Why are Prenatal Classes Important?
Many expectant parents wonder if taking prenatal classes is worth it. Knowing what your options are is invaluable to your birth and breastfeeding experience, and doing the groundwork of learning lays the foundation for you to build on.
Here are three reasons to attend a prenatal class:
Knowledge replaces fear.
Fear? I get it. I too have been told impactful stories about birth. I too was told that breastfeeding hurts (it shouldn’t by the way). I too experienced fear of the unknown when I was expecting my first baby. It can be very overwhelming, but it is natural to feel that way about any unknown. The more we know, the more we can ease those fears. When you are prepared with knowledge of things to expect, it will make it much easier in the moment. Knowledge helps dispel the fear of the unknown.
If you don’t know what your options are, then you don’t have any.
How much time did you spend researching which breast pump to buy? Did you compare different pumps to see which features would suit you best? What about that Haakaa pump, pretty nifty right? If you had done no research at all then you would have no idea that there are so many to choose from. Taking a class can help you begin to wade in the waters of the options available. A real person right in front of you with tons of knowledge is eager to answer all your questions. This is a person who can help you learn “how” to ask questions so that you feel confident in the decisions you are making.
Empower yourself and learn to trust your body.
Birth is an experience like no other. Spending time learning about the process of birth, and what it is that your body and baby are doing will inspire you to believe you can do it. When you change the way you view birth, the way you birth will change. Your mindset and the groundwork that you do set the stage. Let’s fill you with positive thoughts, positive views and lots of knowledge.
Rebecca Robertson. BA, Doula, Breastfeeding Counsellor, Childbirth Educator at Compass Rose Wellness Centre started her path to perinatal support at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. There, she learned how passionate she was about supporting families as they grow. She also studied breastfeeding support at the International Breastfeeding Centre and has attended two different doula training courses. She continues to learn every day.
