IntroductionChildbirth classes, provide education in understanding the natural way of human birthing. The process has had positive outcomes and birth satisfaction for many women for decades. The education helps the women by building their confidence and enhancing their health. The education is also paramount in extending the coping strategy of pregnancy as well as reducing the pain associated with labor and delivery (Perry, Hockeneberry, Lowdermilk, &, Wilson, 2014 ). Childbirth classes help one to get well prepared for the big day ahead to deal with the physical and psychological outcome of birth. Perry et al. (2014) explained that the main purpose of childbirth class as the reduction of the fear of labor pain by increasing the women’s knowledge of the labor and birth process. The classes also enhance self-confidence and a sense of control. Also, the classes prepare a support person and train the women on physical conditioning as well as relaxation breathing (p.399).
The Childbirth Preparation classes were on September 27, 2014 and started at 10 am and ended at 5pm. The classroom for Childbirth Preparation was on the first floor of shady grove hospital. The hospital has new and modern buildings. The participants were able to visit the admission area of the hospital, which has artificial water fountain. The area is beautiful and peaceful making it a commendable waiting area. The chairs in the classroom were comfortably designed for the pregnant women and the couple. As a sign of welcome, the participants were given a handout when they arrived. The participants brought in nutritious snacks and beverages, and two-to-four Pillows, blanket or Mat to Stretch Out on for Relaxation Techniques, and 75cm or "Large" size exercise ball. The instructor was RN, LCCE, and IBCLC. She has many years’ experiences as a maternity nurse and a trained trainer for Lamaze breathing technique. She has been offering Childbirth Preparation classes for many years. She is passionate of making the birth a positive experience for couples who have an interest to know the birth process and would like to be responsible parents. Her enthusiasm and positive energy are contagious, and she makes the class very interesting, and relaxing.
The curriculum for these classes was designed into four sections. The first section included getting a car seat and had it checked. The seat must be designed in such a way that it prepares the child for birth, pregnancy, and the mom’s changing anatomy. The seat must show good body mechanism and exercise, relaxation technique. The second section included the description of labor, anatomy, and physiology of labor. It also analyses the true vs. false labor. In addition, the section included what to do at home and when to go to the hospital, following early and active labor. Lastly, the section included introduction to proper breathing technique. The third section, includes a definition of transition, breathing techniques for the transition, second stage of labor- pushing techniques, third and fourth stages of labor, and video vaginal birth. The fourth section included variation of labor, interventions possible during labor, analgesia and anesthesia which provide information about labor and birth, breathing and relaxation techniques, and comfort measures, Medications to reduce the pain at the time of labor and delivery hospital Procedures, cesarean birth, and postpartum care for mother and babies.
The Childbirth Class started by the introduction of the instructor and participants. The session began with an introduction of the women in the class where each of them shared her experiences briefly. After that, the instructor divided the mothers and the partners separately as she gave them some question to answer. The main question in the class was to describe the most concerning and uncomfortable situation about the pregnancy. Some of the discomfort mentioned by the participants include backache, heartburn, insomnia, constipation, leg cramps, nasal congestion, swelling are the most bothering experience happened for the mothers, and the instructor discussed about the cause and relief measures of the discomforts.
What was missing?
Often women have heard horror stories or have seen friends or relatives going through labor that appears scary and dangerous. The class had different power point lectures describing the stage of labor and the level of pain associated with each stage. Also, there were videos showing the experience of many women suffering from labor pain. The participants would be unable to see the joyful experience of labor and delivery. Perry et al. (2014) described that “women in labor usually have a variety of concerns related to the process and effects of the childbirth, maternal and fetal well-being, and the attitude and action of the staff, unresolved fears increases a women’s stress and can slow the process of labor as a result of the inhibiting effects of catecholamine associated with uterine response to contraction (p.451).”
I believe that the main purpose of childbirth preparation class is to decrease the stress related to pregnancy and labor and delivery and help them achieve a safe and joyful birth experience. The Issues in Mental Health Nursing (2010) described that “The childbirth experience can be a wonderful event, or one of horror, one in third adult mothers appraises her childbirth experience as traumatic, with up to ten percent of women reporting a severe traumatic stress response post-delivery.” However, there was an emphasis on physiological and environmental stress reduction method but the class did not focus that much on how emotional support can reduce the stress related to the labor. Participants should have been given a value and benefit of the continuous supportive presence of person especially family member, partner, and nurse. Research done by D'Aliesio Vellone, Amato, & Alvaro (2009) shows the positive effect of father's attendance to labor and delivery. They argue that the attendance helps the mother to be less irritable, agitated, and worried. In addition, the process becomes more efficient, with a woman being self-confident and relaxing to execute the duty. The presence leads to significantly lower pain, anxiety, and stress of the mother.
Issues in Mental Health Nursing (2010) explained that nurses have the opportunity to educate, support, assess labor and delivery expectations. The nurses also help in empowering the laboring mother by providing emotional support, as well as encouraging expression of feeling related to labor. Proper delivery potentially improves birth process outcomes. Supporting a woman in labor includes providing companionship, and reassurance. It also offers positive reinforcement and praise for her efforts. The information and advice help the women in decision-making and not only decrease the pain and anxiety. It is a reliable technique to affirm self-confidence in birth process control (Perry et al. 2014).
Conclusion
A pregnant woman is overwhelmed with physical, mental, and emotional changes. Emotional support must be customized to the individual needs, developmental level and racial or cultural preferences. Therefore, the labor and delivery nurses must make thorough and comprehensive assessment which will be providing effective intervention that result to positive birth experience (Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 2010).
My attendance to the birth class has given me an insight that birth is a natural process, and the experience of birth can be positive and traumatic. Women’s confidence and ability to have a normal birthing process depends not only on her but also on the culture, lifestyle, and support group.
The benefit of birth class is not only increasing the knowledge of the women and partner but also engaging the family in meaningful way to promote healthy way of parenting, and building resilience and connection of families (Perry et al. 2014).
References
Impact of traumatic birth experience on Latina adolescent mothers. (2010). Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 31(12), 829. doi:10.3109/01612840.2010.536415
Perry, S.E., Hockeneberry, M.J., Lowdermilk, D.L., Wilson,D., (2014). Maternal child nursing care. Missouri, St Louis. Mosby, Inc.
D'Aliesio, L., Vellone, E., Amato, E., & Alvaro, R. (2009). The positive effects of father's attendance to labour and delivery: a quasi experimental study. International Nursing Perspectives, 9(1), 5-10.
