Preparing for Baby Myths About Going to a Childbirth Class By Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH twitter linkedin Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH is a professor, author, childbirth and postpartum educator, certified doula, and lactation counselor. Learn about our editorial process Robin Elise Weiss, PhD, MPH Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Meredith Shur, MD on April 20, 2020 Meredith Shur, MD, FACOG, is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, as well as a certified medical examiner. Learn about our Review Board Meredith Shur, MD on April 20, 2020 Print Nicola Tree/Photolibrary/Getty Images It used to be that childbirth classes were mandatory in some hospitals if you wanted someone to come into labor and delivery with you. You’d have to show up with a certificate of attendance, signed by your teacher. Attendance at childbirth classes is not mandatory anymore, though the benefits of childbirth class can be great for women and their partners. You can find classes at hospitals and birthing centers, but also through private educators who specialize in different types of birth preparation (such as Lamaze, Bradley, and so on). If parents choose not to attend a Lamaze class or other childbirth class, sometimes it's because they believe in one of these myths. Myth: You Don’t Have Time Childbirth class is a time commitment, but just how much time will vary. Most certifying organizations for childbirth educators require a 12-hour course; some classes are up to 24 hours long. So even the longest is ultimately only one day out of your life. Usually, these 12 to 24 hours are spread out over six to 12 weeks or consolidated into one weekend. Even if you have an odd schedule, there are many childbirth educators who will teach private classes for you and your partner at convenient times. Ideally, childbirth classes should be spaced out for better retention. This isn’t to say that there is no place for a crash course, but many of these, particularly those in large group settings or taught by hospitals, are more like glorified hospital tours than true childbirth classes. (Of course, these tours also have their place for learning about hospital policies.) You can also take childbirth classes online. Myth: You'll Find Out You What You Need to Know in the Hospital While you will have nurses to care for you during your birth, they have many medical tasks to take care of and potentially more than one patient. This doesn’t leave much time for teaching. Not to mention that by the time you are there you’ll be in labor and not super receptive to learning. You will also miss out on being able to use comforting techniques in early labor (before you get to the hospital). Myth: You Don't Need a Class If You Want an Epidural Even if you plan to have an epidural during labor, you can still learn a lot in childbirth class How to tell when labor has startedWhat the process of getting an epidural entailsHow to cope with contractions prior to the epiduralPostpartum comfort measuresBreastfeeding, baby care, and more It's also often nice to be with other couples who are experiencing the same thing you are. Parents-to-be in childbirth classes are a mix of couples who want medication in labor, couples who are undecided, and those who wish to avoid medication. You can still take a childbirth class and get an epidural. Myth: Your Teacher Will Have an Agenda Most childbirth educators teach empowering childbirth classes. They want to show you how to get information and process it in a way that helps you make decisions that are right for your family. There is not a judgment process in class. A childbirth educator is paid once when you sign up for the class. Her earnings are not dependent on what type of birth you have. Myth: You Can't Afford the Classes Childbirth classes, like the services of all the others who help you when you have a baby, do cost money. Many childbirth educators have payment plans or even some scholarship spots in their classes. You can also talk to your insurance company about coverage for childbirth classes. While there are some free or low-cost classes, these do not always have the same high standards as other classes. Ask about the childbirth educator’s certification background and current status, how many couples will be in the class (fewer than 10 is the goal), how long the class runs, and if the childbirth educator is employed by a hospital or practitioner’s office. Myth: Your Partner Will Hate It While it is true that some partners are reluctant to come to a childbirth class, a good childbirth educator is prepared for this possibility. Helping partners feel more engaged is part of their job description. They will teach certain things specifically for the partners to use in labor to help you and show them how to participate in the birth as much as they wish without feeling uncomfortable. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get diet and wellness tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Leach J, Bowles B, Jansen L, Gibson M. Perceived benefits of childbirth education on future health-care decision making. J Perinat Educ. 2017;26(1):49–56. doi:10.1891/1058-1243.26.1.49 Cutajar L, Cyna AM. Antenatal education for childbirth-epidural analgesia. 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