Childbirth Classes: Lamaze, Bradley, Alexander, and Other Types
Childbirth Classes: Lamaze, Bradley, Alexander, and Other Types
The Alexander technique is meant to improve your ease and freedom of movement, balance, flexibility, and coordination. Ideally, you will take weekly lessons while pregnant. This is an educational process. So the more you practice, the greater the benefits. Although the technique can be used by anyone, the goals for expectant mothers include:
Also called the Mongan method, hypnobirthing is a relaxed natural childbirth education approach enhanced by self-hypnosis techniques. Teachers emphasize pregnancy and childbirth, as well as on pre-birth parenting and the consciousness of the pre-born baby. It is presented in a series of 5 two-and-a-half-hour classes or 4 three-hour classes.
Unless you know the type of class you want to take, spend some time checking out the options in your community and discuss different options with your doctor. To find childbirth classes near you, ask your obstetrician, family doctor, or midwife. You may also find classes through:
If a technique you're interested in is not taught in your community, don't rule it out. You can take some courses by using books or DVDs in the comfort of your own home.
In this article
Alexander Technique
The Alexander technique is meant to improve your ease and freedom of movement, balance, flexibility, and coordination. Ideally, you will take weekly lessons while pregnant. This is an educational process. So the more you practice, the greater the benefits. Although the technique can be used by anyone, the goals for expectant mothers include:
- Improve comfort during pregnancy
- Increase pushing effectiveness during delivery
- Aid in recovery from childbirth
- Ease the discomfort of nursing
HypnoBirthing
Also called the Mongan method, hypnobirthing is a relaxed natural childbirth education approach enhanced by self-hypnosis techniques. Teachers emphasize pregnancy and childbirth, as well as on pre-birth parenting and the consciousness of the pre-born baby. It is presented in a series of 5 two-and-a-half-hour classes or 4 three-hour classes.
Where to Find Birthing Classes
Unless you know the type of class you want to take, spend some time checking out the options in your community and discuss different options with your doctor. To find childbirth classes near you, ask your obstetrician, family doctor, or midwife. You may also find classes through:
- Friends, family members, and acquaintances
- Hospitals, pregnancy centers, and birth centers
- The International Childbirth Education Association, which teaches trainers
- Specific childbirth education organizations, such as Lamaze International, Complete Guide to the Alexander Technique, The Bradley Method, or HypnoBirthing: The Mongan Method
- Community resource centers
If a technique you're interested in is not taught in your community, don't rule it out. You can take some courses by using books or DVDs in the comfort of your own home.
Source...