allowing couples to share their labor, birth, postpartum experience and introduce their families to the couples they shared intimate questions with in preparation for baby. I have witnessed couples from birth classes become very good life-long friends as they dive into the depths of parenting together.
Labor, Birth and the Immediate Postpartum Experience is Important. There are NO do-overs. Make the most informed decisions, to have the best outcome you can. Sign up for a Private Birth Class Today.
Written By:
Heather Dexter
Heather is a Board Certified Naturopathic Doctor with a passion for all things natural. Though she works with a varied clientele with a multitude of diagnosis and ailments, she specializes in working with women during their childbearing year. As a Holistic Doula and Natural Childbirth instructor she believes in the body’s ability to create and birth naturally. Heather is an attachment parenting advocate and truly believes there is a natural remedy for every ailment. To learn more about Heather’s services (available in-person, Skype or by phone), please email her at heather@likemindedmamas.com.