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Home > Pregnancy & Birth > Childbirth Classes

5 Dumb Excuses Why NOT To Take A Childbirth Education Class
by Patricia Newton

1. My doctor (or midwife) says childbirth education is a waste of time. He (or she) will tell me what to do during labor.

Unfortunately, some classes are not truly informative or empowering. Instead of giving you honest, unbiased information about the many birthing options available to you, many classes teach you how to be a "good little patient." "This is how it is done, and this is what we want you to do to help make our job easier," is often the underlying message of such classes.

At the same time, however, any medical professional who does not recommend his patients become well informed prior to labor, is someone you might want to run away from as fast as you can. Informed consent is the law, and having someone quickly run down a list of benefits and risks to you while you are in the throes of labor is not the same as learning of all possible benefits and side effects when you are able to think clearly, well before your labor even begins.

Furthermore, no doctor (and sometimes not even a midwife) is with you for the duration of your labor, helping you through each contraction. And most doctors know nothing about coping techniques for labor, anyway. While doctors have their position to play on the Birth Team, so too does the childbirth educator. The doctor specializes in the medical part of birth, while the childbirth educator specializes in educating. Both roles are equally important.

2. I think I already know enough between watching television birthing shows and reading.

In the eyes of some women, watching television birthing shows regularly is equal to true education. What you may not realize, however, is that what is shown as routine procedures on any particular episode is not necessarily what might occur routinely in the hospital where you will be giving birth. Common interventions vary widely from region to region, and from one caregiver to another.

In addition, because most of these shows are condensed to fit into 30 minutes (including commercials!), you do not see everything that led up to a particular point in any labor. For example, if a woman’s labor stalls or stops, there are many reasons why this could happen. There are also several things the woman could try to help speed her labor or get it started again before medical interventions are needed. However, these informative issues are seldom shown or discussed in these shows.

What would be more helpful to you would be to enroll in a good childbirth education class, taught by a professional who is familiar with the common birthing practices in your area. In such a class you would learn the pros and cons of these procedures and be encouraged to discuss any concerns you may have with your own care provider.

As for reading, there are many excellent books available for the pregnant woman. Some of them are Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin; Gentle Birth Choices by Barbara Harper; Pregnancy Childbirth and the Newborn by Penny Simkin, Janet Whalley and Ann Keppler; and Mind Over Labor by Carl Jones.

3. Moms who have previously given birth say you forget everything you heard in class once that first contraction hits.

Any childbirth education class worth your time will teach you many tools you can use during the stages of labor. Some of these tools are deep relaxation, massage, faith, vocalization, aromatherapy, changing positions, and affirmations. There are many others to learn about as well.

However, being given tools and actually practicing them are two very different things. You might learn of breathing techniques or laboring positions in class, but if you decide not to practice any of the important tools at home, chances are you won’t be ready to use them to your advantage once labor begins.

If you are serious about preparing for labor, you will become very familiar with the many things you can do to cope with contractions, shorten your labor and reduce your pain. And if you become familiar with them during pregnancy, you will know how to properly use them during your labor.

On the other hand, if you are not dedicated to practicing and preparing, you just might not have a clue how to deal with contractions. But is that the fault of the childbirth education class?

4. The nurses are there to help you get through labor.

Many labor and delivery nurses would love to be able to give you continuous support during your labor, but the many demands of their job do not allow them to do this. They are also required to monitor, chart, keep doctors informed of the status of their patients, and administer medications. And if they have more than one patient in labor, they have to take care of that patient as well. In addition, nurses have breaks from their shift and there comes a time when their shift ends. Which means they leave, and a different nurse is assigned to you.

Although nurses are likely to help you work through contractions for short periods of time, they do not stay beside you and witness every contraction you face. In most cases, they are not someone with whom you already have a bond. Your nurse is usually someone you don’t know well, or someone you’ve never even seen before.

So, skipping the childbirth education class and planning on having a nurse provide continuous labor support for you is not exactly a realistic plan to have.

5. I’d rather spend the money on something for the baby.

Yes, childbirth education classes do cost money. Some insurance companies are starting to pay for the classes, however. But spending your money on something for your baby instead of a class that can truly help you have a shorter, easier, and safer labor with an end result of a healthier baby comes down to one thing. A matter of priority.

Only you can decide what you think is more important.

Responsibility is something lots of parents are afraid of these days. We see evidence of this in the growing number of children who are lost and troubled in many ways. They are looking for help and guidance from other people and things because their parents are too busy to give it to them.

Being a responsible parent means being aware of a situation, becoming informed, and making a decision which is best for their child. Responsible parents set curfews, have some control over who their child is friends with, have some control over how much junk food their child consumes and how often he or she exercises. And responsible parents make decisions during pregnancy in the best interest of their child. This begins with choosing a medical care provider who is right for them and attending an informative, empowering childbirth education class.

© Patricia Newton
Patricia Newton is a leading childbirth educator, lactation educator and doula in Southern New Jersey. She may be contacted through her website, www.proudpregnancies.com or by calling 856-455-8636.