Why the hospital birth course may not be your best option for childbirth education by Amanda Chow

Hi, I’m Amanda Chow. As a pregnancy chiropractor, doula, and childbirth educator I help women prepare their mind & body for labour, so they feel empowered, confident, and ready for birth and motherhood.

This is my third instalment of "How the Trilogy of Bodywork, Doula support and Birth education can transform your birth and motherhood experience.” 

 In this blog I’m going to share my thoughts on childbirth education – and why the hospital course may not be your best option.

If you are like most people, when you chose your birthing hospital (maybe based on location or where your OB works) they told you about their childbirth education courses and then booked you in. And maybe you are with an OB because when your GP confirmed your pregnancy and asked if you have private health, you said yes, and they gave you a list of the OBs near you. Maybe they didn’t mention midwifery group care or homebirth? 

Sound familiar? 

Don’t get me started – that’s probably a blog for another day!!  ☺ But I digress, let’s get back to childbirth education.

Understanding the process of childbirth is a pivotal step towards an empowered birth experience. 

AND

It is important that your comprehensive childbirth education transcends conventional instruction often found within the hospital system. 

Why is this?

All childbirth education (CBE) programs will delve deep into the intricacies of labour, delivery, and postpartum care. Whether it is Hypnobirthing, CalmBirth or my Nest Active Birth Course. So, what’s the difference?

What could a hospital-based program of CBE look like? It is likely that they have more medicalised view of birth, one that assumes everyone would want pharmaceutical pain relief, including an epidural, that induction is a common/normal way to start labour. That things like a drip, continual foetal monitoring, artificial rupture of membranes and regular vaginal exams are presented as the norm and that there isn’t really a choice about them. 

The list can go on. 

The procedures may be based more on hospital policy and the way “we do things here” vs evidenced based care. The intricacies of informed consent may not be explained and options for a water birth may not be covered.  Which is all fine if that’s what you want, but if you don’t, and it’s not presented as an option, there isn’t really a choice is there?

In short, a hospital-based education program is more about policies and procedures and encouraging cooperative patients.

In contrast, private independent CBE, such as Hypnobirthing, Calm Birth, SheBirths and my Nest Active Birth Course, will explore a wide range of options and topics, from the spectrum of homebirth to Caesarean, natural pain relief methods, physiological birth, and informed consent. 

You will gain confidence in your body’s ability to birth, understanding the Fear-Tension-Pain cycle, learning about hormonal interplay and how to utilise your body’s natural pain relief methods during birth. You will feel supported to write a birth plan.

Private CBE will provide a more balanced view of the various childbirth options available. It encourages informed choices based on a thorough understanding of the benefits and risks associated with different birthing environments and practices. 

In a hospital CBE, they will only be focused on the hospital option as a birthing environment. I have had doula clients hire me for their second baby and share that they were so disappointed that they didn’t know other birthing options and felt so unprepared for their labour and birth. 

As a doula, my approach is rooted in empowering expectant mothers with the knowledge, skills, and confidence necessary for a positive birthing experience. A key part of this is independent CBE.

Every pregnancy and birth is unique. I emphasise personalised education tailored to your individual needs and preferences. This personalised approach ensures that you receive the information and guidance that resonate most with your birthing aspirations. It is not a one size fits all.

I encourage you to look around and seek out information on independent childbirth education options near you and find one that resonates with your aspirations for birth. Because birth is not just about babies being born it is about mothers being born too – and your experience matters. 

You matter.

How we move into motherhood will change our lives and the lives of our families. We want empowered mothers to emerge from a positive birth experience.

Wishing you the best with your birthing journey!

Lots of Love,
Amanda xoxo

Amanda is a pregnancy chiropractor, doula and childbirth educator based in Adelaide Australia. She supports her clients with both in person and online courses and resources. More information can be found at www.nestbirthandwellbeing.com.au and via IG @nestbirthwellbeing