· Childbirth Classes

· La Leche League Meetings

· Infant and Child CPR Classes

· Books

· Internet Articles and Online Forums

· Videos

· Homebirth Meetup™ and Midwife-sponsored Events

Childbirth classes can be a wonderful way to learn about pregnancy and birth and to connect with other expectant families. When choosing which class is right for you it is important to ask what type of instructor leads the class and what he or she teaches.

There are several types of instructors offering classes: independent instructors, employees of hospitals and birth centers, and physicians. The type of information that you receive from each can vary widely.

The independent instructor’s obligation is to his or her students and they may find they get a more comprehensive, more objective viewpoint. Also, with classes typically limited to fewer than 10 couples, it is easy for the instructor to attend to everyone’s questions.

The hospital-employed instructor’s obligation is to his or her employer. The instructor is likely to overlook mentioning aspects of medical procedures that may prohibit a safe and enjoyable labor. He or she will highlight the benefits of obstetric procedures and ignore the negative effects.

The birth center-employed instructor’s obligation is to the birth center’s clients, but also to the back-up hospital. He or she is more likely to offer information on the risks and side effects of obstetric procedures; however, the information may not be completely objective due to the hospital associated with the birth center and its policies and protocols.

The physician or physician-hired instructor will more than likely offer the same information as the hospital-employed instructor. However, the information he or she gives may depend on the type of physician(s) in that practice and the amount of interventions they typically use. A physician that uses less intervention and is comfortable with natural childbirth may offer classes that explain the risks and side effects of routine obstetric procedures.

In addition to the type of instructor, you must decide which childbirth method is best for you. Since the 1940s classes have been a part of a minority of couple’s pathway to birth. However, in the 1960s and 1970s there was a resurgence of natural childbirth methods and philosophies with classes for each. Unfortunately, in the late 1980s women began to readily accept routine procedures such as IVs, electronic fetal monitoring, and epidurals as a safe way to give birth. This reversed the trend toward natural childbirth. Nevertheless, natural childbirth classes developed in the 1960s are still available today along with some new faces. Parents should be able to find a class that fits their personality and birth setting. Following is a list of the more common childbirth classes and some information about each.

Informed Birth and Parenting

Developed by: Rahima Baldwin Dancy (Midwife and mother)

In: 1977

Philosophy: This natural childbirth class emphasizes visualization as well as the psychological aspects of pregnancy, birth and parenting. The instructors do not teach any particular method, but give the participants the tools for working with the intensity of labor. They teach that knowledge and confidence are important to obtain relaxation and to make decisions in labor and delivery. Deep, slow breathing is emphasized and communication skills are also practiced.

Certify Instructors: Yes, through Association of Labor Assistants & Childbirth Educators (ALACE)

Classes Start: Early as possible in pregnancy

Classes Last: 18 hours of instruction (8 hour refresher course)

Maximum Class Size: 6 couples

Primarily Used for: Homebirth

The Bradley Method® of Natural Childbirth

Developed by: Robert A. Bradley, M.D. and Marjie & Jay Hathaway, AAHCC

In: the 1960s

Philosophy: This natural childbirth class stresses the importance of a healthy family by giving you the tools you need to remain low-risk which increases your chances for a natural birth. You will learn that relaxation and natural breathing are the best tools for labor as well as inward focus and listening to your body. The classes stress breastfeeding and continuous contact with your baby following birth. Participants are taught to take responsibility for the safety of the birthplace, procedures, attendants, and emergency back-up and parents are prepared for unexpected situations like emergency birth and cesarean. Nationwide, 87% of Bradley®-trained moms who deliver vaginally do so without any pain medication.

Certify Instructors: Yes, through the American Academy of Husband-Coached Childbirth

Classes Start: During the 5th or 6th month of pregnancy

Classes Last: 12 weeks (24 hours of instruction)

Maximum Class Size: 8 couples

Primarily Used for: Homebirth and birth center births and is suitable for hospital births.

