Towards the second half of your pregnancy, your midwife will talk to you about childbirth classes. Even if it is a recommendation and your attendance is completely voluntary, it is recommended that you attend these sessions. If you are a new mother even more so, although childbirth preparation classes are advisable for all pregnant women, since a considerable period of time usually passes from one pregnancy to another.
In these classes you will learn a lot of fundamental questions, such as the symptoms that you must take into account to know if you are in labor. Also you will learn to control your breathing and other very important things that can arise at the time of delivery. But in addition, you will meet other women in your state with whom you will probably be able to share fears and you will feel better understood than ever.
For this and many other reasons, we recommend that you attend childbirth preparation classes. Still not convinced? We discover everything you will be able to learn in your maternal education classes (or preparation for childbirth).
What are the childbirth classes?
The first thing that will have come to mind is the image of the childbirth classes typical of American movies. The future mothers sitting on the floor with their partners behind, learning to breathe or changing diapers to dolls. Although it is a funny image, nothing is further from the truth. In real classes many other things are done, from a pedagogical point of view.
A general presentation is usually made first, because Each pregnant woman has different conditions and all cases will be treated. A first-time birth is not the same as a multiple or secondary birth, that is, a second birth. During the classes, the midwife will ask you to know well the cases that have to be treated.
In each class there will be a period of exercise, which is a way to prepare the body for the moment of delivery. It is usually done on pilates balls and it is very important that you pay attention to the movements, since it will be very good for you to continue with those exercises at home if you can get a similar ball. A part is also dedicated to controlling breathing, something essential to control labor pain and for the baby to receive enough oxygen throughout this time.
Baby's first care
In the childbirth preparation classes you will discover important things such as the symptoms you must attend to in order to know if you should go to the hospital, the documentation you have to bring, as well as the essential things you will need in the hospital. But in addition, you will learn very important tips about your baby's first care.
For example, how do you have to keep the navel clean until the umbilical cord falls off. When and how you have to bathe your baby during the first days, what is the best way to hold your little one and even how you should place him in his crib so that he rests properly. Another very important issue is breastfeeding, which in general is something that is usually idealized like many other things about motherhood.
Breastfeeding the baby is not as easy as it might seem, you may need some help from your midwife or a lactation consultant to achieve a successful and long-lasting breastfeeding. In childbirth classes, your midwife will offer you some important tips so that breastfeeding occurs during the first moments and thus it is easier for the result to be successful.
Remember to bring a pen and paper to take notes
Do not be ashamed, nor do you have doubts that you will not know how to solve later. The women who go to these classes may have the same doubts as you, even different ones that will help you. Write down in your notebook everything that comes up to ask you in classes. It is also important that you take notes of everything that your midwife explains in class, they will surely be very helpful when the time comes.