Pregnancy care classes (also referred to as antenatal classes) can provide invaluable resources in understanding both emotional and physical changes during gestation, as well as equipping women with skills needed for labor preparation and postpartum recovery.
CenteringPregnancy group prenatal care and childbirth education share one key goal: improving positive perinatal outcomes.
Childbirth
Pregnancy care classes can help a woman decide how much medical intervention she would like during her labor and delivery, what type of pain management options to use and how best to cope with labor and delivery. They can also assist both partner and mother with planning a safe delivery, including what supplies she should bring when visiting hospital or birth center for delivery.
Lamaze International or Bradley classes are taught by experienced childbirth instructors, and focus on techniques for pain relief during labor. Studies have revealed that women who make a birth plan are 25% more likely to give birth vaginally than those without one.
Other pregnancy classes cover topics relevant to women, their partners and families alike. Topics could include nutrition, exercise and fetal development – along with father or partner involvement; breastfeeding care as well as newborn care are often covered.
Some women desire taking a class that covers topics like infant CPR or postpartum preparation, while there are also classes tailored specifically for mothers who already have babies but want a refresher course or who had cesarean section birth but wish for vaginal delivery this time around. Furthermore, classes exist specifically to address adoption.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is one of the most essential activities a new mother can do after giving birth, yet its experience differs for every woman. Some are successful while others need additional support; therefore it is crucial that women discuss breastfeeding prior to labor, making taking childbirth classes essential.
Studies conducted by researchers revealed that pregnant women who discussed breastfeeding during their classes were more likely to breastfeed. Furthermore, they felt confident about handling the challenges associated with breastfeeding and had better knowledge of how they could overcome them. For this research study, Swedish-speaking women attending three maternity centers who planned on breastfeeding were interviewed about their feelings toward it and where they received information regarding it.
Results revealed that women were heavily impacted by their opinions of breastfeeding’s benefits as well as any perceived pressure to make a choice according to social norms. They also benefited from having partners with positive views towards it.
This class is tailored for couples and covers breathing and relaxation techniques as well as hospital routines, medications, epidurals, newborn characteristics such as breathing and eating patterns as well as bathing/cord care.
Postpartum
Postpartum care typically lasts four to six months post-childbirth, and should include monitoring mothers for complications that could arise post-birth. Maternity classes can help mothers prepare themselves and better respond when complications arise post-labor.
Pregnant moms should utilize the resources offered through maternity classes, but also take an active part in their pregnancy by asking healthcare providers questions and engaging actively during appointments. Sometimes questions cannot be adequately answered in a class setting and can better comprehend information when provided from someone they trust.
Modern prenatal classes have expanded beyond teaching labor and delivery as an essential element of their curriculum (Lamaze International, 2007). Instead they now emphasize other elements, such as encouraging healthy habits, stress management techniques, breastfeeding education, emotional support for families as well as feelings of empowerment and satisfaction as well as advice regarding family planning.
UConn Health patients only are eligible for the Preparing for Baby class, designed to guide mothers through each stage of gestation and how to cope with birth pain with various breathing and coping techniques. It also covers how partners can be included during childbirth as well as tour of Maternity Center tour as well as care tips for newborns.
Infant Care
Are You Expecting a Baby or Newborn? Infant care classes help parents understand and prepare for newborn needs at home. They teach practical methods of taking care of them safely in a supportive and informative environment.
Infant care classes are an integral component of pregnancy care for new mothers. Infants don’t come with instructions, so parents need to learn how to feed, bathe and diaper them properly. Furthermore, these courses teach safe home practices for keeping babies safe including when and how to contact medical personnel, how to swaddle/hold techniques as well as other important topics.
Prenatal care can identify potential pregnancy issues early on and enable women and their health-care providers to make decisions regarding delivery and postpartum care options. Unfortunately, however, several factors may interfere with accessing prenatal care – these may include social determinants like age, language barriers or geographical location issues – so integrated care must be prioritized for both mother and child health.
Antenatal (pregnancy) classes are generally run by midwives, physiotherapists or lactation consultants and may take place in hospitals, community facilities or private clinics. Online classes may also provide convenient alternatives for those unable to attend in person courses; it’s essential that anyone offering such classes are qualified and have undergone appropriate training prior to enrolling.
