So, what are your options?
There's Lamaze, which emphasizes pain management through relaxation and breathing exercises and asks women to assume responsibility for their own health and to trust their inner wisdom;

Bradley, which stresses the importance of diet and exercise, teaches deep breathing techniques and involves your husband or partner as an integral part of the birth process;

Or smaller, more private classes taught by instructors certified by the International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA), which typically focus on using as little medical intervention as possible, yet still provide you with a comprehensive overview of all your birth options.

Birth centers often offer classes geared toward their particular philosophies, and hospitals frequently feature short sessions (up to eight weeks) that consist of lectures and exercises led by trained childbirth instructors. You'll learn about relaxation, breathing patterns, the logistics of labor and delivery, c-sections, hospital procedures and what to expect from a newborn.

What makes a good childbirth class?
Childbirth classes help with all aspects of your pregnancy, adds Patricia Turner, president of the Minneapolis, MN-based International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA). She says a good class should give you an overview of your options and be realistic about the kind of experience you may have. It should concentrate on the states of labor and teach you pain management skills and breathing techniques. And it should include every possible scenario, "not just what the hospital is offering."

Most of all, the class should mirror your own philosophies and desires. Your views on pain and pain management should come into play long before you sign up for a class. Be sure to do your homework: Ask friends what they chose; talk to your doctor or midwife; ask specific questions of your hospital or birth center; and do research online at parenting Web sites such as www.babycentral.com, www.momcentral.com, www.ivillage.com and www.parentsmagazine.com. Also, www.lamaze.org, www.idea.org and www.bradleybirth.com will give you insights into the route you may want to go.

*Excerpts from, "Lessons Learned: The How and Why of Childbirth Education Classes"
By Jeanne Muchnick, Every Baby magazine, Issue One.

• Group Support