Step Into The Prenatal Classroom

Step into the Prenatal Classroom

Preparation and education for expecting families easily becomes a part of every day, especially as the anticipation of the final days of pregnancy gets close.  Regardless if it’s your 1st child, 2nd or if the family is growing significantly, there is always new information. There is always going to be; new research, new concepts, different recommendations, the latest “it” product, better understood health practices, new ideas even… Everything is constantly changing and evolving. Getting access to all this information to update your knowledge becomes important because of the ever shifting landscape of pregnancy & birth. So where is the best place to look for all this? How do we access the best quality information or is one way better than the other? If we took a moment to make a list of all the ways we can access educational information in a single day, how long would your list be? From books to podcasts, influencers and websites, videos and webinars, social media accounts or email subscriptions, online support groups and magazines … The list in just one day is endless these days. 

So a question you might be asking: With all these different sources of information at our fingertips, how much value is there in taking an IN PERSON Prenatal Class?  

“With all these different sources of information at our fingertips, how much value is there in taking an IN PERSON Prenatal Class? The benefits of an in-person class may surprise you. “

Never before in our history (I know cliché) have we had this much information available to birthing families and the benefits of an in-person class may surprise you. The classroom becomes a unique space to filter through myths and outdated information. It becomes a place to learn local practices, build a local community, and find reliable resources through face to face interactions with experienced knowledgeable instructors. Childbirth educators have an exuberant passion for sharing information with birthing families that makes learning not only relevant but engaging too. That passion will shine through in their website and media and those are the instructors you want to take a class from. 

“Childbirth educators have an exuberant passion for sharing information with birthing families that makes learning not only relevant but engaging too.”

Now the saying goes; “something is better than nothing”, so doing any kind of learning is better than doing nothing at all, but unfortunately we also see that all the available media can lead to miscommunication and much confusion. A prenatal instructor quickly becomes a valuable resource that might not have crossed your mind before in bringing some answers to calm the overload of information. In particular they can offer answers to questions about the policies and practice where you live specifically.

Childbirth educators teach in an area of specialty that requires them to stay knowledgeable and current with the latest research or developments. They invest time in continued learning and new research and stay connected to local communities to bring relevant information to their classroom. This is a large advantage to those attending as they get answers to questions about the birth and postpartum time right away and about their local area too of course. Feeling more confident and comfortable after the completion of the classes, knowing that the information received was reliable and accurate, should be the goal of every instructor. 

Each prenatal class brings together expecting families who are in the same phase of life and often it is a like minded group of people. Connections and bonds throughout the classes can be cultivated through the interactive environment, perhaps even in a memorable way, and last long after the time in the classroom ends. Some families may stay in touch many years later having found a supportive community of fellow attendees. They continue to go through similar stages of life as time goes by and can keep networking with that village from the class while they navigate the years of parenting. 

As you look to step into the classroom to learn, how do you know what prenatal class is right for you, what formats are available, and simply which one to pick? 

Here are some things to consider:

Childbirth educators have different styles. Not all educators teach the same way. 

• Prenatal Instructor, Childbirth Educator, Prenatal Class Facilitator, Childbirth Instructor, Prenatal Educator… There are many titles or combinations that refer generally to the same designation. Look for information on websites about any special classifications they may hold.
• To find an educator that fits your style; research them and their classes. The website and media should give you a sense of their type of philosophy. Look for an outline of topics discussed in the classes to get an idea of what you will learn from that particular instructor.
• Seek out an educator that comes recommended to you by like minded community groups that you may have already found. Ask around to friends, colleges and family. 
• Some classes are even geared to the specific type of birth you want. For example: Homebirth, Hospital birth, VBAC,Twin Birth, Hypnobirthing etc. 
• Many educators utilize visual aids and hands on instruction as well as interactive type learning which may resonate more effectively with some people. This mix of learning styles helps in the retention of the information. Look for one that matches your learning style. 
• Some educators have a more natural or holistic approach, maybe even spiritual. Some may be more geared towards the medical model of care. Seek out one that aligns with your own philosophy.
• Educators may teach classes on their own, while others will have a team that teaches classes together. Guest speakers might be part of the format that brings other types of educators into the class.

Length of classes and time commitment will vary.

• Weekly sessions can run anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks usually happening once a week. 
• Weekend courses in either a one time class or a few weekends in a row. 
• A course may be spread out over the length of the pregnancy in different sections or stages for periods of learning. 
• Learning time could vary from a few hours up-to 20+ hours total classroom time. 

Formats on where or how classes are taught have many options. 

• Group classes held through the local hospital or clinic and usually taught by a Health Professional from that facility. 
• Independent group classes taught in a local area by Childbirth Educators or Doulas or Nurses. 
• Group classes online in a real-time webinar style.
• 1 on 1 private sessions (either in person or online webinar style) booked at a time of convenience for those attending.

As an childbirth educator myself wanting each expecting family to find the right class for them,  here are a few more tips:

• Search for a class that is in your local area. Even if it’s an online class it should reflect local practices.
• Plan to take and finish a prenatal class during your pregnancy sometime before 36 weeks. During the early part of the third trimester seems to be an ideal time to attend classes for retention of information and preparedness.
• Seek out an educator who has previous experience in the birth community or even better, who is still actively involved with the pregnancy, birth and postpartum world. 
• Look for an instructor who trained specifically in childbirth education, and one who continues to expand their own education regularly. 
• Check or ask for a class outline which should cover a variety of topics about pregnancy, comfort measures, medical interventions, body preparation, partner support, postpartum recovery, newborn care and some basic breastfeeding.
• Ask if a payment plan option is available if that info is not listed, most educators are very accommodating. 
• Talk to other expecting families or new parents about the class they took and what they liked or did not like.
• ASK QUESTIONS! The greatest benefit for an in-person class is the ability to have your questions answered quickly. A good instructor welcomes all inquiries and encourages open discussion within the classroom. As an educator, this is by far the most enjoyable part throughout the classes. Having time to easily chat will bring clarity and reassurance as couples navigate the enormous amount of information available. 

“A positive environment created by a good instructor should help put everyone at ease within the first few moments of class. The expectation should be that expecting families will learn something new, even with all the daily information we access.”

It is possible that to some people, it may feel a bit uncomfortable or awkward to be in a group setting, but guaranteed the intention to learn will be higher and information retention will be more successful. A positive environment created by a good instructor should help put everyone at ease within the first few moments of class. The expectation should be that expecting families will learn something new, even with all the daily information we access, while also gaining a greater capacity to tackle this information-heavy world and the continually changing landscape of the birth world. Besides all that, perhaps you will meet a new friend, gain an ally in your instructor, and find a like-minded community. The values of an in person prenatal class continue to be significant despite the massive amount of information accessible right at our fingertips. The classroom environment remains a useful setting for preparation for pregnancy, birth and postpartum for many expecting families and hopefully every family looking for a class will find something that works for them. Hopefully they find a Childbirth Educator and prenatal class that makes stepping into the classroom the excellent experience it can be. 

Written by Christa Duquette 

Birth & Bereavement Doula, Childbirth Educator

ARTICLE VERSION PUBLISHED in BIRTHING MAGAZINE Spring 2025 edition

https://www.birthingmagazine.net/shop/