Child-birth Classes – Don’t Be Left Out!

FOR centuries, the only childbirth education that existed took place within the family system. One generation of women passed down this information to the next. This information was based on tales and birthing experiences of older wives—and not necessarily on science.

In today’s generation, however, childbirth classes have emerged as an integral part of the pregnancy and birthing process. Childbirth classes—which are meant to offer a satisfying birthing experience— are an element of perinatal education. Perinatal and childbirth educators provide information about pregnancy, childbirth, and early parenting based on evidence-based paradigms that guide the underlying educational philosophies. The long-term impact of perinatal and childbirth education on pregnant women, their spouses and families is increasingly being recognised.

Origins of childbirth classes
Originally, childbirth education was structured as a preparatory tool, during the third trimester, that readied the pregnant woman and her partner for birthing. The main philosophies and methods were conceptualized by Dr. Orantly Dick-Read (1890-1959), a British obstetrician. Dr. Fernand Lamaze (1891-1957), a French obstetrician, and Robert Bradley (1917-1998). an American obstetrician. Perinatal education has subsequently surfaced as the term covering not only childbirth classes but a menu of classes and activities that embrace the entire pre-pregnancy and early parenting period.

Scope of perinatal education
The key objective of perinatal education is to arm parents and their families with knowledge and skills that would enable them to make safe, informed and prompt decisions with respect to pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. Perinatal education is today a recognized specialty area firmly established on scientific evidence. It is composed of a variety of different types of classes that address the needs of all family members. Specific teaching goals vary according to the type of class and the audience. Since conceptualization or perinatal classes, a significant increase in the variety of course offerings has taken place. It has grown from a basic course to prepare women for pregnancy and birth, to a comprehensive programme that teaches all aspects of the child bearing years.

The full range of classes include preconception counseling classes, prenatal classes, early pregnancy classes and middle, late pregnancy classes and prepared childbirth classes.

Prepared childbirth classes
These classes offer information about labor and the birth experience with indepth emphasis on developing skills of relaxation. The objective of these classes is to prepare parents physically, emotionally as well as intellectually for the birth experience. Examples of classes offered in this category are Lamaze and Bradley methods of childbirth education. All emphasise relaxation, controlled breathing, comfort measures and use of support systems. They are composed of three key components: information, coping skills and support.

Childbirth in East Africa
A childbirth class is a great way to prepare for labour and birth. Hospitals have over time offered similar types of classes in the East African region. Few of these institutions, however, have offered the added advantage of birth fitness sessions conducted by a physiotherapist. Childbirth classes are also offered by independent childbirth educators.

Ordinarily, it is the midwife’s role to give information to expectant parents to prepare them for labour and childbirth and to create awareness about chirldbirth classes.

Lamaze and Bradley Methods
The typical childbirth class programme has six to eight sessions, with six being more common. While approaches vary, the goal is to provide the pregnant woman with information to minimize her fears, help her make informed decisions and teach her techniques to help her relax and cope with child birth.

Good birthing classes may not necessarily match our beliefs and philosophies. Some of our beliefs do not promote positive experiences and may not be scientific some may actually impact the experiences negatively. Correcting myths and perceptions about the whole experience is a significant part of the child birth classes. That is why both Lamaze and Bradley have their own philosophies that guide their curriculum.

The Lamaze method stresses on giving women information and tools to make them feel confident during their pregnancy and when giving birth. It empowers them to make informed decisions on medications they may decide to take during labour and birth, Some breech-position babies rotate to cephalic positions due to exercise by pregnant mothers thus avoiding caesarian section.

The Bradley method teaches tactics that will help women avoid any medical intervention during their labour and pregnancy, ft stresses on the importance of avoiding drugs because of the possible side effects on the unborn. The process involves the husband as an integral part of pregnancy and labour, teaches on deep breathing techniques as a way of easing pain and the use of proper diet and exercise for easy labour.

These classes also create a social forum for interaction among expectant parents. In addition, some childbirth education classes help women create a birth plan—a written document in which you express your preferences about labour and delivery.

In the coming editions of Pregnant, we will explain the entire range of classes comprised in perinatal education, beginning with prepared childbirth classes. These will change your pre-conception, pregnancy, birth  and parenting experience: do not be left out!

The writer is a Lamaze Instructor at Aga Khan University Hospital’s antenatal clinic in Nairobi.

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