FAQ

Where can I find reliable information about pregnancy and parenting online?

We have compiled a detailed list of trusted websites in our Links section. We have referred to these sites as educators and throughout our pregnancies. As mothers, we continue to consult them.

Do I need prenatal classes? Can’t I just read one of the many books out there?

Yes, there are many excellent books available, and we highly recommend reading at least one! However, reading about something and practicing it firsthand yield very different results. We often use this metaphor when discussing labour:

Imagine you decide to run a marathon. You find the best marathon training book and read it thoroughly. Once finished, you immediately register for your first marathon. How do you think you’ll fare? For most of us, we might make it a quarter or a third of the way (or maybe just 1 or 2 kilometers for some of us!) before we’re exhausted and likely forced to walk the rest of the race.

You’ve read about the entire marathon process, but without the actual training, that knowledge won’t benefit you much.

Prenatal classes are valuable because they provide a way to learn the material and then solidify that knowledge through practice. Your body inherently knows how to give birth and will guide you through the process, regardless of whether you attend classes. However, classes can teach you to recognize and interpret your body’s signals, allowing you and your support person(s) to create the most positive birth experience possible.

Another advantage of classes over books is the ability to ask questions, receive personalized information, and connect with other expectant families.

When should I take prenatal classes?

We recommend that you take classes between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. If you are expecting multiples, we recommend taking classes between 26 and 32 weeks.

What if I give birth or have to cancel before I am scheduled to take my class?

If you have registered for and paid for a class but are unable to attend due to childbirth, you will receive a full refund.

If you cancel within one week of the scheduled class for any reason other than a medical concern, a cancellation fee of $50 will be applied.

If you cancel within 72 hours of the class, you will be charged half the class price.

If you need to cancel, please contact us by phone or email to discuss your specific situation and potential charges.

Why are your classes more expensive than some of the other companies?

While some companies offer classes taught by Doulas, Samara offers prenatal classes taught by Registered Nurses. Although doulas are trained in labour and postpartum support (weekend workshops), and many are often certified childbirth educators, our educators are nurses who have received comprehensive nursing training and have also completed additional nursing training in the specialty of Maternal Child Health. Furthermore, we have completed specific certifications in breastfeeding education and childbirth education. The experience we have gained from working with women in labour provides us with a broad range of knowledge of both normal and complicated births, enabling us to provide thorough and comprehensive classes and answer any questions you may have.

Additionally, our private classes offer one-on-one instruction, and our group classes are customizable (private group class) or limited to a small group of no more than 6 couples. This allows for a more personalized learning experience.

How many people can I bring to the class with me?

If you are registered for a private class, you may invite as many support people as you wish. Ideally, those who attend will be people you have chosen to assist/support you during labour.

If you choose a group class, the price includes two participants; in most cases, the second participant is your partner. Please call or email us if you would like to bring an additional support person to a group class, as space may be available depending on class size.

My partner doesn’t want to come; do they need to come with me to the classes?

It is perfectly normal for partners to feel a little disconnected from the pregnancy and subsequent birth. Since these experiences are not happening to them, creating a connection with the baby may require more effort than what feels “natural.” That’s okay! Bringing a new baby into the world is a beautiful, eye-opening, emotional, and physically demanding journey, not just for the mother. Prenatal classes help demystify birth and help you understand what to expect and how you can work with the process. At Samara, we strive to ensure that partners feel comfortable by acknowledging their fears and doubts and by actively involving them. We highly recommend that your partner attend the classes with you, but the choice is ultimately yours.

What should I bring to class with me?

We recommend bringing water and snacks, especially if you are attending the weekend classes. We encourage both parents to bring a pillow as you will frequently change positions during class, which may enhance your comfort. Sitting for an extended period can be tiring. We can also use these materials for practicing labour positions and breastfeeding. If you are having a private class at your home, please ensure that these items are on hand.

Will I be subjected to the panting and breathing exercises that I see in the movies?

The answer is yes and no. Childbirth education has moved away from teaching specific methods or techniques for breathing. In the past, this was the primary reason parents attended prenatal classes (Lamaze), specifically to learn specific patterns would help a woman achieve an unmedicated birth. However, we now understand that breathing is an invaluable tool for managing pain during labour, but there is no single “right method” for breathing. It is possible to have an unmedicated birth without using patterned breathing techniques.

At Samara, we teach breathing awareness, which focuses on becoming aware of your own breath. We do practice breathing in a few different rhythms to familiarize you with how effective breathing can be as a relaxation tool and to demonstrate how, with focus, it can be an extremely useful tool in managing labour pain, regardless of whether you are planning an unmedicated birth or not.

Do I have to watch videos of women giving birth if I don’t want to?

In our experience, we have found that many women are afraid of labour, and rightfully so when all they see of labour is the Hollywood version of women screaming, and men in masks and gloves delivering the baby in a sterile, cold environment. In reality, labour is not at all how it is depicted in Hollywood. Our classes are designed to demystify labour and take some of the fear away. It is completely normal to fear what you don’t know! At Samara, we focus on presenting pregnancy and labour as a normal process in a woman’s life, one in which women inherently know how to cope with. The videos we show are often used to reinforce what has been discussed in the classes. We take care to show labour videos that are realistic without being too graphic.

We encourage women and their partners to watch at least one labour if not more. We find that being able to watch women give birth can be an avenue for gaining confidence yourself. Watching labours can help you see how strong women are, get a glimpse of what to expect, and see the beautiful reward we get at the end of it. So, in our opinion, exposing yourself to labour videos can be a really positive thing!

With all that said, if you are having a private class and after discussing labour you still do not feel comfortable watching the actual delivery we can skip the more graphic sections. If you are part of a group you may step out for this part.

What do the letters behind your Instructors’ names mean?
  • RN – Registered Nurse. A Registered Nurse may have a degree or a diploma, both types use RN behind their name.
  • BScN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing. This is the credential given when one has completed an undergraduate degree in Nursing. Some RNs have a BSN, which is a Bachelor of Nursing, and others have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing; these are essentially the same thing. Different Universities and Colleges offer different credentials, but they all signify an undergraduate degree in Nursing.
  • MN – Master of Nursing. This is the credential for a graduate degree in Nursing. Graduate studies primarily focus on enhancing the skills of interpreting, analyzing, and synthesizing research while developing scholarly writing capacity. Focused studies can be on clinical competence, education, enhanced research, and leadership. Amanda’s focus was on teaching and learning in nursing education.
  • IBCLC – International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. This certifies that we have taken professional education in breastfeeding and lactation and have met the qualifications, such as hours of experience and examination criteria. Essentially, it means that we have the skills and knowledge to help breastfeeding mothers and babies when things are going well and when they are not. It doesn’t mean we have all the answers, but we will work with you to find the right one if we don’t.
  • LCCE – Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator. This is from our childbirth education certification, which we chose to take through Lamaze as they have a very detailed and accredited childbirth education program. Some Childbirth Educators use the credential CE, which is from certification offered through other associations.