Did you know that Hypnobirthing and Hypnobabies are two different things? Uhh, we didn’t. A rookie-mom-to-be recently asked us via twitter about a cheat sheet for different child birth methods. When I answered that it sounded like a good assignment, she took it and ran with it (don’t tell her, but I meant assignment for us to do). Thanks so much Bri for demystifying these methods and terms.
With my first baby on the way I feel like I’ve been cramming for the biggest test I will ever take. Between getting the scoop on consumer reports stroller ratings, navigating California maternity leave laws, and catching up the latest research on child development– the idea of picking a birth method class is overwhelming. I was unable to find a quick and easy cheat sheet on my options so I jumped at the opportunity to put one together for Rookie Moms.
Child Birth Options Cheat Sheet
The important thing seems to be finding the class that fits you. Whether this is your first pregnancy or ninth each mama and pregnancy is different.
Birthing From Within: A holistic approach to child birth with a focus on physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual and social preparation. Expecting parents learn pain coping strategies and physiology as well as participate in introspective activities like journaling and art projects.
Bradley Method: Once called “Husband-Coached Childbirth”, the Bradley Method is founded on the principle that with the proper education and preparation many women neither need nor want medical interference while giving birth. Bradley classes have a large focus on prenatal nutrition and exercise to prepare for child birth. Additionally, a significant amount of class time is spent training the partner how to be a labor coach.
Hypnobirthing: According to Hypnobirthers, society has made women unnecessarily fearful and apprehensive of childbirth. Fear creates tension and produces adrenaline which increases pain which increases fear and tension which increases pain; not a good cycle to get into while in labor. Hypnobirth Classes teach students relaxation and self-hypnosis techniques including using relaxation music, incorporating visualizations, and light touch massage.
Hypnobabies: This is an independent, at-home class option for expectant parents. The program is similar to the Hypnobirthing in that you learn relaxation and self-hypnosis techniques. Where in Hypnobirthing the ideal state is non-moving and quiet, a Hypnobabies program will teach mom’s how to hypnotize themselves anywhere (even while peeing). The Hypnobabies class also teach mom’s hypnotic anesthesia techniques.
International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA): As a training program for child birth educators ICEA does not advocate a particular philosophy. Each instructor will have their own philosophy within the framework of advocating for natural child birth and parents having the ability to make informed decisions based on knowledge of alternatives.
LaMaze: LaMaze may be one of the most recognizable names in birth class options. (The one with all the breathing, right?) While controlled breathing is still one tool taught. LaMaze birth classes have expanded to teach many relaxation techniques. The goal of LaMaze is for women to increase their confidence in their ability to give birth.
[Editor's note: She didn't include my favorite method of "whatever happens happens" with a side of heavy epidural.]
Bri writes Habbala, for Stratejoy, and is expecting her first baby (a boy!) in November. If she ran into you on the street, she would insist on buying you a cup of coffee so that the two of you could laugh, tell stories, and become great friends.
Thanks for this summary of different childbirth education classes. I teach Hypnobabies and LOVE it! We are teaching mom’s how to use medical grade hypno-anesthesia (it’s being used in some hospitals in the states where you can undergo dental surgery without any medical anesthetic!) and it’s a complete childbirth education course too. You’ll learn everything you need to know to make informed decisions. There is a home-study version available but also lots of in-class options with teachers across the USA & Canada
What a great Resource for Rookie Moms! Will Share with other! thanks ~ Christine
The two times I been through this I really wanted to use one of the above methods (even took several different classes) HOWEVER both times I was in labor I pretty much lost my cool (and mind) and started begging for drugs.
Ditto, Kelly. Sorry pregnant people, including Heather, but I found the pain of big contractions unbearable. I thought I was turning into a werewolf.
What a great resource! I had a home birth, but don’t live in an area with a wide array of birth classes, so I didn’t attend any classes during my pregnancy. I read as many birth stories as possible, helping to give me a good perspective on how different birthing is for every woman. My midwife suggested the book “Ina Mae’s Guide to Childbirth”, and it was amazing! My personal philosophy on childbirth as a natural event (along with the absence of fear of childbirth) really went a long way
during my labor. It was a lot of work, and I mumbled some well placed four letter words at times, but I would definitely go back and relive that day and night at the drop of a hat. It was truly amazing! I think being in my bedroom and completely comfortable really helped me relax and open up. After all is said and done, I think women should know a lot about different methods that help people during labor, but in the end the best
thing to do is just move your mind out of the way and let your body do what it wants. I am a huge home birth supporter, however, a woman needs to be wherever makes her comfortable when she gives birth, whether that be at home, in a birthing center, or in a hospital. Thank you for the resource! It
was super informative, and I will be passing it along for sure!
Thanks for the helpful breakdown! And I completely know what you mean about prepping for the biggest exam of your life – I feel like there is not enough I can read these days to prepare for our November arrival.
Mom’s: do you think every set of first time parents should take classes? I really just want to rely on my books because I don’t want to hear horror stories and have any fear. However, my husband thinks we need the classes. Do a lot of women take the classes?
Don’t forget Blissborn! We are a relatively new Natural Birth program, and we use a variety of tools including hypnosis. We are about to roll our our new homestudy program, but we have teachers all over the place, too. We support natural birth through partner support, profound relaxation and up-to-date information, to bring confidence and ease to labor and birth.
If you have questions, get in touch!
Monica, there are classes (such as some in the list above) where, instead of hearing horror stories and promoting fear, you can hear stories from parents who had powerful, fulfilling, redemptive births. Find one of those! I loved our CBE class – we made friends & developed a support system of expecting parents that my husband and I found invaluable.
Hi Rookie Moms,
I want to thank you for including “Birthing From Within” on your list of options for childbirth preparation. Your brief synopsis of our approach is accurate– thank you! Our book (of the same name) remains a popular and relevant resource for expectant couples as well as birth professionals. Our classes throughout the world excel at preparing women and men for the unexpected moments of birth and postpartum. We do not teach an outcome-focused method (i.e., we are not teaching “natural childbirth classes”); rather, we focus on building a coping mindset, grounded in: mindfulness; connection with self, baby and support team; perseverance and determination; realistic expectations; and self-forgiveness and compassion when things “don’t go as hoped.”
We believe that our childbirth classes are essential, especially for first-time parents and for mothers preparing for a subsequent birth when the first one didn’t go as planned. We excel in reducing fear and preventing emotional birth trauma, by telling the truth about birth. We do not shy away from talking about both the intensity of birth AND the inner strength, resourcefulness and knowing of women.
Our classes are known for being lively, dynamic, and unpredictable. Dads especially really value our attention to their experience and concerns, not simply on training them to coach the moms.
Couple who take Birthing From Within classes leave feeling confident and prepared to cope with whatever the birth gives them, whether that is a fast, intense birth, a long hard back labor, an induction, a cesarean, or anything in between.
Please visit us on Facebook or our website!
Warmly,
Virginia Bobro
Managing Director, Birthing From Within
The method included in the editor’s note is my personal favorite and the method I opted for when I had my baby.
[...] choices and is being championed by many the world over. Jay Jeffers-Hypnobirthing HypnobirthingIs Hypnobirthing for you [caption id="attachment_992" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Would y..." width="300" height="199" />[/caption] Many expectant mothers like the thought of having a natural [...]