Intro / Maternity / Childbirth Classes

Knowledge and training can help prospective parents be confident and responsive to childbirth. This does not necessarily mean painless labor and delivery, but it is our experience that prepared women are more comfortable and have less need for medication. Couples who are prepared for labor and delivery often find great satisfaction, joy and a deep sense of sharing and fulfillment in the experience of childbirth.

If these classes interest you, discuss them with your doctor. The classes should be taken the last two months of your pregnancy. Plan to register during your sixth month of pregnancy to ensure a place for you and your birth partner (a supportive person who may be your husband, friend or a relative) in the proper class.

Fee: $50.00

For more information and to register, please call: Parrish Medical Center at 268-6790
or email either childbirthed@parrishmed.com or susan.munsey-perry@parrishmed.com

Prepared Childbirth Classes are a series of classes which include information about:

• Physical and emotional aspects of pregnancy, labor, delivery and postpartum period
• Nutrition and exercise
• Cooperative roles of mother, birth partner, doctor and nurse
• Relaxation and breathing techniques
• Cesarean birth and VBAC (vaginal birth after C-Section)
• Supportive drugs and medical procedure
• Informal discussion for asking questions and sharing experiences
• Films and hand-outs

There are so many questions that arise as you get closer and closer to your due date. Both men and women have many thoughts and feelings about the impending birth experience. The biggest obstacle that you may have is the fear of the unknown. Education is the key and the greatest factor in decreasing the fear. The more you know and understand about the process of labor, the better prepared you will be to choose the best options available to you. Attending childbirth classes will give you information on the process of childbirth.

In class the expectant mother and her partner will learn the following:

• That pregnancy and labor are a normal and healthy occurrence.
• To trust the process and not to fight the contractions.
• Options available in managing labor and pain.
• Opportunity to ask questions openly of instructor and of other class members.
• Importance of the partner in supporting the laboring woman.

Prepared childbirth is based on the widely accepted premise that the perception of pain is heightened by fear and tension and reduced through education and relaxation techniques.