Learning about Childbirth

It is important that both parents are well informed when you're having a baby. You should take responsibility and be actively involved in planning for the birth of your baby, and attend childbirth education classes.

Childbirth education classes offer much more than just information on breathing techniques. They offer up-to-date information on all aspects of pregnancy and childbirth; and teach parents-to-be practical skills for the delivery and early parenthood.

Knowing the facts is important in making an informed decision.

What are the benefits of antenatal classes?

• Childbirth classes will build your confidence in your body's ability to give birth.
• You can discuss your fears about labor and birth with the instructor and other couples with the same concerns.
• Your partner will learn about childbirth and how to support you on the big day. You may find that attending childbirth classes together will create a special bond.
• Your instructor will discuss pain relief options including massage, relaxation, breathing, and medications.
• A tour of your birthing facility during class will give you the opportunity to see the staff in action.
• This is a great time to ask your instructor about routine practices, such as electronic fetal monitoring and freedom of movement during labor.
• If you are planning a hospital birth, you might be interested in taking more than one class. A class at the hospital might include a basic overview of labor and birth and may teach specific hospital practices. Classes taught outside the hospital may equip you with in-depth information about coping skills, physiology of labor and birth, emotional aspects, and childbirth options.

How do I find the right class for me?
Most private hospitals offer antenatal classes. Ask your obstetrician about this or contact the hospital. Most make use of accredited curriculum that supports birth as normal, natural, and healthy and empowers expectant women and their partners to make informed decisions. The class content includes:

• Normal labor, birth and early postpartum
• Positioning for labor and birth
• Relaxation and massage techniques to ease pain
• Labor support
• Communication skills
• Information about medical procedures
• Breastfeeding
• Healthy lifestyle
• Importance of nutrition and exercise
• Labor rehearsals
• How to avoid a cesarean birth

Some important information to bear in mind when deciding on a childbirth educator:

• Is your childbirth educator suitably qualified?
• What do they teach at these classes?
• When do you start attending?
• How many couples are in each class?
• How many sessions do we need?
• May both parents-to-be attend?

Even if you have had a baby before, specific training in this specialised field is essential. A qualified childbirth educator will have completed a specialised course and have received accreditation for this.

Topics covered in these classes should cover the period after the baby's birth, and teach parenting skills on caring for a newborn baby.

Classes should start from 28 weeks of pregnancy onwards, and courses are usually made up of up to 10 two-hour sessions.

Preferably there should not be more than 10 to 12 couples per class. It is essential that your partner or family also become involved, and some courses cater for fathers and even grandparents.

A course of eight to 10 classes may cost between R800 and R1850, depending on your geographical area. Ensure that you budget for these classes if they are not covered by your medical scheme, as you will find them invaluable.

References

1. Metropolitan Health Risk Management Maternity Programme
2. AMERICAN PREGNANCY. Website: http://americanpregnancy.org/lbornbirth/childbirtheducation
3. THE BRADLEY METHOD®. Website: http://www.bradleybirth.com/
4. LAMAZE. Website: http://www.lamaze.org/
5. HYPNOBIRTHING. Website: http://www.hypnobirthing.com/
6. BIRTHING FROM WITHIN. Website: http://www.birthingfromwithin.com/