Ep. 18 What to Look for in a Childbirth Prep Class

In this episode you will hear from Rachael, Co-host of this podcast, Doula and Childbirth. She shares how to choose which childbirth education class is best to take. There are lots of choices out there and it can feel overwhelming and even paralyzing. You will learn about the different types, styles, and formats of multiple childbirth education programs. Rachael reviews the most popular methods including: Bradley Method, Hypnobirthing, Hypnobabies, and Lamaze. She walks you through all the things you need to consider to make a decision that aligns with your needs, your preferences, and your top priorities. Every person is different and thankfully there are many quality childbirth classes to choose from. The main goal is to pick one and go with it.  Taking a childbirth class has many benefits and can improve overall outcome and provide a solid foundation for a positive, safe, and healthy birthing experience.  

Classes mentioned in the episode:

Your Birth Site - Online Childbirth Prep Class 10/17 @ 2pm EST

Lamaze International

Bradley Method

Hypnobabies

Hypnobirthing 

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Transcript

0:04

Hi there, this is Rachael Hutchins co host of the mind birth Podcast. Today we are talking all about what to look for in a childbirth education class. So if you are pregnant or hoping to become pregnant then this episode is for you. I will be sharing with you how to decide what method is best for you. What, like group or private class setting is best for you what to look for in this childbirth class so that you can choose a class that aligns with your personal needs and preferences and just meet you where you're at. There are thankfully there are lots of different options out there today, but sometimes those options having too many of them can paralyze us from making a decision, so I'm hoping to the information I share today will help you confidently make a decision about choosing which education class because the evidence shows us that taking an out of hospital childbirth education class has many benefits including reduced rate of Assyrian birth, reduced rate of unnecessary interventions, reduced rate of using pain medications, and improved overall satisfaction with your birth because we know that the more we know, the more confident we feel more prepared we feel so I hope that you enjoy this episode and that you find it helpful. So let's dive in. I want to begin by talking about the different delivery methods. So, where are you going to go for your class. And really this breaks down to in person, or virtual, and so you have, in person, group, or private settings you should do in the in person one on one, like in your own home, or you could do an in person at someone's office, one on one, or you could do an in person, group setting that's hosted at a specific location where people gather together. So the pros of this is that you get really good connection like that personal connection. It's intimate and it's engaging, some downsides include availability. Like, how often are they happening, scheduling, like your, your availability on your calendar, distance. How far do you have to drive. And with our current environment with COVID, it makes it harder so maybe there's limited availability or you aren't comfortable in the group setting, in person. So those are some pros and cons to doing in person, group or private. So the other method is virtual, so you can have virtual live or virtual recorded, and so this means that's happening online. So first I'm going to talk about virtual live, and the pros of this is that based on what I just said and with our current state of the world. It is more COVID safe, so you might feel more comfortable doing the virtual class for that reason, you can watch and learn in your own space and in your pjs to if you want so it's maybe more comfortable, it is more convenient, it is still interactive you stop that live instructor class feel. So you do get that interactive feeling. You can hear and connect with others if you're doing a live group class that's online you still are hearing connected with other individuals who are going through a similar process. It is usually recorded and can be shared if you miss it or if you want to rewatch it. So if you are going to live virtual route, be sure and ask, or check if that's an option, some downsides to doing it, virtual, and live, is that you get less physical interaction, less hands on training and experience. Seeing and hearing others in person can be beneficial, especially if you thrive in that in person group setting. So not having that could be a downside, based on your personal preferences. Some people love being at home and some people love being in a group, so just deciding what aligns with you. The next is virtual like pre recorded. So this is a class that an instructor has put together beforehand, and it is available like all the time and you purchase it and you can watch it at your own pace, and in your own space so you get that element of doing it from your own home and comfortable on the go if you want, it's it can be a small bites approach. So if it is pre recorded you can watch in five or 10 minute increments if you want.

