Childbirth Education – if you are pregnant you may be feeling overwhelmed with information and at the same time not have the energy to process the constant stream of what you should and should not be doing.
Many women have their pregnancy confirmed by a GP who often steers them in a direction for care, based on the GP’s personal experience. They appear to be very quick in offering judgements about particular hospitals, birth centres, private obstetricians, and poor old homebirth – well it usually just gets left off the discussion. A GP recently (2016) told a Birth Right client that homebirth was illegal! FYI – IT IS NOT.
Of course you must choose a caregiver and a place to birth and there are blood tests ‘offered’ and ultrasounds ‘offered’ but the most important choice is about getting some quality education because every pregnant woman and her partner needs education about what is happening INSIDE – her body, her mind, her baby’s body and most importantly her baby’s mind.
EDUCATION – YOUR CHOICE 
Often when women are booking into a hospital they are TOLD to go and book in for antenatal classes. Also referred to as prenatal, childbirth preparation, parenting, having a baby, hypnobirth, Lamaze, active birth, yoga childbirth, and the list goes on and on and on…… no wonder women are confused. These classes inevitably do not start until around 28-30wks pregnancy.
One of the most important decisions you make is choosing the RIGHT childbirth education classes for you and your partner.
HOSPITAL CLASSES vs INDEPENDENT CHILDBIRTH CLASSES
I have taught both public hospital and private hospital classes as well as ‘other’ independent classes and there is a world of difference.
Hospital classes offer a rigid week by week plan based on hospital policy, and/or private obstetrician ‘policy’. The main focus is pain management and a whole world of negativity.
Independent classes can be offered by childbirth educators trained in specific ‘methods’ of birthing, like waterbirth or being active throughout labour (active birth), or a focus on yoga positions (yoga childbirth classes).
The general idea is that there are many tools to be used during labour and birthing. Women and their partner/doula should know and practice these methods. There are different birthing positions to remember, massage techniques, correct use of fit balls, bean bags, essential oils, yoga, walking – the list is endless.
These classes DO NOT empower birthing women.
THEY REINFORCE TO THE WOMAN THAT SHE CANNOT DO IT ON HER OWN SHE NEEDS ALL OF THE ABOVE TOOLS AND MUCH MORE.
Many will argue this and say women need to know all of the ‘tools’ to use.
WHY? When the most important tool for growing a beautiful baby, labouring and birthing is THE MIND. Women will use all the other ‘stuff’ quite intuitively, and do not need to be taught this. It is, in fact, disempowering to women.
MIND POWER 
Understanding the power of the mind during pregnancy when seeds are sown, the power of the mind during labour and birthing, is essential knowledge for all pregnant parents.
Knowing how you were birthed is an important first step to developing a deep knowledge about how this impacts your own pregnancy, baby, labour and birthing.
Inside Birth® prenatal classes will delve inside your mind, the baby’s developing mind, and those people you may choose to support you throughout. I encourage you to book immediately your pregnancy is confirmed so you can begin this education as early as possible and continue throughout your pregnancy. Inside Birth® is not a ‘one-off’ set of classes but provides ongoing education and support from day 1 of conception through to meeting baby on the outside. You will be empowered and confident. Click the link below to find an Inside Birth® near you.
