The fun and often hilarious Kristen Chase wrote an article entitled Birthing Classes Are a Big Waste of Time. This was a provocative title to be sure and intentionally so, but I took the bait and read her article. In may ways her title doesn't match her thesis. She apparently did learn something in her classes, but had wished she had spent more time preparing for the what comes after labor part. I completely agree, but consider a couple of things.
- They are called childbirth classes. So from the name, I'd expect them to be about - childbirth. These aren't parenting classes. They aren't breastfeeding classes. (Although many classes will at least touch on the basics and tell you where to get the other stuff. It might even be an extension of the class you're already in!)
- Hire a Doula, Hold the Class? Her suggestion is that you should: "Hire a doula if you want a natural child birth." I agree that if you want a natural birth you should hire a doula. (Also if you'd like support for a medicated birth or even if you're having a planned c-section or simply don't know what you want.) But the bigger issue here is that a doula's job is not synonymous with that of a childbirth educator. That's why they are two different trainings and certifications. Certainly some doulas are also childbirth educators, but not all.
- You can't take a class in labor. As a doula, I learned a long time ago that my clients have to meet me half way. They have to know about the process of birth coming in to the game. Sure, I spend time with them prenatally, but it's not the time you'd get in a class that meets multiple times for several weeks. I need to hear about what you want to do with the information you've gathered. You just learned ten comfort measures, which ones appeal to you most? How do you feel about pain medication? What do you see is my role in your birth? Once you're in labor, I don't have time to explain to you your options on positions, we've got to be ready to go with the flow of labor, not try to stop for a lesson. In fact, I have, for years, had it in my contract that someone who hires me as a doula, will take a separate childbirth class. I feel that strongly that it is not the level of education that I can provide and be a doula simultaneously.
- Focus on both before and after. Now certainly I do recommend that you focus on what comes after the birth. I try to help you have reasonable plans to meet your family's goals. That might include good breastfeeding classes and care, a baby class, a parenting group and lots of other things.
So I'm calling for some reason here. Let's not throw the proverbial baby (childbirth classes) out with the bathwater because some parenting classes were forgotten. A good doula, like a chef, isn't going to let you forget any of the key ingredients in a good experience.
Your thoughts?
Photo © Aprils Grapevine Photography
Doulas Don't Replace Childbirth Class originally appeared on About.com Pregnancy & Childbirth on Thursday, July 11th, 2013 at 09:09:05.
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