Types
of Classes
Hospitals often offer childbirth classes that focus on the different
medical interventions that may be offered during labor. The instructor
may explain electronic fetal monitoring, induction and epidurals,
but the risks of these procedures are often not explained. We recommend
that if you are considering any medical interventions, you educate
yourself on the risks and benefits before you begin labor. If you
are considering a class offered by your hospital, you may want
to get details about what topics will be covered.
If you are interested
in natural methods for coping with labor, you may want to consider
a private class offered in your community.
Association of Labor Assistants
and Childbirth Educators (www.alace.org)
ALACE instructors provide information and practical alternatives
to the medical births so common in this country today. They believe
laboring women who feel confident and supported are much more likely
to achieve satisfying outcomes than are women without such support.
Birthworks (www.birthworks.org)
Birthworks mission is to develop a woman's self-confidence, trust
and faith in her ability to give birth. It is the goal of their
classes to promote safe and loving birth experiences through
education, introspection and confident action.
Bradley (www.bradleybirth.com)
Bradley classes stress the importance of a healthy baby, healthy
mother and healthy families. This approach to childbirth is often
called "husband coached childbirth".
Hypnobirthing (www.hypnobirthing.com)
Instructors teach the use of self-hypnosis, guided imagery and
special breathing techniques to help bring about a shorter, easier,
and more joyful birth.
Lamaze (www.lamaze.org)
Lamaze instuctors believe birth is normal, natural and healthy.
They believe women's inner wisdom guides them through birth and
childbirth education empowers women to make informed choices
in healthcare and assume responsibility for their health.
Internation
Childbirth Education Association (www.icea.org)
ICEA focuses on family-centered care. This type of care is an attitude
rather than a protocol. It recognizes birth as a vital life event
rather than a medical procedure and requires that a laboring woman
be guided but not directed by the professionals she has chosen.
Birthing From Within (www.birthingfromwithin.com)
Birthing From Within instructors believe childbirth is a profound
rite of passage, not a medical event. They believe the essence
of childbirth preparation is self-discovery, not assimilating
obstetric information.
Christian Classes
www.christianchildbirth.org
www.charischildbirth.org
www.appletreefamily.org
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