Top parenting stories this week
How to Find the Best Prenatal Class
Make sure you're prepared for labor and delivery by finding the prenatal class that's right for you
by: Sydney Loney
Prenatal Classes
- Prenatal classes can boost your confidence by teaching you what to expect during labor and delivery.
- A class can cost from $150 to $250 for about 16 hours of instruction.
- It’s important to find out what a class covers and whether it’s aligned with your birth goals.
- Hospital classes are often based on a medical model of birth and may not include as much information on alternative pain relief or relaxation techniques.
- The best time to book a class is about halfway through your pregnancy.
f you’re struggling with a fear of childbirth, taking a prenatal class can boost your confidence and help you learn everything you need to know about labor and delivery. Here’s how to find a prenatal class that’s the best fit for you. To view the full story click here.
Can Hypnobirthing Help Ease Labor Pain?
What you need to know about this growing childbirth method
by: Sydney Loney
Hypnobirthing
- Hypnobirthing is a childbirth method based on hypnosis, deep relaxation and positive language.
- The Hypnobirthing method can help mothers experience a shorter, less painful, labor.
- Learning the method usually requires five classes, each about two-and-a-half hours long.
- You can use Hypnobirthing with a doctor or midwife and you don’t need a partner in order to do it.
ypnobirthing is a life-changing program, as well as a program for a better birth, says Jennifer Elliott, a certified hypnotist, doula and childbirth educator in Toronto. Here’s how to tell if it’s the right childbirth method for you. To view the full story click here.
Giving Birth by Cesarean Section
Almost one-third of women will have a Cesarean birth. Here's how to prepare for a C-section.
by: Nancy Ripton
C-section Births
- 25 to 30 percent of women have a Cesarean birth.
- Breech birth, placenta previa and placenta abruption are the most common reasons for an elective C-section.
- A spinal nerve block is typically administered before a Cesarean–it's stronger than an epidural and takes away every sensation, except for some tugging.
- Shivering and shaking is common during, and immediately following, a Cesarean birth.
- You can walk around and take a shower 24 hours after having a C-section.
The most predictable thing about C-sections–and childbirth in general–is that they're unpredictable," says Dr. William Camann, associate professor of anesthesia at Harvard Medical School. An estimated 25 to 30 percent of pregnant women will have a Cesarean or C-section birth, where the baby is delivered through a surgical incision in the mother's abdomen and uterus. Here's how to prepare yourself in case your baby arrives via Cesarean: To view the full story click here.
Midwife, Doula or Doctor?
Here are five ways to get the help you need for a positive birth experience
by: Sydney Loney
Pre- and post-natal care
- Take a childbirth education class, available through hospitals, birth centers or separate organizations, such as Lamaze International.
- When choosing a caregiver, decide who can support you best in the decisions that you're making. Ask questions to find out whether they'll respect your personal birth philosophy.
- A doula can be your one constant source of support when nursing shifts change and you're suddenly confronted by a new set of faces mid-labor.
- Many hospitals offer daily breastfeeding clinics, so find out ahead of time when and where they take place so you're not scrambling post-delivery.
rom where to deliver to how to choose the best healthcare professional, moms-to-be have a lot of important decisions to make–and it can be overwhelming. "You really need to plan ahead to create the most positive experience for you and your baby," says author and childbirth educator Gail J. Dahl. Here are five things you can do to ensure you get the best pre- and post-natal care possible.
To view the full story click here.
Overcome your Fear of Child Birth
Can’t stop fretting about your upcoming labor? Here’s how to put your fear of child birth to rest.
by: Nancy Ripton
Child Birth Fears
- Women who suffer from fear of childbirth during pregnancy are at an increased risk of having an emergency C-section or vaginal delivery involving vacuums or other instruments.
- What your mother says about childbirth and her attitude may influence your own feelings toward delivery.
- It's important to find out whether your own birth was difficult because it can have an effect on your subconscious.
- The more you learn about what to expect during delivery, the better you will feel about it.
- The most important step in easing childbirth fears is to surround yourself with a positive support network.
hen you think about childbirth, chances are the word "pain" is one of the first that comes to mind. While it's normal to feel a little apprehensive as you near the end of your pregnancy, some women can experience intense fear that makes them dread delivery and could actually affect their labor. To view the full story click here.
