There are some people who underestimate the importance of taking a childbirth education/childbirth preparation course. Those who do realize the importance of such a course, often opt to take a course put on by the hospital at which they will be giving birth. This course it touted as the ideal course, claiming to prepare expectant families for what they will experience in the hospital. Seldom does this class inform the expectant parents of all of their options, instead, only explaining those options that align with hospital protocol.

Those who choose to birth outside of the hospital, either at an independent birthing center or at home, often select a course more tailored to their birth choices, that a hospital does not prepare or host.
Many people think there has to be an either/or, and that there is not a course available that is well tailored to both hospital births and homebirth. This is not the case.

A few select families opt to seek out an independent childbirth educator, one who is well prepared to teach both hospital options, and options for alternative birthing styles.

Many people will question the skill and/or validity of such an instructor, fearing they will get someone without education on the subject or one who has a bias in one direction or the other.

Independant childbirth education can well prepare families for birth in all situations. These instructors are trained on both active and expectant management procedures and are well versed on all topics that hospital birthing classes cover. An independent childbirth educator will not be biased on hospital birth or homebirth, and will instead present all options available to the expectant families, as well as the risks and benefits of each option, so that the parents-to-be can make a truly informed consent decision.

I hold a diploma of childbirth education from Childbirth International. More information of this organization can be found at http://www.childbirthinternational.com