There was a lot of talk yesterday about what women don't learn in childbirth class. I read each of the articles with interest, because, I am a childbirth educator. When I read the long lists of what women don't know, I wasn't surprised. Now, truth be told, if you take my class you'd hear all of what they were discussing and more. My goal as a childbirth educator is to show you all of the tools that you have available. All of them. Then as grown ups, you get to make the choices about what works best in your birth. This means I don't hold back information. I don't skip epidural risks because I'm worried it will frighten you. I don't skip water birth because most hospitals don't have tubs. I don't skip c-sections because you're afraid you might have one if you hear the words. This isn't true in all childbirth classes.
Just as with anything you do, you need to research your childbirth class. Don't sign up for the first one you see. Don't take it because it's cheap, easy or free. You can't skimp on time, it takes time to learn, particularly when you need to incorporate what you're learning in the biggest final exam you can ever imagine.
If there isn't time or room to practice techniques you're learning. Your class is too big. Sure, it's easy to say that elementary students don't learn well when the class numbers are high, but the same is true for adults. If you have 25, 50, 100 people in a childbirth class, how are you really going to learn?
Don't take a class that restricts information in any way. Because then it's not really a class, is it? If a "class" restricts information, it's simply an orientation to the hospital, doctor's office or other entity. Choose a class that offers great information, with small numbers and a qualified childbirth educator certified with a childbirth organization.
While the journal articles say that fewer than 30% of first time moms in their study took childbirth classes, I can promise you that many of them took classes that lacked in one of the ways you see above.
What's your take on why women aren't learning in childbirth classes?
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Related:
- 5 Reasons Not to Take a Hospital. Childbirth Class
- Should you take a childbirth class if you want an epidural?
- Which Childbirth Class is Right for You?
- How to Get the Most Out of Childbirth Class
- Readers Share: What makes a good childbirth class?
- 4 Reasons to Take Your Childbirth Class Early
Source:
Klein, Michael C., et al. "Birth Technology and Maternal Roles in Birth: Knowledge and Attitudes of Canadian Women Approaching Childbirth for the First Time." J Obstet Gynaecol Can 33.6 (2011): 598-608. Print.
Photo © Scott Olson/Staff / Getting Images
Excellent way to word it, that many childbirth classes are really an orientation program for the hospital’s policies. That’s true for many. This is one reason why I am an *independent* CBE and will remain independent.
Great subject! I am an independent birth eductator and doula. I come across this issue with every first time couple. They go to these classes mainly yo meet other couples in their area. They come back after spending hundreds of pounds with no knowledge. I have to re address everything near the due date.
What I share, to what they heard is different. Their confidence is built up because they now understand.
Many hospitals in the US (especially private ones) will tell their CBE’s what they can and cannot teach. To make matters worse, many hospitals will also have an L&D nurse teach the classes without former training in childbirth education.
I recently did a post series on attending a childbirth ed. class from the students’ perspective. You can read all five posts in the series, here: http://www.scienceandsensibility.org/?cat=807
‘Teaching’ is such a broad concept and can have paternalistic overtones. ‘Facilitating learning’ or ‘knowledge management’ using the Internet and mobile technologies have a nicer ring. Women and their partners could choose timely relevant knowledge if they used trusted, interactive ,anytime, anwhere Internet sources which have been throughtfully designed. What about decision support tools to help them in the decision-making process? The advantages of meeting other parents could also be enhanced with social sites set up for the purpose. Most people have Internet access and mobile phones now. Information and communications does not have to be always in the classroom with a knowledgable teacher up the front. Also these people can contribute the the knowledge base. See PatientsLikeMe.com for one knowledge base model.
Please understand I am not undervaluing face to face communication and believe the Internet tools can augment but not replace, and can allow further options of delivery (knowledge…not babies!).
Dallas: I’m percolating another post about using the internet and other sources of knowledge since that was addressed.
RE: one of the articles that started this discussion… I have only read the abstract of the JOGC article but I think the news articles have it a little bit wrong – while less than 30% HAD taken a childbirth class, over 50% of the respondents were in their first and second trimester. Most women attend in their third trimester. So I think the assumption that only 30% would take a class is an assumption, not a truth.
Just a thought….
Teri: I’m also looking for their definition of childbirth classes.
Also of interest: Who’s responsible for educating pregnant women?
I LOVED EVERYTHING YOU WROTE. Even though I am a non-certified instructor. I have been teaching for 3 years and have found when I ask students what they want to learn, they really have no idea. My students know UP FRONT that I am there to show them what their choices are and what their rights are. My students leave ready to advocate for themselves whether they are birthing at home in a birth center or a hospital.
There is no birth topic we do not discuss. Thanks for doing what you do Robin.
PS I used to own a Maternity Resource Center and Lisa Gartin RN a Lamaze Instructor taught there. Every Tuesday night for years she would teach and I would listen( I owned the store and had to close up{that was my excuse I gave to husband to stay at the store 12 hours on tuesday}) I loved her teaching style and advocacy. She has been my mentor as a doula for years now. I have read over 45 books on birth, pregnancy, parenting.Seen every movie you can think of on birth and parenting. I have attended Lamaze conferences and more. I am on the Board of Directors of Attachment Parenting International. I talk with Carla Hartly on her conference calls, I take webinars and read Gloria Lemays blog and read Midwife Thinking, and countless others. I may not have a piece if paper that says I can teach a certain style of CBE, but students who take my class thank me and have empowered INFORMED births, and stay in touch with me. I had to share that because I think there are some amazing CBE’s out there without certificates too.
I am being pressured to take a childbirth class, but feel that I have what I need in other women, my own research and in my own body. i don’t want to sit for hours with groups of my peers (most of whom have very different values) and learn about stuff I already know, the work i need to do is inside me.
Hi Faith:
I totally get what you are saying, but I think if you look, you would be able to find a class that meets YOUR needs. The truth is that not all childbirth classes are alike. Sounds like Birthing from Within might be something that you’d enjoy or another independent educator who has a style similar to what you’d like. Happy to help you find someone who meets your needs.
Robin