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Preparing for Childbirth at Valley Women’s
Health Care
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We are now offering childbirth education
classes for our patients. Classes are held in our office; a peaceful and
comfortable place to prepare for one of life's most exciting events!
For the comfort of our
patients class size is limited to eight couples. They tend to fill up
early, so please reserve your space as soon as possible!
Childbirth classes will
build your confidence in your body’s ability to give birth. You
can discuss your fears about labor and birth with Sarah and other
couples with the same concerns.
Your partner will learn
about childbirth and how to support you on the big day. You may find
that attending childbirth classes together will create a special bond.
Classes are taught by Sarah
Borsheim, BSN, Certified Childbirth Education Instructor. Sarah
has taught childbirth education classes at Auburn Regional Medical
Center since 2008. She graduated with a BSN from Seattle Pacific
University. Sarah will discuss pain relief options, including massage,
relaxation, breathing, and medications. A tour of the Family Birth
Center at Auburn Regional Medical Center during class will give you the
opportunity to see the staff in action.
In addition to teaching childbirth classes, Sarah has worked at the
Family Birth Center, side by side with our physicians, providing care to
women during the labor and delivery process.
To reserve your spot we ask
that you prepay for the cost of your session, our fee is $120 (cash,
check, or credit card accepted).
Payment is
required before the first class. Checks and credit cards are accepted;
payable to Valley Women’s Health Care.
**DSHS does not cover the cost of our classes
Currently, we are not authorized to take DSHS/Provider One for payment
of class fee. For more information on DSHS eligible classes, contact
Auburn Regional Medical Center at: 253.333.2522
For patients due
in December and January
Next Class Begins: October 13
Thursday evenings for six weeks
7:00 - 9:00 PM
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For more information, ask your doctor or
nurse or call or email Wendy at 253.394.0310
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What are
the benefits of childbirth education classes?
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
It's common for students to 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, Sara 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 those
type of learners who learn best by doing.
Educational materials
Childbirth instructions are 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 our 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, 2003
http://www.transitiontoparenthood.com
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