Worried About Birth, but Don’t Have a Lot of Time to Prep?

It’s so common that pregnant couples are SO busy. I get this. Lots of things to do at work to make sure you can be off for a bit when baby is born, plus stuff to get ready at home for your new arrival. How can you fit birth preparation into this busy time? I’ve got you. Let’s talk about it!

Stop Being So Rigid

I think most of us (including me with my first baby) think — Ok, I need to schedule that hospital class.

You look, it’s Tuesday nights from 6-9 which when you add driving there, parking (UGH, hospital parking), driving home and feeling EXHAUSTED from a long day. It can be a LOT.

The good news is a lot of birth classes are available on demand any more. There may be possibly some through your hospital.

I think there’s a lot of good from finding a class that is NOT with your hospital though.

So, I’d look into options.

Here’s some posts with some favorites:

• Best Online Birthing Classes Taught by a Labor Nurse
• 14 Best Online Childbirth Classes for Couples
• Pregnancy & Baby Preparation Classes I Recommend

That hospital class can be tempting, and some are GREAT (I taught for my hospital). BUT couples are so hungry, tired and often can’t both come to the sessions leaving one to take notes… it’s just not always feasible. Check out your other options!

Do YOUR Work

While a class is great, some of birth is just thinking about what you want for your upcoming birth.

BTW, a good birth class should NOT be telling you what you should want for birth. No choice is right for every couple. Going through a good birth plan with an expert can help this a lot. I have a free birth plan series I think you’ll love (bonus: it’s super fast)

Look for Time-Appropriate

I so often see classes with like 15+ hours of content for your upcoming birth. And I, even though I do this for a living, sort of want to die at that thought. It’s overwhelming!

The thing is, you’re just there for the basics, and then you apply that to your situation by going to prenatal visits, learning to ask the right questions, etc.

You’re not looking to learn how to deliver a baby, or memorize the chemical make-up of oxytocin. You’re just there to get the basics. You’re hiring your provider as the expert!

Personally, I think this can be done in 3-4 hours. Beyond that you’re looking a lot of practice for natural pain management techniques. And while that’s awesome, it’s something you can do on your own while in the car or waiting for appointments.

Book Club It

For some of you, you may not be planning on anyone coming to your birth with you. However, most of you likely have a partner in this with you (be it the dad, your mom or a boyfriend/husband/partner).

The good news is you can book club it.

Yes, I do mean have some amazing snacks, but the idea here is that you each sort of take a section, and get the high points and report back.

A lot of couples just leave this to the person who’s giving birth — like it’s her job to take the full class and then report back. I, personally, think this is a bad habit to get into. Both should be involved and learning. It starts you off on the right foot. Make sure you get a class that’s for both of you.

Key Points Only

Looking for just the cliff notes of birth. I get you, and I see you. I am you in a lot of my life. 🙂

Which is why I recommend this class that has a key point only section. It is going to highlight what you really need to know. Couples love it.

If time together is slim, a lot of them book club the meat of the class, and then watch those key point videos together.

What NOT to do:

It can be tempting to do things like:

• Just watch a few social media channels
• Ignore it entirely
• Think your doctor has the time to prepare you at appointments
• Focus just on baby prep (like cute outfits and bassinets)

I’m just here to say that is a recipe for birth trauma…

It can feel “good” to have watched things on social media but it’s so important to miss the important parts that way — leaving you making a “no one ever told me” about birth — when in reality, you didn’t look to the right sources, and ultimately just have yourself to blame on that one. Plus, it’s hard to know what’s “true” on social media and what myths you’re learning. You want the REAL deal from an expert!

Ignoring it can also breed false confidence. It’s an important part you need. Don’t ignore it!

Doctors don’t have the time to give you the basics and apply it to you at appointments. I’d much rather spend my time with an expert applying the basics (that I can learn in multiple places) to my situation.

It’s really easy to think you just need to prepare for baby to come home, but learning about 3rd trimester testing, labor, birth & postpartum will be the biggest gift you give yourself. Much more than cute outfits or some important baby gear item you may only end up using a couple of times.

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 I love, Love, LOVE that you’re here preparing — but I gotta ask if your partner is just as on board for how different things are going to be. If you’re thinking you’d like for you to BOTH get prepared I recommend this. Check it out!

The good new is there are lots of ways to get prepared for your upcoming birth anymore. We used to only have those evening classes, but now you can shove birth prep into your mornings, your late nights or weekends — and possibly get even more prepared that way.

I recommend this class.

It was created for couples, it’s taught virtually and includes a way to ask the instructor any questions from within the class. You’ll feel so much better getting prepared, not being scared for your upcoming birth!

How are YOU getting prepared? Tell us down in the comments!