4:58

Or if something comes up in the middle of it, you can pause and come back to it later it's it has an element of convenience to it. There's less worried about the day and time and scheduling and driving distance. It's obviously COVID safe, and the ability to rewatch it so if you really like a lesson or feel like you need to, to just listen to it again to learn more about what they're saying you usually have the ability to rewatch it, if it is the recorded kind, some downside is that there is less connection because you're not participating with others, or in that live capacity where you have that connection even if it's virtual so less connection, less interaction with others, unable to hear other people's questions, concerns, plans and thoughts, because sometimes when we hear other people ask things were like, Oh wow, I hadn't thought of that so you miss out on that component, and that could be helpful. Some educators do offer a q&a after or in between recorded sessions so this is a great option to look for when choosing a pre recorded class. So now I want to talk about the different methods of childbirth education and I'm going to talk about the most popular ones or the most well known ones, ones that you've maybe heard about are familiar with or curious about, and wondering, Is that for me or I don't even know what this is. So, tell me more. And so I'm going to talk about the Bradley method. I'm going to talk about Hypno birthing Hypno babies, there is a difference. And then I'm going to talk about Lamaze. So the first is Bradley, the Bradley method has been around for a very long time. It has a strong focus on giving birth, medication free, and a high emphasis on partner support. The program was created when husbands and partners or spouses weren't allowed in the room. And it became wildly popular as a way to prepare for birth as partners became more involved, the Bradley method works for all types of partner support including if you have a doula. So this doesn't mean you have to have a spouse or a counterpart. You could also do this with a doula, or with both your partner and a doula. It works either way. It is more comprehensive than some other standard childbirth education classes. It is typically done in person, and it's a 12 week program, so you really want to be doing this in enough time to be able to do the whole class before you plan to give birth, and they meet weekly. They also have a self taught option where you can read the Bradley method books and go that route if you would like the high focus on the negative side effects of medications and interventions used during labor can increase fear and anxiety, and it can make someone feel like a failure if they need or want medications. During their own labor so that is something to consider with the Bradley method. And I'll be including links to all of these in the show notes so you can definitely explore further if you're interested. The next method I'm going to share with you is Hypno birthing. And this is different than Hypno babies, so it's important to know the difference and see and hear kind of what might align with you if you're interested in using this type of method for preparing for childbirth. So Hypno birthing. This is visualization and breathing, that are used to interrupt the fear tension pain cycle. It doesn't discuss pain and labor, it chooses to not focus on pain and labor instead it asserts that pain is not a necessary part of labor and it can be avoided altogether with hypnosis, for relaxation. This is not as comprehensive as a standard birth class or like the Bradley method class or Hypnobabies. In addition to the comfort techniques that is taught, you will learn the history of physiology of birth, but most of the class is spent on learning about the breathing and visualization for coping during labor. The course is 12 hours, usually in person with supporting CDs or mp3 files for homework.

9:34

The next method I want to share with you is the, oh, I have one more note about Hypno birthing, I was just looking at my notes there we go. So, this is continuing the Hypno birthing method. The founder is Marie Mongan. She's the founder of Hypno birthing Institute and she is the one who coined the phrase when you change the way you view birth, the way you birth will change and I actually use that quote in my in my childbirth education class and I don't teach Hypno birthing, I just think it is very applicable, and true. And there are many different methods and programs who provide hypnobirthing education. There are variations and what is included with each program so it's really important that if you're looking for a hypno birthing class that you look at all the kind of different things that might be included, it's not standardized I guess it's just a general method that lots of people have adopted and created their own program so some might include more and some might include less, so definitely do your research there. Okay, now moving on to the next method which is Hypno babies, and this puts a strong emphasis on hypnosis, it explicitly discusses the pain of labor and builds coping skills to manage it so it's different than Hypno birthing in that regard, it still uses hypnosis and visualization, but it explicitly discusses the pain of labor, but builds coping skills to manage it. They call it Hypno anesthesia. This course is longer, it is 18 core, it's 18, hours of course time within person or remote learning options available. It also includes comprehensive childbirth education, which Hypno birthing does not. It covers topics, usually included in a standard birth class. So in addition to the comfort techniques learned, you will learn how to stay healthy and safe during pregnancy exercises that you can do, creating a birth plan stages of labor postpartum care and breastfeeding. There was only one program of Hypno babies and instructors so it's pretty standardized, which is different than Hypno birthing. Okay so next we will move into talking about Lamaze anlamaz is aimed at building confidence and teaching coping methods for labor. This is the oldest and most popular method for childbirth preparation. It originally focused on breathing techniques to cope with labor so it's that I don't know if you, if you recall or are familiar maybe you've seen it in movies where it's

