Being Prepared For A New Life
The Age
Tuesday March 16, 2004
Although they may feel daunted by the overwhelming amount of information on childbirth, it is important for new parents to be well informed, says Kaye Dyson of the Royal Women's Hospital.
Dyson, the manager of the hospital's childbirth education department, says it is important for couples to do some reading - if possible before they attend antenatal classes - because it can help them prepare some questions.
She says about 80 per cent of first-time parents-to-be in Australia attend antenatal classes, which cover the normal process of labour and birth, pain relief options, interventions in labour (such as caesareans, forceps and induction), when to come to hospital, care of the newborn in the immediate post-birth time and the first breastfeed.
There is also some parenting education, Dyson says, such as preparing for life at home with a baby, safety matters and strategies to help women develop community support.
"What we try to encourage here is talking about pregnancy, labour and birth as normal, natural events in a woman's life," she says.
"It's important to be positive but it's also important to know that things may not go as you want. And be as prepared as you can be, including having explored some of the 'what-if' scenarios. If (you) have to be rushed off to an emergency caesarean, at least know a bit about it."
A very high percentage of fathers now attend births. Most also attend the antenatal classes and women without a partner are encouraged to bring a support person, who are told what to expect and how they can support the mother, Dyson says.
"I like to talk to the men about how they might feel. It's (the birth's) an intensely emotional time. They can feel overwhelmed and that's OK. It's normal to be overwhelmed. It's a life-changing and profound experience."
© 2004 The Age