Preparing physically and psychologically is the key to a successful pregnancy for both parents. Learning to cope with some of the physical demands on mothers, like eating to meet increased nutritional requirements is very important.
Exercising to strengthen back and abdominal muscles is also important and readily achieved. Standing in one place for a long time should be avoided during pregnancy. But few exercises can prepare a woman for the demand on her perineal muscles.
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Similarly, the breathing best suited for labor is not something women have a chance to practice in daily life. Childbirth classes are useful for learning about these special physical demands on pregnancy.
The purpose of childbirth classes is to help the mother and father take an active part in the process of labor and birth. These classes attempt to focus the parents' energies during childbirth into productive psychological and physical activities to reduce their dependence on the doctor or nurse.
Classes generally discuss in detail what occurs biologically during labor and delivery. They train women to use their bodies most efficiently to deliver a child. It also includes physical and breathing exercises demonstrations. In addition, the classes teach the father or other partner how to help.
Classes generally consist of 6 to 10 two-hour sessions in the three months of pregnancy. Many also include a tour and explanation of local delivery facilities. Many parents dislike childbirth preparation classes that focus almost entirely on the physical aspects of delivery.
They might want more discussions of the emotional aspects. Several groups have developed childbirth preparation classes that focus on the feelings that parents experience during pregnancy, and on the reorganization of everyday life that a child brings about. The Bradley method has done much to bring fathers into the birth process.
It is felt that all childbirth classes are helpful for most parents-to-be. Testimonials are the best evidence of their effectiveness. A recent study compared a group of women undergoing prepared childbirth with a group that had not taken classes.
There was no difference in the medical complications for mothers or infants in either group, but prepared mothers requested considerably fewer analgesics (pain medicines) and anesthetics. These drugs often make mothers and infants drowsy in the first few hours after delivery and diminish the quality between them.
Childbirth Preparation Classes
Alvaro Castillo has been writing health articles for five years. One of his specializations has been on parenting and pregnancy. If you would like to learn more, then visit his website at http://www.myhomeparent.com or visit his blog at http://myhomeparent.blogspot.com to share your opinion.
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