You’re having a baby! Or maybe you’re not but your partner is.
You’re likely experiencing so many emotions – joy, anticipation and maybe even a little apprehension at the thought of labor.
Take comfort and know that birth is natural and that a woman’s body was perfectly designed for this. Even knowing this, you may still have questions or need a little guidance.
Birth itself may only take a day in a woman’s life but it is rare that she will experience any other event in which she feels as vulnerable, powerful, fearful, stressed and exhilarated.
This experience is one that will stay with you for the duration of your life. Research shows that birth memories do not fade or dull in time, they continue to be vivid and have an impact on how you live the rest of your life.
How can we increase our odds of having the most satisfying and positive birth experience? By surrounding ourselves with great support and preparing ourselves to the best of our abilities. Labor and birth is such an “in the moment” experience – you simply cannot predict exactly how you will react until you’re there.
Preparation builds confidence and quality birth preparation should provide you with several tools for your birth tool box.
Quality tools such as, evidence-based information on pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and early parenting (including knowing your options and choices), tips on how to be an informed consumer and getting the answers you need, increased confidence in your own ability to have a normal birth and, of course, comfort measures and coping techniques for the actual labor and delivery.
Childbirth education classes are also a great way to connect with other pregnant women and their families, a time to shut off the rest of the world and focus on the baby you are growing and are about to meet.
There are several sources that Grand Forks’ families can access to get prenatal education and support.
In addition to the information they will receive from their health care provider, Selkirk College offers Lamaze certified prenatal classes, the Baby’s Best Chance pregnancy program offers regular prenatal information classes in a variety of formats, Public Health sometimes offers a Prenatal in a Day and you can even find prenatal classes online.
Most families attend prenatal classes in their third trimester but there are early pregnancy classes available as well. With such a variety of options, any family should be able to find a format to suit their particular needs.
It’s International Doula Month so it’s the ideal time to mention how a doula can support a family in their prenatal education.
Doulas are well trained in the physiology of normal birth and coping techniques that can be used in labour; they can help families get the information they need to make informed decisions about the upcoming birth.
Doulas are aware of the many different labour and birth outcomes and can support no matter how the birth happens. If you bring your doula to your childbirth education classes, she can explore with you what you’ve learned and remind you of your interests at the time of your labor.
Your doula will be well aware of your understanding of the perinatal process and where you may need more support, suggest additional resources and support you in communicating with your care provider.
A doula can play an important role in your prenatal preparations.
To explore your options regarding your own prenatal education, please contact Baby’s Best Chance at the Boundary Family Center, Selkirk College, Public Health or the Kootenay Doula Group.
– Submitted by Kristy Kuromi