FAQ

FAQs:

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Why take a Childbirth Education class from an Independent Educator, instead of the hospital class?

Independent	Hospital
Smaller class size. 10 couples maximum.	Larger class sizes, usually at least 12 couples.
Private, in your home sessions available.	No private sessions.
You can find out about you instructor and the methods she teaches in advance of the class.	You may not even know the name of your instructor, let alone have the ability to find out her qualifications.
Will talk about birth at home, at a birth center or at the hospital.	Only hospital birth is discussed.
General knowledge of hospital procedures. Encourages you to talk to your care provider for more details.	Teaches hospital procedures, sometimes leaving out evidence based best practices because they don’t jive with procedure.
Views birth as a natural normal, and appreciates the medical interventions when they are truly necessary.	Generally biased towards a medical model of birth, birth as something to be managed and sees some interventions as routine.
No hospital tour.	Includes hospital tour.
Gives information about all local resources for doulas, breastfeeding, maternity and nursing clothes, parent groups, etc	Will only give you the hospital provided resources, as opposed to all the resources available in the community.
Instructor has more flexibility with class content and teaching methods. Can answer questions without constraints on what they’re allowed to say.	Instructors may be not be allowed to teach about some childbirth options, and may not be able to say anything critical of hospital procedures.
Encourages you to take an active role in choosing the options you desire for your birth, and advocating for your choices.	May be “provider oriented” with the role of informing you of what to expect, and what is “expected” of you, and not offering many alternatives.

At what point in my pregnancy should I take Confident Birthing classes?

We recommend between 28-36 weeks for scheduling the class. This will allow you time to practice the skills you’ve learned in class.

If you are past 36 weeks and still need to take the either course, please do sign up! An informed mom and partner will have a better birth experience.

See Workshops for further details and to register.

Do you take health insurance?

I’m sorry, we don’t take health insurance. However, many health insurance companies will reimburse some or all of the cost of your childbirth education class. Since Deena is an LCCE she can sign the reimbursement form for you. Please bring it to class and she’s happy to help you get some money back.

Some health insurance companies will also provide for other classes, including prenatal yoga. Do check with your company to see what perks they offer.

You may also be able to pay for classes out of your Health Savings Account (HSA or FSA). Check your plan to see what they will cover.
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Tell me more about Lamaze…

Lamaze Approach to Pregnancy:

Pregnancy is a normal, natural life event.
Women’s bodies are perfectly designed to nourish and nurture their babies through pregnancy.
The months of pregnancy are necessary for babies to develop and grow, for women’s bodies to prepare for birth and for women to become mothers.
Pregnancy provides an opportunity for mothers and fathers to begin forming lifelong bonds with their babies.
A good support system, a healthy lifestyle and the ability to cope with the stresses of life promote a healthy pregnancy, a healthy birth and a healthy baby.
The health-care system and care provider can increase or decrease a woman’s confidence in the normality of pregnancy and in her ability to have a healthy baby.
Lamaze education empowers women gain confidence in their bodies, trust their inner wisdom and to make informed decisions about pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and parenting.

Lamaze Approach to Birth:

Birth is normal, natural and healthy.
The experience of birth profoundly affects women and their families.
Women’s inner wisdom guides them through birth.
Women’s confidence and ability to give birth is either enhanced or diminished by the care provider and place of birth.
Women have the right to give birth free from routine medical interventions.
Birth can safely take place in homes, birth centers and hospitals.
Childbirth education empowers women to make informed choices in health care, to assume responsibility for their health and to trust their inner wisdom.

Lamaze Healthy Birth Practices:

Let Labor Begin on Its Own
Walk, Move Around, and Change Positions Throughout Labor
Bring a Loved One, Friend, or Doula for Continuous Support
Avoid Interventions That Are Not Medically Necessary
Avoid Giving Birth on Your Back, and Follow Your Body’s Urges to Push
Keep Mother and Baby Together – It’s Best for Mother, Baby, and Breastfeeding

Explain the Midwifery Model of Care vs. the Medical Model of Care?

See http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10555# for more detailed information.

Why do Prenatal Yoga?

Prenatal Yoga is not only good for you, but it’s good for baby. Yoga is good for the mind, body and the spirit. Physically, we work with your changing shape to help you become more flexible and gain stamina to birth your baby. Mentally and emotionally we prepare you by teaching meditation and breathing techniques that work both on the mat and at birth.

The sense of community from a class full of other pregnant mamas is wonderful. It is helpful to know that there are other women you can talk to, who truly understand the ups and downs of being pregnant. Many students find long term friendships in the class.

At what point in my pregnancy can I start taking Prenatal Yoga?

All of my Prenatal Yoga classes are drop in, so you can join at any point. You can start as early as the day you get your positive pregnancy test, or whenever you would like. The sooner you join us in class, the more you will benefit.

If I’ve never done Yoga before, can I take a Prenatal Yoga class?

Yes! The prenatal classes are geared towards all levels. So if you’ve never done Yoga before or if you are a 10 year practitioner, you will find benefit to the class.

Can I keep taking a regular Yoga class when pregnant? What about Hot Yoga?

Assuming that you’ve been a regular student of Yoga for some time, you can, at least for a while, continue to take your regular Yoga class. However, you must tell your instructor that you are pregnant so that he/she may modify the poses for you as needed. At some point, you will either feel that your belly is getting too big for a regular class or that the energy level is no longer right, and you’ll want to transition over to a Prenatal Yoga class.

Hot Yoga is a no-no during pregnancy. It is ill advised to raise your body’s core temperature during pregnancy. Dehydration can cause contractions. Please be aware there are serious risks with a heated vinyasa flow or Bikram class while pregnant.

FAQs:

Why take a Childbirth Education class from an Independent Educator, instead of the hospital class?

At what point in my pregnancy should I take Confident Birthing classes?