Learning How to Give Birth: 101

Have you thought about getting a doula? I’m not sure if they help you out before the birth, but they really know what they’re doing and you can count on them more than you can on the nurses… they stick around. I didn’t have one myself (I’m not in the US), but I really think it would have helped. I have two children, both delivered vaginally, both with epidural (though the first time, I didn’t want one), and I think a doula could have helped me out BOTH times. Yep, even after I’d already done it once. I had read tons of stuff, but nothing can prepare you for actually being in labor. Having a truly knowledgeable and NEUTRAL person with you the whole time would be fabulous. Look into it…

I know I have never been pregnant but when was trying I read and thought about alot of things. I think if it were me I would take the relaxation birthing class. Relaxation is going to be very important because during the labor part the more you can focus on something and be relaxed the better you are going to handle the contractions. As far as the medicated/epidurals you can read about those choices online to be better educated about what to expect. When you make your birth plan leave room for change. If relaxtion techniques aren’t getting you over the curve of the pain then you know an epidural or other pain meds are at reach. Also from what I have heard, a birth plan is just that a plan but it’s not concrete. I am thinking you live in the DC area which I know is a great area to get midwife advice/care. You might check into some midwife clinics to see if they have some classes that might interest you better. They are great on focusing on the mother as a whole and not so clinical, kwim? Also, once you have the baby, the nurses are going to teach you how to bath your baby. They had to teach me how to wash Brady. I was scared silly. I felt like I might accidently hurt him. I was surprised how vigorisly they washed his hair and when I started helping gently wash it they were like, “Get in there mama and scrub that head.” If your concerned maybe ask a friend if you can come over during bath time and see if you can help give their baby a bath. They have some awesome little baby bathtubs that fit in the kitchen sink. I had one with Ben and it was awesome! It cradled him and all I had to do was wash, rinse him and kiss his tummy, toes, cheeks, . -kriss

We took one of the Saturday courses at the hospital where we had our first. It was kind of nice to know what their policies were, but it wasn’t the most helpful class–I’d read most of the material that was covered by that point. My husband was in grad school, so the only other prep we did was reading a book on the Bradley method. We did well with that…

I didn’t take a class at our hospital, because I had a friend who had just taken it, and told me I wouldn’t like it. She knew I was gung-ho natural childbirth, and said ours was mostly about medications and interventions, but that the tour was worth taking, so you know where L&D is and what the birthing suites look like. Well, when she told me this, we were sitting IN L&D, IN her birthing suite. So..

I used the Laugh and Learn About Childbirth DVD, with RN Sheri Bayles. AND I LOVED IT. There are more in the series (Laugh and Learn About Newborn Baby Care, and Laugh and Learn about Breastfeeding), but I didn’t get them. I’m sure they’re great.

It’s mostly natural childbirth based, so it might be a little irritating to some people, but I enjoyed it. She has like six couples and it’s like you’re watching an actual class. She goes through everything (I think) that you need to know to understand what’s going on down there, when to go to the hospital, how to handle the contractions.

Hypnobirthing is what I want to try next time, though. But I also want a midwife at home.

I second the doula suggestion! It’s a great idea, really. I wish I had one, for dealing with the nurse that I had – she was a nightmare.

Some people obess over birth, and insist on the “perfect” birth. If you’ve spent any time at all on the internet, you can find blogs upon blogs of people delivering their babies at home without help because they think that’s the best way, people delivering in a hospital because they think thats the best way, people doing natural child birth, people saying “give me every drug in the book” and a million other options. I like what other comments have said…that the goal is a healthy baby, and at the end of the day, what really matters is having that healthy baby and raising them the way you want to. The birth is just a process of bringing them into the great big world you are going to show them. Try not to get caught up in the flurry of info and details, and pressure out there to do it someone else’s way.

