There are so many questions that arise as you get closer and closer to your due date.  Both men and women have negative thoughts and feelings about the impending birth experience.  The biggest obstacle that you may have is the fear of the unknown.  Education is the key and the greatest factor in decreasing the fear.  The more you know and understand about the process of labor, the better prepared you will be to choose the best options available to you.
Attending childbirth classes will give you information on the process of childbirth.

In class the expectant mother and her partner will learn the following:

• That pregnancy and labor are a normal and healthy occurrence.
• To trust the process and not to fight the contractions.
• Options available in managing labor and pain.
• Opportunity to ask questions openly of instructor and of other class members.
• Importance of the partner in supporting the laboring woman.

Prepared childbirth is based on the wildly accepted premise that the perception of pain is heightened by fear and tension and reduced through education and relaxation techniques.
Women who prepare and know how to cope with discomfort often require less medication from pain relief.  Studies show that women who are prepared and use the methods of relaxation learned in class make the birthing process easier and have a shorter labor if all factors are favorable.

Enrollment Into Childbirth Classes

Long Island Jewish Medical Center can assist you in registering for classes. Sometimes friends and relatives can also help by providing stories as to how they enjoyed their experience with childbirth classes.  There are many classes available.  The earlier you sign up the more options and flexibility you will have with dates, times and classes you desire.

Methods of Childbirth Education

There are many different methods of childbirth education taught today.  The three most common are Lamaze, Bradley and Grantly-Dick Read.  Most Childbirth Education programs use features from each of them in order to better prepare you for childbirth.  All three methods will teach you the breathing and relaxation techniques, the role of the labor support Person, the process of labor and coping with the pain of labor.