How to Choose the Right Childbirth Education Class for YOU!

You're pregnant. You share the news with family and friends (and eventually the world) and all of a sudden it seems like everyone has a birth story to share (be it good, bad, or somewhere in between), "must haves" to add to your baby registry, and advice you never expected (or asked for!). Google is a great resource but can quickly become overwhelming, and wading through subjective and anecdotal research is difficult under normal circumstances let alone when you are dealing with raging hormones and intense emotions. My recommendation is to start with a childbirth education course! Local classes are a great place to get answers to your questions, connect with local resources, and get to know other expectant parents.

Like families, childbirth classes come in all shapes and sizes, so it's important to identify what you would like to gain from a class before choosing one.

First think about whether you'd like to attend a class in person or online. My personal preference is to find a class that meets in your local community so that any referrals you receive or friendships you make easily fit into your life. Living in a small rural community I realize this is not always possible, and driving to a neighboring town or larger city may be necessary to find the class that best suits you. You really have to weigh the pros and cons and find the best fit for you. Another option is to find a class online. There are so many online options that it may make it easier to find a class that aligns with your preferences for birth. Maybe your partner has an unpredictable schedule or travels often for work; online and/or on-demand classes can make it easier to find the time to fit classes into a busy schedule.

Second consider how much time and money your are willing and able to spend on a childbirth class. Classes range in price from free to hundreds of dollars, and in length from a few hours on the weekend to multiple week commitments. They say, "you get what you pay for" and that can certainly be true, but don't discredit a class just because it is less expensive than another, and don't count a class out if it offers everything you want but is out of your budget. Some great resources are offered for free, and many childbirth educators offer payment plans, sliding scales, or discounts - don't be afraid to ask about any of these options if it is unclear whether or not they are available to you.

Third take some time to think about your goals for birth. You don't need to have a birth plan written out, but thinking more generally about who will likely be with you during labor and delivery (if you will have a partner or not present), where you would like to birth (home, hospital, birth center), and how you would like to give birth (medicated, unmedicated, vaginally, cesarean, induction, spontaneously, etc.). If you are planning a home birth, the childbirth class offered by your local hospital may not be super helpful; if you are planning on birthing alone a class for "husband coached birth" may not be beneficial.

A quick note regarding in vs. out of hospital classes: consider taking the birth class offered by the hospital you plan to birth at in addition to a class offered privately. Hospital classes are often free or low-cost, and help you fill in the framework of what to expect once you arrive at the hospital, what the rooms look like, and you can ask any hospital-specific questions you may have like the likelihood of your doctor/midwife attending your birth, time restrictions on labor/pushing, or whether or not they have birth balls available. However, in my experience hospital birth classes teach you most how to be a good patient instead of what a physiologically normal labor and birth looks like. Even if you aren't planning an unmedicated, vaginal birth, learning what is normal in labor is crucial. It's also important to note that birth rarely goes as "planned" and no two births are exactly the same - even if you plan to get an epidural, it may not work like you expect it to. In fact, the nurse that taught the childbirth class at my local hospital used to tell people, "expect your epidural not to work and if it does, that's a bonus." Because birth is unpredictable, it's important to prepare any way you can. Fill your "tool kit" with comfort measures, positions, mindsets, and affirmations for birth. Then you'll be well equipped to handle the pressures of labor, and if you get your epidural and it works - great!

Fourth consider if there is a specific topic you would like to learn about/focus on within childbirth class. Hypnobirthing, pain free birth, adoption, newborn care, natural remedies, breastfeeding - whatever it may be, find out if there is a class specific to this topic or if a more general class has a component that would satisfy what you're hoping to learn.

Last (but certainly not least) consider who is teaching the class, what their background may be, and how that could influence the information that is presented. Childbirth educators should present only evidence-based information, and present it in an unbiased manner, but we're all human and opinions slip in. It's important to know at least a little bit about your teacher and their experiences with birth before committing to a class.

If you would like more information on my favorite local childbirth education series click here