You do have the right to switch medical professionals if you feel uncomfortable. i switched ob’s at 26 weeks. You can switch up until the day you deliver if you want, no matter what anyone else tells you. You can ask for a different nurse during delivery if you aren’t getting what you need from yours(though if they are swamped, you might be out of luck there)

In parenting, you need to advocate hard for your child, because no one else is going to do it. Just like raising them, and being their advocate, and making sure everything is how you want it for them, you have to do that for you too. If you do research, and decide you want to have a natural birth, then go for it, and clearly communicate that. if you decide you want to have pain killers, go for it, and clearly communicate that. if you have to have a c-section, it’s really not the end of the world, and some women would prefer c-sections if they can get them. The key is, you need to communicate all the time. No one can read your mind, so you have to tell them, even if you are embarrased, upset, or worried. Tell people clearly what you want from them, even if you can’t decide, just tell them you can’t decide what you want from them, and ask for their opinion. Communication is the best way to get through it, however your son decides to join the world

Well, obviously I’m no help on this subject, but I hope you find a class that works for you and helps you feel more prepared

I attended childbirth classes with both of mine. The first time around, the class was taught by a wonderful nurse who explained things so clearly. The second time was someone else and she just didn’t relate well to the class and had never even given birth herself.

So really, no matter what you choose to do, the person teaching the class will be the one who makes the class great or blah. I would suggest looking for one that focuses more on what to expect in the birthing process rather than on a technique, especially since you haven’t decided that yet.

We did learn about some relaxation techniques and such but since both of mine were born early and there so many other things on my mind (such as if they were going to be ok) that all of that knowledge went right out the window. I learned as much about the relaxation techniques through reading as I did in the class itself and still couldn’t really concentrate enough to do it when the time came.

So, I’m not sure about spending alot of money on the classes unless you know someone who has attended and they recommend it highly. I like the other commenter’s suggestion about DVD’s. I didn’t know those were available.

Just know that no matter what method you choose, you’ll do great.

I say read books first so you’re no overwhelmed when you do start to look at your options. Then find a midwife. The midwives I’ve met have been very calming and knowledgeable. I questioned one once about homebirths, and, though I do not think I’m that pro-home births, she was very easy to talk to, and really educated me about things. I appreciated the non-talk-down-ness about her; just because she’s seen something 200+ times and given birth herself does not mean you shoudl be talked down to about this process. So, i appreciated the attitude she had of “you’ve not bene through this. I can help.”

I took a Bradley class and was planning to have an all natural birth with no medications like my mother and friends did. I ended up getting an epidural ’cause my baby was facing anterior during my very long labor. Though I thought the Bradley classes were a bit anti-medical establishment, I did really appreciate a couple of things.

1) I learned about the physiology of pregnancy and labor. The best thing about the class was that I learned about what my body is supposed to do in a normal birth. That’s how the relaxation stuff is supposed to work. Our bodies are built to be able to get through a ‘normal’ birth. If we know what’s going on and what each painful contraction means, only then can we use those relaxation techniques.

2) I learned about some of the risks of the common interventions, such as epidurals and pitocin. Though I ended up getting an epidural, I liked having that knowledge of its risks that the nurses didn’t tell me.

For me, my body didn’t ‘know how to do birth’ because I as a modern woman had never seen anyone go through it. I had to learn in a class what those women from eons ago learned from their sisters and mothers.

So, I agree with Sabrina. Don’t focus too much on birthing technique; learn instead about the physiology of a normal birth. That will give you the knowledge of being able to know what’s happening to your body and to anticipate what’ll come next.

I hate to say this, but giving birth is not something (in my opinion) a woman can learn. It’s so different for everyone and no birth is the same. Women have been giving birth longer than classes have been offered. And when it’s time, just like being a good parent, you will know what to do. Instincts kick in and you simply do it! Instantly, you turn into a momma bear and you’ll do everything and anything to survive and bring that child into the world. The whole process is amazing in its dramatic simplicity. Hard to believe, but the best thing you can do is to NOT over-think it!

I agree with the person that said the nurses are so helpful… Believe me when I tell you, the nurses will guide you through labor and delivery every step of the way – L&D nurses are AMAZING!

I attended one session of a natural childbirth class and was able to give birth twice without any kinds of drugs for pain – both labors were induced with pitocin, and I delievered naturally. The biggest thing I learned from my one little class was controlled breathing.

Learn to focus on a focal point in the room, (even if it is the monitor that tells you when a contraction is coming and when it’ll be over!) and breath through the contractions. For me, breathing was the key.

I was too afraid of epidurals, (having a needle put into my spine and signing the form that said I understood I could be paralyzed forever kinda put me off) and as my Oma said, “What goes in, must come out”, so you just have to power through labor and the delivery and focus all thoughts to the moment when it’s over and your son is placed into your arms.

Don’t over-think this. You are woman. Therefore, you are wonderfully and quite perfectly prepared to give birth!

Enjoy your sleep now!

