Over the summer we made a decision to skip the traditional childbirth education classes at our hospital. Because the classes weren’t specifically focused on our particular interests, we decided to look elsewhere for childbirth preparation. Our doula will provide the basics during a prenatal visit, but I also want to spend time learning specific techniques on my own. Here are some options:

History: Developed by Dr. Bradley, an obstetrician, in the 1960s. He believed his role was like that of a lifeguard watching swimmers in a pool – in 94% of births he takes a backseat to the husband/wife team (the swimmers are fine on their own); it’s only when something goes wrong that he steps in (a swimmer gets a cramp).

Basics: Goal is to prepare for natural childbirth and prep a woman’s partner to be a labor coach. The classes also cover nutrition, exercise and baby care.

Classes: 12 weeks of classes with 130 pg workbook. It’s suggested women begin attending classes around the fifth month of pregnancy.

Techniques: Emphasizes relaxed abdominal breathing and relaxation throughout labor (think dark room, eyes closed, etc.).

Commentary: Over 86% of women who complete the course have had spontaneous, unmedicated vaginal births. If you’ve watched 19 Kids and Counting, the Duggars use the Bradley method.

More Information: Visit The Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth

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History: Lamaze was developed by Fernand Lamaze, a French doctor, in the 1950s. Now an international nonprofit organization.

Basics: Strives to increase a woman’s confidence in her ability to give birth so labor and delivery can occur naturally without medical intervention. Based on Lamaze’s six healthy birth practices.

Classes: 12 hours of instruction beginning around the 7th month of pregnancy.

Techniques: Classes include information on focused breathing, as well as other strategies like massage, walking, position changes and hydrotherapy. It’s more about distraction from the pain rather than relaxation.

Commentary: Their traditional emphasis on rhythmic breathing has fallen out of favor. The course is more holistic, and a much smaller percentage of women trained in Lamaze have an unmedicated vaginal birth compared to other methods.

More Information: Visit Lamaze International for Parents

History: HypnoBirthing was developed in the 1980s by Marie Mongan, a hypnotherapist.

Basics: Classes will train your body to go into complete relaxation to help reduce sensation (aka – pain) from surges (aka – contractions) during birthing (aka – labor). Reframes the birthing process to eliminate the fear-tension-pain cycle.

Classes: 5 sessions at 2 ½ hours each

Techniques: Daily practice before the birth is required. Using self-hypnosis (positive affirmations, chants, etc.), women are able to put themselves in a highly relaxed state.

Commentary: Sometimes described as a gentler form of the Bradley method, its goal is an unmedicated vaginal delivery, but there’s more openness to medical intervention when necessary.

More Information: Visit HypnoBirthing – The Mongan Method

History: Developed by Pam England, a home birth midwife and mother, in the 1990s.

Classes: Curriculum isn’t set in stone and often revolves around the concerns/interests of the students. Teachers are referred to as “mentors.”

Basics: Birth is a transformative rite of passage with a spiritual aspect. Classes prepare women for the emotional impacts of childbirth in all its forms (c-sections, natural delivery, etc.).

Techniques: Women learn to build a “pain-coping mindset” by holding ice for prolonged stretches. You are not learning how to relax, breath, or chant.

Commentary:  A certain amount of New Age spirituality is involved. Women are encouraged to journal and create art about the birthing process. It’s unique in that it doesn’t emphasize a specific childbirth outcome, but rather the childbirth “journey.”

More Information: Visit Birthing From Within

 

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Based on my own comfort level, I’m pretty sure Birthing From Within isn’t for me – I’m not a feelings person and don’t want to spend time talking about my emotions. Lamaze is a little too broad for my interests, and I’m comfortable enough with the nutrition/exercise aspects of pregnancy that I’ll pass on the Bradley Method. That leaves HypnoBirthing. I don’t know if I’m 100% sold, but I think it’s worth investigating. I hate flying and it’s a HUGE anxiety trigger. In the past, when I’ve had to fly, I’ve listened to self-hypnosis, guided relaxation, and affirmation type exercise, and they were all relatively helpful. Hopefully, a similar approach will work for childbirth preparation.

Did you commit to a specific style of childbirth education? What’s your take?