In my ideal world, there would be no need for women to take formal classes to prepare for birth—they would already feel confident and well-equipped for birth as a rite of passage.  Of course, we don’t live in an ideal world and the climate of fear and doubt surrounding birth in our culture, as well as the emphasis on medical intervention and technology, means that most women view birth with some degree of apprehension. Many women also express doubt in their own ability to give birth and fear and trepidation about the experience and their own abilities to cope with it.

Lamaze’s book Giving Birth with Confidence, recommends that you ask yourself the following questions when making the decision about whether or not to attend independent childbirth education classes:

• Did you grow up believing that your body works beautifully? That its functions are normal, natural, and healthy in general–and in particular regarding childbirth?
• Do you know and trust women who have given birth naturally and confidently?
• Have you talked with a woman who had a baby with a midwife’s help?
• Do you know other people who believe in the normalcy of birth and in women’s ability to birth naturally?
• Will your birth site allow you freedom to respond to your body’s signals however you need to as you move through labor?