Childbirth Classes-Why Even YOU need them

Why you NEED Childbirth Classes

(Even if you are going to get an Epidural)

I have taught Childbirth Classes in one form or another for over 25 years now. The first two questions asked of me in nearly every class I have worked with have been:

 1. “How do I know I’m in labor?”

My answer was always simple. When there is no longer room for doubt.

2. “How fast can I get MY epidural?

Depending on how long it takes you and the status of the baby, any time between 4cm and 7-8cm dilated.

The looks on these moms’ and dads’ faces are priceless.

“What do you mean 4 cm?? What am I supposed to do until then??”

And that’s where the childbirth class comes into play.

Times have changed drastically since I first became a mom----- and so have the childbirth classes. You must be your own ‘patient advocate’. You are expected to, and are responsible for, many decisions previously made by the physician alone. You have choices in which physician, which birth site, type of medications used, emergency treatments, and the list goes on. Never before have we had such choices available to us. With cesarean section and epidural rates rising higher every day, and the new influx of ‘scheduled birth’ becoming commonplace, families need to have access to all the information they can get. The Internet offers a wide variety of both healthy information and horror stories. There are literally thousands of books out there with the same scenario. There are hundreds of folks in the community more than happy to tell you about their experiences and scary stories. How does one sift through all that to know what’s right for them?

Childbirth classes offer information based on several available birth plans. Most childbirth classes are ‘coached’ scenarios, which I find very important. In addition, childbirth classes will teach breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, positioning, and other coping skills. A good childbirth class will teach you why these choices work, and how they are beneficial to both you and your baby. Childbirth classes also explain medical intervention options, including epidural anesthesia, and what to expect from them. They describe potential side effects and complications of all available choices, and the treatments that are available for these complications. A hospital- or physician-based childbirth class will also take you through the Maternal-Child unit to familiarize you with the area and the look of the facility.

Q: What do you do before it is time for ‘your’ epidural? 

A: You cope. You breathe. You relax. You focus on what you have to do in this moment, and you anticipate holding that precious gift when it’s all over. Knowing how to get to that moment, and what to expect during your stay on the maternal/child floor, makes the entire process much less frightening and statistics show such knowledge and practice can actually shorten the time you are in labor.