Learn 7 reasons why you should be taking a childbirth class!
Are you considering taking a childbirth class before your little one arrives? You might be wondering if it’s worth it and just how prepared you can really get for such a big transition.
If you (like many others) believe there is only one way to give birth, taking a childbirth class will be to your advantage. Not only can our bodies do incredible things, mama, but we haven’t begun to see the power we really have!
Don’t sit on the sidelines, mama! This is your pregnancy and your baby’s birth.
I’m going to share 7 reasons why this type of class is beneficial to both you and baby. Even if this is not your first pregnancy, there are still several benefits to becoming a student in regards to birthing a little human.
Childbirth classes aren’t boring. Far from it! They’re filled with so much useful information and are very engaging.
Here are some topics you’ll learn about in the class:
- The importance of a healthy diet
- Exercising
- Breastfeeding tips
- Postpartum care
- And a whole lot more about labor and delivery
You also have the option of taking some of the best childbirth classes online from the comfort of your own home!
Reasons to Take a Childbirth Class
1. Understand Your Birthing Options
We typically only see and hear of childbirth happening in either one or two ways nowadays. The woman goes to the hospital where she lays on her back to give birth or she has a cesarean.
Anything outside of that is portrayed as foriegn and risky. But the truth is, there are so many other safe and beautiful ways to give birth.
It’s helpful to know what options are available for having the birth you want, mama. It’s quite empowering when you are equipped to make informed, confident decisions relating to how you want to give birth.
Here are some topics a typical child birthing class will cover:
- Effective breathing techniques for a vaginal birth
- Medical interventions (pros and cons)
- How to create a birth plan
- Doula support
2. Learn What to Expect
Honestly, movies only paint us bits and pieces of what childbirth and motherhood is really like.
Usually we see the mom sweating and screaming as she pushes her baby out. The next snapshot shows mom and dad enjoying their happy baby days and months later. But there’s so much more than that.
What about when mom’s breasts become engorged? I mean, the nurses do discuss this with you, but rarely before you give birth!
While motherhood can be a time of great bliss, new and experienced mothers can also experience things like postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety.
Although no mother wishes to face mild or severe mental health issues, it’s critical to have tools to cope.
Taking a childbirth class will help you have more of an idea of what to expect. This will make you feel more in control and less like a victim.
3. Meet Other Expectant Parents
It’s fun to meet other people!
A childbirth class is a great environment to learn and support others in their parenting journey. You’ll meet people from different backgrounds who have one thing in common. They’re parents just like you!
Some of them have had children before and can share their birthing experience with the class. There’s a lot you can learn from others…so be open to it.
You can also build relationships with other moms and get your babies together for little playdates after they’re born.
It’s beneficial in many ways to get to know other mothers on a personal level. Pregnancy can be difficult and it can get quite lonely and overwhelming after you have your baby.
Having another mom to chat or hook up with (even for 20 minutes!) is refreshing. It’s made some of my gloomy days a lot brighter after I had my twins.
Meeting other expecting parents in the class will also build your excitement for the arrival of your new baby.
4. Gain Resources
Birthing class instructors are usually (but not always) mothers! They have some great resources to pass on to expecting mothers.
If you’re taking a local class, you may be able to gain some resources that are helpful before and after your baby’s birth.
Other participants in the class may also share some resources they’ve found that could help you.
Personally, I’ve found that even when I don’t know what to ask for, someone comes along with just what I need.
This could be anything, mama! Maybe others in the class have free baby items they want to give to someone, or information about work from home jobs that will allow you to earn an income during your maternity leave.
5. Include Your Partner
There is a difference between your partner wanting to help and knowing how to help you.
After all, only a woman can experience the physical and emotional aspects of growing a baby in her body.
Unless educated, men know absolutely nothing about pregnancy, labor, delivery, or motherhood. And hey, how could they? It’s not something they will ever go through firsthand.
At times I’d felt alone because of this. Approaching labor and delivery can feel more bearable if we feel like our partner is “in this” too.
I love that most childbirth classes welcome partners to attend. Instructors will cover some of these topics:
- How to distinguish true labor contractions from the “fake” ones
- Ways to support mom during active labor (reminding her how to breath, verbal encouragement, massage…)
- Pain medication options
- Birthing options (natural vs. cesarean)
- How to support mom after baby is born
Although your partner isn’t the one giving birth, he should be just as informed as you are and equipped to support you effectively the whole way through.You deserve it!
No more awkward experiences for men in the classroom. You can find a course that has a curriculum designed to engage partners and empower him.
This is good news, mama! With the right information and coaching, he can be more involved and supportive than you dreamed he would be.
6. Make Decisions Ahead of Time
Once you have the information in your hands, you can make informed decisions about how you want your labor and delivery to be.
Rather than waiting to see what happens, you can create a specific plan centered around your personal choices. If you like the idea of a water birth, you can focus in on making that your reality by notifying your OBGYN before you’re too far long.
If you want your bundle of joy to be born at home, you can take steps early on to learn about the process and make that experience wonderful.
A lot of your birthing experience is in your hands, mama!
7. Fun
If you’re not having fun with your pregnancy, something’s gotta change! Don’t you want to share in the excitement of motherhood with other expecting mamas?
A childbirth class is something fun you can look forward to each week. It’s great when you can share this special season of life with other parents who are also preparing for birth.
Someone else’s experience with a childbirth class will not be your experience. You will take away something different from the next person. I will say this also- you don’t know exactly what you’re going to get or how it will impact you! That’s part of the fun!
Plan for the Beautiful Birth You Want
There you have it, mama! 7 reasons you should take a childbirth class during your pregnancy. You have more to gain and almost nothing to lose.
Taking a childbirth class will build your confidence and prepare you for labor, delivery, and a healthy transition into motherhood.
You can do this, mama! A child birthing class will definitely help you feel ready for the big day. Over to you now. Have you taken a child birthing class before? What are some reasons you took the class and what did you find most helpful? Share in the comments below.
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