Why take birth class?

There was another recent study regarding childbirth education and the results were that many women were not taking birth classes. What are the reasons for this? Some feel the classes are a waste of time. Some feel that since they are planning to have an epidural that they do not need to take birth classes. For whatever reason, what used to be an integral part of the pregnancy experience- birth class- is now being viewed as unecessary.
It's true that women do not need a "class" to teach them how to birth. Women's bodies know how to give birth. Women have given birth for centuries without taking a class. The certificate given at the end of the class doesn't mean a woman is now "certified" to give birth. How ridiculous! So, what's the point?
Ahh... what is the point? Birth class typically lasts 3-8 weeks. In some cases they last 12 weeks. Why spend the money and all that time if her body already knows what to do? Well, let's think about what women in our culture are exposed to in terms of birth experience. We do not have trust in our bodies modeled for us. Women rarely witness any birth yet alone natural birth. Television and movies show birth as an emergency fraught with danger. The laboring woman barely makes it to the hospital where she is rescued by medical personnel. Many times the mother is at death's door and quite frequently so is the infant. Technology reigns supreme and thank goodness there are the experts or they would all have died.
Women tell each other horror stories regarding birth and even total strangers feel compelled to share their fear based stories and opinions. We grow up with this type of attitude towards birth and the fear begins to imprint in our minds. In addition, there is the prevailing attitude that if a woman is pregnant she automatically will see an expert surgeon- the obstetrician; and of course she will birth in a hospital where technology will be used on her. This is just common practice- the standard of care for pregnancy and birth. Not to mention the semantics used in obstetrics including saying the physician "delivered" the baby! Delivered the baby from what? It's mother's body? Certain death? Where is the acknowledgement in the power of women's bodies designed to birth babies? So, even the subtlety of common terminology contributes to a cultural view that disempowers birthing women.
Childbirth education serves to reinforce a woman's confidence in her body and in the birth process. Gaining an understanding of the changes that are and will take place allow her to dispel fear. Birth classes should encourage women and couples to retain personal responsibility for their entire birth experience. Endorsing personal research and examining risk/benefit ratios assist families to make informed decisions regarding birth and parenting. Birth classes should help families look at the basis for their decisions. Are they based on what everyone else is doing or because "that's how it is done"? We want to promote informed choice. In promoting that choice we avoid putting ourselves in the equation. The decisions are theirs to make. We must respect their right to make them.
Emotional issues can be addressed and discussions regarding postpartum and newborn care are part of the curriculum. Communication skills are practiced. In group classes couples have the opportunity to connect with others that are on the same journey. Sometimes lifetime friendships are forged. Private classes allow for personalized instruction with information tailored for the couple.
The need to be flexible and realistic should be taught. My thoughts on expectation of a pain free birth can be read in my comment on the study regarding women's disappointment in what was presented in their birth class and what they actually experienced, so I won't comment on that here so as to avoid repetition.
Birth class is not just for natural birthers. Women who plan on having an epidural will still have to endure some pain and they will want to know how to cope. All the other benefits also apply. So, do I think birth class is important? Well, I'm a childbirth educator so of course I think it's very valuable. They can benefit all pregnant women. Certainly,ones presented by independent instructors are of most value. I love teaching birth class. It's very rewarding and I hope the tide begins to turn again to a place where birth class regains it's position as an integral and beloved part of the pregnancy experience.

var articleheadline = "Women 'are misled into thinking that childbirth can be pain-free'";
Women 'are misled into thinking that childbirth can be pain-free'

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Half of women who do not want pain relief will need it
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By Jeremy Laurance, Health EditorFriday, 14 March 2008
Childbirth hurts – rather like taking your bottom lip and pulling it over your head, in the unforgettable image conjured by the American comedian Bill Cosby – but too many women today are being wrongly led to believe that a pain-free and drug-free labour is possible, a dream that is shattered by reality.
A review of 32 studies of women's experiences of childbirth has revealed that hope too often triumphs over reality. The experiences of most women differ markedly from their expectations, which can lead to disappointment when labour does not go according to plan.
"Childbirth is one of the most painful events that a woman is likely to experience... A woman's lack of knowledge about the risks and benefits of the various methods of pain relief can heighten anxiety," say the researchers from Newcastle University's Department of Public Health.
Joanne Lally, who led the investigation, said antenatal education programmes needed to adopt a more honest approach. "Women should go into labour with hopes of what they want it to be but they should also be realistic about what it is likely to be," she said. "If they want a natural labour that is fantastic and they should be supported in that. But if the pain gets too much and the decisions are taken out of their control that is when it goes wrong and they can end up feeling disappointed. Women need to be fully equipped beforehand with the information to make decisions."
The review published in the online journal BMC Medicine found that, in one study, more than half the women who said they would not use pain relief ended up needing it. In a Swedish study, women were able to give the pain a positive meaning, as when one mother said: "I think it's a happy pain, though its hell."
Researchers concluded that positive attitudes to pain reflected satisfaction with the way they had coped with it, rather than the pain itself. In most studies the pain was worse than expected – in only one was it better than expected.
Mary Newburn, head of policy at the National Childbirth Trust, said: "Pain is tied up with fear and anxiety. If women are provided with good support they may be able to cope with the pain and have a good experience and emerge triumphant."

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Well, here I am doing something I never thought I'd be doing - entering the world of blogging. I am inspired to start because we just birthed our new blog at Sunrise. You can read that blog at Sunrisecentral.blogspot.com Feeling empowered by that birth, it seems to me that this is the right time to begin my own. I'm a complete novice, so bear with me while I learn how to do this. I will post info regarding my classes etc. - but also plan to share information and my feelings regarding birth, babies and parenting. For now- this will do. Consider this early labor and as I progress there will be an eventual birth of a full on blog. Stay tuned..............