Research has shown that US hospital child birth classes use various methods to “socialize parents to comply with hospital routines and expectations” and may fulfill institutional rather than individual needs (Armstrong, 2000, p. 583). Basically, these hospital classes are teaching you how to be a ‘good patient’ and how to have a birth that is typical in a hospital setting. Many of my doula families are preparing to have spontaneous, unmedicated, vaginal births which is unfortunately very much not the norm for a hospital birth.
There are several options for child birth classes both online and in-person! For my most suggested online classes Click Here. For in-person classes or one-on-one classes with a child birth educator, you can search your local area via google or ask your doula for a list of upcoming classes that fit your family and birth goals.
Jenni Jenkins – Sekine is an Oklahoma Bereavement, Birth, & Postpartum Doula and Child Birth Educator who serves her Central Oklahoma community. She is also a midwifery assistant with Holistic Birthing Services and began her journey as a student midwife with the Midwives College of Utah in 2022.
Jenni is also the creator & facilitator of the Kaleidoscope OKC LGBTQ Family Support Group & the Nurture Oklahoma Live Interview Series.
To learn more about Jenni, please click here.