Childbirth Education Topics
This is a list of most of the childbirth education topics I cover. This is not a complete list and is updated often. This is a build-your-own class, meaning you pick what you want or need to learn about.
Topics are added to the list each time someone asks for something that is not there. If you do not see an issue you would like to cover, please contact me.
Please note that time to cover some topics is longer than
others, you will not be able to cover all topics in 4 hours!
q Women are not pizza (pizzas are delivered!)
q “The Baby” is YOUR baby
q
For making decisions
q
For allowing others
to make decisions
q
Informed consent
questions
q
BRAND Benefits-Risks-Alternatives-Nothing-Decision
q
Right to ask
q
Right to make
decisions
q
Choices may be
limited due to medical, financial, geographic, personal bias
q
What is the
difference
q
How can it affect
you?
q
List of preferences,
plan of action
q
Sharing birth plan
with others
q
Brain
q
Hormones
q
Pelvis
q
Uterus
q
Cervix
q
Vagina
q
Perineum
q
Baby
q
Physical Markers
q
Emotional Markers
q
Early Labor (1-3 cms)
q
Active Labor (4-7
cms)
q
Transition (8-10 cms)
q
Descent contractions
q
Length of
contractions -duration
q
From Beginning of
contractions to beginning of next contractions- Interval
q
From start of
contraction
q
Early Labor vs.
Braxton-Hicks contractions
q
Shower, R&R, if
no SROM
q
Labor project
Fear-Pain-Tension
Cycle- Dr. Grantly Dick-Read
Conditioned
relaxation-Lamaze
q
Purposeful
q
Anticipated
q
Intermittent
q
Normal
q
Has an end and goal
q
Reminder to change
position and technique
q
Using Gate theory to
minimize pain
q
Doulas role in home
and hospital birth
q
Benefits of doulas
q
Finding a doula
q
Interviewing a doula
q
When to go
q
What to expect when
coming in
Preventing Problems in
Pregnancy and Labor
q
Drinking water
q
Good nutrition and
adequate protein intake
q
Exercise
q
Rest
q
Equipment that will be in the room
q
Tools that will be available
for asking
q
List to take with you
q
Relaxation
q
Breathing Techniques
q
Focal Points
q
Positions
q
Heat/Cold Therapy
q
Walking
q
Movement
q
Counter Pressure
q
Double Hip Squeeze
q
Massage/Effleurage
q
Acupressure points
q
Shower
q
Birth Ball
q
Doulas
q
Slow deep breathing
q
Moderate paced
breathing
q
Panting or pattern
paced
q Cascade of interventions begins on entrance to hospital
q Risks of interventions include use of further, more invasive intervention
q
Hospital admission
q
Vaginal exam
q
Induction/augmentation
q
IV
q
Electronic fetal
monitoring (EFM/IFM)
q
Restricted movement
q
Amniotomy
q
Episiotomy
q
Forceps/Vacuum
Extraction
q
Cord
traction/Placental extraction
q
C-section
q
“24-hour rule”
q
Walking
q
Intercourse
q
Nipple stimulation
q
Castor oil
q
Herbs
Induction/Augmentation
q
Risks/Benefits
q
Prostaglandin gel
q
Cytotec
q
Pitocin
q
Amniotomy
q
Stadol/Demerol
q
Pitocin
q
Magnesium Sulfate
q
Epidural/Spinal
q
Local “caine” for
tear repair or episiotomy
q
Reasons for C-section
q
Risks/benefits
q
What happens in a
c-section
q
Recovery
q
Nursing your baby
after a c-section
q
Current C-section rates
and why
q
Minimizing risk of
c-section
q
Lithotomy
q
Semi-sit
q
Sitting
q
Squat
q
Semi-squat
q
Supported squat
q
Standing
q
Hands and Knees
q
Knees, leaning
q
Side Lying
q
APGAR scores
q
Newborn exam
q
Eye ointment
q
Vitamin K shot
q
Hepatitis B vaccine
q
Oxygen (mask or
blow-by)
q
Surfactant
q
Shape of head
q
Swelling in sex
organs
q
Pink trunk, white
limbs
q
Vernix
q
Lanugo
q
Peeling
q
Bleeding from sex
organs
q
Breast buds
q
Frequent feeds
(stomach size)
q
Meconium
q
Reflexes
q
Normal sleep
q
Benefits for mom,
baby, environment
q
Signs of readiness to
feed
q
Positioning the baby
q
Proper latch
q
Why feeding on demand
is physically essential to your milk supply
q
Importance of
colostrum and breast milk
q
What to expect when
milk comes in
q
Dealing with
engorgement/leaking
q
Supply/demand
q
Assuring abundant
supply
q
Knowing its enough
q
Getting support
q
Knowing if you need
help
q
Finding help
q
Car seat
q
Feeding
q
Burping
q
Changing diapers
q
Bathing
q
Sleeping environment
q
Reasons for crying
q
5 S’s for calming
crying babies
q
Umbilical cord care
q
Swaddling your
newborn- why its important, why it works
q
Do you need a pump?
q
Pumping tips
q
Storing milk
q
Introducing a bottle
to a breastfed baby
q
Working and pumping
q
What research says
q
Care of circumcision
wounded penis
q
Breast
q
Belly
q
Bleeding
q
Bottom
q
Baby
q
Birth control
q
Blues
Baby related gear
q
Breastfeeding pillows
q
Slings
q
Co-sleepers
q
Cloth diapers
q
Breast pumps