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PRENATAL CLASSES

Why Take Childbirth Classes?

Childbirth classes or prenatal classes are useful tools that are for more than embarrassing the partner of the pregnant woman. They are a place to ask questions, gather information, and to socialize with other pregnant women and their families. Recent studies have upheld the benefits of childbirth education.

Choosing a Childbirth Education Class

Today, many couples attend some type of childbirth education class. They attend these classes for various reasons. Some want to learn as much as possible about labour and delivery so they can prepare for the birth of their baby. Some attend because they think they are supposed to because their friends did it. Some attend because they want to deliver without the use of medications; still others attend because they are afraid. They fear the pain of childbirth, the process of labour, and the loss of control. Whatever the reason, attending classes can be an invaluable experience.

Classes allow you to spend time with others experiencing the same fears, discomforts, and anticipation for birth that you are experiencing. Classes teach you to gain knowledge about the process of childbirth as well as labor procedures and childbirth options. Classes also give you new skills to help you cope with the challenges of labour and birth.

Childbirth classes have one basic goal: to minimize the pain and make childbirth a safe, fulfilling and rewarding experience.

CAPPA Canada Childbirth Educator scope of practice:

Provides informational and educational classes for the expectant parents. Included is information on relaxation, comfort measures, breathing techniques, and encouraging the students to communicate with their caregivers. The educator also provides information on birth options and encourages students to be as knowledgeable as possible. Medical advice is not given, referrals to appropriate studies and published books are within the childbirth educators scope.

CAPPA Canada members do not perform clinical or medical care on mother or baby such as taking blood pressure or temperature, fetal heart tone checks, vaginal exams or postpartum clinical care.

CAPPA Canada standards and certification apply to emotional, physical and informational support only.

CAPPA Canada members who are also health care professionals may provide these services within the scope and standard of their professions but only after making it clear that they are not functioning as a labour doula, postpartum doula or childbirth educator at the time of the care.

CAPPA Canada strongly recommends that members do not drive mother or baby unless there is a life threatening emergency and an ambulance could not get to the family quick enough.

For needs beyond the scope of the childbirth educator, lactation educator, labour doula or postpartum doulas training, referrals are made to the appropriate resources.

Awaited Arrivals Prenatal Classes

Awaited Arrivals offers childbirth classes to any woman with any birthing history i.e. new parents and parents with prior vaginal and/or cesarean births.

Our classes are fun, relaxed, evidence-based and innovative in design. They help women gain confidence in their ability to birth and help birth companions become aware of ways they can make labour safer and more comfortable. The classes are interactive and provide both a physical and emotional preparation for birth. Our unique prenatal classes are generalized to provide the most up to date information for a variety of birthing options so that any expectant parents of a midwife or OB physician may attend.

Previous clients of Awaited Arrivals are always welcome and encouraged to come back to future classes after their births to share their story with other expectant parents.

The topics covered include: prenatal care, what to report to your physician/midwife, stages of labour, informed consent, medications/medical interventions, comfort measures, birth options, use of a birth ball, doulas, cesarean births, VBAC's, parenting, postpartum, breastfeeding, newborn appearance/care, and others...

Dad or support person is encouraged to attend.

Saturday and Sunday 9-5pm
Classes are approximately 12 hours in length.

Please arrive 10-15 min before class starts

Please make sure you bring to the class :

  • Saturday- Pillow and a blanket
  • Sunday- Pillow and a doll/teddy bear
  • Comfortable clothing for both days

** snacks and refreshments will be provided

Lunch is 1 hour on own.

There are NO classes for 2008