« Benefits of Independent Childbirth Education »

Independent childbirth education is when you take a class to help prepare you outside of the a hospital setting. The classes may be a variety of different teaching styles (Hypnobirthing, Bradley, Lamaze, Birthing From Within, Hypnobabies or even totally independent curriculum from an experienced birth worker), all styles are so unique with one thread tying them together - they are unaffiliated with the hospital. 

So what does this mean? 

First I think it's important to look at why hospitals want you to take a tour and pay for their classes (some are free). Hospitals would prefer women got their knowledge about birth from a hospital staff (nurse usually), so that when they arrive to the hospital in labour they are already aware of the basic standards of care that they should expect from the hospital staff. You've been shown the bed you are expected to lay in, the gown, the space your partner doesn't have, how to order food off the menu (if you are so lucky), and how much a private room or TV will cost. They also show you how the bed comes apart for your supine birth (they'll say delivery) and where baby will be put afterwards to keep warm (this is where I put the plug in that baby should be on you to be warm).

Hospital delivery prepartion is geared towards making labouring women good patients, partners know they are not welcome and the things that will happen to your baby. I've been to many hospital tours around Canada, many not knowing I wasn't expecting - sneaky yes, but I wanted to be able to provide information to my clients. Any requests outside normal (like the time I asked how doulas are preceived in the L&D room) are treated as if you are a giant bother, you shouldn't have asked and don't get your hopes up. The focus is on how to fill out your forms, when to come to the hospital and how your birth will be pushed into hospitals model of care. 

There are some very progressive amazing hospitals around, I've been in many with beautiful birthing stools and birth balls etc. I've also been to many beautiful hospital births. At the end of the day still a hospital and their education classes are bias. You don't need to take hospital preparation classes if you are choosing a hospital birth! 

If you are planning a home birth or hospital birth I do suggest you take a tour to familiarize yourself with getting there, and where the maternity section is, and to see the general layout (look for vending machines and note what change they take and how many are out of services, note the hours the cafe inside or close by is open, etc). These things will likely help you feel more calm when going in, or in the case of hospital transfer. But their classes are something different all together. 

Why choose independent childbirth education?

• Independent childbirth teachers work for you. They are not paid by the hospital to repeat information about hospital procedures. 
• Independent teachers may be trained in a specific style or method of education, or be open and unaffiliated with any organization. You can choose which suits you best. 
• Your course outline is more fluid, so you'll have space to ask question and have your education flow around it. Private independent classes are tailored entirely for you. 
• The material is designed for hospital, home birth and birthing centers. 
• The environment is comfortable and the class sizes are small. 4-8 couples vs 12+
• Most classes take place over a series of weeks, giving you ample time to digest the information being provided and return with questions. The length in the class also helps you build a community amoung the other attendees, which can be a very important things postpartum. 
• Independent models are more inclusive for partners, allowing them the freedom to be as involved as they feel comfortable in prenatal education and prepartion for the birth. 
• Independent models understand hospital standard practices of care, and help educate you on your choices and how to handle specific situations at your birth location. 
• Many independent models focus on internal growth (although some don't) through the program, using art, movement, hypnosis and more. 
• The education load is massive! You'll learn about the stages of labour, pain coping techniques, partner involvment, how to cope with special circumstances, baby care, breastfeeding, and more. This is why it's spread out over 6-7 weeks (or a weekend intensives), it's a giant course load. 
• Postpartum reunion. Most teachers hold a postpartum reunion where anyone interested can come for a visit to share their story and show off their baby! It's fabulous to reconnect with the women and partners who you spent weeks with during this amazing time. 

I believe choosing a prenatal education class is a very important thing. I want to hear more stories of women leaving their birth experiences feeling empowered as a woman, and a huge part of this is being educated about pregnancy and birth. Coming into your birthing experience with a solid understanding of the process, coping tools and an educated partner (if applicable) if one of the best gifts you could give yourself as a blooming mother. 

"If you don't know your options, you don't have any." Diane Korte and Roberta Scaer

This really stuck with me, over the years of being a Doula thus far. I want more women to know their options, their choices and their rights as a labouring woman. This was my major motivating factor to jump into childbirth education. Knowing your choices is one of the first pieces of the puzzle; the "corner piece" as my mother used to say as I learnt where to start on a big, beautiful masterpiece of a puzzle. From there, your entire path to finishing it is ahead of you, which pieces you pick up and which you leave are up to you.