I have been listening carefully to some recent dialogue re: childbirth
classes. Seems we are wondering if they are good or bad.
I coordinate Family Programs at our hospital.
I have taught all kinds of programs for 25 years.,
Problem #1 exists when the classes which are wellness,education bound sends
families into a medical model of care. OUCH!
What do you think happens?
 Problem #2: maybe we really don't empower in our classes. Information is
only useful if the person has learned in a way that has guided them to do
something with it. So educators are really facilitators who assess, provide
and guide. A family who leaves classes empowered to give birth has processed
the information - and - in some way - figured out how they are going to use
it. If all they received was information and were never led to think about
how they would actually apply it to suit themselves - we have failed.
Problem #3 The other component that we must consider is how families will be
received into a Medical model of care. Are the empowered enough to
communicate their needs. And how can we make them feel comfortable doing
this? We are advocates.
If we are not - we are only doing part of our job.  It is not fair to send
people into a model of care that we have not prepared them for.  I would
enjoy seeing further dialogue on this.
We are pilotting the Mother Friendly Childbirth Initiative.  Very
Interesting.  Lots of challenges.
Sue - Indiana PA.

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