Benefits of Natural Birthing Classes Unclear

Learning relaxation and breathing techniques during pregnancy may not reduce the likelihood of needing an epidural or Caesarian section, researchers report in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

The Swedish study included 1,087 pregnant women and 1,064 of their partners. The participants were randomly assigned to attend four natural birthing classes or standard care classes. The natural birthing classes taught relaxation and breathing techniques, while the standard care classes emphasized pain relief and provided information about childbirth and parenting, modelled after the standard Swedish Antenatal Education Programme. The two-hour sessions began during the third trimester of pregnancy.

The number of women who requested pain-relieving medication during childbirth was similar in both groups, with just over half receiving epidurals. The number of vaginal and Caesarian deliveries was also similar between groups, although slightly more women in the natural childbirth group required the use of forceps or a ventouse. After the delivery, both groups reported similar rates of parental stress and satisfaction with the childbirth experience.

However, the authors note that additional research is needed to determine if results would be similar in other countries where prenatal preparation classes may be different.

Other integrative therapies have been suggested as beneficial before or during childbirth. For instance, some research suggests that water aerobics may help reduce pain during delivery. It has also been suggested that giving birth in water may reduce labor pain, duration of labor, perineal damage to the mother and birth complications.

For more information about natural childbirth techniques, please visit Natural Standard's Health & Wellness database.

Comments

[Sue Bondzeleske]

I have no doubt that EGCG is a very potent, effective substance in alternative cancer therapy and many other therapies. However, unless the recommendations state "EGCG only," I would never recommend the use of green tea for any disorder. Green tea contains the highest amounts of fluoride of most plants. Fluoride is toxic to the thyroid gland. Since the thyroid gland regulates metabolism (hence internal temperature) and cancer is known to proliferate in subnormal internal temperatures, this could be devastating in the long run. Yes, there could be initial health improvements, but, as the thyroid turns hypo, those improvements would diminish. It is always in the best interest of the patient to look at the entire picture, not just what is in front of you. Green tea is not a legitimate recommendation for a healthier life style. If ingested in large amounts, it could actually be detrimental and end up causing cancer.

[Greg S]

This study leads me to think that regardless of what kind of classes they attend (Natural Birthing or other), pregnant women do need to attend classes in preparation of giving birth. It would be interesting to see a comparison between women who attend any preparatory classes vs. those who do not attend any...on another thought -- were there any differences between women who had partners with them vs. those who did not?

[Lisa]

Interesting. I certainly would not have expected these results at all.

[LL]

I've heard that a natural delivery might be better for the baby. Is this true?

[Leigh King]

I disagree with the whole premise of this study. The use of epidurals depends on a number of reasons, including co-morbid conditions of the mother, and the role of natural birthing classes alone cannot, in my opinion, solely determine the use of pain medication. It seems like almost a waste of money to conduct a study like this without looking at the full picture. What was the average age of the women? Were they first-time mothers? Also, the study was not conducted in the United States, and the results are most likely not very generalizable to our population, as we have an entirely different healthcare system and possibly different birthing classes.

[Rick O'Shea]

I think the breathing associated with birthing classes is just a way to distract you from the pain with contractions. I am more curious to learn if there has ever been a study done that looks at birthing from the baby perspective? Would a water birth be better than natural birth, or is a C-section in terms of less stress put on the newborn? Does anyone know of any studies like this?

[Willie Leak]

Leigh King, how can you disagree with the whole premise of this study? Investigators merely wanted to see if natural birthing classes provided benefit in terms of decreasing the number of epidurals used and C-sections performed. Women who have C-sections need more recovery time, and the use of epidurals can make labor more difficult. I agree that this study is not really relevant to women in the U.S., as we do not have standard birthing classes, but I don’t see any problem with the study that was conducted.

[shannon t]

Having delivered three children, it seems that it is very hard to screen out the effect of an individual's threshold of pain and discomfort, for one thing. In addition, circumstances surrounding birth can be very different. One mother may deliver very quickly, another mother may be in active labor for six hours. It seems important to consider these points when you are trying to tease out the impact of relaxation and breathing techniques, which may quickly go out the window during labor.

[Summer]

I would have to agree with Shannon. Each woman's ability to handle pain is different, and the amount of time you are in labor is also very individualized. These natural birthing classes taught breathing and relaxation techniques, which may be enough for some women, while others need a little something more. Regardless, this study did provide some interesting results, as I wouldn't have expected no difference. It would be interesting to see this study conducted in the US and comparing it to other methods of birth, such as a water birth.

[Raymond]

Wow, I did not know about water birth (posted by Summer)!!! It's amazing how these women can give birth in the water!!

Back to the discussion about the relaxation and breathing technique for women who will give birth: I think it's good to have these women learn the relaxation and breathing techniques because they may reduce the anxiety of giving birth. Based on the study, there's no difference between those who got the intervention or not. But I will still suggest these women do these, because it may help some women, although not all of them.

[asr]

Each situation is unique, and based on this fact, the method of labor & delivery should be very individualized and practitioners should keep this in mind when discussing options (meaning provide info on all options!). I do not know of anyone who has utilized either natural birthing classes or the water birth technique, and obviously, both would have pros and cons. I for one do not know much about either method and often do not think of these when I think of a woman giving birth. I feel that there should be more education on the various methods, so that the parent(s) can determine which would be most suitable.

[Alan]

I agree with Asr that the method of labor and delivery is individualized and the pain scale is different for everyone. Some say that it didn't hurt, while others say it hurts so much. My mom told me it didn't hurt when she gave birth to my brother and then me five minutes later. I heard that it also depends how big your hip bone is. I've heard that the bigger hip you have, the easier you will give birth.

[Michelle]

It seems difficult to study the benefits of birthing classes given that every woman's birth is a unique experience. However, this study is only saying that there may be no benefit. Since birthing classes certainly don't make birthing any worse, and may only benefit the birthing process, it seems like it's still a good idea to take them.

[Nicole]

I feel like learning breathing and relaxation techniques (birthing classes) would, if anything, only help the birthing process since it helps to calm the mother. But then again, Shannon brings up a good point that all of this may be completely dismissed during labor. I guess its an option/add-on that mothers should consider since it's not necessarily going to provide a worse experience. I don't know anyone who has taken birthing classes, but I wonder if these are readily available in the U.S. through hospitals? Are these classes routinely recommended to expecting mothers?

[Victoria]

I agree with Michelle that the birthing class that are offered are still a good idea to join because the women won't know if they can benefit from it unless they try it. It could benefit some women, while others may find it doesn't work. It also depends on how the mother perceives birth, what the mother's lifestyle is like and what kind of support they receive during delivery.

[Jim]

This is a pretty controversial topic. What happens when you’re giving birth to a large baby and require a C-section? I think that natural birthing is fine under normal circumstances, but there are times when you require a c-section and epidural. Mothers giving birth to twins might not benefit at all from these classes.