12:14

like, that sort of like if you ask anyone have like a little bit older generation that's how they know Lamaze to be. So that is not how it is today, they still have a focus on breathing because it is well known that that breathing can help with relaxation and coping with paint, so that is still part of the Lamaze method but it's not their only focus today. Like I said, they still teach about the importance of the benefits of breathing techniques, but they also include other beneficial coping techniques, as well as comprehensive childbirth education, and they focus on six healthy birth practices, and these are one, let labor begin on its own, to stay active during labor movement helps cope with contractions and facilitate labor progress. Number three is continuous support from a doula a partner, a loved one. Number four is to avoid unnecessary interventions. Number five is to avoid pushing on your back. And number six is to keep mom and baby together. So those are the six healthy birth practices from Lamaze and that is the main outline for their childbirth education class, you know, they really focus on the normal birth process and ways to have an unmedicated birth, but they also teach about the risks and benefits of medications and interventions that are commonly used during labor because they recognize that an unmedicated birth is not the best choice or even always available for everyone. So I love that and that's why I chose to certify to become a certified Lamaze childbirth educator because I like the balance of, of respect respecting and trusting the normal process of birth, and giving the information so that people can know what is possible, but then to also provide information about the, the unpredictable path of giving birth, especially in a hospital setting, where medical interventions are more commonly used. So, if we don't talk about those things or prepare for those things if they are needed, then you might feel really overwhelmed. If something comes up that you hadn't even considered. So, my, my class and Lamaze is all about providing information about kind of all the things that could arise so that you can be as informed and confident prepared as possible as you prepare for your birth, the full course from a MAS is about 12 hours. Some offer shorter classes and some offer like longer classes but usually somewhere in between there, you can do online or in person, there's, you know Lamaze has their own classes where you can go to their website and get them there. There are lots of Lamaze instructors who offer them in a multitude of locations and formats, online, in person virtual live recorded so lots of options there. Some things to consider. So those are the methods, the most popular well known methods for childbirth preparation. So some things to consider is how do you like to learn so when you're trying to make your decision about what which one's right for me. How do you like to learn, how do you learn best and what kind of setting do you learn best. So I'm one that I'm more of a homebody. So, doing something in private or at home, really resonates with me, but some people love the group setting. So how do you learn best. What makes it stick. Is it is it reading it. Is it, listening to it, is it watching it, you know, are you a visual person. Are you an audio person right is it reading or writing or mix. And so when you can think about how you learn best how when you consume information, what makes it stick. Try and think about that and see which method offers that so that you have the best chance at absorbing the beneficial information. Some other things to consider is that, you know, just the class like do like physical interaction, physical activity like that hands on learning. Do you like to be able to restate it back like to a person in the city that live setting would be really beneficial if

16:43

you like to really kind of go back and forth with someone, is practice, like if someone can give you a recorded video and then you practice it on your own. Is that how you learn. Do you like taking things in small bites, where you can just watch in increments or binge watch something so that you can watch it all at once if you're trying to get the information in in a certain amount of time. All these things are important to consider about how you like to learn when you are choosing a childbirth education class. The next thing to consider is what does the class cover, so like a hospital based class. These are usually protocol, heavy, meaning, wherever you're giving birth if there's a childbirth class for that hospital that takes place inside that hospital. It is guided and the curriculum is approved by hospital administration. And so this can still be a beneficial class to take if you are working in the hospital so you can kind of learn some of those things, but they don't dive deep into the physiological process of birth, coping with pain, risk benefit of medications and intervention so you won't get the full picture. I think it can be helpful so you can get familiar with your birth location. If your hospitals offering it even if it's online, a lot of hospitals now are doing their classes online because of the COVID situation. So, still do that, and they're usually free. If not, they're low cost. So, add that to the mix but just know that it's not a full childbirth education class. It's more about what to do or what not to do within the hospital what's allowed or not allowed and we know in birth that no one can allow you or not allow you to do anything, it's your body your birth. You are the consumer. So if you, if and when you take a hospital class keep that in mind, okay. So an out of hospital classes usually more comprehensive childbirth education and going to give dive deep into specific methods for navigating the unpredictable path of giving birth so you're going to get a lot more out of a out of hospital birth class, and the evidence does show that, out of hospital childbirth education has tremendous benefits for outcomes and birth, so keep that in mind when choosing you're the type of hospital or not the type of hospital, the type of childbirth education class you're going to choose things to look for that you want to ensure that the class covers. If you are wanting that full experience is healthy pregnancy habits are they talking about nutrition, exercise, wellness and mental health for pregnancy and and for after birth. Anatomy of pregnancy and birth so what's happening on the inside of your body during pregnancy as your body prepares for labor, what's happening as labor is beginning and through the process of labor on the inside, talking about the normal physiological birth process because for most people. Birth unfold smoothly and safely and in a healthy way, with minimal intervention if, if none. So, learning about that normal process so that you can find ways to support it is really important common medications and intervention so you want a class that is going to talk about those, the things that you might come across in a hospital setting. And if you're planning a home birth or birth center, that may not feel like a priority to you but if you need to transfer in the rear of it, you do need to transfer into a hospital setting and you need those medications or interventions you still want to be informed about them so that you don't feel overwhelmed when things are happening. So other things to look for is teaching about informed and shared decision making, so, so important for pregnancy for birth and everything beyond stages of labor is great to learn about what happens immediately after the birth. A lot of people put a focus on on the actual just giving the birth and don't know exactly what happens or how to prepare for immediately after the birth so you want to learn about that infant feeding postpartum recovery, mental and physical so postpartum recovery is multifaceted and important to talk about now so that you can prepare effectively. And so that you can feel like you can navigate that time to the best of your ability. And then also should talk about mood disorders, during pregnancy and postpartum and newborn care so how to take care of your newborn how to soothe your newborn, how to feed your newborn how to change and how to nurture and, and all of that. And they're the way they communicate with us like signs of hunger signs of being full. Warning signs and and crying like babies cry but what's normal what's not normal so so much to cover there. Some. Some educators even offer completely separate newborn care costs, but a good childbirth education class should cover some of those basics.

