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Childbirth preparation classes
Preparation for birth and parenthood (PNP) has replaced preparation for painless childbirth. But the objective of these sessions remains unchanged: to allow future parents to familiarize themselves with the mysteries of pregnancy, childbirth and the aftermath of childbirth in order to experience them in the best possible conditions.
When to start childbirth preparation classes?
The first session of preparation for birth and parenthood usually takes place during the 4th month of pregnancy.
In practice, how are the preparation courses carried out?
For the first session, the practitioner, most often a midwife or sometimes a gynecologist, receives you alone or, ideally, accompanied by the person who will wait and welcome the baby by your side. He is interested in your feelings, psychic and physical, your professional activity, your family situation … If certain questions bother you, you do not have to answer them. But do not see any indiscretion on his part. Unexplained depression, back pain, panicking future dad, anxiety at the idea of announcing your pregnancy to your employer … The practitioner must know your needs in order to try to meet them as best as possible and direct you, if necessary, to the right contact person (dietitian, shrink, social worker, osteoarthritis…). Now is the time or never to address all the points that might be bothering you. And if you’re uncomfortable, now is the time to consider doing the remaining sessions with someone else. It is essential that you feel confident with this recurring partner in your pregnancy.
At the end of this meeting, the practitioner generally suggests planning the next 7 sessions, which most often take place in a group.
In the majority of cases, the birth and parenthood preparation sessions take place in the establishment where you plan to give birth or in the midwife’s office. If you have to stay in bed, the latter will come and offer them to you at home.
The different preparation courses for birth and parenthood
To find the birth and parenthood preparation that works best for you, talk to your gynecologist, midwife, and run word of mouth. In addition to the traditional sessions combining theory (recognizing emergencies during pregnancy, knowing when to go to the maternity ward, etc.) and practice (adopting the most comfortable positions during pregnancy and childbirth, knowing how to breathe during expulsion, etc.), there are today a large number of other preparations. Here is a non-exhaustive list.
With sophrology
Any sophrology session begins with gentle movements that work the neck, waist, knees, you stretch … This muscle relaxation allows you to identify the tensions that prevent a good flow of energy, to better then be able to release them. . The sophrologist then leads expectant mothers to work on their breathing in order to better manage stress and emotions. Then come the phases of relaxation and then positive visualization. The sophrologist leads the participants to use images to induce mental relaxation, activate positive sensations or thoughts and thus help you project yourself in a reassuring manner. You will then train yourself to use them on a daily basis, preferably when you feel well, in order to be able, and this is the ultimate goal, to use them at best on D-Day.
LSophrology sessions are reimbursed if they are carried out by a doctor or a midwife and are a component of the PNP. If you do sophrology sessions in parallel with your PNP, it will cost between € 35 and € 50 per session. To find a practitioner, consult the directory of the French Sophrology Society at www.sophrologie-française.com
With haptonomy
Literally meaning “emotional touch”, haptonomy consists of entering into communication with the baby in utero, via touch and voice. Its main assets? It allows you to get to know this mysterious little being a little better. She helps your partner bond with their child as well. And when baby squeezes your bladder or lungs a little too much, you can gently invite him to move around a bit. According to haptonomy specialists, its regular practice would also facilitate childbirth: exercised parents would be better able to guide their baby gently towards the exit.
To find a practitioner, consult the online directory at www.haptonomie.org. In France, practitioners trained in haptonomy are mainly midwives. There are also general practitioners, psychiatrists, psychologists, pediatricians, osteopaths …
Even practiced by a midwife or a doctor, haptonomy sessions are generally not considered to be PNP sessions covered by Health Insurance. Ask your practitioner the question but rather assume that you will have to pay around fifty euros per session.
With yoga
Prenatal yoga does more than bring a deep sense of relaxation. It also helps to become aware of his breath and his perineum, which will prove very useful on D-Day. It also helps to relieve lower back pain, to lighten heavy legs, to boost transit, to fight against fatigue. …
All sessions begin with breathing exercises, most often practiced cross-legged. Then future mothers follow at their own pace postures specially designed for pregnant women.
