7 Reasons Why We Highly Recommend Rome Kanapi's Childbirth Preparation Class

In mid 2018, we were seven couples preparing to become first-time parents. We were also seven very pregnant moms-to-be who were nervous, anxious, excited, and clueless about our respective motherhood journeys. We expected to learn about Lamaze breathing techniques and the basics of childbirth to help us get through our labor and birthing experiences... but what we got was so much more.  Here’s why we loved it…

1. We learned through interactive classes with a seasoned childbirth educator

Ms. Rome Kanapi held her first class in 1981 with only four couples (who also happened to be her friends). Fast forward to the present and she is now recognized as a pioneer childbirth educator in the country with almost 40 years of experience! If you attend her class, it’s not hard to imagine why. She teaches with conviction, compassion, humor and everything in between to make it worth your while. Her teaching approach is casual and motherly, and she always adds personal anecdotes and activities to keep the sessions lively and interesting.  She made the career shift from a NGO professional to stay-at-home mom to childbirth educator because she wanted to share her own birth experience to young couples and have her own passion project aside from being a full-time mom.  She finds fulfillment in meeting different types of people, hearing about the joys of her students’ childbirth experiences and witnessing couples become hands-on parents to their kids. 

2. No information overload! The lessons are well-paced across 6 sessions in easily digestible chunks.

​

Being newbie parents-to-be is already overwhelming to begin with. The last thing we needed was a crash course in preparing ourselves for childbirth. Ms. Rome took us through various topics such as anatomy, birthing stages, birthing process, pregnancy stretching, relaxation and pain management techniques. Plus, we had a take-home manual so we could revisit and study all the lessons that were tackled. 

3. You can bond with your classmates over your shared experiences as parents-to-be -- hello, mommy & daddy tribes! 

The classes are relaxed, informal, and provide a safe space for its participants. We exchanged notes during pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum and beyond. Because it wasn’t just a one-time class, we also learned a lot about our classmates. Some sessions had potluck snacks and we all shared different products from work and food from our respective provinces. There was a sense of community forming throughout the six weeks.

Although the setting may be different now with COVID-19, and classes being moved to an online platform, it’s still a great opportunity to connect with people who are going through the same journey as you.

4. Freebies! Freebies! Freebies! 

​Come on, who doesn’t love giveaways? Because of the corporate and brand partnerships that Ms. Rome has established through the years, we received many free samples -- diapers, baby wipes, lotion, sunblock, baby oil, shampoo and soap, newborn bath towel, etc.

5. The last session includes a lesson on Newborn Care 

​

After preparing us for all the know-hows and to-dos from pregnancy until childbirth, she took it one step further and tackled the first part of the “fourth trimester” -- proper swaddling, changing diapers, burping, etc. 

Even after the sessions were over, Ms. Rome still responded to any of our concerns and questions.

Swaddling demo by Ms. Rome

Daddies learn diaper-changing

Daddy D changing diapers

Baby carrying techniques

6. Ms. Rome gives plenty of practical advice.

You get more than just childbirth theories and techniques when you take her class. She gives practical advice like making sure you know what floor the maternity ward of your chosen birthing hospital is, or recommending no-fuss newborn clothes to save your sanity during sleepless nights of constantly changing diapers with one eye still closed.

7. Attending the class helps build your confidence, and ease your stress and anxiety.

After the six weeks are over, we probably still felt nervous about our parenting journeys, but I think we could all agree that taking the class helped a lot in building our confidence. At the very least, we knew more or less what to expect in the last few months of our pregnancies.

Truthfully, knowing that we had a small group of equally anxious future moms and dads who were going through the same things as we were, made it a little less scary for all of us.

So maybe we no longer remember every single lesson we were taught, but we always treasure the sense of community, friendship and feeling of trust that came about from attending that class.

---

Note: This is a personal testimonial. This is NOT a paid post. All seven couples enrolled willingly and paid full fees for attending the Childbirth Preparation Class. We do NOT receive any commission for referrals to the class.