You should take your Childbirth Education class at least one month prior to your
due date just in case the baby comes early and so you and your partner will be
able to remember the information.
DO I NEED TO TAKE A CHILDBIRH EDUCATION CLASS?
How far in advance should I take the newborn care class?
You should take the newborn care class at around the same time as your Childbirth
Education class, approximately one month before your due date.
What does a birth doula do during labour?
It really depends on the doula and this is why I encourage clients to interview quite a few doula's before making their decision. During labour doula's will facilitate communication between you, your partner and caregivers, but will not make decisions for you. They will provide continuous emotional and physical support for both you and your partner. Doula's do not perform any clinical activities and do not replace your midwife, nurse or doctor. The doula should be knowledgeable about labour positions and should be familiar with medications and interventions sometimes used during labour. The doula will help you with comfort measures and do their best to follow your birth plan. Doula's also help your partner with ways they can help make you more comfortable in terms of breathing, visualization, focus and positions. Doula's do not take your partners role, however with a doula there your partner can take a break knowing that you are in good hands.
What does a postpartum doula do?
Like birth doula's, it really depends on the doula. Postpartum doula's come to your home and provide emotional and physical support for you and your partner in the postpartum period. A postpartum doula may provide a range of services, so it also depends on what you're looking for. Maybe you're looking for something specific such as newborn massage. Some postpartum doula's will run errands and do light house work such as sweeping and making small meals and others will not. Generally a doula will help you with basic newborn care, breastfeeding, take care of the baby while you take a shower, walk or nap. This is a period of adjustment for both you and your partner and a postpartum doula may help ease your mind and help make the transition to parenthood and the demands that come with it easier to. Although the postpartum period is a period of adjustment, this is also the "Honeymoon" time with your new family.
How much do doula's charge?
Some birth doula's will charge on a sliding scale, depending on how much you and your partner make (combined) annually. Other doula's will charge a flat rate no matter how short or long the labour. Some doula's are employed by agencies or hospitals who pay them and some doula's charge you by the hour. Postpartum doula fees can vary from $20-$40/hour.
This is not my first baby, do I need to take classes?
This birth will be very different from the last one. Every birth is unique and you will find that this time around will be a different experience. Even if you did take prenatal classes the first time, perhaps there are things that you may have forgotten or want to go over again to refresh your memory. You do not necessarily have to take group classes, you can opt to take the refresher class at your convenience, tailored to meet your specific needs. Perhaps at your last birth you didn't feel quite prepared or it wasn't the experience you thought it would be. Talking these things out and going over a birth plan may put your mind more at ease.
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