Your Pregnancy: Week 20 for Mom
By: ePregnancy
Now is not the time to play hooky…
Childbirth classes are a must -- it’s not like the course you were able to pass just by reading the text: the classes will give you real, practical information. And, you’ll have the chance to ask questions that a book will never be able to answer!
You will learn how to recognize warning signs that something is wrong, as well as how you can make labor and delivery more comfortable (and who doesn’t want to know about that!). If you have already been researching classes, you might want to visit a few to find your perfect match -- most will let you sit in on a class before signing up.
Cause for Celebration
You are halfway there!
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If your partner is available, have them attend the classes with you -- it’s a fabulous opportunity for bonding, and having another brain around to absorb the information is invaluable. And scope out the other parents-to-be at whichever class you choose; this is a great chance to secure a support system and collect new parent-friends!
You may have already caught this when we talked to the dads in Week 11 about the types of childbirth classes, but they are such an important part of pregnancy, it bears repeating.
Childbirth methods vary widely, and so do the types of classes you'll find. Here are a few types of birthing classes you and your partner may explore:
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Lamaze -- This is the one everyone has heard of, and one of the most popular choices. Lamaze uses relaxation and breathing techniques along with a coach (Dad, Sister, Friend, etc.) and a trained nurse to allow the mother to experience the most natural childbirth possible. The underlying belief is that all women have a natural ability to give birth and that this can be enhanced by the level of support she receives. In a typical Lamaze class, mom and coach learn rhythmic breathing patterns and relaxation techniques. The classes also teach labor and birthing positions, massage techniques and breathing distraction tactics to help ease the pain of contractions. The instructor will also give you information on postpartum care, including breastfeeding.
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Bradley -- The Bradley method encourages women to work with their bodies, and believes that excellent nutrition and exercise not only ease the discomforts of pregnancy, but prepare muscles for birth. Bradley advocates believe that a woman's needs during labor are quiet, darkness, physical comfort and closed eyes. Because the practice stresses acceptance of pain, medication is strictly reserved for complications.
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International Childbirth Education Association -- ICEA classes are much broader in scope than the previous two. They focus on normal physiological and emotional patterns of pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum and common variations on these patterns. You will learn different kinds of labor coping skills and methods as well as common medical interventions (and their alternatives) that might occur during labor and birth. The classes stress freedom of choice and as such expose parents to a wide range of possibilities rather than one single approach.
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Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators -- ALACE teaches a woman-centric course designed to help women trust in their own abilities to experience a natural childbirth with a minimum of intervention. Classes taught by ALACE instructors include instruction on mind-body integration and are based on the midwifery model of care. Techniques are designed to work with the discomfort of labor before turning to medication.
Don't miss next week, when we'll review the questions you absolutely must ask when picking a childbirth education class!