Why Prenatal Classes Matter…
Prenatal classes at times can get a bad wrap. More and more I am seeing questions where women in the late stages of pregnancy are asking about what options do they have and can they say no to options being presented? With birth trauma and obstetric violence rates increasing the need for prenatal classes is more important so women can understand the role that they play in their birth.
As a childbirth educator I see lots of posts all the time on social media, asking;
“is a childbirth education class or prenatal class worth my time?” OR
“Do I need to attend a childbirth education class if I am just going to go with the flow, because you can’t control birth?” OR
“I have been told by my health provider that I need to be induced or have a cesarean section but I don’t want to do that. What can I do?”
These questions come up a lot but what is becoming more frequent is the last one. Where women are feeling that they don’t have a say in their birth, aren’t being presented with evidence based information and don’t know how to navigate this space, all in the last trimester of their pregnancy. This isn’t how women should be spending the last few weeks of their pregnancy nor is it acceptable.
So why are any of these questions relevant to childbirth education classes?
Because an independent childbirth education class will navigate these topics and more. An independent childbirth education class will give you evidence based information and a toolkit that will help you navigate your pregnancy, labour, birth and life with your baby and not just information based on hospital policies and procedures. An independent childbirth childbirth education class will cover consent in pregnancy, labour and birth. It will use the words, NO and teach you that NO is a complete sentence. Or another equally powerful sentence, I do not consent to this procedure.
Undertaking an independent childbirth education class is the start of YOU taking control of your pregnancy and figuring out what is important to YOU and your partner in pregnancy, birth and postpartum. It allows you to take control of what you want and not go with the flow of your health care provider, the midwife who is on duty in birth suite the day that your baby is born, or the new midwife who comes in at change of shift, if you happen to be there for it. An independent childbirth education class will also open you up to thinking about different options and starting the conversation to see if this is the right option for YOU as you navigate the transformative space that you are in. It is a reminder that YOU know what is best for your bodies, babies and families and that you are powerful and strong.
With research showing that we will never forget the day or children were born, our how we felt or were treated on this day, investing in an independent childbirth education class can help you take control and not have to be writing questions like the last one on a social media group at 33 plus weeks. The gift of childbirth education is a gift to yourself, your partner and your baby.
So what do you think? Are you in? Want to know more?Visit my Lamaze Childbirth Prenatal Class to find out what is covered, how I can work with you in person or online to become informed and take control of your pregnancy, birth and beyond. This is also a great Christmas gift for yourself, a loved one or family member and can be purchased in my shop.
Katie xx
