Expectant parents sometimes wonder why they should bother taking childbirth classes and parenting classes when there are so many excellent books, websites, and videos out there with an abundance of information about childbirth and early parenting. Here are some benefits:

Getting the Big Picture: In the Information Age, there are so many sources of information, it’s possible to find out any little detail you want to know with a web search.  But within the sea of information, it’s hard to know what information you most need to know. A childbirth education class helps to filter the information, and helps you understand the essentials.

Remembering the Information: A common tenet in education is that students only remember only 10% of what they read. So, even after reading extensively about birth, you may still have retained limited knowledge. And you may not be able to remember this theoretical knowledge during a labor contraction at 2:00 in the morning! On the other hand, students remember 20% of what they hear, 30% of what they see, 50% of what they do, 90% of what they say and do. Since most childbirth educators use a mixture of lecture, visual images (posters, videos, etc.), demonstrations, discussions, and practice sessions, all these learning modes will greatly increase your understanding and how much you remember of what you have learned.

Hands-On Practice: During childbirth classes, the instructor will demonstrate comfort techniques such as back massage and relaxation, and you’ll get a chance to practice them, to ask questions, and to get feedback on how you’re doing. During newborn care classes, there may be dolls for practicing swaddling, diapering, bathing, holding an infant, and positions for breastfeeding. This hands-on learning is important for everyone, but especially the kinesthetic learners who learn best by doing.

Educational materials: Instructors may be able to offer a wide variety of visual aids, videos, comfort tools, and other materials you otherwise wouldn’t have access to. Watching videos of labor and birth can be an excellent tool for preparing for the experience of labor. (Class videos are generally more accurate, realistic, and less sensationalized than birth shows on cable TV!)

Specific and relevant information: Books and websites may offer outdated information, or information about regional practices which may or may not apply where you will give birth. A local class can cover the most current policies and practices specific to your locale.

Social interaction / Peer Support: Childbirth and parenting classes are a great place to meet other expectant parents, and share experiences.

Learning from your instructor’s experience: In a class, you will benefit from the instructor’s wisdom gained through experience. Childbirth educators come from a variety of backgrounds. Many are labor and delivery nurses, labor support doulas, and/or are mothers themselves. From their experiences with birth, they can offer examples of what labor may feel like, share the lessons they have learned, and offer you personalized answers for any questions or concerns that you may have.

Designated time: In our busy lives, with so many responsibilities and distractions that pull our attention, it can be difficult to set aside time to think about the upcoming birth, and to plan for life with baby. Signing up for classes means that you have committed a time on your calendar to focus on this preparation.

Reduced anxiety: Most class participants find that attending a childbirth preparation class helps to reduce their fears and concerns as they learn more about what to expect, and thus have less fear of the unknown.

Written by Janelle Durham, www.transitiontoparenthood.com

• A 5-week series (15 hours of instruction) to educate and encourage parents for pregnancy, labor, birth, and beyond! This is a complete class, nothing else is needed.

• Classes will meet on Tuesday evenings for 3 hours starting on February 15^{, 2011}. Location will be on the southeast side of San Antonio outside Loop 1604 off of Hwy. 181, but location for future classes is subject to change depending on the desires of the students who register.

• Classes will cost only $75 for each couple, which is a 50% discount because this is my 1^st time teaching this type of class.

• This class is a work in progress and will be packed full of useful and encouraging information. It will include a variety of activities to accommodate different learning styles.

Class One – Stewardship of Pregnancy Eternal Significance of Pregnancy, Discomforts of Pregnancy, Exercise, Nutrition (including food samples), Spiritual Growth in Pregnancy, 10 Easy Changes You Can Make, Pregnancy Anatomy & Vocabulary, Pain in Labor, Breathing Practice

Class Two – Comfort During Labor How to Know When You’re in Labor, 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd Stages of Labor, Comfort Measures and Positions for Labor, Love Languages in Labor, Relaxation Exercise

Class Three – Choosing With Love No Rules/No Limits, Making informed decisions, Common Interventions Pros and Cons, What to Expect From Your Chosen Birth Location, Birth Planning, Natural Birth, Continue in Love, Labor Rehearsal

Class Four – Your Heart Check Difficult Spots in Labor, Variations of Normal, True Birth Emergencies, Your Perfect Labor, Labor Options Game, Massage Techniques to Try, Tools for Labor, Labor Rehearsal

Class Five – Parenting Your Newborn What Mother May Experience, What Baby May Experience, Important First Decisions, What Your Newborn Needs, Breastfeeding Issues, Postpartum Depression, Relaxation Exercise

• About Me – I am a 38-year old mother of 7 beautiful children and #8 on the way in September! God has given me a passion for helping families welcome their new blessings, and I have been a certified birth doula for over 4 years. I am now in the process of becoming certified as a Christian Childbirth Educator. Please contact me anytime through my website: http://www.doulasanantonio.com or by calling me at (210)706-0272.

Blessings, Brenda Minica, CD (CBI)

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