Why You NEED to take a Childbirth Class

Over the past 2 weeks, I have seen and had A LOT of expecting mums ask me “whats the difference between a hospital birth class and other birth classes?” and “why do I need to do a birth class?” So many of us question the need for it and many say “ it will happen how it happens” or “I don’t need to do a class – it’s a waste of money or time” or “I’ll just go with the flow”  or “ my body will know what to do”.

Today we are lucky we have many options to choose from when it comes to birth education, but did you know when it comes to pregnancy, birth, and labour that you have choices and options? Or that there is also a huge difference between a hospital class and an independent class. However Choosing the right birth course can make all the difference between a positive and empowering experience and one that leaves you feeling disappointed at best, traumatised at worst. It's important to think about what you want in your birth in order to pick a course that is right for you.

There is so much time and thought put into planning a pregnancy, planning a nursery and researching prams, bounces, rockers, cots…….but why do we not research and invest time into preparing for labour and birth, why is this not on the to do list?

Birth education IS an investment – why, Its simple! When you take a class, you are investing in yourself, your baby, your labour, your birth and your choices – you are investing in your birth experience.

There was a small study done on independent childbirth education and, the results were startling: a 65% lower epidural rate and a 44% lower c-section rate than women offered a standard hospital birth course. There was also a significant reduction in augmentation of labour (having artificial oxytocin to speed up labour) and a shorter second stage of labour, meaning less time pushing. The study demonstrated how being informed can significantly reduce medical interventions.

Medical interventions are so common today, sadly most women have come to see them as the norm and are often unaware they may not be necessary or best practice or even that they have choices and options.

Hospital birth classes are usually run by midwives who are experienced in hospital birth and the policies and standards which guide how they do their job. Most courses are held over a few days and cover a lot of information about pregnancy, birth and baby care. The birth information focus is generally on when medical interventions will be necessary rather than on what normal birth is and how to cope. They will tend to steer the choices towards what will be easiest for the hospital and not what will necessarily benefit you, your labour and birth.

" Excuse me, I want to invest in my birth experience" 

Many people think that out-of-hospital classes are only geared towards those desiring a natural birth. That they won't discuss or talk about pain medication at all when in reality they do discuss pain medication, as well as ways to decrease the likelihood of other interventions when getting medical pain relief. They also discuss ways to avoid the use of pain medications and choices and options for natural pain relief– Because they understand every woman is different! They also spend time on active involvement in labour and using natural comfort techniques, such as movement and a variety of positions and tools. Partners are also actively involved in classes because partners have a significant role in supporting and providing comfort to their labouring partner.

The stages of labour are taught and also highlight what your hormones are doing and the effects this will have on your body and why. Independent classes encourage the practice of positioning, counter-pressure, massage, the use of compresses, essential oils, relaxation and mindfulness techniques, and so much more.

Independent birth classes focus on far more than just how to cope with the discomforts of labour, independent birth classes will not only help you explore your options but also encourage you to find your voice for asserting your choices, and often empower birthing partners to be confident advocators in the decision-making that comes up along the way. birth classes provide expectant parents with the tools needed to be as in control of their birthing process as possible.

A good birth class will help you avoid “going with the flow” which really isn’t an option either, Think about that – who’s “flow” are you going with? Are you going with yours, or your Obstetrician, your partners, the midwife or nurse, the hospital, your mother in laws, sister or mum – the list is endless! An independent birth class with help you put a birth plan together and understand the importance of having one and putting it into action – so you don’t have to go with the flow!

Independent classes provide the birthing mother and partner with enough knowledge, confidence and power to positively approach their birth.

Choosing the right birth class is probably one of the most important choices you can make. What you learn about birth will help determine how your birth unfolds – not knowing your options means you have no options to choose from.

So look into doing a birth class, take the time to invest in education that can make a huge difference to how you give birth, I really believe that EVERY woman should take a birth class, and there are so many benefits to taking a class and it should be on your list of things to do before your baby arrives.

Healthy Birth Practice # 5

Avoid Giving Birth on Your Back and Follow Your Body's Urges to Push.

What comes to mind when you think of a woman giving birth? For many parents-to-be who have yet to experience labor, their minds go straight to the TV/Movie version of birth. A mum lying on her back, in pain and screaming, it is easy to think that there is only one way to push during birth—with the woman on her back with her legs propped up, holding her breath and pushing while others count to 10 and coach/ tell her to push harder.

Being upright during the pushing stage of labor not only utilizes gravity to help you, but it is also often less stressful for baby. When you are upright, you tend to get into positions like squatting, which can open your pelvis by as much as 30% more, creating lots of space for baby. 
Upright and gravity-neutral positions are safe during pushing and are often more comfortable than lying on your back. Babies are more likely to show signs of distress when women are flat on their backs while pushing.

Research does not support the widespread practice of directed pushing, which has been shown to stress the maternal cardiovascular system, reduce circulating oxygen, and trigger changes in the fetal heart rate. Women following their own urge to push usually will wait for each contraction to build and then push for about 5 seconds, take a few short breaths, then push again.

When a woman follows her own body during the pushing stage of labor, she is likely to push when she feels a strong urge to do so, and she will hold her breath for only short periods, if at all. This is called “spontaneous pushing.” Pushing when and how your body tells you to means you are pushing just the way you need to give birth to your baby.

Following your own urge to push is less stressful for your baby than directed pushing.

Pushing when and how your natural urge tells you to gives you the best chance of preventing tears, muscle weakness in your pelvis and protecting your pelvic floor after birth.
Using a variety of positions during the second stage of labor (the bearing-down part of labor) helps, you work with your baby as he/she turns and comes down through your pelvis.

Women have an innate ability to give birth!

Want to learn more? Contact us now for more information and to learn more about Birthability Lamaze Childbirth Courses.

Healthy Birth Practices # 1

Let labour Begin On It's Own.

Last week I introduced you all to The Lamaze 6 Healthy Birth Practices, each and everyone is important in the role of Labour and Birth and can help improve outcomes for mother and baby.

For many women, the last days and weeks of pregnancy can be very uncomfortable and emotionally difficult. We are anxious to meet our babies and hold them in our arms. Aches and pains may become more bothersome. Sometimes, minor problems or worries arise,and mothers may feel pressure to induce their labour—even when it would be safer to wait.

Letting your body go into labour spontaneously is almost always the best way to know that your baby is ready to be born and that your body is ready for labour. In the vast majority of pregnancies, labour will start only when all the players—your baby, your uterus, your hormones, and your placenta—are ready. Naturally, labour usually goes better and mother and baby usually end up healthier when all systems are go for birth. Every day of the last weeks of pregnancy is vital to your baby's and body's preparation for birth.

If your labour is induced (started artificially), it becomes a medical event and proceeds quite differently from spontaneous labour.
It’s important to remember that induction is forcing labour to begin before the baby and mother’s body are ready.

Let Labour Start on Its Own - Here's How:

• Know that your "due" date is not an expiration date. Only about 5 percent of moms give birth on their due date. Instead of a day, think of it as your due "month."
• Take a childbirth education class such as Birthability's, Learn how to have a safe, normal and healthy labour, learn about induction and informed decision making.
• If your care provider suggests an induction, ask questions. Is it an emergency? What's the risk in waiting? What are the alternatives?
• Hire a doula who can provide resources and information on labour and local care providers and birthplaces.
• Remind yourself that every day your baby is still on the inside is one more day she needs to grow and develop. 
• If you end up needing an induction, learn how you can keep your labour as normal and healthy as possible.