Well, if you want a basic class, I’d take the most basic and cost effective one offered. However, with that said, I wish that they had Bradley classes offered where I live. I had two unmedicated births and I would’ve loved to have some methods on pain management. I will say the second time around I let my body do what it was trying to do.
There are some great books about basic labor/delivery/childcare etc. Email me if you would like me to give you a short little list.

I think reading some good books is best and be prepared to go with an epidural in case you need/want it. If there is a low cost general class, that would be nice, too. I had talked to many women who had a ‘natural’ childbirth so hubby and I took classes on breathing and all that but was extremely surprised when the time came to find that none of it was the least bit helpful to me. I asked for an epidural and was very thankful for it. I ended up with a c-section anyway since my pelvis would not expand to let the baby through. I think you end up doing whatever your body allows. Some women are built for it and some are not. The wonderful thing is that nowadays we have options and can all be successful. You will be fine. Just enjoy your pregnancy!

Honestly, knowing now what I do I would say skip the birth classes. Women have been doing this naturally for centuries. Classes are fine but definitely not required to have a good birth experience. Don’t psyche yourself out. There is a lot of overkill nowadays with over eager parents insisting each thing be *exactly* the way they wanted it- and remain inflexible. I had a birth plan but the hospital I went to was so good I didn’t need to stipulate anything ‘extra’ anyways.

I went to a breast feeding clinic – one class before giving birth (with Dh, who was happy to go:) and that was enough. I like the idea of a doula if you feel you will need an advocate to make sure your desires are met according to your birth plan. But I had my DH there and that was fine for me.
I am *SO* in agreement with ambulance mommy! Right on. In this day and age it’s never been a better time to give birth b/c we have so many medical amenities and advancements. Just don’t read stuff on the internet, do not listen to or even ask for people’s labor stories. Why? B/c it is all different. It will just make you more anxious. I did that with my first and then realized there was no reason to put myself through all of that stress. I think now we’ve become almost obsessive in our culture about the actual birth experience and trying to mold it to our expectations 100%. Nature is not like that. We cannot control it 100% so so what you can to prepare and enjoy the rest. I’m sure you’ll have a lot of family there for support to boot- that makes a world of difference! I’m not due for my second baby until May but I have learned from my experience there really is nothing to worry about.

With my daughter – my first pregnancy – we were living overseas in Germany, at a military post so small that they didn’t offer OB care or classes. So I saw a German OB, who was wonderful, but I never did have a chance to take any pre-baby classes… not even Lamaze. As it turned out I didn’t need them; my midwife and nurses coached me through all the breathing exercises as I was in labor, and I ended up delivering both of my children without pain meds.

If could go back and do it again, I probably would have looked into hypnobirthing, but your husband has to be completely willing to do those classes and help you stick to them. You need a strong coach who is willing to be there for you throughout the entire process.

I also would have liked to take a breastfeeding class and a “what to do with your baby in the first few weeks” class: bathing, how to burp, etc. My mom ended up flying to see us when my daughter was born and she taught us all those things, though I had been babysitting for years at that point and knew how to diaper a baby well. And when I had my son… well, I pretty much knew what I was doing by then.

Weighing in late …

We took the class offered by the hospital. Yes, it was mainly about medications and such, but it also included such gems as “If you ask for a green popsicle, this is code for the nurse to come in and clear the room except for your partner. This is very handy with overbearing Grandmas that won’t let the baby go!” I definitely recommend at least getting a tour of the birthing center you choose. It helps to know EXACTLY where to go and what to do the day of the birth. And you and the CPA won’t be very clear-headed at that point so it’s best to have a plan of action prepared.

I second (or third) the idea of the CPR/First Aid class. If you have absolutely NO experience taking care of a baby, then the new baby well-care class would be beneficial. But I wouldn’t stress about it too much.

If you plan to go with a natural childbirth in a place where epidurals and medication are generally “encouraged” then I would suggest planning on having a second advocate (whether a doula or your mom or sister or someone) in the room with you. That way your husband doesn’t have to spend time away from you while trying to discuss with nurses or doctors what your birth plan is and why you don’t want medication. Just my two cents.

And for the record I went with epidurals both times and Dax was induced. I had two great deliveries and would actually do that part again in a second. My first trimester morning sickness was actually more traumatizing than giving birth!

I found your blog via Google while searching for find cpr and first aid classes, thank you for posting !