As a BirthWorks childbirth educator, I am often asked the same types of questions by pregnant parents as they’re exploring their options. Because most people have never heard of BirthWorks classes before, it’s valid that they want to know what makes it different from every other childbirth class they might consider. Not only does BirthWorks stand out as unique when compared to any other class, but I believe that taking BirthWorks is one of the best decisions you can make to prepare for your birth!
Today, there are more childbirth class options available than compared to any other decade. While this is a blessing, it can also serve to create confusion — and might even lead some to forgo classes altogether. For the purpose of this post, I am going to focus on the comparing BirthWorks to the classes that I’m most commonly asked about: Bradley and Hypnobabies. Before I do so, I want to clarify that I believe these classes exhibit a number of positive attributes and couples who choose these classes are getting decent education. I also happen to know a number of fabulous educators who teach these methods! The purpose of this post is simply to lay out the major differences between BirthWorks, Bradley and Hypnobabies.
How are BirthWorks, the Bradley Method and Hypnobabies/Hypnobirthing Similar?
BirthWorks does share some important similarities with both the Bradley Method and Hypnobabies method. They all put great emphasis on the normal, physiologic process of labor/birth, which is fantastic. They all emphasis the importance of nutrition and all have a comprehensive approach, which includes education on not on the birth process, but also pregnancy, postpartum and breastfeeding. BirthWorks also shares a specific, positive similarity with Hynobabies/Hynobirthing: They both are rooted in the mind-body connection during labor.
How are BirthWorks, the Bradley Method and Hypnobabies/Hypnobirthing Different?
One big difference, however, is that BirthWorks is NOT a method. Merriam-Webster defines the word method this was: “a way of doing something; a careful or organized plan that controls the way something is done.”
BirthWorks firmly believes that there is no one “right” way to give birth. One might wonder what difference this makes and why it’s an important distinction from other birth classes. Let’s further explore how BirthWorks differs from method-based childbirth classes.
Bradley Method and Hypnobabies/Hypnobabies: Method
With both Bradley and Hypnobabies (or hypnobirthing), parents making a commitment to use that method as their sole means for coping during labor. For some, this works beautifully. But for other parents, they reach a point where either the method is no longer working for them or they no longer want to use that method. When that point is reached, there is little to fall back on in terms of coping techniques because they have prepared using only one method… and that method may not be the best for that unique labor experience.
BirthWorks: Toolboxes
I like to say that in my BirthWorks classes, the parents build a number of metaphorical tool boxes that they can pull from during their labors.
One tool box is filled with emotional and mental skills, an area in which we focus a great deal of time, to help them stay calm, courageous, focused and positive before and during labor.
Another tool box is filled with a wide range of physical coping techniques such as: deep breathing skills for relaxation, optimal labor positions, all the different ways partners can offer support, and many more.
And we fill yet another tool box with the skills necessary to understand interventions, making informed decisions, how to effectively communicate with health care providers, navigating when interventions might be necessary and how to effectively use them as a tool for labor/birth and understanding how they might respond to different variations of normal labor.
Most parents find they use tools from ALL of these tools boxes during their birth experiences! Rather than using one, singular method for their labor/birth, couples use their BirthWorks tool boxes to create the desired birth experience for their individual needs.
BirthWorks: Emotional and Mental Preparation
Another big difference between BirthWorks and other classes is the significant emphasis it puts on emotional and mental preparation. This, in my opinion, is one of the most important distinctions and it’s what makes BirthWorks a true diamond in the rough. Long before we ever start talking about topics such as interventions or learning the stages of labor, we start the emotional work necessary for a healthy birth using a wide variety of techniques.
Fears, worries and negative beliefs all have substantial impact on the birth process because the brain is equally as involved in the process as the uterus is. When the emotional and mental components are partially, or more often, completely excluded from birth preparation, this is a huge disservice to the birth process and parents’ confidence in themselves. When these components are not included in birth classes, parents are only getting half the preparation necessary for a healthy birth experience.
BirthWorks: Healing from Trauma
The last major difference between BirthWorks and other classes is that it is designed to facilitate healing for those who’ve previously experienced a negative or traumatic birth. This is an element that I’ve not seen in any other type of birth preparation class and is one that leaves a formidable impact.
Certainly not everyone has a need for this, as BirthWorks is designed for all expectant parents (both first-timers and those who’ve given birth previously). But for those families who have had any type of negative and/or traumatic birth experience and are now expecting another baby, they are often in a distinctive situation. They desire to both process/heal from their past experience and also prepare for their upcoming birth. I love offering a class that can do BOTH! I’ve had the privilege of working with numerous couples who’ve had previous negative birth experiences and nearly all have expressed to me that BirthWorks was a vital part of their healing process. (And nearly all went on to have what they described as a healing birth experience after the class.)
For an overview of the types of families that BirthWorks benefits, curriculum, and scheduling options, visit the Childbirth Education page.
Contact us today to experience the BirthWorks difference for your birth preparation!
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