7 reasons to take a childbirth class

You’re gearing up for the big day: your baby’s birth! You’ve been waiting for this day for months, so you probably have plenty of questions. A childbirth class is an excellent way to get them answered.

Classes give you an overall view of the birthing process, says ob-gyn Rachel Adams, M.D. The sessions cover labor signs, breathing techniques, pain relief options, and more. Plus, they can be a great way for you to get hands-on learning.

Most parents-to-be take classes with the person who will be with them in the delivery room. This might be your spouse or partner. Your support person could also be a sibling, parent, or friend. You can also take a class alone.

Childbirth classes are typically taught by nurses, midwives, and other childbirth educators. Read on for the many benefits of signing up.

1. A class can help calm any worries

“I don’t want to say a childbirth class teaches you what to expect, but it keeps people from going in completely blind,” says Dr. Adams. And that knowledge can help you feel empowered and prepared.

If you take the class at the hospital where you’ll give birth, you might also get a tour of the labor and delivery area. It can be exciting to see where everything will happen.

The best time to take a class is at 32 to 34 weeks, says the International Childbirth Education Association. That puts you close enough to your due date that you won’t forget what you’ve learned.

2. You’ll learn the signs of labor

Childbirth classes provide key information you’ll need as your due date approaches: how to tell if you’re in labor and what to do when your water breaks. Signs of labor include:

• Contractions (tightening and loosening of the uterus)
• Lightening (when the fetus drops)
• Back pain
• Losing your mucus plug (a thick clump of mucus that forms at the cervix during pregnancy)

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3. You’ll get breathing lessons

Using specific breathing techniques during labor can help lower anxiety and pain. It can also help make your contractions more productive. Your instructor will teach you how to breathe during the different stages of labor. You might practice during class with your support person.

4. It helps you create a birth plan

A birth plan is a written outline that lets your delivery team know ahead of time what you would like to happen during labor and delivery. “This is so important in helping expectant moms work toward having the labor and delivery they prefer,” says Dr. Adams. Birth plans can include your preferences for pain medication and other details, such as who will cut the umbilical cord.

Having a plan can reduce confusion in the delivery room. Just keep in mind that your birth plan may not go the way you want, says the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Unexpected things can happen during childbirth. What matters most is that you and your baby have a safe delivery.

5. Your support person will learn too

Understanding the basics of labor helps your support person better help you. They learn tips and strategies that can help you navigate each stage. Plus, spending this time together can strengthen your bond.

6. You’ll discover pain relief options

Your instructor will review and explain the many pain relief techniques that can make labor and delivery more manageable. You’ll learn about:

• Medications (such as an epidural block, IV opiods or local anesthesia)
• Relaxation and breathing methods
• Massage

You’ll want to talk through your pain relief options with your doctor beforehand. You don’t have to make a decision on using medication until you’re in the delivery room.

7. It gives you a space to ask questions

A childbirth class is a safe space for you to ask your instructor almost anything. Nothing is too big or too small. If you’re wondering about something, chances are good that others are as well.

Some childbirth classes also cover infant care, such as feeding, bathing, and bonding with your newborn. This can help you head into parenthood with more confidence. 

Where to find childbirth classes

Ask your ob-gyn for recommendations. The hospital where your doctor delivers babies is a good place to take a class, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians.  Other options include local clinics or community centers.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.