6 Reasons to consider trauma informed antenatal classes

 

Private 121 antenatal class or session(s)are completely focused on you, your experiences, worries and fears. It may be that you have had a very medicalised route to get to this stage of pregnancy. This can contribute to additional layers of anxiety as you prepare for birth. You may have had a previous traumatic birth experience that fills you with dread as you navigate the birth planning stage - you can feel powerless and be offered less choices by birth professionals and hospital settings. Maybe you would like to have a VBAC and would like to create a bespoke birth plan that considers this. There are many reasons why people decide to book 2- 4 hour session of trauma informed antenatal birth preparation.  

 

Trauma informed birth preparation is more than simply arming you with knowledge and information. Its about creating space and time for you and your birth partner to consider previous experiences, values, and needs. It is a protected time to connect with the important experience ahead. A time to address some of the unspoken fears and invest in being together and on the same page, so to speak. It is also about learning and understanding the medical landscape and language. With all of these anchors in place, it is about scaffolding and strengthening your confidence individually and together.  

 

 

There is a lot of information out there when it comes to pregnancy, birth and beyond. Its imperative to check the credentials, training and experience of the antenatal teacher or course provider, as well as the course content. Unfortunately, this is especially important if you have had challenges of loss, fertility and or trauma up to the point of planning your babys birth.  

 

Information should be factual with up to date evidence to inform your choices. Your antenatal coursse or sessions should provide you with knowledge and practical skills for the decisions and experiences you may encounter during birth. It most especially requires sensiivity and awareness of your history. It should all be about strengthening confidence for you and your birth partner to have a positive birth and postnatal experience.  

 

Antenatal preparation is about getting the womans body and mind in an optimal condition for birth. Simple exercises and understanding for the mind and body can make all the difference in the weeks before labour. Learning specific active birth principles enables you to work with your body as opposed to against it in labour. The foundation for active teamwork can be established in your 121 antenatal class.  

The journey of education and support does not have to end after a trauma informed antenatal session. LIfe as newborn parents is a huge transition. I offer telephone and email support in the run up to the big day. Clients describe this as very reassuring and strengthens their capacity to navigate the choices offered in maternity care.  

It is my experience that the majority of birth partners who attend my 121 trauma informed antenatal sessions, initially do so, with lets say a visible low level of enthusiasm! They are there to show up and support their pregnant partner, but not sure how thisis all going to help. For partners who have previously witnessed a traumatic birth, it can be so healing to avail of a trauma informed antenatal session with their partner. Space and opportunity is creted for connection and care. Feedback is overwhelmingly positive, expressing gratitude most especially for how connecting the experience is.  

 

Its true that you can really hide in a room of people – even more so on zoom. Your bum is on the seat and you stay for the entirety then you have completed the course – right? This is true but what have you gained? Some patience and tolerance? An overview? A friend? Have your questions been answered? Lots of questions posed in these forums are based on others stories and fears of the ‘what if’s’ and how’s. 

In a group course, in a room or on zoom with others, its not always easy to have the courage it takes to express your personal experiences and fears. This is especially the case if you and your partner have had a journey of loss or assisted conception or a previous traumatic birth. A 121 trauma informed antenatal session is private and confidential. It is unique to you. Working in a safe space with just your worries, fears and concerns allows all of the shadows of the ‘what if’s’ and what happened before’ to be expressed and lifted. When the fear is removed an exquisite space is created to fill with solutions and knowledge for a positive labour and birth, whatever that looks like. From fear full to fear less. 

 

When it comes to trauma informed antenatal sessions its about what is important to you and your partner. It’s about making an investment that very often makes more sense afterwards than before. A positive birth experience does not have to 'look' a particular way - vaginal, water C section, epiduaral etc. It is every bit about feeling seen, heard and part of your babys birth. Its about understanding your rights and the choices available to you. Its about navigating and understanding systems and language. 

Its about recognising every experience in its own right. Its about dealing with the past difficulties in a way that makes space for different and new experiences without the shadow of what has happened along the way.  

 

 

If you would like to know more or ask any questions on trauma informed 121 antenatal classes or your personal situation please don’t hesitate to contact Melanie