How Childbirth Classes Can Help You
According to the National Health Service (NHS) UK, over 57,000 women were provided mental health support in England between March 2023 and February 2024—the highest in recent years. The agency also reported that one in five new and expectant mothers develop perinatal mental illness and other conditions, which may include severe fear of childbirth.
While childbirth can be an exhilarating experience, it can also be overwhelming and difficult for some women. As an expectant parent, you have the power to address these challenges proactively by attending childbirth classes. These educational sessions are gaining popularity because of their invaluable benefits, which can dramatically improve a woman’s prenatal and postpartum experiences.
Understanding Childbirth Education Classes in the UK
Various government and private organisations offer prenatal classes—each covering slightly different topics, approaches, and formats.
NHS Antenatal Classes
This free and hospital-based instruction covers essential topics for a healthy pregnancy, crafting a birth plan, and feeding and looking after your baby.
National Childbirth Trust Courses
Their classes are both delivered in-person and online and are often held in community settings. While more comprehensive, you’ll have to pay to attend these birthing classes.
Private Childbirth Education
These courses are likewise offered for a fee but address wider options for labour, delivery, and postpartum concerns. Many expectant parents turn to group or private online childbirth classes, as they offer flexibility and cost-effectivity for busy parents.
Some organisations also seek to personalise the birthing experience through dedicated courses in the Lamaze technique, Bradley method, Hypnobirthing, and Alexander technique, which follow different approaches to delivering a baby naturally or through Caesarian birth.
Make sure that the classes you choose are up to date, evidence-based, and led by certified professionals with a solid reputation.
What You Can Learn in a Typical Class
Most antenatal courses are a mixture of birthing and parenting classes. While the basic topic coverages could vary from one provider to another, holistic birth education classes typically cover:
* Staying healthy throughout pregnancy
* Hospital procedures and labour stages
* A virtual tour of the birthing facility
* Labour positions and birth props
* Coping and relaxation techniques, including breathing exercises
* Non-medical and medical interventions for pain relief
* Baby basics: breastfeeding at home or in public, newborn care, and infant CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation)
* Partner involvement and support methods
* Overcoming postpartum challenges
Pregnant women and their partners typically attend these courses in the second trimester, early in the third trimester, or anytime so long as they’re finished by the 36th week of their pregnancy.
When choosing a childbirth education or class, it’s crucial to inquire about the staff’s training, certifications, and experience—whether you’ve chosen to take on-site or virtual classes.
The Benefits of Attending Childbirth and Antenatal Courses
Birthing classes arm expectant parents with the right tools and support to provide these advantages:
Reducing Stress and Anxiety
Anxiety is rooted in the fear of the unknown and lack of control. Birth classes can counteract this by providing comprehensive information on the intricacies of labour and delivery, allowing first-time mums to manage how their bodies respond. Hospital procedures—from admission to postnatal care are likewise covered, alongside prenatal and postpartum hormonal changes and their effects on mood and body—benefitting new parents.
The latest data aren’t available for the UK, but a 2023 Turkish research discovered that the mean score for fear of childbirth among pregnant women decreased significantly from 85.5% to 76.32% after their antenatal course.
Leveraging Coping Techniques
Prenatal classes teach various breathing, relaxation, and pain management techniques for a better birthing experience. For instance, expectant parents can learn paced breathing, which can help throughout the different stages of labour and delivery.
Additionally, progressive muscle relaxation, water birthing, and certain massage techniques can calm anxious mothers and eliminate the need for unnecessary medications.
Reducing Uncertainties
Childbirth education can help address the lack of information—which further fuels anxiety among expectant mothers. By explaining the process, simplifying medical jargon, and defining different birthing settings, educators can help pregnant women set realistic expectations. It also helps couples prepare for the unexpected by making flexible birth plans.
As mentioned, postpartum issues are also discussed in these sessions, where parents can adjust to their new lives easily. Beyond basic newborn care, they’re also taught to identify potential postpartum disorders, which affect a considerable number of women worldwide.
Addressing Misconceptions
Long-held beliefs like eating for two and avoiding exercise can compromise gestational health during childbearing. Conversely, eating right and keeping active is key to maintaining a healthy pregnancy. In fact, the NHS recommends 150 minutes of light body movements weekly to maintain a healthy weight and prepare for labour more efficiently.
Pregnancy-related myths are often discussed during antenatal sessions alongside potential complications of childbirth without necessarily inducing fear.
Reducing the Risks of Complications
Birthing courses help reduce the risk of complications by allowing new parents to understand the risks and benefits of various interventions. As a result, couples can become more confident in making informed decisions, for instance, when studying certain procedures.
These informative sessions can teach couples how to monitor fetal movements at home and recognise warning signs that require immediate medical attention, such as excessive pain or abnormal bleeding. Whether attending in-person or online, birthing classes can equip parents-to-be with the knowledge to identify potential issues early, promoting timely intervention and potentially improving outcomes.
Building a Support System
Preparatory classes for labour and delivery also boost a woman’s emotional and psychological well-being through educating their support person. These courses teach their birthing partners to learn massage techniques and understand the expectant mum’s emotional needs during pregnancy and birth. Moreover, it encourages parents to share experiences and explore local support groups.
While facilities can handle childbirth skilfully, not all can provide a positive experience for everyone. Taking childbirth courses addresses a mother’s emotional and psychological needs throughout the journey, leading to a more positive experience.
Wrapping Up
Childbirth is an integral process in the circle of life, but it’s full of uncertainties, like life itself. That’s why parents must prepare well by taking childbirth education classes. These learning programmes, packed with informative and fun sessions, can assist would-be parents in adjusting to their new lives before and after the baby’s arrival.
But remember, each birthing experience is unique. The good is that you don’t have to do it alone. By enrolling in a birthing course, you can get the tools you need for a great birthing experience.