Approach Advice and Stories with Skepticism
It is common to come across individuals who enjoy sharing gruesome birth stories and offering unsolicited advice during pregnancy. This might also be the case in your birthing class, where you can easily identify such individuals. However, it is important to take their words with skepticism. Every birth experience is unique, making other women’s stories generally unhelpful and potentially fear-inducing. Instead, it is best to adopt a smile-and-nod approach and move forward.
Keep Your Partner Informed
When it comes to childbirth classes, it’s important to know whether or not your partner can be involved. Some classes are designed to be partner-friendly, allowing them to participate throughout the entire duration. Others may only include partners for certain portions of the classes, typically towards the end. However, there are also classes that don’t involve partners at all.
If you find yourself in a partner-less class, it’s still crucial to keep your partner informed and involved in your learning process. Share with them what you’re learning, what you’re thinking, and what you’re doing in the class. Make sure your partner is fully aware of your birth plan and any fears you may have surrounding the birthing experience. By keeping your partner in the loop, they can serve as an extra set of eyes and ears, and be a strong advocate for you when the time comes.