Natural Childbirth Classes
Rae Andrews, RN, CNM, MS has taught natural childbirth classes since March, 1977. Classes are generally taught on Saturday mornings from 9 - 12 p.m. or on Sunday evenings from 6 - 9 p.m. The classes are limited to six - seven couples per group. Because the demand for the classes is great and space is limited, it is suggested that you enroll in the classes and send your deposit to hold your spot for the class series as soon as possible.
The classes focus on a natural delivery for hospital, birth center, and home birth couples. We place no emphasis on the place of birth in the classes. The majority of the couples that participate in the classes are planning and do have hospital deliveries with physicians or certified nurse-midwives. The main f
ocus of the class is based on the premise that you desire to have a natural, drug-free delivery. If you hope to learn what will happen to you during labor and birth and you plan to have pain medication if it gets too hard, these are probably not the right classes for you. Hospital-based childbirth classes tell you what you can expect in their facilities and what coping methods you can utilize until you are ready for pain relieving medications. In these classes, you and your birth partner are instructed and shown how to work together during labor and birth.
The classes review natural childbirth techniques to help you work with your labor contractions. The focus is inward - into you - and not externally as some methods encourage you to do. You are encouraged to dress comfortably to the classes depending on the season - either wearing pants or shorts, so that you can practice first and second stage practice and do a limited amount of pregnancy-related exercises. The classes teach safe, effective methods that will assist you in working with the natural labor process. Your instructor will discuss and review a variety of positions and techniques such as walking, back pressure, the use of water in labor (hydrotherapy), abdominal breathing techniques to help you achieve a more satisfying labor and birth.
These classes are very consumer-oriented. Your instructor will review all your options during labor, birth and in the immediate postpartum period. You will be shown how to develop a birth plan that reflects your own individual style and plan for birth. A birth plan should be considered your ideal or goal to reach for in labor and birth. It should be emphasized that no one can predict what will happen during your individual labor and birth. Even if this is your second or third baby, remember that each labor is different as each of your children will be unique. You must learn flexibility. So, even if you are not able to fully "adhere" to your birth plan - so what? The main goal is to have a healthy, happy baby and you should always choose the best and most safe option possible for you and your baby.
These classes support the belief that a natural birth is the safest and best option under ideal circumstances. That i
s why such emphasis is placed on everything that you do throughout the pregnancy and culminating in the labor and birth of your baby. These classes encourage that you make excellent choices for your own care - from how to take care of yourself (with strong emphasis on a healthy diet), regular attendance at prenatal appointments, choice of a provider and/or facility that is supportive of natural birth, and correct decision-making thoughout the process.
In these classes you will learn the importance of a healthy diet and what composes a healthy diet. There will be lots of discussion on breastfeeding, newborns, and the postpartum period. Cesarean deliveries are reviewed and circumcision is discussed. You will also learn about various methods of birth control. You will view lots of films on birth throughout the classes including hospital, birth center, and home deliveries. You will also see films on breastfeeding, newborns, and circumcisions. You will see water births and cesarean deliveries. During the class series you will also see a relaxation video so that your husband/partner learns what he/she is supposed to do.
You will find it helpful to take notes during the class, so bring a pen and paper each week. Questions and discussion are encouraged in the classes. Couples generally enjoy the comradery of other couples of like mind and belief. You should find the classes to be informative and supportive of your quest to have a natural birth. You are encouraged to e-mail us as soon as possible for more information. If you would like a more immediate response, please call or e-mail your phone number and let us know a good time of the day to reach you and we will contact you as soon as possible.
If you decide to take these classes, you will be requested to send in a deposit to hold your spot for class and the balance of the fee will then be due at the first class you attend. Because classes are generally held on Sunday evenings, the drive to the classes should be easier for most of you as traffic is usually not too bad at that time. We have couples that travel from all over the city to get to the classes!
Classes Include:
* Series of four, six or eight, three hour classes
* Class size is limited to six - seven couples per group
* Natural childbirth techniques are reviewed and practiced
* Emphasis on relaxation in labor
* Childbirth choices reviewed
* Variety of pushing positions practiced
* Learn how to optimize your decision making in birth
* Learn how to develop your own individual birth plan
* Emphasis on a healthy diet in pregnancy
* Breastfeeding and basic newborn care are covered
* Classes are for hospital, birth center, and home birth couples
* Learn how to avoid unnecessary interventions
* Wide range of childbirth-related videos on nurse-midwifery and
physician births, hospital, birth center, and home birth, water births,
cesarean section, breastfeeding, nutrition and relaxation for birth are
shown
* Exercises for prenancy are discussed and practiced
* Birth supplies for hospital, birth center, and home birth are discussed
Our contact number
is 281-496-7711 or e-mail.