Virtual Lamaze Childbirth Education Series

Benefits of an independent childbirth class

Evidence-based independent childbirth education classes teach pregnant people to be informed consumers of their health care. Independent childbirth classes, such as this one, examine the research including benefits and risks as well as the guidelines put forth by the major health organizations. Independent childbirth classes are not under the hierarchy of hospital legal teams or administrators, but instead, empower students with truthful, unedited, evidence-based information.

​Reduce the risk of unnecessary cesarean birth

Research suggests that attendance at a childbirth education class is associated with a decrease use of cesarean birth. As pregnant people learn about available options, they make better decisions. These better decisions reduce the risk of unnecessary cesarean birth.

Lower the rate of induction of labor

Independent childbirth classes empower pregnant people to become a partner in their own health care and view childbirth as a normal, healthy event. When shared decision making between patient and provider is present, lower rates of induction occurs. In addition, people who have taken an evidence-based, independent childbirth education class are more likely to recognize when they're being pressured to have a non-medically necessary labor induction.

Less false labor admission

Being educated about the normal, physiological process of birth, recognizing signs of early and active labor, and practice with a variety of comfort measures helps childbearing people make better decisions about when they should head into the hospital. This discourages pregnant people from heading into their place of birth "too soon". If people arrive at their place of birth "too soon", they may be sent home. Those who are admitted "too soon" are subjected to routine, non-medically necessary interventions - both of which increases the risk of cesarean birth.

Shorter labors

Pregnant people who learn about the Six Healthy Birth Practices, practice a variety of comfort measures, and develop a good labor support team have a higher likelihood of shorter labors than those who do not take a childbirth education class. In addition, people who take a high quality childbirth education class have fewer interventions and are more likely to have a spontaneous vaginal birth, both of which contribute to shorter labors.

Reduced augmentation

Knowledge of the normal, physiologic process of birth, practice with helpful labor positions, and information about the importance of good labor support reduce the risk of needing augmentation to labor - in other words, families who take a childbirth education class are less likely to need unnecessary pharmaceuticals to improve their labors.

Confidence

Pregnant people who take an evidence-based childbirth education class learn to view the childbirth process as a normal, biological life event that has contributed to the evolution of human beings for many thousands of years.

When we understand that birth is normal, healthy process rather than a medical condition from which pregnant people need to be rescued, we build confidence in our own body and and its capability to birth.

Self-advocacy skills

Shared decision making and informed consent is the process in which patients and providers have meaningful discussions about all benefits, risks, and alternative options available. This discussion is not based in fear or coercion. After having careful, truthful communication based on mutual respect, pregnant people and their partners feel heard and respected. Independent childbirth education classes help pregnant people gain a greater sense of advocating for themselves.

Current evidence

You might be surprised to know that many of the current maternity care practices we see in hospitals today are out-dated, but still used due to provider preference. It takes nearly 15+ years for evidence to be put into practice, which prolongs the process of providing quality maternity care. Pregnant people deserve current evidence, not out-dated hospital policies. The Lamaze Six Healthy Birth Practices is a collection of the highest level of research, evidence and recommendations from major health organizations such as WHO, ACOG, ACNM, and AAP.

​Birth is normal & healthy

Physiological birth is safe, healthy, and pleasurable. The reason we all walk this earth and we continue to have babies is because birth works, and works really well. Otherwise, we wouldn't have so many babies! While birth is not perfect and sometimes problems do occur that require medical attention, the majority of those problems are a result of intervention and they are preventable. Most people giving birth require nothing more than good support, nourishment, and the space to birth according to their own comfort needs.