It is with mixed emotions that most women approach their last trimester and that final push- labor. It means you are so close that you can almost smell that warm baby skin, but all the ‘labor’ involved with labor and delivery can also be a pretty scary thing, especially if you are a first timer. Not only are novice Mommies contending with the “unknown” factor, they have probably read one too many times that it will more than likely take them longer to birth that baby than it does for the vets… not all that reassuring.

Increasingly, first timers are getting a little a lot of help from books and classes meant to prepare them to push their way through baby’s birth day. While the levelheaded mantra at many of these classes is that no birth will go exactly how you plan it (there are a few exceptions that still teach you that a written birth plan is a must), arming yourself with a bevy of the latest knowledge is the only solid plan new and vet Mommies can rely on when it comes to birthing that baby.  After all, would you row a canoe from New York to Paris without researching the best methods of traveling there simply because that is the way it was always done?

While the art of having a baby is as old as, well… forever, we have come a long way since birthing in the bushes, and here is a smattering of the classes/methods available to expectant Mom’s:

Labor and delivery techniques

Lamaze: Formalized and introduced in 1951, Lamaze is one of the breakthrough methods of childbirth that brought with it a tidal change in the way parents looked at birth. It still conjures images of huffing and puffing breathing techniques, but Lamaze has evolved to become more focused on philosophically preparing new parents for the birth process through the “Lamaze Philosophy of Birth.” This is the cornerstone for many of the hospital directed childbirth classes, including the ones offered at St. Louis’ baby factory, St. John’s.

Bradley: Right around the same time Dr Lamaze came on the scene, so did the Bradley Method. Bradley is a natural childbirth focused method and emphasizes the involvement of Mom’s partner throughout the process, and is also referred to as “Husband-Coached Childbirth.” Though not as famous as Lamaze, the technique has been around just as long and has many devotees. The Bradley Method is taught in 12 classes, and in St. Louis they are led by one of seven affiliated instructors (a list of which can be found on the Bradley website).

McMoyler: While actual classes are only currently being taught in San Francisco, the McMoyler Method is gathering steam. Introduced in 1993, the McMoyler Method is a relative newcomer on the baby-birthing scene, and is considered to be a moderate birth approach emphasizing, “Healthy Mom, healthy baby… no matter how you get there.” Developed by a veteran labor and delivery nurse, the method encourages as little intervention as is possible or wanted without putting the baby at risk, but doesn’t shame the Mom who is a devoted epidural fan. The method and many great tips are explained in the book, “The Best Birth,” while St. Louisans interested in taking the full course can purchase the class on DVD.

Hypnobabies: This method of moderating contractions (or what they call “pressure waves”) through labor emphasizes Mom’s ability to self-hypnotize to “enjoy your baby’s birth in comfort, joy and love.” The idea is that tapping into the ability to “zone out” is the foundation of self hypnotize, and should be used throughout labor in lieu of pain relief medications. This method is another one that is increasing in popularity, to the extent that there will be no instructor led classes in 2010 so the founders can focus on developing training and books. St. Louis Moms can learn the how to birth their Hypnobaby via self-study using a DVDs and a workbook, which can all be ordered on the Hypnobabies website.

Prepping for baby

There are a few other preparation techniques that many Moms have tried, and there are factions of Moms who will swear by them, too. For example, the days of propping your feet up with a bowl on bon-bons are over. More and more Moms are being encouraged to continue exercising while they can during pregnancy. This definitely is something that should be monitored by your doc, but many a fit Mom will swear that keeping with her cardio and weights helped her get through labor with flying colors and bounce back quicker. Even the ladies who are expecting but never hit the gym are being encouraged to take up low-impact exercise such as swimming and walking to help ease pregnancy related symptoms like sciatica, constipation, and some of the other lovelies that come with carrying baby.

Other popular baby-prep methods that have their fervent devotees include: prenatal yoga, acupuncture sessions, pregnancy massage, and regular chiropractic care to open up the hips. Considered alternative medicine, they should all be done only with the ok of your physician and by a professional specially trained in dealing with pregnant patients.