The Childbirth Class Curriculum

The Childbirth Class is an opportunity for an expectant couple to be in the company of other expectant couples and share similar and common feelings and expectations about their pregnancy and eventual childbirth. In this setting, the student-couple are provided information about relevant topics that are otherwise largely inaccessible to them. The experience of most Filipino expectant couples leaves a lot to be desired in terms of getting sufficient and valuable information. Hence, they are less able (if at all) to work more intimately with their doctors and to make informed choices about the kind of childbirth experience they would never think they could aspire for.

It is in this perspective that the ChildbirthTeacher include the following topics for discussion in the class:

• Physiology of Pregnancy, Labor and Delivery
• The Pregnant Anatomy
• Nutrition in Pregnancy
• Pre-Natal and Post-Partum Fitness
• Relaxation Exercises
• The Role of the Coach/Birth Partner
• Breathing Techniques and Pushing Techniques
• Alternatives in Pain Management
• Hospital Procedures
• Cesarean Birth
• Complications in Childbirth
• The Newborn
• Breastfeeding