Do You Need Childbirth Education?

Most area hospitals offer childbirth education that you can take before your baby is due. This is something that you do not have to take, but if you are having your first baby, scared about the birthing process, or simply want to do something special with the dad or partner to be, you can enroll and go through these classes. If you are trying to go through natural childbirth, meaning you don't want to use drugs for pain relief, these can be helpful in showing you how to minimize the pain with breathing and focus techniques. Basically, it is up to you to attend or skip these classes.

Breathing techniques that you can learn in childbirth education can be useful to all moms that are soon to be going into labor. Though much of the pain is dulled through medications for those that choose to use them, there are some contractions that you have to go through before they will give you those meds, and they can be severe. These breathing exercises can help you handle the pain much more than you probably imagine. If you are going natural, these are a must have skill for you in the delivery room.

Childbirth education is great for first time moms because it takes some of the mystery out of the process for them. Some offer films of other women giving birth so that they can see what it can be like. Don't let these films scare you though, as each woman has a different experience during birth. Some sail through, handling the pain quite well, and some are so scared that they freak out the whole time. You can feel a bit calmer about what is going to happen if you watch these in childbirth education classes if you choose to take them.

Some childbirth education classes can also help those that want to breastfeed. Breastfeeding is the most natural way to feed a baby, and if that is your choice, you may find figuring out how to do it not as natural as you would think it could be. There are some people that struggle with this at first but there is no reason why you should not get a head start in learning about breastfeeding through childbirth education classes. 

Men or partners should also attend childbirth education classes with you if at all possible. Even if they do not want to be in the room with you, they can still know what is going on and feel a bit better about the process. Most partners do now go into delivery with the mom, and having some idea of what to do to help through childbirth education is a good thing. They can then be calmer, more helpful, and less likely to faint if things get loud or messy in there, which can very easily happen. Your body will know what to do when the time is right, and will do it without any instruction, but you could always have an idea of what to expect to make the experience easier to handle.

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Childbirth Educators

Pregnant women, along with their partners, should certainly be made aware of the usual problems associated with the birth of a child, and thus remain better prepared for any complication that may arise during labor pains and at the time of delivery. Some problems related to childbirth can be predicted before a woman experiences labor, but other could come unexpectedly.

The role of a childbirth course is to educate the new parents on what they can anticipate during pregnancy and childbirth, and also during the initial few weeks after the birth of the child. Such courses need not necessarily require a formal license. However, various childbirth centers and hospitals may specify their requirements.

The most usual job of those providing education on childbirth is to conduct childbirth classes for the expectant mothers plus their partners. The curriculum of such courses include exposure to the experiences of labor pain and techniques for managing the same, the state of the mothers prior to labor, and taking care of the mother and child for the period following child's birth. Though childbirth courses are usually of general nature, special classes are required for pregnancies with a high level of risks, different types of labor techniques and for the pregnancies of teenagers.

Childbirth educators can also educate on subjects like conception, task especially done by educators who are nurses or midwives. Conception is a vast subject with a lot of perplexity, concerning the time of the cycle during which a woman may get pregnant. Such courses are especially helpful in the cases of early pregnancies or first pregnancy, as such women need to learn a lot. Likewise, women expected to deliver more than one child or facing high risk pregnancies are potential candidates for such especially designed courses.

Those educating on childbirth can also undertake post pregnancy classes. Such classes are usually conducted towards the end of pregnancy, with the intention of preparing new parents for the advent of a new member in their family. These teachers educate new mothers on how to take care of infants and breastfeed them. Educators also hold classes for the benefit of soon to be parents, allowing them to confidently bear the responsibility as parents. The courses can be conducted once a week for one or two months. These could also be arranged during the last three months of the pregnancy. Some may prefer to teach individual expectant mothers.

The job of a childbirth educator is not confined to just teaching. They also provide counseling to new parents, listen to their apprehensions, and offer logical solutions for them. Though these educators can't replace a doctor, they are competent in offering valuable advice on matters like labor and delivery, plus taking care of a newly born child. They are providing very valuable services to society at large, especially pregnant women.

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Options For Birth Professionals

When you are preparing for the birth of a baby, you will probably want to seek the advice of a birth professional. While most people think that only obstetricians can deliver babies, many mothers have turned to midwives or doulas for labor support. You can choose what form of labor expert you think will be the most beneficial for you and the type of birth that you want.

First, the most common birth professional is an OB/GYN, or obstetrician/gynecologist. An obstetrician is a physician that specializes in caring for pregnant women and with the delivery process. Obstetricians are in charge of recognizing fetal abnormalities and diagnosing them. They also advise pregnant women on healthy lifestyle choices during their terms. An obstetrician often delivers babies in his or her affiliated hospital with the help of a staff of nurses.

Next, many women turn to midwives to have a more natural experience while giving birth. In Europe, an estimated 70% of women turn to midwives for normal, vaginal births, and in America the numbers are rising steadily as well. This type of health care provider is best for people who are expecting a low-risk birth. Most midwives are actually certified nurse-midwives, or CNMs.

