Finding the Right Fit
Just as there are many options in childbirth, we now have many options in childbirth education. To help you make a decision, read through all the statements below to see which best describe your current attitudes about birth, and then explore the options listed. Whatever you choose, I recommend that you plan to complete your classes by about 36 weeks of pregnancy. That means you need to be making decisions about your classes by around 24-25 weeks in order to assure your place in the appropriate session.
"I am all about the epidural, and I want it as soon as I can get it." If this describes you, I recommend the Simply Sacred Birthing Series. It is important to note, however, that getting an epidural at the onset of labor is neither possible nor practical. You should also be aware that epidurals do not take away all the intense sensations of labor, and sometimes do not relieve all the pain. All women need to prepare for birth and develop some coping strategies, even if an early epidural is planned. Childbirth is still an intense experience, and there are still choices to be made regarding your care and the care of your baby. Laboring with an epidural also means that other medical interventions will become necessary--and most women don't like being surprised by that!
"I want to keep an open mind about medication, and just play it by ear;" or "I know I want the epidural, but I'd like to wait as long as possible before getting it, to make sure my labor is progressing well and to reduce the amount of medication my baby will receive." If either of these statements describe you, I recommend the Simply Sacred Birthing Series, along with our Labor Technique’s Workshop. Hospital classes alone will not prepare you adequately for how to effectively labor without medication during active labor. We strongly recommend that all birthing couples add a Doula to their birth team, to act as a guide on this expedition and make the process easier for both of you. Prenatal Yoga classes will also help you to practice breathing and relaxation techniques that are very useful tools for moving through contractions.
"I would like to avoid the epidural if I can, it kind of freaks me out and I would rather the baby didn't get the medication." In this case, you need to have a variety of labor-coping tools in your toolbox. Because a natural labor requires more active support, your partner needs to know more about how to best support you during this experience. I recommend my Birthing Preparation Weekend Getaway. I strongly recommend that all birthing couples add a doula to their birth team, to act as a guide on this expedition and make the process easier for both of you. Research shows that when doula’s are present throughout labor, requests for epidurals and other pain meds are reduced by 60% (among other positive benefits). Some couples also add Laboring Techniques Workshop to their preparation, for more tips and additional time to practice what you've learned. It is also important to examine your choices, since the culture of your birth setting and the philosophy of your care provider greatly influence the outcome of your labor. Prenatal Yoga classes will also help you to practice breathing and relaxation techniques that are very useful tools for coping with the intensity of labor.
"My husband/partner is kind of freaked out by the whole thing. I'm not sure how much help he will be." It is important to recognize that although your partner's presence in the labor room is essential to your comfort, he (or she) is not trained or experienced in childbirth and in most cases just isn't able to provide the type of ongoing physical support that you will need. When your partner feels fearful and anxious about the process, that mood is contagious in the labor room, and is likely to leave you feeling more fearful and anxious too. In this case I recommend that you sign up for the childbirth class that fits your philosophy on medication/intervention (above), to prepare both of you for the experience and what to expect. We also recommend adding a doula to your birth team to help guide you both through the process. I haven't met a partner yet who regretted hiring a doula--even though many are unsure going into it. When the day arrives, having knowledgeable help eases the burden for all involved.
"I am all about the epidural, and I want it as soon as I can get it." If this describes you, I recommend the Simply Sacred Birthing Series. It is important to note, however, that getting an epidural at the onset of labor is neither possible nor practical. You should also be aware that epidurals do not take away all the intense sensations of labor, and sometimes do not relieve all the pain. All women need to prepare for birth and develop some coping strategies, even if an early epidural is planned. Childbirth is still an intense experience, and there are still choices to be made regarding your care and the care of your baby. Laboring with an epidural also means that other medical interventions will become necessary--and most women don't like being surprised by that!
"I want to keep an open mind about medication, and just play it by ear;" or "I know I want the epidural, but I'd like to wait as long as possible before getting it, to make sure my labor is progressing well and to reduce the amount of medication my baby will receive." If either of these statements describe you, I recommend the Simply Sacred Birthing Series, along with our Labor Technique’s Workshop. Hospital classes alone will not prepare you adequately for how to effectively labor without medication during active labor. We strongly recommend that all birthing couples add a Doula to their birth team, to act as a guide on this expedition and make the process easier for both of you. Prenatal Yoga classes will also help you to practice breathing and relaxation techniques that are very useful tools for moving through contractions.
"I would like to avoid the epidural if I can, it kind of freaks me out and I would rather the baby didn't get the medication." In this case, you need to have a variety of labor-coping tools in your toolbox. Because a natural labor requires more active support, your partner needs to know more about how to best support you during this experience. I recommend my Birthing Preparation Weekend Getaway. I strongly recommend that all birthing couples add a doula to their birth team, to act as a guide on this expedition and make the process easier for both of you. Research shows that when doula’s are present throughout labor, requests for epidurals and other pain meds are reduced by 60% (among other positive benefits). Some couples also add Laboring Techniques Workshop to their preparation, for more tips and additional time to practice what you've learned. It is also important to examine your choices, since the culture of your birth setting and the philosophy of your care provider greatly influence the outcome of your labor. Prenatal Yoga classes will also help you to practice breathing and relaxation techniques that are very useful tools for coping with the intensity of labor.
"My husband/partner is kind of freaked out by the whole thing. I'm not sure how much help he will be." It is important to recognize that although your partner's presence in the labor room is essential to your comfort, he (or she) is not trained or experienced in childbirth and in most cases just isn't able to provide the type of ongoing physical support that you will need. When your partner feels fearful and anxious about the process, that mood is contagious in the labor room, and is likely to leave you feeling more fearful and anxious too. In this case I recommend that you sign up for the childbirth class that fits your philosophy on medication/intervention (above), to prepare both of you for the experience and what to expect. We also recommend adding a doula to your birth team to help guide you both through the process. I haven't met a partner yet who regretted hiring a doula--even though many are unsure going into it. When the day arrives, having knowledgeable help eases the burden for all involved.
