4 Reasons It’s Worth Taking More than a Childbirth Class

Birth has been happening since the dawn of time, and yet it’s not something we just do. There’s a number of complications that can occur with mom and/or with baby. Birth involves all of our senses and our mentality, our spirituality, our physicality to labor and birth. A better birth can be achieved from a series of preparations. While a lack of preparation doesn’t ensure a terrible experience, a concerted effort at preparing for birth does create a more empowered mindset for birth. That, in turn, can make for a better birth experience. Some growing families opt for a popular online forum or for advice from friends, while others take a one-time birth class or some take a twelve-week series of classes. Wherever you fall on the spectrum of preparation, we’re making a case for why it’s worth taking more than a simple childbirth class to prepare for labor and birth. 

1. The epidural could fail you

If you’re relying on an epidural to carry you through labor and birth, you might be surprised to learn that not all epidurals provide the pain cessation you might be expecting. Taking a vested interest in preparing for your birth will allow you to feel empowered to sustain yourself through the ebbs and flows of labor and birth. We've written about some back-up plans to have in place in the off chance the epidural doesn't perform. When you’re equipped with an understanding of all your body is capable of to give birth, you’re better prepared to manage your discomfort and speak up about your partnership with the attending nurses and physician for a better birth experience.

2. It might be too late for an epidural

If you’re hoping to avoid pain meds to give birth, you might be surprised to learn that there’s a time frame in which epidurals can be administered. Preparation accompanied by hope is always a better position to be in than hope on its own. Knowing instead of guessing empowers you to have a better birth experience and provides the opportunity for better communication with your birth team. Preparing with a series of birth classes alleviates the anxiety that is anticipated with birth. It enlightens you to what your body is capable of and how you can make decisions about what to do if there is a decision to be made.

3. There's less risk involved

When you prepare for birth, you absolutely lower your risk and chances of complication. When you don’t know what to expect or you doubt your innate capabilities and those feelings are shrouded in discomfort and anxiety, you can be more susceptible to a cascade of interventions. The less you know and the more fear-based your approach to birth is, the less likely you are to have the birth you want. Taking the time to invest in more than a single childbirth class lowers your risk of complications.

4. You'll have a better birth experience

It’s true! The more you know, the better your chances are for having the birth experience you want. When you take a multi-step approach to birth prep, you empower yourself. Everyone wants the best birth experience they can have, but they don’t always know what it takes to secure that. The professionals who teach reputable courses will likely teach you facts about your body that you never knew. That can be empowering in itself! Depending on the birth experience you want, you may learn different coping mechanisms to utilize during labor and birth. This can help you prepare a birth plan that instills confidence in you to share smart conversations with your nurses and doctor. 

We’re sure you’re doing plenty to prepare for baby. What kind of preparations have you done for yourself? #babyboldly