When to take prenatal classes and other things to consider when choosing a prenatal class
So you’ve started thinking about your upcoming birth. Congratulations! The best way to prepare yourself for birth is by taking a class, but you aren’t sure when to take a prenatal class. This article will answer all your questions about how to choose the best prenatal class for your unique needs and situation.
Prenatal classes will give you and your support team, typically a spouse or mother, knowledge about your options during birth and help you create a birth plan (even if you don’t write it down).
Classes also give you real ways for your support team to ease the discomfort from contractions.
Research shows that when you feel supported during labor, you have a more positive birth experience. So let us teach you and your support team so you can have a positive birth!
When should you take a prenatal class?
You should take your prenatal class early enough that you finish before you are 36 weeks pregnant. Since there are many options for prenatal classes and varying lengths of classes, there is no exact time when you should begin classes.
It is never too early to take a prenatal class. The sweet spot is early enough in pregnancy that you feel prepared emotionally and physically for labor, but late enough that you and your support team don’t forget everything you learned in class.
Ideally you will be preparing for labor in other ways as well such as reading a birth book, listening to podcasts, hiring a doula etc.
If you have a high risk pregnancy or preterm labor is a worry for you, taking a class earlier may help you feel prepared for the unexpected.
Weekly vs Weekend course.
There are several options for prenatal classes, from weekend crash courses to 7 week long evening courses.
Weekend courses are quicker but you are more likely to forget some of the information. These weekend birth courses fit everything into 2 days (Saturday and Sunday) and you may feel exhausted or overwhelmed by the end. However they are a great option if you don’t have availability in the evenings or you are nearing your due date and don’t have the time to take a longer course.
Weekly classes are great for several reasons. You are more likely to remember the information and put it into your long term memory. You will likely build relationships with others in your class having babies around the same time as you. You also have time in between classes to research more about specific subjects and come back to your instructor with questions the next week. However for some it can be difficult to commit to weekly classes due to childcare restraints, sickness, events etc.
Online vs in-person prenatal classes.
There are several benefits to taking prenatal classes in person.
First, is that you have a real person to ask your questions to.
Secondly, in-person classes are a great way to make friends with people who are having kids at the same time as you in the same area. Many prenatal class groups stay in touch for the first year as you all go through the normal struggles of early parenthood, what a great way to grow your village!
Thirdly, you get feedback from the teacher if you are doing the exercises and comfort measures correctly.
Fourthly, some classes have special guests such as doulas, pelvic floor physiotherapists, birth or newborn photographers, therapists etc. It is great to meet some of these people from your community during pregnancy in case you need them during your early parenthood journey since those early months can get away from you quickly.
Lastly, the information you receive will be relevant to your area. Your teacher will be working in your area and have knowledge about how things work in your city.
Online classes on the other hand are easy to attend from the comfort of your own home. You can take the class after your kids go to bed so you don’t have to worry about childcare. Makeup classes may also be as easy as logging in and watching a replay. You may also be able to find specialty classes such as classes specifically for VBAC, twins, diabetes etc.
Hospital vs. Private Prenatal Classes.
Hospital Classes.
Prenatal classes given by the hospital will focus on interventions you can expect to be given during your birth.
These classes will tell you what the interventions are and when they are used, but not that you are allowed to decline them. They will go over hospital policy instead of the most up-to-date research (benefits of delayed cord clamping, or eating in labor). These classes will show birth videos of highly medicalized births because that is what they deal with.
Private Classes.
Private prenatal classes are any class not put on by your hospital or doctor’s office. These classes will go over the risks and benefits of different interventions that may be suggested as well as alternatives.
They will go over informed consent and remind you that it is your decision and you are not obligated to have any interventions during your birth (yes, that even included cervical checks and IV’s).
Private prenatal classes are often taught by birth professionals such as doulas who witness a variety of births including home births, natural hospital births, VBAC’s, epidural births and c-sections. Because they have witnessed a variety of births in a variety of settings, they can share some of the wisdom they have learned along the way as well as personal experiences they’ve had at births.
Birthing Methods.
Some prenatal classes focus on a specific method such as hypnobirthing or Lamaze. If one ideology clicks with you, that would be a great reason to take a class. Different methods you might see are:
Hypnobirthing
Lamaze
Bradley Method
Birthing from within
Spinning Babies
Birth Boot Camp
Conclusion.
Taking a prenatal class is a great step towards having a positive birth. There are many types of classes and different things to consider when deciding if a birth class is right for you. If you are looking for an in-person private prenatal class in Calgary click here to find out if my classes are a good fit for you.