Birth Works®

Founded by: Cathy Daub, Physical Therapist

In: 1981

Philosophy: This natural childbirth class is designed to help women have faith in their ability to give birth and to help them build self-confidence. Instructors emphasize working with contractions by using slow, deep breathing. The classes include pelvic bodywork which increases a woman’s awareness of how her own pelvis moves and opens in different labor positions which reinforces the fact that women’s bodies are designed to give birth. The class is taught from a philosophy that includes the emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs of birthing women and is presented in an emotional context versus a lecture setting. BirthWorks® believes that birth is not a medical event and its education process enables women to take responsibility for their births and make informed decisions

Certify Instructors: Yes, through BirthWorks®

Classes Start: Within the first trimester of pregnancy or before conception

Classes Last: 10 weeks (25 hours of instruction)

Maximum Class Size: 8 couples

Primarily Used for: Any birth location

Birthing from Within®

Developed by: Pam England, CNM, MA

In: 1989

Philosophy: This natural childbirth class sees birth as a “profound rite of passage, not a medical event.” Birth is taught from the perspective of the mother, the father, the baby and culture. They invite parents to discover their personal strength and wisdom by balancing practical and useful information with introspective, multi-sensory experiences. Participants will learn to create an “opening” birth place and to cope with the pain of labor through proven concentration and mindfulness practices. They will also learn how to welcome the new baby and feed and care for the newborn. There is a special class for dads and birth companions.

Certify Instructors: Yes, through Birthing from Within®

Classes Start: Anytime during pregnancy, but typically during the last trimester

Classes Last: 6 classes

Maximum Class Size: 6 couples

Primarily Used for: Any birth location

HypnoBirthing®

Developed by: Marie Mongan, M.Ed., M.Hy

In: 1989

Philosophy: This natural childbirth class teaches that with the use of hypnosis techniques as well as a woman’s own natural birth instincts, natural endorphins, visualization and relaxation she can achieve a safer, easier, more comfortable birth. Participants also learn how to create a calm, serene and joyful birthplace. The classes are based on the work of Doctor Grantly Dick-Read and emphasize that without fear and tension severe pain does not have to be a part of labor. Thus classes train you how to reach complete relaxation.

Certify Instructors: Yes, through the HypnoBirthing® Institute

Classes Start: During the 7th and 8th month of pregnancy

Classes Last: 5 classes (12.5 hours of instruction)

Maximum Class Size: 8 couples

Primarily Used for: Any birth location

Lamaze™

Developed by: Dr. Ferdinand Lamaze, Marjorie Karmel, Elisabeth Bing, and Benjamin Segal

In: 1960

Philosophy: This childbirth class does not promote solely drug-free labors. Classes emphasize pattern breathing although breathing is no longer taught or practiced to “get it right.” Women are taught that finding a breathing pattern is just one way to stay focused during contractions. Participants are informed about body change, good nutrition and health during pregnancy. Participants also learn what to expect during birth, coping skills like patterned breathing, techniques for relaxation, medications and the obstetric procedures available during the birth process. Lamaze is the base for most hospital-taught childbirth class.

Certify Instructors: Yes, through Lamaze International

Classes Start: 8-10 weeks before your due date

Classes Last: 6 weeks

Maximum Class Size: recommend 6-10 couples, but may be as many as 30 or more in some places

Primarily Used for: Hospital births

Hypnobabies

Developed by: Kerry Tuschhoff, HCHI, CHt

In:

Philosophy: In Hypnobabies, our objectives are to help our pregnant couples bond with their baby in utero, teach them how to stay healthy and low-risk and be an excellent consumer, trust in their bodies, minds and babies, and become self-reliant and confident about birthing their way; unmedicated, safely and in comfort. We overcome negative belief systems and programming, get them in touch with their own bodies, guide them through their own excellent birth experience and give them skills that they will use for the rest of their lives. Birth Partners are brought into the preparation process and have their own hypnotic relaxation cues, as well as a special role to play as they await the birth of the precious newborn with our hypno-mom. Since we use real medical hypnotic techniques, addressing the mind, body, and spirit of both mother and baby, the success rate is wonderful and very gratifying.

Certify Instructors: Yes, through Hypnobabies. Must also be a hypnotherapist.

Classes Start: 8 weeks before your due date

Classes Last: 5 weeks

Maximum Class Size:

Primarily Used for: Any type

LA LECHE LEAGUE

You have decided on homebirth for a variety of reasons and one of those may be that midwives, many who have breastfed their own children tend to value and encourage this essential process. Furthermore, women who birth at home are nearly 100% successful at breastfeeding.1

Although breastfeeding is as natural as giving birth it can also be a learning process for you and your baby. The way to get off to a good start is to have your midwife observe and help you with latching your baby on immediately after birth. She can also check your progress and answer questions when she returns the next day for your check-up. The way to ensure that breastfeeding continues and to make lifelong friends in the process is to attend monthly La Leche League meetings, which you can do even before your baby arrives!

