Welcome to the C.A.R.E.
Network
Childbirth Professionals
serving the Milwaukee Metro area since 1995
Childbirth Education
Attending a high-quality, independent childbirth education class is one of the most important things that a pregnant couple can do to improve their chances of having a positive birth experience.
What are the benefits of childbirth education classes?
- Childbirth classes will build your confidence in your body’s ability to give birth
- You can discuss your fears about labor and birth with the instructor and other couples with the same concerns
- Your partner will learn about childbirth and how to support you on the big day.You may find that attending childbirth classes together will create a special bond
- Your instructor will discuss pain relief options, including massage,
relaxation, breathing and medications
If you are planning a hospital birth, you might be interested in taking more than one class. A class at the hospital might include a basic overview of labor and birth and may teach specific hospital practices. Classes taught outside the hospital may equip you with in-depth information about coping skills, physiology of labor and birth, emotional aspects, and childbirth options
How do I find the right class for me?
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/
Association of Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators (ALACE)
- Our program has long been recognized for its holistic approach to childbirth education.Our instructors are respected for their incorporation of psychologial aspects and mind-body integration in their classes.
- ALACE childbirth educators help increase parents' confidence in the natural process of birth. We teach relaxation and coping tools to work with pain and discomfort, rather than "techniques" for avoiding sensation.
- We respect birth as a sacred passage, an intimate act, a creative expression of love. We believe that it is possible to help strengthen the family through improving the experience of birth.
- ALACE childbirth educators respect birth as a woman-centered and woman-directed passage, not an institution-centered medical event. Our goal is to help women reclaim trust in their bodies' ability to safely and dependably give birth.
- We respect obstetric procedures as beneficial in some circumstances but potentially detrimental when applied routinely. Our classes emphasize informed consent and prevention of unnecessary cesareans and other unecessary interventions. We encourage vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC).
- ALACE seeks to help all women experience birth's transforming power
with respect and dignity, in safety, support, and confidence.
For more information: www.alace.org
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.