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What is birth preparation used for?
Preparing for a birth is not just a “childbirth class”. We assume that any woman is capable of giving birth … and of adapting her breathing to the contractions she feels. In the same way, it is less a question of learning to control the pain than of being accompanied in his project of birth, the meeting with the baby, and the change that his arrival causes in the life of the family. Moreover, today, we speak of “Preparation for Birth and Parenthood” rather than preparation for birth. The word “parenthood” is broader. It brings together “all the psychic and affective processes that allow adults to become parents”, that is to say to respond to the needs of their children at three levels: the body (nurturing care), emotional life. and psychic life. An entire program !
Classic birth preparation
Preparation for birth and parenthood, also called “classic preparation”, is the heir to the Obstetric Psycho Prophylaxis (PPO), also called ” Pain Free Childbirth », A method popularized in France by Dr Lamaze in the 50s. It enables future parents to be informed about the progress of pregnancy and childbirth, the epidural, the reception and care of the baby, l ‘feeding with milk. Future fathers are always welcome.
Preparing for the birth: an interview and seven sessions
Any pregnant woman can attend 7 sessions of at least 45 minutes. To this is now added an interview with a midwife at the start of pregnancy: this is commonly called the 4th month interview. Carried out in the presence of the future father, this session allows both parents to express their expectations regarding the birth and also to identify their difficulties in order to direct them to competent professionals, such as a social worker or a psychologist.
In video: Preparing for childbirth
How much do birth preparation sessions cost?
All sessions are free at the hospital. Otherwise, the price varies from around 13 to 31 euros, depending on the session and the number of people. Fortunately, if it is a midwife or a doctor who leads the session, we are reimbursed 100% by the health insurance fund.
Preparation is a right, not an obligation. But all mothers will tell you: it is especially useful during a first pregnancy, to know, in particular, the place and the staff of the maternity hospital where we are going to give birth. It is also the time to reflect on yourself, to be informed about your social rights, on the behaviors to adopt in life (hygiene, prevention of infectious risks, self-medication), to prepare to become parents. It goes far beyond choosing whether or not to have an epidural.
When to make an appointment for the first birth preparation class?
Almost all maternity hospitals organize these preparations from the 7th month of pregnancy, at the time of prenatal leave. If this is not the case, ask at the reception for a list of liberal midwives with whom you can take these courses. Then, you can also benefit from individual (couple) or group lessons. It is often the occasion to address the questions, the doubts, the anxieties which one carries in oneself… but also to share giggles with women in the same situation. Not bad is not it ?
How does a birth preparation session take place?
At each session, a theme is discussed (pregnancy, childbirth, after-birth, baby care, going home, father’s place, breastfeeding and feeding). In fgeneral, we start with a discussion followed by body training. We embark on breathing exercises, muscular work centered on the back, tilting movements of the pelvis, a test of the different birthing positions and an awareness of the role of the perineum. Finally, we end with a relaxation time (our favorite moment, we admit). When the classes take place in the maternity ward, a visit to the delivery rooms is also planned… not bad to visualize where our wonder will be born!
Namely : if you are bedridden, a midwife can come to us! All you have to do is contact the nearest PMI service. The midwife’s consultation is free. Another option: ask a liberal midwife to come to your home for a “tailor-made” preparation. The maternity ward will then provide us with a list of liberal midwives.
What is the best preparation for birth?
Apart from this “classic” preparation, ideal for a first childbirth, there are all kinds of preparations that exist: by sophrology, swimming, haptonomy, prenatal singing, dance, yoga, sound vibration … Each of us can be attracted to one method or another, depending on our needs, our relationship to the body or our childbirth plan…. It’s worth it to find out more, to browse – and why not take a trial lesson? – to see other techniques!