La Leche League was founded by seven women in Chicago, Illinois in 1957 with a goal to help other mothers become successful nursing mothers through personal help. Mary White is one of the founders and is also the wife of the late Dr. Gregory White, an obstetrician who promoted natural childbirth and had a large homebirth practice. Eight of the White’s eleven children were born at home and six of the seven founders of LLL/I had homebirths with Dr. White for their following babies.2 Dr. White went on to teach and mentor Dr. Eisenstein who in 1973 went into private practice and is now the Medical Director of Homefirst®, the largest physician-attended homebirth practice in the United States.3

La Leche League offers mothers and mothers-to-be emotional as well as technical support. LLL is for all mothers even mothers that are breastfeeding successfully. Groups are maintained by one or more LLL Leaders. According to La Leche League International, “A La Leche League Leader is a mother who has had a specific type of breastfeeding and parenting experience, meets the prerequisites, has completed specific reading and introspection and has finished the extensive written training curriculum established by LLLI.”4 Each Group displays a lending library full of books and literature on breastfeeding, parenting, nutrition, mothering, childbirth and more. Many Groups also offer books, slings and breastfeeding supplies for sale as well as breast pumps for rent. All Leaders offer telephone support; many will answer questions via email, and some offer in-home breastfeeding help. Membership ($40.00/yr) is usually not a requirement to attend Series Meetings, but has many advantages:

· Helps support your local Group (when membership is purchased through the group)

· Entitles you to a 10% discount on most items in the LLL Catalogue

· Subscribes you to 4 issues of New Beginnings the only devoted entirely to breastfeeding

· Entitles you to discounts at seminars and conferences

Groups are usually diverse, consisting of mothers from all walks of life and ages with their one common thread being breastfeeding. Some groups are large, while others are small and intimate. Children are always welcome to attend and some Groups may offer Toddler Meetings, Couples Meetings, Employed Breastfeeding Mothers Meetings, as well as Enrichment Meetings on subjects relating to breastfeeding, like nighttime parenting, loving guidance, sibling rivalry, or family nutrition to name a few.

Monthly Series meetings rotate between 4 topics: Advantages of Breastfeeding, The Baby Arrives: The Family and the Breastfed Baby, The Art of Breastfeeding & Avoiding Difficulties, and Nutrition and Weaning. The meetings will usually open with introductions of attendees and the topic for that month which will be presented in a variety of ways from open discussion to a game or project. After the formal discussion the meeting is opened to specific questions or comments from mothers. This can be a time to gain insight from the group as a whole or consult a Leader with a question in private. Refreshments are usually served at each Meeting. Children come first and mothers are encouraged to attend to the needs of their children without fear of disrupting the Meeting.

La Leche League is THE source for the most current breastfeeding information, but it also an organization that you can feel great participating in. Meeting each month with other breastfeeding mothers, infants, babies and toddlers is empowering. Watching first-hand as yours and other members’ infants grow from mother’s milk into babies and soon into toddlers is reassuring. And if you have the opportunity, watching those breastfed toddlers welcome a new baby into his or her family and encourage the new baby to nurse is enlightening!

INFANT AND CHILD CPR CLASSES

Although you will probably never have to administer CPR to your infant or child, knowing how may ease emotional stress overall as well as give your child the best possible chance of surviving in the case of an emergency.

There are several ways that you can learn CPR; here is information on classes offered by two well respected organizations, the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross.

American Heart Association

Course Name: CPR for Families and Friends

Course Overview: This course covers skills in CPR and relief choking (foreign-body airway obstruction). Participants will learn the signs of a heart attack, cardiac arrest, stroke, and choking in adults, as well as signs of choking in infants and children, how to reduce the risks of SIDS, and how to prevent the most common fatal injuries in infants and children.

Course Length: All ages - 4 ½ hours

Adults - 2 1/3 hours

Infant and Child - 2 ½ hours

Click here to find a class near you

American Red Cross

Course Name: Infant and Child CPR

Course Overview: This course covers how to recognize an emergency, how to protect yourself when giving care, Check-Call-Care, how to care for a conscious choking child, how to prioritize care, how to give rescue breaths and care for cardiac emergencies.

Course Length: Infant and Child CPR - 5 ½ hours

Infant (up to 12 months) CPR - 3 ½ hours

Child (1-8 years) CPR - 4 hours

Click here to find a class near you

BOOKS

There are a myriad of books on the topic of pregnancy, labor and birth, and parenting. If you are purchasing books, make wise choices since these will be on your shelf and will offer easy access when you have questions or concerns. It may be tempting to listen to the clerk who offers you the year’s bestseller. These books are most often filled with typical pregnancy and birth information with little or nothing positive written about homebirth or attachment parenting. To get a good idea of the content and quality of the book visit Amazon.com and read the reviews, or ask your midwife or LLL Leader.

