How are the sessions going?

How are the Preparation for childbirth ? What is the management? What place do future dads hold? We guide you.

When to start childbirth preparation sessions?

It is generally advisable to Register early after the start of pregnancy To get a place during your choice. Some maternities have a lot of women who wish to attend and, to prepare groups, they must predict their workforce in advance. No question of waiting for the eighth month of pregnancy to be interested in it. Especially since the preparation courses for childbirth do not only deal with childbirth. “”These are courses on all pregnancy and even afterexplains Marie Kissner, midwife at Morlaix hospital. We talk about the evils of pregnancy as well as the epidural and obviously also of childbirth. “ It all starts with an early individual interview which generally takes place in the 4th month of pregnancy. The future mother meets a midwife who provides Preparation for childbirth. During this interview, the mother will be able to speak freely about her pregnancy, her life as a couple, her work but also about her fears and her expectations with these preparation courses. Group lessons can then start. “Most often, they start the lessons at the start of their maternity leave, around 7 and a half months of pregnancy. The time of the lessons is not necessarily compatible with their work,” explains Marie Kissner. Note that certain collective agreements allow women to attend there before maternity leave on simple proof.

Are the preparation courses for delivery reimbursed?

Social Security pays 100 % the costs of 8 conventional childbirth preparation sessions for all women. It is sometimes possible to take a course after childbirth, to have advice on taking care of your baby. Recall that the first session corresponds to the early prenatal interview offered to women at the beginning of pregnancy.

Each maternity is free to offer their own program. However, you will approach the following questions, linked to the course of your pregnancy and your delivery.

• Theme of the 1st course : pregnancy. Baby development and bodily changes, hygiene during pregnancy, small ailments of pregnancy, medical follow -up, pregnancy symptoms and reasons requiring consultation, how to recognize a contraction, etc.
• Theme of the 2nd course : practical questions. The content of the maternity suitcase, administrative papers to prepare, exams, other formalities, etc.
• 3rd course theme : work. The signs of the beginning of work, the surveillance of the work, the epidural, the triggering of childbirth, expulsion, etc.
• Theme of the 4th course : Cesarean. The indications, the programmed cesarean, the different anesthesia, etc.
• Theme of the 5th course: issuance and surveillance after childbirth.
• Theme of the 6th course: The reception of the newborn.
• Theme of the 7th course : The stay for the mother, for the baby and breastfeeding.
• Theme of the 8th course: Back home.

Unless you choose a liberal midwife who sometimes practices individual sessions, The delivery courses for childbirth most often take place in groups. “”At first, women are a bit shyexplains Marie Kissner, But quickly they feel comfortable, discuss and almost all ask questions. “ Do you think that lessons consist only in imitating the breathing of the little dog for an hour? Well, you’re wrong. Generally, the course is divided into a theoretical part and a practical part. “”The first is to explain all the events that can happen during the end of pregnancy. The courses take the course of pregnancy, for example small ailments of pregnancy or the epidural“Explains Marie Kissner, midwife. The second part of the course is reserved for exercises.”We can use carpets, balloons or cushions to explain to future mothers how to relieve back pain, for example, during pregnancy. But we don’t teach them the breathing of the little dog, it’s only in the movies! Howeverexplains Marie Kissner, They are told how to breathe through the belly, how to push, etc. To be ready on D -Day. ”

In order to avoid surprises on D -Day, lessons approach the progress of childbirth. Most often, moreover, future mothers can thus visit the work rooms and meet the teams of caregivers.

From the classic method to prenatal singing sessions, including haptonomy, sophrology, prenatal yoga, aquagym, the Gasquet method or the Bonapace method … Discover the different preparations for childbirth and choose the one that suits you best.

Is it serious if I cannot attend the preparation courses for childbirth?

When the baby is born prematurely or the mother did not have the time or the desire to take the lessons, how is it going? Rest assured, it does not matter: “Even if women visit the locals and meet the teams, these courses are above all theoretical, it will never be like reality. Besides, even those who have already given birth for the first time, they cannot know how their second childbirth will take place!“Because if the preparation courses are useful to answer questions or reassure future mothers, it does not mean that they are essential!”It does not matter in itself not to have assisted there, the main one is that the woman knows how to identify the contractions and comes to maternity. The lessons are used in particular to learn to manage stress and pain. But anyway, some women who took the lessons come to maternity so stressed that they can no longer remember what they have learned in class!“So don’t worry. The midwives will explain everything to you that you have or not the courses.”Explain to women the course of events reassure them on D -Day, but it is in addition a part of our job to do it and help them in these moments“Adds Marie Kissner.

What is the place of future dads?

Future dads are experiencing pregnancy differently, but they are no less curious to understand what’s going on. Moreover, future fathers are also invited to participate in the courses. “”However, as courses most often take place in the middle of the day, few future dads can go there.“Some maternities offer a course for couples in their program or specifically dedicated to future dads. “There are also lessons specially reserved for men: future dads can thus ask their questions, midwives can explain to them when it is necessary to go to maternity, how to reassure the mother, etc. Men often have very practical questions“These courses also allow future dads to reassure themselves before the day of childbirth. Men can see the different instruments that will be used during childbirth, but also ask questions about their concerns, which they do not necessarily do in the presence of the future mother. In public hospitals, these courses are free, ask your maternity to learn more.

What is it for if I have to have a cesarean?

Your doctor told you: you will give birth by Cesarean. Suddenly, you are wondering if you have to take the delivery preparation lessons. The answer is yes. “”The first reason is that during these courses, we only learn how to give birth by low way! All forms of childbirth are discussed. Second reason: the courses allow you to learn to identify the contractions. And even if you have to have a cesarean, we have contractions! Third reason: in some cases, when women arrive at maternity and even when a cesarean was initially planned, if the work is already advanced, these women can sometimes have to give birth to the low way “explains the midwife. The preparation courses for childbirth therefore allow women to Know all the situations that may arise. Thus, even if an unforeseen event disturbs the planned course (the cesarean), the woman will have the concepts to manage it. In addition, midwives know the cesareans, so they can also answer the questions and concerns of future mothers on the subject. Another advantage of these courses is the exchange between future mothers. Because these courses are also for those who have already given birth. You can therefore meet women who have had a cesarean and who can reassure you, for example. The Cesareanus is therefore not a good reason for absence from the courses.

Are childbirth preparation lessons useful for a second pregnancy?

When you have already given birth, the question of following or not the preparation for childbirth during the next pregnancy can arise. For Marie Kissner, a midwife, the answer is nuanced: “It all depends on the woman. Sometimes she comes because she wants answers to her questions during her new pregnancy. Because not all pregnancies take place in the same way! Other women come back to it to share their first experience with future mothers.“Social security allows each pregnancy to take these courses, no difference between future mothers. As these courses are not compulsory, it is up to the woman to take the process or not to register and go there. “Many women also come back for the relaxation part of courses which is very important during pregnancy“Pregnant women appreciate these moments of relaxation that allow them to blow for a few minutes and learn relaxation techniques.

Interview in 2011.