You’re pregnant! Get ready!

Jen Wittes

BUMP, BIRTH AND BABY

You’re pregnant! Get ready!

In the minutes and hours after learning of a pregnancy, it’s common for the expectant parents to realize that theyknow very little about pregnancy. Orchildbirth. Or — Are you kidding me withthis thing? — how to tie a Moby Wrap.

Within minutes and hours ofannouncing said pregnancy, the parentsto-bewill be inundated with doctor recommendations,C-section stats and books …so many books. I believe that every parentin America owns What to Expect WhenYou’re Expecting simply because it’s beenthrust at them aggressively.

Then come the childbirth educationclasses — it’s beyond what you’ve seenin old sitcoms with the mom-to-be andsupport person cozily and comicallyhuffing and puffing on pillows in aone-size-fits-all class.

Now it seems you have to pick your birthcourses based on your desired style ormethod. But remember, you know nothing.Absolutely nothing!

All the books First off, you don’t need a dozen books; you just need one or two good ones. To find your fit, ask a sister or close friend what they read and why they liked it. Know a birth professional such as a midwife, doula or labor nurse? Ask them. A few of my personal faves include:

Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth: Crunchy, but comprehensive and empowering. Half of it is filled with real birth stories. This book is a cheerleader.

Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy: Trusted, Minnesotan, thorough and a fantastic first-timer’s alternative to What to Expect.

The Girlfriend’s Guide to Pregnancy: When you need to lighten up! Funny, yet informative.

Books give you a chance to marvel at the scientific wonder that is human pregnancy. But I recommend you take the many pages

You will be prepared and birth will still surprise you. Let it.

with a grain of salt. There’s an instinctivewisdom that comes with pregnancy. Don’tlet that innate knowledge get watereddown by too much information. And stopGoogling all the weird, scary and rare stuff.Seriously. Stop.

Should we take a class?Yes, you should absolutely take a childbirth-prepclass. This is a fun, engagingway to get your information. It’s a rite ofpassage! You’ll also get the chance toengage with other expectant parents, gothrough it together and — if all goes well— be locked in for Baby’s first play datelong before your water breaks.

The best place to start when it comesto choosing your class is your careprovider. You chose your birthing team(doctor, midwife, doula and beyond).Why not choose a class that bestmatches their philosophy?

I recommend looking for a classseries that includes birth, postpartum,infant care and feeding. Some top-notchlocal businesses providing childbirtheducation include:

• Blooma Yoga

• Amma Parenting Center

• Minnesota Birth Center

• Everyday Miracles.

MethodsIn a nutshell here’s some of what youcan expect:

Lamaze: Up-to-date curriculum focusing on normal, natural and healthy decision making. There’s an intense lean on labor support and comfort measures.

Bradley: Preparation for natural birth without medication and an emphasis on avoidance of Cesarean.

Hypnobirthing: Using visualization to enter a state of relaxation while remaining in control of labor and birth.

Birthing from Within: Encourages birth-in-awareness, rather than striving for — or getting attached to — a certain outcome.

Don’t sweat this decision too much. Ask around. Dig a bit. And you’ll find the right class for you. Most birth classes will give you a ton of information, tips and tricks. You will be prepared — and birth will still surprise you. Let it.

Jen Wittes is a marketing director, writer, certified postpartum doula and mom of two living in St. Paul.