I had the privilege to sit down with another childbirth educator and "talk shop". Some of our conversation involved talking about the quick and easy method for natural birth. We have seen it over and over. Couple wants a natural birth. They want to learn about it the easy way (aka cheap and fast). They are shocked that a class costs so much. They don't have enough time before their due date to fit in a full series. "Can't you just cut to the chase, tell me what I need to know?" "Let me have my perfect birth!" This mentality isn't effective.
Our American culture wants things done quickly. "Birth is a natural process so just give some pointers and I will be successful." I'm not a magician. I can't tell you "Your birth will be ok!" and have it be so. There isn't a secret position that enables everyone to birth without drugs. I wish I could look at you and say, "a+b= drug-free birth". But I can't. Labor is labor because most women work hard at it. Every woman is different. Every woman experiences contractions differently. Couples function together differently. This is not a quick fix. It takes lots of education and time to undo what culture and the media have told you about birth.
Our culture has a very quiet almost secretive approach to birth. It's a TMI subject that no one talks about. Obviously, we all know when you had a baby but the ins and outs is our none of our business. Before childbirth education little girls watched their mothers experience birth in their own home. They heard the noises. They saw the sights. It wasn't a mystery. Once birth moved out of the home and became more private generations of little girls missed witnessing birth. When it was their turn to have babies they had no idea what to expect. My solution to this is birth videos. I try to show a new birth video every week. It might not be your mother but you will become familiar with the sights and sounds of natural childbirth.
Now you could be one of the lucky ladies that goes into labor unknowingly and walks into the hospital with a baby hanging out. But that's not common. You can't assume that. Every birth is different. Every health care provider is different. What if you have been pushing for an hour and the doctor comes in and says it's time for a C-Section? Will you have enough knowledge to make a choice? You can tell him/her no. Or maybe your nurse comes in and tells you that nobody gets a medal for a natural birth. You may as well take the drugs and not have to suffer. "Don't you want something to take the pain away?" Do you have enough knowledge and determination to say no? Does your partner know when to step into the conversation and have the confidence to support and/or defend you?
My job is to educate you well enough as a COUPLE so that you can ask questions and have enough background knowledge to make the best choice for your family RIGHT NOW. That takes time. In a normal 12 week series we get comfortable with birth. We learn about nutrition and how to have the best chance at staying low risk. We learn birth lingo so you can communicate with your nurses and doctors. We practice birth. Labor in the bathroom, labor in the living room, labor in the car, labor in the kitchen. How can your partner help you relax in each of these places and positions? It takes time. Time takes money. Both are well worth it and safest for you and your baby.
Classes are forming now! Contact me today so we can begin your journey! #birthfearlessCR
Our culture has a very quiet almost secretive approach to birth. It's a TMI subject that no one talks about. Obviously, we all know when you had a baby but the ins and outs is our none of our business. Before childbirth education little girls watched their mothers experience birth in their own home. They heard the noises. They saw the sights. It wasn't a mystery. Once birth moved out of the home and became more private generations of little girls missed witnessing birth. When it was their turn to have babies they had no idea what to expect. My solution to this is birth videos. I try to show a new birth video every week. It might not be your mother but you will become familiar with the sights and sounds of natural childbirth.
Now you could be one of the lucky ladies that goes into labor unknowingly and walks into the hospital with a baby hanging out. But that's not common. You can't assume that. Every birth is different. Every health care provider is different. What if you have been pushing for an hour and the doctor comes in and says it's time for a C-Section? Will you have enough knowledge to make a choice? You can tell him/her no. Or maybe your nurse comes in and tells you that nobody gets a medal for a natural birth. You may as well take the drugs and not have to suffer. "Don't you want something to take the pain away?" Do you have enough knowledge and determination to say no? Does your partner know when to step into the conversation and have the confidence to support and/or defend you?
My job is to educate you well enough as a COUPLE so that you can ask questions and have enough background knowledge to make the best choice for your family RIGHT NOW. That takes time. In a normal 12 week series we get comfortable with birth. We learn about nutrition and how to have the best chance at staying low risk. We learn birth lingo so you can communicate with your nurses and doctors. We practice birth. Labor in the bathroom, labor in the living room, labor in the car, labor in the kitchen. How can your partner help you relax in each of these places and positions? It takes time. Time takes money. Both are well worth it and safest for you and your baby.
Classes are forming now! Contact me today so we can begin your journey! #birthfearlessCR