Childbirth Education Health Article

Definition

Childbirth education prepares the mother and usually her partner for labor and birth. It may also include information on cesarian birth, breastfeeding, maternal postpartum issues, and neonatal care. Special classes may be available for adolescent mothers, vaginal birth after cesarian birth, siblings, and grandparents. Classes may consist of lectures, slides, videos, demonstration, and practice.

Description

Based on the goals of the facility or instructor, childbirth education classes can vary considerably in terms of content. For example, some classes may focus primarily on the childbirth process, while others provide information on wellness behaviors during the different trimesters of pregnancy. Classes offered by some facilities may not include information on postpartum contraceptive choices. Some classes provide information on fetal growth and development and maternal changes during pregnancy. These classes are usually offered earlier in a woman's pregnancy while classes that focus primarily on labor and delivery are offered later. Some obstetric practices may provide gestational-appropriate information at each prenatal visit; others may focus primarily on the mother's questions or concerns. Some practices may offer classes that complement the information given during prenatal visits or they may have on hand a list of classes that pregnant women may want to contact.

Content areas that may be included in childbirth education classes are:

• maternal changes in early pregnancy: physical and emotional
• fetal growth and development
• risks of certain environmental factors on fetal development
• maternal self-care: nutrition, rest, exercise, work accommodations
• common discomforts in pregnancy and safe/unsafe relief measures
• sexuality and pregnancy
• signs and symptoms of complications of pregnancy
• signs of preterm labor
• signs of the initiation of labor
• symptoms which require a call to the obstetric provider
• what to expect during labor and delivery
• labor and delivery analgesia/anesthesia options
• breathing and relaxation techniques
• role of certified nurse midwife versus obstetrician
• role of the coach
• making a birth plan; hiring a doula
• episiotomy issues
• breastfeeding versus formula
• breastfeeding techniques, normal/abnormal problems, and relief measures
• neonatal care and safety issues
• postpartum contraception
• tour of labor and delivery area of affiliated health care center