Prenatal Appointments Are Not Childbirth Education: Understanding the Difference
When you’re expecting a baby, there’s a lot of information to take in.
You might assume that the prenatal appointments with your medical provider—or the meetings with your doula—are enough to prepare you for birth. While these appointments are incredibly valuable, they’re not a substitute for a comprehensive childbirth education course. Understanding the differences can help you make informed decisions about your birth experience.
⤵️ Guess what? I have a free, downloadable tool to help you make informed decisions using the B.R.A.I.N.S. acronym! ⤵️
What Happens in Prenatal Appointments?
Prenatal visits with your doctor or midwife are focused on monitoring your health and the health of your baby. These appointments typically include:
Checking your vitals (blood pressure, weight, and urine tests)
Measuring baby’s growth and listening to their heartbeat
Discussing any symptoms, concerns, or complications
Performing necessary lab work or ultrasounds
Reviewing basic information about labor and delivery
While your provider might answer questions about labor and birth, these appointments are often short (like, 15 minutes or less in some cases) and primarily medical in nature.
The emphasis of these visits is on ensuring a healthy pregnancy, not on fully preparing you for the birthing process.
What Happens in Prenatal Meetings with a Doula?
If you’ve hired a doula, you will likely have at least one prenatal meeting to discuss your birth preferences and how they can support you. These sessions often include:
Talking through your vision for birth
Exploring comfort measures and coping techniques
Discussing potential interventions and how to navigate hospital policies
Answering your questions in a more personalized, in-depth way
Helping you build confidence in advocating for your choices
Doulas are an excellent source of emotional and practical support, but their role is not to replace childbirth education. They offer guidance tailored to your needs but may not have time to cover all aspects of birth education in depth. Assuming your doula will educate you about birth while you’re in labor is unrealistic, and not a good plan, in my opinion!
Why Take a Childbirth Education Course?
A structured childbirth education course goes beyond what medical providers and doulas typically cover. It provides you with the knowledge and tools you need to approach birth feeling prepared and confident. A good course should include:
Understanding the physiology of birth (what happens in each stage of labor)
Your full range of options for pain relief, interventions, and birth settings
Decision-making strategies (like using the BRAINS acronym)
Comfort techniques for both medicated and unmedicated births
Newborn care and postpartum recovery
Partner involvement and support strategies
By taking a course, you gain a deeper understanding of what to expect, which empowers you to make informed decisions throughout your birth experience. Click the button below to get on the wait list for the self-paced, online childbirth course that I’ll be launching towards the end of March 2025!
How to Choose the Right Course
When looking for a childbirth education course, consider:
Who is teaching it? Look for educators with experience in both hospital and out-of-hospital birth settings.
Does it align with your birth preferences? Some courses are hospital-based and intervention-heavy, while others take a more physiological or holistic approach.
Is it flexible? Online, go-at-your-own-pace courses allow you to learn on your schedule.
Does it cover advocacy? Knowing how to communicate with your provider and assert your choices is key to a positive birth experience.
While prenatal visits with your provider and discussions with your doula are really important parts of your birth preparation, they do not replace a well-rounded childbirth education. Investing in a course ensures that you have the knowledge and confidence to navigate your birth on your terms.
