Baby Making

For first-time parents, it is quite an overwhelming experience, faced with questions and fears, the feeling of not knowing what to expect. It is generally accepted that birthing classes help to allay such fears by getting their queries answered.

Most classes offer to assist in many ways. They may cover all kinds of issues related to child birthing experiences such as breathing techniques, management of birth, including normal, vaginal birth and cesarean birth. It helps parents to prepare in terms of the many changes and stages of pregnancy, labour and delivery and may provide some much-needed parenting tips when the baby is born.

There are a variety of classes available. New parents solely attending classes for birthing experiences, typically attend them during the third trimester of the pregnancy. Others may begin sooner or later than that, depending on the needs. Most hospitals and medical practitioners will provide information on the availability of such classes.

Apart from providing parents with a forum to answer their questions, such classes give other information that may help in pregnancy and labour. These include the healthy development of baby and pregnancy, warning signs if there is something wrong and basically breathing and relaxation techniques to make labour and delivery more comfortable. Key issues like a birth plan, recognizing the onset of labour, pain relief options during labour and what to expect during labour and delivery are addressed. The role of the father or a labour coach may be included in such classes.

An often overlooked benefit is the experience shared with other couples. Many find solace in knowing that they are not alone in the experience. Some parents make friends during child birthing classes that last them beyond the birth of their child.

The increased involvement of the partner in the classes makes a good bonding experience. Learning how to assist in the labour process and delivery help to make new fathers feel useful and is a great way to ensure they are updated on the latest techniques of baby care and safety. The knowledge and confidence you need may not only come from such classes, but it helps you remain informed and provide you with a variety of coping techniques.

The most widely used method in the United States is the Lamaze technique. Its philosophy of birth is that it is normal, natural and a healthy process that women go through. This technique empowers through education and women are supported to experience it with confidence.  Gaining strength and comfort during labour and birth is the goal of Lamaze, by exploring various ways to achieve this. Conditioning a mother's response to pain through "psychoprophylaxis", via physical and mental training and preparation on top of relaxation techniques is encouraged in classes. Expectant mothers are taught to use breathing patterns, distraction, massages by coaches etc., to have constructive response to the pain and stress of labour.

The Lamaze technique does not advocate against the use of optional pain relief, but does educate mothers on their options to make an informed decision when the time requires.