CNMs actually have at least a bachelor's degree and have undergone specific training to direct a birth.  They often work in hospitals, although they do allow a woman to eat and drink during birth and sometimes physical movement to help with the birthing process. Keep in mind that there are other levels of midwifery experience as well that do not such extensive certification.

Lastly, a doula isn't exactly a medical professional, but is rather like a birth coach. A doula is a woman that acts as a labor assistant for the woman rather than the medical staff. She encourages and supports the pregnant woman during the labor process in addition to the support of the partner. Doulas are there throughout the entire delivery process, and work to give physical, emotional, and informational help during labor. They sometimes give massages and offer breathing help, and can act as a liaison between the medical staff and the parents.

Studies have shown that having a doula during birth leads to fewer Caesarean sections, shorter labors, and less complications in general. Although many doulas must be privately contracted, hospitals are now recognizing the benefits of having doulas and have several on call in case a woman in labor requests her services.

When you enter into a contract with a birth professional, you should be able to expect certain levels of competence from your obstetrician, midwife, or doula. Should a healthcare professional fail in his or her duty to you, this can result in a birth injury to your baby. If you or someone you know has had a baby that suffered from birth injuries, you may be entitled to financial compensation.

Please check for Certified Doula, Childbirth Educator, & Lactation Counselor services from http://birthingwithem.com/

Why and How to Choose a Doula

Choosing the perfect team to assist you as you give birth will highly affect your birthing experience - which is why some women opt to choose a doula or a professional birth assistant. A doula is a health practitioner who supports pregnant women throughout the whole course of their pregnancy. She is there to provide support from labor to the actual delivery. More than just that, she offers informational, emotional and physical support to the woman giving birth. Doulas do not offer medical support. They are not medically trained and so they cannot perform vaginal checks, assess fetal heart tones or take a woman's vital signs. In this article, we will share with you some important tips to keep in mind when you choose doula.

The misconception - A misconception among doulas is that they only help women who choose natural birth, meaning birth delivery without pain medications and the like. Contrary to what most people believe in, birth doulas may be able to assist women for various types of birth deliveries - cesarean section, high-risk deliveries, induction and the like. In fact, women who have a sensitive pregnancy are advised to choose a doula. As we all know, unnecessary medical interventions may cause higher risk of discomfort both to the woman and the baby. Your doula will make you understand the different benefits as well as the possible disadvantages of his services. Her primary goal is to provide you with a healthy, safe, happy and satisfying birth experience.

The advantages of hiring a doula - It has been proven by various studies that having a doula decreases one's risks of C-section and epidural requests. Aside from that, it may also shorten the length of labor. Some women who have given birth with a doula claimed that they have had great experience in breastfeeding, satisfaction during the actual delivery and even decrease postpartum depression.

You may consider the tips below when planning to choose a doula. 

- You may contact some major certifying organizations. - There are several institutions which may be able to provide you a list of doulas in your area. These include the DONA International, Childbirth and Postpartum Professionals Association and the Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators. 

- Make an online research - A lot of doulas today have websites. They may be nowhere in the Yellow Pages but through the internet, you're sure to get a directory of doulas in just a click. 

- Ask your doctor - Your family doctor, midwife or your OB may be able to help you locate a good doula. In fact, some obgyns even work with a specific group of doulas. In some cases, the doctor may tell you that hiring a doula is unnecessary and that it is just an added expense. If this is the case, you may find another doctor. Keep in mind that you have the right to choose the people who you want to be with you inside the delivery room.

Make it a point to shortlist at least three doulas. Once your list is ready, it's time to interview your candidates for the screening. Be sure to ask a lot of questions during the interview. It helps if you list down all of your possible questions even before you meet with your doula candidates.

Please check for Certified Doula, Childbirth Educator, & Lactation Counselor services from http://birthingwithem.com/

Hiring a Doula

You have read the studies showing women who hire doulas have fewer problems and request less pain medication than women who do not. You have spoken to your midwife about the benefits of professional labor support and understand how it fits into your birth team. Now that you are ready to hire a doula, you are probably wondering where to start.

Finding A Doula

Three or four moths before your due date, start searching the internet for directories and databases. Organizations that certify professional labor support, such as DONA, CAPPA Canada or DoulaUK generally have a referral service you can use to get local names. Web directories such as the Natural Childbirth Directory list websites of childbirth professionals. There are even websites such as Doula Network where professionals without websites can list their services.

There are probably several doulas working in your area who are not listed on the internet. Ask your midwife or childbirth educator for additional recommendations. Some hospitals keep lists of local doulas and will be happy to give you a list of names. You may also get referrals through mothers groups, La Leche League meetings and birth centers.

Interviewing Doulas

You should have a pretty good idea what type of support you are looking for. A short phone interview can let you know if individual doulas are a potential fit. Begin by asking if she is available for your due date and birth location. If she is, move into questions about her philosophy of birth and what she perceives her role to be during labor. Be sure to also ask her about additional services she may provide such as belly casting or private childbirth classes. Some doulas include additional services in their fee, others charge a lower fee but will provide addition services separately.

