Stocking up on diapers, buying baby clothes and supplies, interviewing pediatricians—all of these are things that parents typically do to get ready for their brand-new baby. But what about preparing for the birth itself?
In modern times, most people’s knowledge of childbirth comes from what they’ve watched on TV or in movies, which may or may not be very realistic. People who have seen a cat, dog, cow, or sheep give birth have somewhat more knowledge, but they still haven’t witnessed or participated in a human birth. That’s why obstetricians (doctors who care for pregnant women and deliver babies) and midwives (nurse practitioners who do the same thing) often hold classes to teach pregnant couples what to expect.
These classes provide couples with
- information about the birth process,
- strategies for coping with labor pain,
- a preview of what will likely happen to both mother and baby during and after the delivery,
- and, maybe most important, a place to get accurate, evidence-based answers to the many questions they probably have.
In this lesson, you will learn about the developmental changes that take place when a fetus inside its mother’s womb transitions to life as an independent organism, a newborn.
