Human beings are cerebral creatures who think way too much. And we come with baggage. Add to that the fact that we have been socialized by the media into believing that birth is a horrible, painful thing that needs lots of medical intervention, and you have a major challenge.
Birth in the US is not evidenced based. The ways in which laboring and birthing women are treated and cared for are not the ways that will produce the healthiest outcomes.
Most women desire to have a loved one/husband/partner/friend trained as their primary labor assistant, or at least thoroughly educated so they know what to expect, what is normal, what is not, how to help, and when to ask for help. Or, they at least want them prepared enough to attend and participate without running screaming from the room, or passing out. The fact is that Men/partners can bring their own fear into the birthing room.
The primary focus of any childbirth class should be a healthy baby and mom, and a positive experience, which are best achieved through a healthy, natural birth. Any course you take should teach specific techniques to achieve this goal, and give your family the information they need to make important decisions that are right for them, and their individual circumstances.
Bradley® natural childbirth classes focus on prevention, and healthy normality. They teach women ways that they can stay healthy and low risk, by concentrating on what is in their control. Through nutrition, exercises, and avoidance of harmful substances, the classes give women the power to influence their lives in a positive way.
The classes are longer because it takes a human being 10 – 12 weeks to truly absorb and develop muscle memory for the different natural labor techniques, and information. They teach not only natural labor techniques, but focus on what is normal in birth, how that feels , and helps women and their partners to be less fearful of the process.
Overall, what effect does education for the family have on maternal and infant outcomes? Basically we see much lower intervention rates (20% medicated, vs. 80% medicated in the general population), half the cesarean rate (15% vs. 32.7% nationally) , and healthier Mom’s and babies, when compared to the general population. But remember, regardless of the type of childbirth class you choose the most important factor is a healthy positive birth experience. It’s not about perfect birth, it’s about healthy birth!
For more information please contact Amy , and check out the class schedule page.
“Suffering in childbirth need not be the norm, for without drugs and without medical interventions imposing iatrogenic risks, healthy, well-supported women, carrying healthy babies, may make the passage of childbirth with dignity, surrounded by people of their choice, with joy, grace and even pleasure. The gentle birth movement advocates for the basic human right of women to labor and deliver their own babies with respect from their health care providers, with support for their choices and privacy. Furthermore, families and wise health care providers are advocating for the rights of babies to be handled in a way that does not impair their future health, well-being, intelligence and longevity, e.g., delayed umbilical cord severance and skin-to-skin uninterrupted contact with mother following birth. Clearly, much of the trauma experienced by mothers in childbirth and babies at birth is preventable.”
— Robin Lim
Excerpted from “When Pregnancy Goes South: Keeping Birth Gentle,” Midwifery Today, Issue 113
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