Pay special attention to the personality of the doulas you interview. How well her personality fits yours is perhaps more important than her experience. If you think she talks too much, or it takes too much work to get her to talk she is not the doula for you. If you think she laughs too much, or has no sense of humor she is not the doula for you. You must feel comfortable with her, trust her advice and feel she empowers you to accomplish your goals.

Negotiating Fee

After your interviews, you should have a list of no more than three doulas you would most like to hire. Call your first choice to let her know you would like to hire her and discuss her fees. There is a wide range of fees charged by professional labor support. Those who provide more services or are located in more expensive areas generally charge more. Before you decide her fee is unreasonable consider just how much of her time you will be purchasing. You will probably have at least one prenatal and one postnatal visit in addition to the 18 to 24 hours you may need her for in labor. You are also paying to have her on-call day and night, which means you know she is arranging a month or more of her life to be available when your labor begins.

If you are unable to afford her fee, ask if she has a sliding scale and if you meet the qualifications for a lower rate. You may also ask her if she is training any doulas who may be willing to provide services at a discount. Ask if she is willing to barter for part of her fee. She may reduce her fee for referring other clients; donating used pregnancy books to her library; providing a copy of your birth video for her library or similar services. If you cannot negotiate a fee you can afford, call your second choice.

Signing a Contract

Your doula should have you sign a contract for her services. Having her responsibilities and your expectations written down helps to prevent confusion later. The contract should cover the basic information about your agreement: how much you will pay her and when; when and how to reach her in labor; and any other services you have agreed to.

Be sure you know how to reach her if you have a question, and if she prefers to be contacted for non-emergency questions in any particular way. She should give you instructions about how to borrow books and videos from her lending library. If you have scheduled prenatal or postpartum visits, the contract may also include what will be covered during those meetings.


Please check for Certified Doula, Childbirth Educator, & Lactation Counselor services from http://birthingwithem.com/

Do You Need a Doula During Childbirth?

Birthing has come a long way in the last 50 years, with in-hospital birthing suites, families in attendance, and procedures to minimize labor pain. But one thing that has not changed is the need for experienced support in the labor room. Husbands and mothers are all well and good for some things, but medically knowledgeable, objective, and trained doulas just might be the best thing since Lamaze developed prepared childbirth classes.

Doulas, also known as a labor assistant or birth companion, are simply women trained in labor and birth. Their sole function is to assist a women with all stages of birth. She joins a woman early in their labor and assists her with the pain management, including massages, relaxation, visualization, and aromatherapy. A doula provides encouragement and constant support throughout the entire labor and delivery to both the mother and the father, while providing education and expanded explanations about medical interventions, including the risks and benefits that allow them to make informed decisions. Most doulas do follow-up with the new family once they have returned home, offering advice on breastfeeding and care of an infant, as well as checking on the mother's postpartum well being.

There are several benefits to having a doula during your labor and delivery. These women have been shown in published studies to provide:

* 50% decrease in a woman needing a cesarean

* 60% decrease in the use of an epidural

* 30% reduction in the use of any narcotics

* 40% decrease in the use of the drug Pitocin (the synthetic version of the drug oxytocin)

* 40% decrease in the use of forceps during delivery or a vacuum extraction

* 25% decrease in the time of labor

There is also evidence showing:

* Decreased levels of anxiety

* Decreased chances of infection and maternal fever

* An increased chance of spontaneous vaginal birth

* Decreased maternal bleeding following delivery

* Decreased incidence of post-partum depression

* Found to be more effective than Lamaze

* Results in a more positive delivery experience

* Increase in the success of breastfeeding

Why should I consider using a doula during childbirth?

So that there is one objective constant throughout your labor and delivery. Although obstetrical nurses are experienced in dealing with a laboring mother's emotional and physical needs, they can not guarantee the service they provide will last throughout the entire labor, especially in hospital settings where there are breaks, shift changes, heavy paper work, and busy nights. Some OB nurses have to handle up to six mothers in labor at one time. Midwives may be able to offer more support during the labor, but they too have other clinical duties to which they must attend.

The father or partner may be better able to provide the continuous support that the mother needs, but they have little actual experience in dealing with the forces of labor. Even fathers who have had intensive preparation are often surprised when it comes to the actual labor and the amount of work that is involved. Even more important, many fathers experience the birth as an emotional journey of their own and find it hard to be objective when it comes to situations during the birth.

Can I afford to use a doula during childbirth?

The cost of using a doula can range anywhere depending on your location. However, the price should not be an obstacle. According to Doulas of North America, several insurance companies today are already offering reimbursement for doula services. If your insurance company does not cover this service, don't throw the towel in yet. Make sure that you pursue the matter and bring all of the benefits of using a doula to their attention. Many of these benefits can save the insurance company a significant amount of money.

Please check for Certified Doula, Childbirth Educator, & Lactation Counselor services from http://birthingwithem.com/