Birth preparation course

introduction

A birth preparation course prepares parents-to-be for the adventure of childbirth and becoming a parent. Couples in particular who have not yet had a child together are often worried about how a birth will go, whether everything will go smoothly and how you can best help the child to be born. The course is voluntary for the expectant mothers and fathers. It can be visited by the pregnant woman alone or by the couple together.

Also read our article: The process of a birth.

The birth preparation course covers various topics that play an important role for parents-to-be during and after pregnancy. This includes the process of childbirth itself, possibilities for pain relief as well as breathing and relaxation exercises, strengthening exercises for the muscles as well as issues of parenting and being a parent that are still worrying for the couple. The birth preparation course is usually led by midwives who can individually set further priorities. If possible, the birth preparation course should be timed so that it is completed around three weeks before the expected due date. In this way, the pregnant woman has a sufficient buffer to implement and internalize what she has learned and is not pressed for time, even if the child is born earlier.

Depending on the time that the pregnant woman or the couple can / would like to spend on the birth preparation course, there are various courses that take place, for example, explicitly in the evenings during the week or on the weekend. This enables flexible planning and integration of the course into the everyday life of the pregnant woman. The costs for the birth preparation course are usually covered at least in part by the health insurance companies. There are differences with regard to the participation of the partner and their assumption of costs by the health insurance, so that this aspect should be clarified individually.

Read more on the topic: Breathing at birth

When should it be visited?

The timing for the antenatal class should be chosen so that it not too early but not too late either is completed during pregnancy. That is optimal Start between the 28th and 30th week of pregnancyso that the course is completed about three weeks before the expected due date. Attending the course earlier is less effective for the pregnant woman because she still has too much time until the birth and explained exercises, relaxation techniques and other relevant information may no longer be present enough until the due date.

In addition, the information on childbirth, breastfeeding and baby care is not as relevant for an early pregnancy as it is for a woman who is closer to the end of the pregnancy. A few weeks after the calculated due date should nevertheless be adhered to so that a sufficient time buffer is available Internalization of breathing techniques, relaxation exercises and other aspects is available.

Should Complications in Late Pregnancy occur and / or the child is born earlier than planned, the pregnant woman is not in distress because the course is set early enough. It is important that the pregnant woman takes care of the registration for the birth preparation course at an early stage, as the courses are usually fully booked well in advance. You should therefore register early in pregnancy (around the 10th week of pregnancy), but no later than the 20th week of pregnancy. The necessary information Over the courses offered are usually available from the gynecologist.

What do you need it for?

The birth preparation course is by no means compulsory. It only serves as an aid and offer for expectant mothers (and fathers) who want to obtain information and useful tips and tricks for the upcoming birth and parenthood. Couples in particular who have not yet had children are often inexperienced and want professional support. Parents who already have children and are used to dealing with them often do without a birth preparation course. Nevertheless, some of these couples also have the desire to refresh their knowledge. There are special refresher courses for these couples, in which the participants are reminded of the most relevant aspects. The birth preparation course therefore primarily serves to give the expectant mothers and fathers a sense of security in dealing with birth and newborns.

You might also be interested in the following articles: Pelvic floor training during pregnancy, physiotherapy during pregnancy, exercises in tailbone pain

Course of the course

https://www./?id=2925 Birth preparation courses usually cover a period of 14 hoursthat often focus on seven appointments of two hours each split up. Other course designs with fewer but longer weekend appointments are possible. The course is in the process individually designed by the senior midwife. Each appointment has a main topic.

In general, all the important things to the parents-to-be in the birth preparation course Information on dealing with birth and newborn babies conveyed. This includes information about the birth and the birth process itself, how to deal with labor, Pain Relief Ways in the hospital or in the birthing center, as well as the course of a natural birth or even one Caesarean section. (see also: Acupuncture and childbirth preparation and Homeopathy at Birth)
The pregnant women are explained different positions of birth that are assumed during a natural birth and that can facilitate the birth. The midwife also explains to the pregnant woman what she is looking for in the Puerperium and in Dealing with the newborn have to pay attention.

Read our articles on this Obstetrics and How can you relieve pain during childbirth?

Duration

Most antenatal classes run over a period of six to seven weeks. Usually it is Courses over 14 hoursthat on seven double lessons be distributed. Thus the course takes place weekly. However, there are too alternative course offers for expectant mothers and fathers with less time, which take place either explicitly in the evening hours or as a crash course on the weekend. The duration of the birth preparation course is therefore variable and can be selected by the pregnant woman according to needs and everyday planning.

costs

The cost of a birth preparation course is usually around € 80 per person. However, the costs can vary depending on the course. Most health insurances cover the costs for the pregnant woman for a birth preparation course of up to 14 hours. Courses that take longer may have to be paid for by the pregnant woman herself. The costs for the partner who also wants to attend the course are not covered equally by every health insurance company. Therefore, this aspect should be clarified with the health insurance company before starting the course. The partner may have to bear all of the costs himself.

You may also be interested in this topic: Maternity allowance

Does the course make sense?

In general, a birth preparation course makes perfect sense - especially for pregnant women and couples who have not yet had any experience with childbirth and children. The course prepares the parents-to-be for this new experience and receives important information, tips and tricks for childbirth, the puerperium and how to handle the baby.

Parents who already have a lot of experience in this area no longer necessarily benefit from a birth preparation course. However, if there is a desire to refresh the knowledge, a refresher course for parents who are already experienced can be attended, in which special attention is paid to the most important aspects.

The birth preparation course is therefore a very useful offer, especially for inexperienced parents, which can take away many worries and fears about childbirth and being a parent and offers initial support for this turbulent time. Every pregnant woman should decide for herself how the antenatal class makes sense for her.

That could be interesting for you too: Courses for pregnant women

Can I take the course online?

Now there is also online Videos from antenatal classes, in which midwives convey the most important aspects of childbirth, the puerperium and breastfeeding to the audience. Still, this offer is not to be regarded as equivalent to a real antenatal class. In the regular birth preparation course, the midwife can answer the individual questions of the pregnant woman and especially with practical exercises provide support for muscle strengthening, correct breathing during childbirth and various relaxation techniques. Especially with these exercises is professional support is important, because the pregnant woman can only be corrected and made aware of her mistakes so that she is optimally prepared for the real birth.

In addition, the real antenatal class often have fun with itself, as the pregnant women meet other pregnant women, establish contacts and often stay in contact with each other after the birth. The subsequent exchange between the formerly pregnant women is therefore a valuable aspect that an online course cannot convey. To refreshing of an already attended antenatal course can be a Video can be used, as it can recall relevant information again. As an alternative to the real birth preparation course, the online version is currently not recommended.