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Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and nothing in this birth blog should be taken as medical advice. This blog is for informational and entertainment purposes only.
Welcome back to the birth blog! Today I'm talking about the benefits of taking a childbirth education course -- and NOT the big, impersonal one that might be offered by your local hospital. What I am talking about is taking a good, private childbirth education course taught by a trained, passionate childbirth educator. These types of classes can be found in-person and in virtual settings, and tend to be WAY more personal, pared-down, and empowering. And while certification is not really necessary to be a good educator, I believe that if your educator was trained and certified by an organization who is up-to-date on evidence-based information pertaining to birth, pregnancy, and the postpartum period, it benefits EVERYONE.
So why take a childbirth education course with a private childbirth educator?
Childbirth educators possess and teach specialized knowledge about pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum care, providing you with accurate, evidence-based, up-to-date information. This information is truly meant to benefit you and your birth experience, whereas the big hospital birth class pretty much teaches you how to be a good patient and comply with hospital policies.
Private childbirth education courses take a holistic approach. Your educator will address the physical, emotional, and mental aspects of childbirth for a well-rounded approach to preparing you for birth.
Childbirth educators empower you to advocate for yourself in birth. This is HUGE, and, obviously, not something that the hospital is going to do. A good private childbirth education course will encourage you to advocate for your birth preferences while navigating the healthcare system. Part of this is learning how to use your B.R.A.I.N.S. to give informed consent to your healthcare team. This was discussed in depth in a previous blog post, but this involves asking what the Benefits, Risks, Alternatives, what your Intuition is telling you, what happens if you do Nothing, and asking for Space and time to think about what your healthcare provider is proposing for your next steps of care during your birth.
On a related note, a good childbirth education course will also touch on crafting your own birth plan. Once you leave your class armed with all of the valuable information your educator has given you, you will be able to clearly decide what you want your birth plan to state (and not be afraid to hand it directly to your healthcare team, either!).
Childbirth education courses also build your confidence. By explaining the birthing process and addressing your specific concerns, your educator helps build your confidence for a positive birth experience. Mindset counts for so much, especially in birth and how you personally define a positive experience. Meditations can be led, and affirmations can be provided, resulting in the mental tools you need to stay in the zone that you imagined for your birth.
These classes aren't just for the birthing person, either. Partners may (and should) also attend. Your partner will gain the same knowledge you do, but from a different perspective, resuling in them being more compassionate and understanding about pregnancy and the birthing process. You will develop a deeper connection, and get on the same page as you in terms of expectations for your birth experience. Yay, cheerleaders!
On the practical side, a childbirth education course will teach you and your partner all the best comfort measures for labor, and a wide array of positions for laboring and the pushing stage! Practice them beforehand so that you are ready to see which ones are best for you once you're in the moment.
Knowledge is power! As a Certified Childbirth Educator, I'm prepared to get you prepared for birth. Reach out to me to learn more about my virtual childbirth education courses, and share this blog post with all your pregnant buddies!
See you in the next blog post!
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