What Birthing Class I Should Attend ?
~Tips on How To Spot Quality Prenatal Class
If you think all birthing classes are created the same, think again.
In the US, there are varieties of child birth classes. All these child birth education classes may seem the same to you, and you may think that it doesn't matter to investigate further before investing your time and money to attend one of these classes.
However, they are vastly different in a lot of ways, so you should define what you want from your prenatal class and choose the class accordingly.
Here are the things you should consider when choosing a child birthing class:
- The philosophy of birth.
The main thing you should consider when choosing for a child birth education class is the birth philosophy of the childbirth educator, and hence the class. Often, the child birth classes sponsored by hospitals emphasize in hospital procedures, pain relief and technologies available on site, as well as very general advice on how to look after yourself for pregnancy and childbirth. These classes are more interested in mould you to become an obedient client to ease the patient management during labor and delivery. Although sometimes free, I suggest you not to take this kind of classes, especially if you want to learn to take charge of your birth.
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Fortunately, there are other prenatal classes which are run by childbirth educator not connected with any institution. Most of these classes are geared towards equipping you to have a natural childbirth.
However, their approaches are different from one another. It's your job to research for different kind of independently-run natural childbirth education classes and to choose the one whose philosophy is in line with yours. In the US, Bradley and Lamaze classes are the most famous prenatal classes run by independent childbirth educators.
- Who the childbirth educator is.
When choosing a birthing class, you should consider who your childbirth educator is, including what her training is and whether she's an independent childbirth educator. An independent childbirth educator means that she's not affiliated in any way to any health care institution. Therefore, they are usually more vocal, are able to tell you the truth about childbirth objectively and give you true assessment (critique or praise) of the routine procedures done at hospitals.
In contrast, a childbirth educator representing a hospital is often more interested in furthering hospital's interest rather than to support you as a smart consumer when it comes to childbirth. So, choose your childbirth educator wisely.
- Who sponsors the prenatal class.
Again, child birth classes can be sponsored either by hospital, birthing center, or independently by childbirth educators. Be careful to attend a birthing class sponsored by an institution, even if it's a birthing center. Child birth education classes sponsored by institutions often have troubles reconciling the conflict of interest between you as the customer and the institution as the health care provider. And usually the institution's interest wins because it's the institution which sponsors the class. Therefore, be careful when choosing a prenatal class.
I personally think it's best to take one or two independently-run child birthing classes which are geared towards natural birth. In natural childbirth classes, the lessons are more thorough and you will be better equipped to handle labor and birth this way.
Since these prenatal classes do not have other interest in mind except for your interest, you can be rest assured that these classes put your needs first. In addition, these classes wholeheartedly teach you to become a smart consumer (rather than to be a good obedient client) when it comes to childbirth.
Therefore, if you are aiming for a natural childbirth, then attending natural childbirth class/classes, not just any free childbirth class, is the way to go.
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Child birth preparation articles:
For prospective homebirth moms: Preparation for giving birth at home.
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