Childbirth education came about in the 1960’s and has been providing benefits to new mothers and birth partners ever since. To some, childbirth sounds pretty simple and self-explanatory. To others, childbirth seems fearful and complex. Regardless of how you feel about childbirth, taking a birth prep course WILL benefit you – and here are just a few of the many reasons.
1. TO BE INFORMED
What’s the saying, “If you know you know”? Well in this case, its more like you don’t know what you don’t know until you don’t know. Parenthood is one of the few jobs you can obtain without an adequate education, adequate experience, and adequate resume. And while a birthing course will not teach you how to parent, it can provide you with the education and knowledge to feel prepared for the labor, delivery, and postpartum experience. Childbirth education will give you insight on the questions you may be asked, the options you may be given, the decisions you may be required to make, and the information you need to make the best choices for you and your baby.
2. TO FEEL CONFIDENT
For many, childbirth is one of the most intimidating experiences they will ever have. We as a society have surrounded the experience of labor and delivery with fear through movies, TV shows, social media, and stories passed down by friends and family. Wouldn’t it feel awesome to go into the labor and delivery room feeling “I got this!”? Wouldn’t it be great for your birth partner to be confident in knowing how and when to help you as well?! A childbirth prep course can prepare you and your partner to enter the room with confidence.
3. TO HAVE THE BEST OUTCOMES
Childbirth courses can help you understand the latest evidence to help you prepare you body before birth, progress your labor, use the best strategies and techniques during delivery, and help to rehab your body back to full strength postpartum. Childbirth courses have been associated with improved satisfaction with birth experience, decreased length of labor, and decreased risk of unplanned c-section. Taking a childbirth course from a pelvic floor physical therapist can also help to reduce long-term risk of pelvic floor dysfunction and improve your postpartum recovery of core and pelvic floor.
Childbirth education is an essential part of the pregnancy process to prepare your body and mind for the demands of childbirth and postpartum. And Life Changes Physical Therapy is here to help you with your childbirth education needs! We offer our birth prep course PLAN, PREP, PUSH in small group, private, or small group hosted formats. Visit our website to find dates for our upcoming small group classes. Spots are limited so don’t forget to sign up for your spot today. Contact us today to learn more about private and hosted offerings. We can’t wait to help you feel empowered throughout your childbirth experience!