St. Albert & Sturgeon Primary Care Network
Planning the Birth
Many couples go into the labour and delivery process not knowing what to expect. Fear of the unknown can make what should be one of the most wonderful experiences of your life into one of the worst. Childbirth education classes can make a world of difference as you prepare for the birth of your child.
Should I attend childbirth classes?
- You will learn about what physically happens to your body as your baby makes his or her way into this world.
- Most pregnant women wonder “When should I go to the hospital?” or “What exactly is an episiotomy?” or even “How much pain will there be?” The knowledge gained through attending childbirth classes may not get rid of all anxieties, but it will help you feel more prepared to meet the challenge of childbirth.
- The classes will teach you different methods for dealing with pain. These may include breathing and relaxation exercises, visualization, and comforting activities. Anxiety tends to heighten pain and relaxation diminishes it.
- Knowledge is power. You will feel less vulnerable if you know exactly what is happening as labour progresses. There will be fewer surprises when the day finally arrives.
- Evidence shows that women who have attended childbirth classes have less pain in labour.
Ask your healthcare provider for a list of childbirth classes available in your community.
Creating a birth plan
Why create a birth plan? The idea behind a birth plan is to help you think ahead about what you want from your birth experience, and to improve communication with your healthcare team.
- Think about the type of childbirth experience you would like to have. Do you want natural childbirth? Do you want to have an epidural? The answers to these and other questions can help you to decide on a practitioner and a place in which to give birth. Learn about labour so that you have a realistic understanding of what it is likely to be like. Choose a caregiver whose basic attitudes about pain relief agree with yours: this isn't essential, but things may go more smoothly if you aren't feeling the need to defend your choice. Educate yourself about the various methods for relieving labour pain: this will help you decide which ones suit you best. Read, talk to friends, and choose a childbirth preparation method that reflects your philosophy.
- Ask for a tour of the labour and delivery unit at the hospital you will be using (this will often be included in prenatal classes) and ask about routine procedures and policies of the birthing unit. For example, some hospitals have a limit on the number of people who can be with you in labour, or a policy on videotaping deliveries.
- The decision on whether or not to use pain medication should not be made casually. Each possibility presents different advantages and disadvantages and potential benefits and harms. The option or options that appeal to you as having the best balance between pluses and minuses will depend on your temperament, past experiences, and personal values and goals.
- As you develop your plan, you will want to consider that many options can be used in combination, and some can be used in sequence. Combining and sequencing techniques and strategies may increase their effectiveness or reduce the chances of experiencing an adverse effect. Keep in mind as well that whatever your initial preferences, it is difficult to predict what your labour will be like.
- Communicate with your team. Talk again with your doctor about what you are seeking. Ask her how realistic she thinks your goals are, given the location where you will deliver and how your pregnancy has been going.
When you begin labour, you or your coach should let the nursing staff and the doctor know about your birth preferences.