When thinking about your birth plan, there are many different options, which I wished I had researched prior to having Michelle. We decided to skip the birthing classes and "wing" it. I wished we would have taken a class because not only do you learn so much about labor, delivery and postpartum, but you also meet many moms that are due about the same time as you. I believe classes are beneficial, especially for first time moms.
Classes:
Lamaze- The most traditional and widely known birthing class. You will learn breathing techniques, techniques to ease pain, information about medical procedures, breastfeeding, and other labor and delivery concerns.
Bradley- This class is catered to pregnant women striving for a natural and drug free birth. You will learn about the importance of exercise and nutrition, techniques to ease pain, breastfeeding, ways to avoid a c-section, and you will also rehearse labor.
Hypnobirthing- This is one class option I have seen be popular with many moms I know. Hypnobirthing focuses on the mother being completely relaxed and calm during labor. By staying in control, you can remove the idea of pain and focus on the final outcome. Many times in hypnobirthing, many moms want silence or gentle music. Some may even want dimmed lighting.
Birthing Options:
Hospital Birth- Hospital births are very common. Your OBGYN is typically the one that will deliver in a hospital setting (some midwives also deliver in a hospital). If delivering in a hospital, you can rest assured that there are doctors prepared in the event of an emergency.
Birthing Center- Midwives most often deliver in birthing centers. A birthing center is a place that tends to be more relaxed and offers few interventions, if any at all. They also offer a tub to labor and deliver in if you prefer. Next time around, I am going to highly consider a birthing center. I prefer not to have an IV or any other intervention (such as an episiotomy) and I would enjoy being able to come home just hours after the baby is born. Birthing centers typically only accept low risk births. They are defintely trained to handle certain complications, but some women still end up being transferred to a hospital in certain situations.
Home Birth- Birthing at home may sound scary, but with a low risk pregnancy it could be a great option. Midwives are trained in home birthing and doulas are there to provide support for the mother. The great thing about a home birth are no interventions, being able to eat and drink at your leisure (trust me...you get severely dehydrated during labor...I could only have ice chips in the hospital!), and having the comfort of being in your own home. While people have been giving birth out of their home for years, a mother must be comfortable with the idea and understand that being transported to a hospital may happen in the event of an emergency.
