Childbirth preparation courses
Its basic objective is to prepare the couple for pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum, providing the mother with the physical and mental capacity for the arrival of her child. Information allows women to live their pregnancy more intensely, making them more responsible and participant in events as it allows them to make informed decisions on key issues. Most centers start these courses around the sixth month of pregnancy, although in some places they are beginning to be carried out from the beginning of pregnancy. The courses are usually divided into theoretical classes and practical classes.
In the theoretical classes they are informative talks in which knowledge about care and habits during pregnancy are explained. It is taught to identify and differentiate the normal signs and symptoms of pregnancy from those that are not, and it helps to make a correct identification of the onset of labor. The talks could be divided into three main topics, pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum.
Currently there are also postpartum courses for a good physical and mental recovery of women. In them exercises are performed to rehabilitate the perineal muscles to regain their tonicity well, and they are taught to perform hypopressive abdominal exercises for a recovery of the abdominal muscles without damaging the pelvic floor.
In postpartum courses, an essential part is helping new parents to create an affective bond with the baby and to cope with difficulties that may arise. The baby is also massaged and communication techniques are taught between the parents and the child. Questions about breastfeeding, caring for the baby are often answered, and the fact of being able to share the experience of recent motherhood with more mothers helps in the psychological aspect.
(Updated at Apr 14 / 2024)