Guest Blogger: Essential Support for a Healthy Birth by Katie Moore

Essential Support for a Healthy Birth

by Katie Moore

Expecting moms face many challenges, from symptoms that change with each trimester, keeping track of the many appointments and accurately using pre-natal supplements. Strong organizational skills are always a plus, but there are plenty of support resources available to help those who need a little help. Check lists are available online to help a woman know when labor is imminent and what to pack for delivery day. There are also many classes to choose from to learn about all aspects of delivery and motherhood.

Seeing the doctor regularly and taking a class or two during pregnancy will help out tremendously, but there is another step to begin planning for early. Childbirth classes will get mom ready to face the challenges of delivery and help focus awareness on the most important aspects of not just the big days but the weeks thereafter. Many hospitals will provide free childbirth classes, and it will help to enroll early. The US Health Department and various pregnancy organizations, such as Lamaze, also provide childbirth classes.

What Does a Childbirth Class Provide?

 

The goal of childbirth classes is to give mom a greater awareness of the birthing process. More understanding of what will happen, what could happen, and the options available will contribute to lower stress levels. Classes will differ in some aspects, but the common curriculum of childbirth class almost always includes:

• Discussion of the distinction between common complaints and warning signs of complications
• Tour of the birthing facility
• Pain relief options provided by the clinic
• Alternative pain relief and birthing procedures provided by the facility
• Standard medical interventions for mom and baby
• Policies on what and who is allowed in the delivery room
• Breastfeeding support and alternative feeding options available
  

Besides this in-depth look at labor and delivery, there will be a question and answer session, along with time to socialize with other moms. Some of the best information will be revealed in this way, and moms typically leave with lots of new topics to research. Cord blood banking, the benefits of meditation during pregnancy and labor, alternative procedures like water birthing, breathing methods, and more topics will possibly be discussed. Having note-taking materials handy is a must when attending all pregnancy and childbirth classes to remember details about alternative options like cord blood banking, where the umbilical cord blood is collected and stored in a cord blood bank for potential future use in a medical treatment.

 

Getting an Early Start

Most preparations for the hospital and the following few weeks of bonding with baby can be started any time. Certain items need to be purchased before the baby arrives, such as an infant car seat that meets federal safety standards, nursery equipment, and diapers. Techniques for strengthening the pelvis and managing pain are best learned early and practiced often.

 

Getting a head start on preparations is a great way to reduce stress and maintain high levels of optimism. Learning to manage stress well is taking a big step toward a delivery free from complications. Mom will be more confident taking baby home with the right preparations. 

"This article was written by Katie Moore. Katie is an active writer within the blogging community who discusses maternity, motherhood, prenatal health, childbirth and other topics within this niche.  If you have any questions or would like to connect with Katie please contact by visiting her blog, Moore From Katie or her twitter @moorekm26."