Shopping for the Perfect Books

Here are some websites that offer books tailored to homebirth, breastfeeding, and attachment parenting:

Birthing the Future - www.birthingthefuture.com

Cascade HealthCare Products, Inc. - www.1cascade.com

La Leche League International - www.lalecheleague.org

Dr. Sears Store - www.askdrsears.com/store/index.asp

The Perfect Books

So, there’s probably no such thing as a list of “perfect books.” There are, however, some pretty good ones and here’s a short list of the essentials! Use the links above to shop and expand this list to suit you.

Homebirth:

Spiritual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin

The Home Birth Advantage A Time-honored Tradition for the New Millennium by Mayer Eisenstein, M.D.

Pregnancy and Birth:

Heart and Hands: A Midwife’s Guide to Pregnancy and Birth by Elizabeth Davis, Suzanne Arms, and Linda Harrison

Postpartum:

After the Baby’s Birth: A Woman’s Way to Wellness: A Complete Guide for Postpartum Women by Robin Lim

Breastfeeding:

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding 7th Revised Edition

Baby Care:

The Baby Book by William Sears, M.D. and Martha Sears, R.N.

How to Raise a Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor by Robert S. Mendelsohn, M.D.

Attachment Parenting:

The Attachment Parenting Book by William Sears, M.D. and Martha Sears, R.N.

INTERNET ARTICLES AND ONLINE FORUMS

The Internet is a wonderful source of information on homebirth and midwifery. You can find in-depth articles as well as read and post on message boards. It is a great way to communicate with like-minded people and get information from all around the world. Following is a list of websites that offer articles on homebirth and midwifery and/or online forums.

· Childbirth at Home A Labor of Love - www.socialbirth.org - offers articles

· Citizens for Midwifery - www.cfmidwifery.org - offers articles

· Gentle Birth - www.gentlebirth.org - offers articles

· Home Birth Reference Site - www.homebirth.org.uk - offers articles

· Midwifery Today - www.midwiferytoday.com - offers articles and an online forum

· Mothering The Magazine of Natural Family Living - www.mothering.com - offers articles and an online forum

· Sheila Kitzinger’s Website - www.sheilakitzinger.com - offers articles

VIDEOS

Because most women have never attended a birth, let alone a natural birth at home, videos offer a glimpse of what can be expected at a homebirth. Most midwives maintain a lending library that includes videos. If your midwife does not offer videos, you may have to purchase your own. Following are websites that sell homebirth and waterbirth videos:

· Birthing the Future - www.birthingthefuture.com

· Cascade HealthCare Products, Inc. - www.1cascade.com

· HomeBirth Videos.com - www.homebirthvideos.com

HOMEBIRTH MEETUP™ AND MIDWIFE SPONSORED EVENTS

Meetup™ is an online organizer of Groups across the world. Since 2002, over one million people have joined local Meetup™ Groups! Meetup™ Groups cover a wide range of interests including homebirth. Groups get together at least once a month for face-to-face gatherings called Meetups. Meetups are informal and usually take place in a public location, like a café or restaurant and are open to anyone who wishes to join. Once you find a Homebirth Group in your area, “Sign up now” and you will receive email reminders of Meetups as well as have access to other Group members on the message board. You can RSVP for Meetups and check out future events.

Homebirth Meetups are a great way to get to know other homebirth families and discuss issues important to your area.

In addition, midwives often sponsor potlucks, birth reunions and other events for their clients. This is a wonderful time to reunite with your midwife and other birth attendants as well as meet other homebirth families. These events are important to attend because they build camaraderie within your homebirth community, strengthen and unify.

Expanding your knowledge is important for a good birth and information about pregnancy, labor and homebirth, midwifery, nutrition and mothering is now easier than ever to obtain. Although many lessons will be learned not from books and videos, but from your own experiences it is never a waste to read, listen, watch, talk and soak in as much information about this life-changing event as possible.

1 Immaculate Deception II: Myth, Magic & Birth by Suzanne Arms copyright July 1994, Celestial Arts. pp. 201

2 Impact of Birthing Practices on Breastfeeding by Mary Kroeger, BSN, CNM, MPH with Linda J. Smith, BSE, FACCE, IBLCL copyright February 2004, Jones & Bartlett Publishers. pp.6

3 The Home Birth Advantage by Mayer Eisenstein, M.D. Second revised edition, copyright February 2000 pp.8

4 “FAQ How Can I Become an LLL Leader?” http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/leader.html