Are you nearing the end of your pregnancy and the arrival of your baby is imminent? Now is the time to think about childbirth preparation classes. Also called “birth preparation sessions”, these courses (theoretical as well as practical) are 100% covered by Health Insurance for all pregnant women.
Birth preparation sessions: what are they for?
As Health Insurance explains, birth preparation sessions have several objectives, including:
- explain the course of pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period,
- perform body exercises, particularly on breathing during pregnancy and childbirth,
- learn relaxation exercises, gestures and postures to adopt during pregnancy to avoid leg edema,
- understand the role of each member of the medical team and the course of the birth,
- know the care to be given to your child from birth,
- prepare for your return home with your baby.
Very concretely, here are the themes that can be covered during these childbirth preparation courses:
- The end of the pregnancy. At the end of pregnancy, what are the signs that indicate that you should come to the maternity ward? What are the signs that should lead to the emergency room? What should you put in your maternity suitcase, and when should you prepare it?
- Work. How does cervical dilation happen? What are the different stages of work? In which cases should a cesarean section, an episiotomy, an instrumental delivery (forceps, suction cup, etc.) be performed? What are the different positions for giving birth?
- Pain. How to properly manage pain during childbirth? What is an epidural, how does it work, is it absolutely necessary? Can you give birth without an epidural? What breathing exercises can help during childbirth?
- Welcoming the baby. What is the first care given to the baby at birth? How to perform cord care? How to monitor baby’s temperature and weight? How do the midwife’s visits to the home take place and what are their purposes?
- Baby’s diet. How to choose between breastfeeding and bottle feeding? How often should you feed your baby? How do you know if your baby is eating enough?
Childbirth preparation classes: yoga, acupuncture, swimming pool… the alternatives
The “classic” birth preparation sessions mix theoretical lessons (the course of childbirth, baby care, etc.) and practical lessons (breathing exercises, birthing positions, etc.). However, other options exist: they also aim to combat stress, better manage pain on the big day and calmly welcome the newborn. For example, it could be:
- prenatal yoga,
- sophrology,
- prenatal aquagym,
- hypnosis,
- acupuncture,
- Pilates,
- prenatal song,
- haptonomy,
- Bonapace method…
Early prenatal interview: what is it, and when?
Birth preparation classes are scheduled during the early prenatal interview (which takes place during the 4th month of pregnancy): the health professional who monitors the pregnancy then chooses the most appropriate subjects, in accordance with the future mom / future parents.
Childbirth preparation classes: when to start, where to take them, and with whom?
- Childbirth preparation classes can be given by a midwife or by a doctor (gynecologist, for example),
- Childbirth preparation classes can be in groups (often: three or four future mothers, no more) or individually (for example: in the case of a high-risk pregnancy, they can be done at home or by videoconference),
- Childbirth preparation classes can begin from the 6th month of pregnancy, often with 1 class per week,
- The presence of the co-parent (the dad, for example) is of course possible… and even desired!
Sources:
Anh-Chi Ton, private midwifery practice in Paris
Read also :
⋙ Midwife at home after childbirth: how many sessions, for whom?
⋙ Sheathing after childbirth: effective (and risk-free) exercises to know
⋙ Pelvis tightening: what does this post-delivery ritual consist of?