There are an abundance of childbirth education methods available to expecting parents today. All the options can feel overwhelming and sometimes a bit confusing! Here is a breakdown of some of the more popular courses in Portland. By reviewing these, you can make a more informed decision and pick the childbirth education classes that will work best with your hopes for your birth.
We are so lucky to live in Portland, where there are a variety of venues to host these classes. Most venues have an online calendar that you can access to view their class schedules and offerings. If not, give them a call! Some of these great places are: Portland Doula Love’s Classroom, Zenana Spa, Mamalates Studio, Alma Education & Movement Space and The SweetLight Center.

Yoga Way to Birth
The Yoga Way to Birth was created by two Portland mothers in 2005. It focuses on the way the body in motion through yoga and mindfulness practices work together to serve women in labor and birth. With this childbirth education method you can expect:

• Meditating on you and your partner’s own thoughts and beliefs about birth, as well as on how to practice mindfulness so as to not let the mind inhibit you during labor
• Gentle and safe for pregnancy yoga practices
• Focusing on you and your partner as a unit, as well as individuals
• Practicing what you learn in your classes on a regular basis throughout the course at home in preparation for birth

The Bradley Method
The Bradley Method focuses on unmedicated (“natural”) childbirth. It has been practiced since the 1940’s after being developed by an obstetrician named Robert Bradley. It is a 12 week long intensive childbirth education course, and greatly emphasizes the partner’s role in coaching the laboring mother. With this childbirth education method you can expect:

• Detailed discussion of medical interventions and how to avoid unnecessary ones, and how to reduce your risk of Cesarean birth as well as what to do if Cesarean birth becomes medically necessary
• Learning techniques for relaxation during labor and birth, with an emphasis on natural breathing methods to help manage pain
• Teaching your partner to be a skilled and active participant during your labor
• Talking about breastfeeding as well as your transition into new parenthood

Birthing From Within
Birthing From Within is a very interactive childbirth education method that is based on the philosophy of the Birthing From Within book, written by Pam England and Rob Horowitz. It places focus on preparing for labor and birth by using many different artistic exercises. With this childbirth education method you can expect:

• Creating and sharing birth art
• Learning to honor birth as a rite of passage that encompasses not only the childbirth process, but the rest of your life
• Exercises for transforming fear toward birth into confidence, awareness and trust
• In depth discussion about how birth works, what it may look like, and comfort measures or positions to use during labor
• Postpartum reunion with emphasis on sharing and processing your birth story

Dancing For Birth
Founded in 2001, Dancing For Birth is a childbirth education series that incorporates movement as well as birth knowledge. There is an emphasis on the series’ signature dance moves that are encouraged to be used during labor and birth as well as prenatally as preparation for the event. With this childbirth education method you can expect:

• Birth dancing moves inspired by belly dance, African dance, Caribbean dance, and Latin dance
• Learning personalized birth affirmations to create a positive body and mind space during your pregnancy, labor and birth
• Discussion about relaxation and movement incorporating birth balls
• Participating postpartum by bringing your newborn to class and using the dance moves as a gentle form of exercise

HypnoBirthing
HypnoBirthing is philosophy of birth as well as a technique for coping with labor and birth. It places focus on the mind-body connection to eliminate the fear of childbirth. Its goal is to help women achieve an unmedicated, vaginal birth. With this childbirth education method you can expect:

• Learning the HypnoBirthing language, replacing words that incite negative association with words that encourage a more calm and positive feeling.
• Using books and CDs to help guide breathing, relaxation and visualization techniques
• Practicing HypnoBirthing affirmations and relaxation exercises every day at home
• Focusing on your subconscious mind to eliminate feelings of stress and fear about childbirth, and learning instead how to visualize and relax through the childbirth process

Biodynamic Birth
The Biodynamic Birth model places emphasis on having the least amount of interventions possible in childbirth, while still focusing on the well-being of the mother and baby. Biodynamic Birth is a philosophy of birth that will teach families ways to cope with the intensity of birth by studying the way hormones in the body create different reactions. It is used more often in birth center and home births because of hospital protocols regarding interventions. With this childbirth education method you can expect:

• Detailed discussion about the hormones that are used in birth, how they interact with each other and with your body in labor and birth
• Thoughtful and thorough discussion of interventions and how they will help or hinder your birth
• Learning about birth and postpartum practices that are more holistic, such as delayed cord clamping, immediate skin to skin contact and having the parents be the first ones to touch the baby
• How to create an optimal environment for labor by utilizing dim lighting, relaxing music and comfortable surroundings to help facilitate a safe and familiar feeling

Head Over Heels Birth Education
This comprehensive series is taught by childbirth educators who are also doulas. They prepare their participants for both the emotional and physical aspects of childbirth, without catering to any one type of philosophy. They are generally geared toward those considering or planning an unmedicated birth, but will delve into what a medicated birth may look like as well. With this childbirth education method you can expect:

• Smaller class sizes than hospital birth classes—which is beneficial for a more personalized and individual experience
• A stronger focus on the postpartum period, and preparing families for what that may look like
• A very open and safe environment for a diverse population of expectant parents to gather

By Jennie Coyne of Portland Doula Love!