Why do I need Childbirth Education Classes?
Childbirth education classes are for everyone. This includes the first time mother, the mother who has had medicated births but desires an unmediated birth, a refresher for experienced parents, a new partner, or just for fun! Many women and their partners choose to attend childbirth classes to gain tools to help them cope through labor, birth and the postpartum period, educate themselves and lessen their anxiety.
There are several different options when choosing a childbirth education class.
Classes taught inside the hospital focus on interventions and the policies of the specific hospital. They may offer a few labor coping techniques but their focus is on the hospital experience and how to be a great hospital patient.
Since you are choosing out of hospital birth, this may not be the best fit for you.
Classes taught outside the hospital equip you with in-depth information about coping skills, physiology of labor and birth, emotional aspects, how your support person can help you and other topics. Such as exercise, nutrition, siblings at birth, the benefits of a doula or support person, breastfeeding, etc.
What are the benefits of childbirth education classes?
- Childbirth classes help 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 ways of facilitating pain relief including water therapy, massage, relaxation, breathing techniques, essential oils, herbs, etc.
- Most classes go over the postpartum period as well including immediate postpartum (the first few hours), breastfeeding advice, and other resources for further education.
- And much more!
Mama Natural has a great article to help you decide which style of birthing class is the best fit for you.
Are childbirth classes required to birth with Fort Worth Midwifery?
No. Fort Worth Midwifery does not require that you take a childbirth education class. We do however highly recommend one if you are fearful of the birthing process, a first time mom or experiencing unmediated labor for the first time. There are varying price points for these classes. If you really would like to take a class but cannot afford one, please talk to your midwife for other suggestions.
Local Childbirth Education Classes
Offering private classes and group classes in Dallas, Frisco and Addison
Bradley Method
There are many instructors to choose from in the DFW area.
Hypnobirthing
There are many instructors to choose from in the DFW area.
Birth Boot Camp
There are many instructors to choose from in the DFW area.
Private, in-home classes
If you are not local or do not want to take an in person class, your next best bet is an online childbirth education class.
Online Childbirth Education Classes
Highly recommended!
Online class series.
Christian childbirth class.
BONUS! Childbirth Education Classes are fun
Meeting other birthing singles/couples and learning about pregnancy, birth and beyond can be rewarding. I am still friends with a few of the couples in my birthing class and know many women who keep up with the others that they meet in class.
What if I do not have the money for a birthing class?
I’m not sure about every location, but I know of a couple of free, natural childbirth classes for low income families in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. If you are low on funds please request more information!
Childbirth education can be the difference between a well prepared woman with healthy birthing expectations and unrealistic expectations we have based on high drama birthing scenes we are exposed to as a society on T.V., in books, the news, etc.
Are you going to attend childbirth classes? Do you feel like you have a healthy knowledge of pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period?
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Well said. The likes of Bradley Method and Birth for Men give more in-depth information and equip you with a healthier and natural birth approach. The latter, however, focuses more on how men to become an asset on their birth journey. Many men nowadays are engaged in birth and the aspects of it.