Description of the Class
The prenatal class was interesting. It covered various childbirth classes and their benefits. The study was presented in a clear and comprehensive manner that made the topics easy to understand. The professor used a lecture as the teaching strategy that entailed the interaction of two students and the instructor. The teacher was good at teaching, and I believe that she did an excellent job.
Benefits of Attending a Childbirth Class
In childbirth classes, one can comfortably air out their fears and concerns regarding labor and birth. They provide a relationship where one can reach out to the childbirth instructor with particular concerns as one prepares for labor and delivery. Also, the childbirth classes provide a community where one feels a sense of belonging especially for those experiencing postpartum blues. Isolation, especially when one is experiencing postpartum blues leads to postpartum depression and the best way to prevent it is by attending childbirth classes where one gets the sense that there are others with the same feelings, problems, struggles, and desires you are facing. Therefore, childbirth classes create commonality awareness thus aids in reducing postpartum blues and depression. They also educate one’s partner in several ways to enable him to give support during labor and birth. Besides, Karabulut et al. (2016) argue that attending childbirth classes as a couple strengthens the relationship and enables the male partner to understand better his wife and the changes she is experiencing.
Types of Childbirth Classes
Lamaze International
Lamaze classes are aimed at helping pregnant women gain trust in their inner wisdom and learn to make informed choices regarding their healthcare (Guszkowska, 2014). In these classes, women are taught several simple coping techniques that include movement and breathing, as well as the various ways of comforting themselves during labor. The Lamaze philosophy states that giving birth is normal, healthy, and natural and that women enjoy the right to give birth without the routine medical interventions. But the classes educate women on the need for giving well-informed consents whenever such responses are required.
Bradley Method
The Bradley Method supports the notion that childbirth is natural and that if a woman is prepared right, she can avoid other medical interventions when giving birth. It also stresses the significance of light exercise and diet during pregnancy. Additionally, the Bradley Method encourages the participation of the partner in the birth process and educates women on deep breathing techniques that help manage pain during labor.
Hypnobirthing
Hypnobirthing is also known as the Mongan Method, and the classes entail educating women on how to experience a comfortable, calm, and serene birth through self-hypnosis, visualization, deep relaxation. The hypnobirthing classes are mainly focused on the process of natural pregnancy and birth, but it also gives useful techniques for those that require medical intervention when giving birth.
Birthing from Within
Birthing From Within is a less known and less widely available childbirth method. It is an approach that is spiritually focused that prepares couples for birth and parenting. Birthing from within teaches and inspires parents to honor birthing as “a rite of passage.”
Personally, I would recommend Lamaze classes to my friend Melissa because it is internationally recognized and is accredited by the NCCA. The Lamaze childbirth educators are certified, and they always go through a rigorous examination before they begin the teaching process (Toohill, 2014). Besides, millions of women have attained desirable childbirth outcomes through Lamaze International.
Evaluation of the Class
I would not recommend any changes to the class because I find the teaching strategies employed by the instructor to be the best. By engaging the interaction of the students with themselves and the instructor, students get to understand the contents and even ask questions whenever they have problems.
When choosing a childbirth class, one needs to check the contents covered in the course. There are various curriculum and some simply orient women to hospital procedures. Therefore, women should consider the curriculum and what they intend to gain. It is also necessary to put into consideration the certification of the instructor so as to get classes from professionally trained individuals.
References
Guszkowska, M. (2014). The effect of exercise and childbirth classes on fear of childbirth and locus of labor pain control. Anxiety, Stress & Coping, 27(2), 176-189. doi:10.1080/10615806.2013.830107
Karabulut, Ö., Doğan Merih, Y., Cebeci Mutlu, S., Coşkuner Potur, D., & Demirci, N. (2016). Does antenatal education reduce fear of childbirth?. International Nursing Review, 63(1), 60-67. doi:10.1111/inr.12223
Toohill, J., Fenwick, J., Gamble, J., Creedy, D. K., Buist, A., Turkstra, E., & Ryding, E. (2014). A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Psycho-Education Intervention by Midwives in Reducing Childbirth Fear in Pregnant Women. Birth: Issues In Perinatal Care, 41(4), 384-394. doi:10.1111/birt.12136
