Yes

by T. K. Pippin

Created on: April 11, 2008   Last Updated: April 13, 2012

During pregnancy, it seems everyone who's been where you are, wants to put there two cents in about how you should or shouldn't do things with your labor, birth and child-rearing. Even though good advice is welcome and comforting, too many opinions can send one into shell shock.

We all have different bodies and when we become pregnant, different bodily reactions, different labor pains and birthings should be expected. The best advice one can give to a mother-to-be is to just listen to her own body. There is no standard.

However, there are common ailments, situations and circumstances that many new mothers experience. There are also difficult situations one could be subject to and having prior knowledge of what actions to take could greatly benefit expectant parents. Taking hospital childbirth and labor classes can substantially increase one's ability to handle these situations or circumstances in a more calm and collected manner and reduce the risk of harm to the baby and mother. All this, without overwhelming you with unneccessary wives tales.

Also, many hospitals give free childbirth classes. So even if your pocket-book is looking a little bare, no need to concern yourself, just call your local Health Department and ask about your options as a new mother.

So what exactly are the benefits of childbirth and labor classes? Well let's see...

A: Meeting other moms and couples who are going through the same experience. This allows you to open up in conversation about your own concerns with people who understand what you are going through. Also, sharing your joys and excitement over the situation with people who are just as excited or nervous as you are.

B: Childbirth classes give you an opportunity to explore the different avenues of birthing. Like having a baby in a hospital, birth cottage or even in your home. What to do if you have an emergency in any of these situations or if your little one arrives before your arrival to your destination.

C: How do you feel about a spinal or epidural injection during the labor and birth can make a big difference in the birthing process. Childbirth classes give you the details and information you need on each option so you can make a sound decision about what's best for you and your baby.

D: What about breastfeeding? Yes or No. Birth classes give you professional advice, ususally from a nurse who has also had children, on how to get your little one to latch, the benefits of breast-feeding and what to do if you can't. Some mothers experience a feeling of inadequecy if they aren't able to breast-feed. When given the knowledge about how this could've happened and how to handle it if it does, the mother feels empowered to get on with life and realize that even bottle-fed babies can be geniuses and do well in athletics.

On a personal note

As a new mother, I expected the perfect labor and delivery. I was to give birth at a birthing cottage with midwives that I had familiarized myself with throughout my pregnancy. The cozy feeling of a birth cottage and the familiar faces of my midwives comforted me. The expenses of the birth cottage were half that of the hospital's and the risk of infection was greatly reduced. I also had bad experiences with doctors in the past and felt I was getting more personal care.

So the day came, and I went to the birth cottage, and after ten hours of labor, she wasn't coming and I wouldn't dialate passed 9 1/2 cm, just a half a centimeter! Unfortunately, things don't always go as planned in my life and to make a long story short-I had to go to the hospital via ambulance, have a c-section, during which I got a staph infection, had to stay a week, all with no insurance, ahhh, the joys of childbirthing!

But in all that, I had a beautiful experience, and that was seeing my baby girl for the first time, there's nothing else like it! Taking childbirth classes was, for me, an educational and fun experience, which didn't cost a dime, and prepared me for the unexpected journey.

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