Lamaze International

Lamaze International uses a contemporary curriculum that supports birth as normal, natural, and healthy and empowers expectant women and their partners to make informed decisions. The class content includes:

* Normal labor, birth and early postpartum
* Positioning for labor and birth
* Relaxation and massage techniques to ease pain
* Labor support
* Communication skills
* Information about medical procedures
* Breastfeeding
* Healthy lifestyle

For more information: http://www.lamaze.org/

The Bradley Method®

The Bradley Method® helps women prepare for a natural labor and birth without the use of medication. This comprehensive 8-12-week course covers:

* Importance of nutrition and exercise
* Relaxation techniques to manage pain
* Labor rehearsals
* How to avoid a cesarean birth
* Postpartum care
* Breastfeeding
* Guidance for coach/doula about supporting and advocating for the mother

For more information: http://www.bradleybirth.com/
 

International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA)

ICEA Certified Educators and Doulas are committed to family centered maternity care and freedom of choice based on knowledge of alternatives.

For more information: http://icea.org

International Birth and Wellness Project (ALACE)

Women have always helped women give birth. Traditionally, laboring women were surrounded by family members and experienced women from the community. As childbirth became the domain of the medical profession and women moved into hospitals for birth, women lost their vital connection to one another during this time of intense physical, emotional and spiritual work.

The role of toLabor and IBWP is to revitalize this connection. Through both organizations, pregnant women and their partners learn about pregnancy and birth from professional childbirth educators. During labor and birth women may be supported by professional doulas who provide physical, emotional, and educational support to the mother-to-be and her entire birth team.

For more information: http://alace.org/index.html

Hypnobirthing®

The Hypnobirthing® method teaches mothers that if you remove fear and tension, severe pain does not have to be part of labor. Intense relaxation will enhance natural birthing instincts that lead to a calm and serene birth experience. The curriculum also teaches women how to experience a feeling similar to daydreaming, while remaining controlled and happy during labor and birth.

For more information: http://www.hypnobirthing.com/

Birthing From Within®

Birthing From Within® prepares mothers to give “birth-in-awareness,” not to achieve a specific birth outcome. The class curriculum is adjusted to meet the specific needs and differences of parents. This method also recognizes that pregnancy, birth and postpartum are a time of continuous learning; holistic support and education should be available throughout that period.

For more information: http://www.birthingfromwithin.com


What questions should I ask before I choose a class?

* Is the instructor certified to teach childbirth classes?
* What is the instructor’s philosophy about labor and birth?
* What topics are included in the curriculum?
* Will my partner learn how to play an active role in labor and birth?
* What is the cost?
* How many couples will be in the class?
* How often will the class meet?
* Will various birth philosophies be taught in class? For example, will a woman wanting an un-medicated birth learn coping skills for success? Will a woman wanting an epidural learn how to cope with a medicated labor and birth?
* Does this location offer different types of childbirth classes? For example, some locations offer Childbirth Basics, Refresher Class, Natural Childbirth and Sibling Class.