Answer
I understand how that this is probably a really stressful situation! With
your first baby, everything is new and a bit scary, and you feel like you
want to swallow up every bit of information.
First of all, check your phone directory for Lamaze Instructors,
Bradley Instructors, Doulas, or Labor support. You are likely to find
someone who is teaching privately and might be able to work you in. The
next thing to do is to get on the Internet and look at Lamaze and
Bradley sites... they may be able to help you find a person in your
area. A third tactic might be to ask the instructors whose classes are
full if they know anyone who is teaching private classes. Other sources
for this information might be midwives or physicians who deliver
babies.
Of course, if you find a doula but no childbirth instructor, you may be
Interested in putting your money towards hiring the doula. Having a
doula at your birth can help tremendously, and the support and advocacy
a doula provides would be invaluable if you were unable to attend a
prepared childbirth class.
If you really feel that the hospital Lamaze classes are what you need,
you should check into the half an hour away hospitals! I'm afraid that
you are right, starting in the ninth month might be a waste of time and
money, especially if they don't get to the topics of labor and delivery
until after you've had your baby!
The last piece of advice I have is to pick up "The
Birth Partner" by Penny
Simkin. This is a wonderful book that really teaches a great
deal about labor and delivery and how your partner can support you at
that time. If you can't get into a class, this book might be what gets
you to feeling more comfortable about knowing what to expect. If you
are looking for a Lamaze class to support a natural birth, Simkin is a
great advocate of finding methods other than drugs to cope with labor,
and explains the risks and benefits associated with drugs if you think
you might want to include them in your birth.
Best of luck finding a person to meet your needs!
- Polli
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