Labor and birth dont have to be scary: Childbirth Education Classes
When I was pregnant with my first child I had no idea what to expect. I did know that from what I saw on t.v. and in movies and from my friends, that labor was going to be the worst pain I had ever felt in my life, and that terrified me. Let alone the mechanics of fitting the equivalent of a watermelon through an opening I knew to be the size of a quater! But I did know that I didn't want to expose myself or my baby to any drugs. Heck I'm the type of person who feels funny just from taking tylenol. I also wasn't comfortable with the side effects of labor drugs.
So I set out to solve my dillema. After 2 different childbirth education classes, my husband and I found a class that helped us to achieve our goal of having a natural birth without going through unbearable pain.
We were so impressed with the class that I decided to teach the class to other moms and dads who faced the same fear about labor and birth. Coupled with my experieces I use my extensive research on labor and birth to help expecting families through this scary time.
Here's what I found: Although labor and birth can be quite uncomfortable, they don't have to be unbearable. Labor and birth, will probably be the most strenuous physical activity that most women experience. In labor & childbirth, just as with any strenuous physical activity, like running a marathon, or performing in professional sporting events, the body must be carefully conditioned for optimal performance. Performing strenuous physical activities without adequate preparation makes the task much more difficult and can often lead to injuries.
For many women, like myself, (and men) labor and childbirth are terrifying events. The images we see of labor and childbirth portray maniacal mothers begging for drugs. Unfortunately what we don't see is that there has not been ANY drug proven safe for unborn children. We don't see that the drugs do in fact reach the baby within minutes. We don't see that the drugs given during labor have many side effects for both mother and baby, some of which can cause serious, often life long complications for mother and baby.
Additionally the National C-Section rate has exceeded 30%. This indicates that more than 1/3 of the birthing population is undergoing major abdominal surgery which was once reserved for emergencies. True birthing emergencies should only account for no more than 10%; A C-Section rate 30% represents "emergencies" in epidemic proportions.
Two preventable components that contribute to this epidemic:
Birthing women in the US are becoming increasingly unhealthy-poor nutrition, exercise, bad habits etc.
C-Sections- an emergency procedure that has many risks and negative consequences- are being performed unnecessarily, to conform to people's schedules, misplaced fears (of labor and malpractice) and pocketbooks
It is my philosophy that it is everyone's right to choose what they want to do with their labor/birth experience. I also believe that it is everyone's right to have as much information as possible to make the best decisions as possible.
Traditional Birthing Services Childbirth Education/Preparation Classes:
- Teach both parents (and other labor support persons) relaxation, physiology, nutrition and parenting skills.
- Emphasize good coaching techniques for labor and birth management with stress control.
- Advise you on how to be an intelligent consumer of obstetric services, emphasizing positive communication with the birth attendants.
- Teach parents how to be prepared for unexpected situations such as emergency childbirth, and C-Sections.
- Emphasize on the importance of Breastfeeding and promote breastfeeding beginning at birth.
- Include 12 units of instruction with review sessions until birth. & Are small enough for individual attention
- Provide information from an African-Centered perspective uniquely relevant to the African American birthing experience
All that and more in Childbirth Education Classes with Traditional Birthing Services.
Our next DC Metro series begins February 2, 2008 for due dates in April-June and May 3, 2008 for due dates in July-September.
Let us help you create the labor/birth experience YOU want!
Traditional Birthing Services
202-787-1877
info@traditionalbirth.com
www.traditionalbirth.com
