Childbirth Class Outline

Subject to change based on time, class interest in topics, and availability of materials.

Class One – Growing Healthy Bodies and Babies
Themes: Pregnancy and Preparing for Labor

Content:
Introductions – self, couples, materials, teaching area
Class objectives and structure
Nutrition, avoidance of harmful substances
Tests during pregnancy
Physical and emotional changes during pregnancy
Choices of caregiver and place of birth
Preparing for labor
Optimal fetal positioning
Exercise (pelvic floor and pelvic tilt)
Relaxed abdominal breathing
Birth video

Class Two – The Long Phase of Labor
Themes: Pre-, Early, and Active Labor

Content:
Reintroductions
Brief review of anatomy and exercises
Signs of labor/preterm labor
Six ways to progress and timing contractions
Pre-labor
Early labor and what to do
Active labor and what to do
Going to the place of birth
Coping with labor and reducing pain
Breathing techniques
Comfort techniques
Positions
Relaxation practice
Birth video

Class Three – All Babies Eventually Come Out
Themes: Transition, Birth, and the Immediate Postpartum

Content:
Brief review of early and active labor
Transition labor and what to do
Take Charge Routine
Vocalizations, focused relaxation, and surrendering
More positions
Knowing when and how to push (spontaneous vs directed)
Birthing the placenta
Repairs
Initial newborn procedures
Partner support
Creating a labor kit
Postpartum bags
Relaxation practice
Birth video

Class Four – The Three Ps and Creating Your Birth
Themes: Procedures, Policies, and Pain

Content:
Brief review of the birth process
Informed consent and decision-making
Standard hospital and home routines
“Policies”
Birth plans
Cascade of interventions
Doula, friend, or family support
Pain medication options (analgesics and/or anesthesia)
Risks and benefits of pain medications
Relaxation practice
Birth video

Class Five – When Giving Birth is Difficult
Themes: Labor Variations, Interventions, and Surgery

Content:
Brief review of the Three Ps
The range of normal birth
Back labor
Induction
AROM
Augmentation
Episiotomy
Instrumental birth
Cesarean birth
Revisit the cascade of interventions, informed consent, and decision-making
Medical crises
Accidental unassisted birth
Relaxation practice
Birth video

Class Six – Babies Don’t Come with Instructions
Themes: Newborn Care and Feeding

Content:
Brief review of difficult birth
Preparing to care for a newborn
Review initial newborn procedures
Appearance of newborns
Circumcision
Behavior of newborns
4th trimester and attachment parenting
Care of newborns at home
Diaper decisions
Baby feeding
Breastfeeding
Relaxation practice
Birth video

Class Seven – Celebrate Life as New Parents
Themes: Postpartum Adjustment and Community Potluck

Content:
Brief review of babies
Physical recovery from birth
Emotional adjustment after birth
Peer support (mommy groups)
Baby blues, postpartum depression, postpartum psychosis, and getting help
Mother & partner relationship after birth
Birth stories from previous students
Birth video