To find a practitioner, ask your gynecologist, your midwife, other pregnant women. You can also get closer to the French Federation of Hata Yoga (www.ff-hatha-yoga.com).
As prenatal yoga is not considered a preparation for birth and parenthood itself, it is not reimbursed. Course prices generally start at € 10 per hour.
With prenatal singing
Prenatal singing was developed in the 70s by lyric singer Marie-Louise Aucher. Like haptonomy, it aims to come into contact with the baby in utero, not by touch but by very specific sound vibrations. Because it forces you to work your breath and the posture of your pelvis, it is also a precious ally for better coping with the bodily changes induced by pregnancy. Not to mention the pure and simple pleasure of expressing oneself through singing, carried by the dynamics of the group.
The workshops start with stretching, warm-ups and pelvic movements to learn how to position it well (expectant mothers often tend to be too arched) and thus relieve the back. Then it’s time for vocal exercises and learning melodies that baby will enjoy hearing again when he comes into the world.
Where can I find a practitioner? Consult the online directory of the French Association Chant Prénatal Musique & Petite Enfance on www.chantprenatal.com
The prenatal singing sessions cost between 15 and 20 € and are not reimbursed? But trained midwives can include this practice in their PNP courses.
With Watsu
Still little known in France, Watsu is sort of like “Shiatsu in the water”. Before the session, the practitioner makes sure that you have no contraindications (pathological contractions, hypertension). He also asks you about your motivations, your relationship to water, your possible pain … The session then generally begins with a few minutes of relaxation, sitting at the edge of the pool. Then the practitioner invites you to join him in the middle of the pool heated to 34 ° -35 ° and to position yourself in front of him, your feet firmly anchored to the ground. After having fitted your calves with floats, he takes your hands and lays you on your back. During the 45 minutes which follow, he connects soft and ample movements, stretching, pressures with his fingers… These techniques aim to release the pressures on the nerves of the column and on its points of rigidity, which favors the free flow of energy along the meridians. Combined with the relaxing effect of hot water, this allows access to deep well-being and restores a good balance between body and mind. There is nothing like letting go and losing track of time passing. At the end of the session, the practitioner gently brings you back to the edge, he frees your calves from the floats and gradually straightens you until you hold yourself against the tiles.
Watsu is particularly indicated during pregnancy because weightlessness relieves lower back pain and heavy legs sensations. Despite the extra pounds, future mothers feel lighter and more free to move around than on dry land. Because they help to relax, Watsu sessions help to see D-Day approaching with less apprehension. And according to specialists, experiencing sensations similar to those of their baby bathing in amniotic fluid would also allow future mothers to better interact with their child.
Watsu sessions are not considered to be a PNP strictly speaking, they are not reimbursed. The cost of a session usually starts at 40 €. To find a practitioner, contact the French School of Watsu and Aquatic Massage (www.ecolewatsu.fr) or the Watsu France association (watsu-france.org).
Recommended but not compulsory courses
Preparation sessions for birth and parenthood are a significant plus, even for expectant mothers who plan to give birth under epidural anesthesia, but they are not mandatory. No need to feel guilty if you don’t feel the urge to attend or if you don’t have time. Likewise, the involvement of the future dad is not measured by his attendance at these classes. Some are happy to participate, others go backwards. Putting guilt-inducing pressure on them wouldn’t change the case. But it can be useful to find out what is blocking them. If it is the group side, offer your partner to meet the midwife face to face. If being very informed worsens his anxiety instead of calming it, it often happens, invite him to invest in another way …
Reimbursement of childbirth and parenthood preparation courses
Health Insurance covers 8 sessions of preparation for birth and parenthood, provided they are led by a doctor or, as is most often the case, by a midwife. But nothing prevents future parents from following more.