21:41

Other things to consider is how much time do you have. So like I said earlier, some classes take 12 weeks. So, some can be a half day, Right, so if you need it quick and now doing the 12 week Bradley method may not be for you if you are starting this process early on in pregnancy and you have time and you want to commit to 12 weeks. Okay, maybe that works for you. Do you want to be able to like binge watch it over a weekend with your partner, you know, so choosing a class based on how much time you want to spend consuming the information is really important. They definitely have some like half day classes. Some where you meet like three times some six times, 12 times So, how much time do you have and how much are you willing to commit to childbirth education, and then choose a class that is meets that need. I want you to look for a childbirth education class that feels in alignment with you, your needs, your preferences and your top priorities. There are lots of options out there, I want you to choose one and go with it, it is better than nothing at all. I want you to have the competence to choose a childbirth education class instead of feeling paralyzed by all the different options, because choosing one and taking that class is far better than doing nothing at all. So when speaking with new moms. They rarely regret, knowing too much, right, they usually regret the regret usually occurs when they feel they could have tried to learn more beforehand, but didn't or couldn't, or you know whatever. Rarely do I come across a new mama who was like yeah I really regret learning about this whole process. Usually it's, I really wish I had known more, so keep that in mind and know that it is better for you and your baby to learn about what's happening inside your body. Just like we prepare for other major events in our life. This event is epic, and it is has the ability to stick with you forever, mentally, emotionally, even physically. So, it is a big decision but it's an important one and it's worth your time. I wanted to close today out by sharing about my childbirth education class, like I said earlier, I'm a Lamaze certified childbirth educator so I teach those six healthy birth practices. I also cover the normal physiological birth process, we talked about anatomy and the hormones that are occurring inside your body during pregnancy and as labor starts, we talked about signs of labor so many mom has asked me, How do I know when labor is beginning and I provide you with that information of what's happening inside your body like the subtle signs that you might start seeing weeks before, and then the real probable signs of slavers is imminent. We talked about comfort techniques at each stage of labor. And then we talk about infant feeding and postpartum recovery, both physical and mental, we talk about changes in relationship at home, mood disorders. It is a live format, but it will be recorded and shared with those who miss it. I have a q&a at the end to answer all questions concerns or thoughts. It is the next class is October 17, which is a Sunday, at 2pm Eastern Standard Time and it is a four hour class, so we're we really condense everything down because I find that most people want to get it in and about in that much time if they're not willing to do like a more committed course and so it feels like it meets a lot of people's need, and I include a lot of free goodies, so you get a course workbook, you get printable birth affirmation cards that you can take with you, you can use during pregnancy or take with you to your birth, I include a birth planning workbook and template I include a guided visualization script, I include a comfort strategies list for, like, you can put in your hospital bag and take it with you and your partner can reference it. You can learn more about this at your birth site.com slash birth dash course. And I've also linked it in the show notes. Now all the classes only $75 it is a deal for the amount of information and resources you get. So if you're interested in that please check it out and if it's not this class that interested interests you then please choose one of the other ones I've shared here or do your own research and see what's out there. There are certainly lots of other options. I have shared just a few here, and I hope that you have found this information helpful and beneficial. Thank you for listening and have a beautiful day.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai