Information overload
There is a massive amount of information about childbirth on the internet, you can truly learn everything you need to know to be prepared for birth online! The problem is, how do you know whether or not you're getting quality, relevant, and balanced information? What if you're reading outdated recommendations? Could you be learning about options that are unavailable in your area, such as hospital waterbirth, nitrous oxide, or peanut balls? Does everything you're reading scare you? Are you avoiding uncomfortable topics, like needles, a precipitous labor, a long labor, medications not working or causing adverse side effects, induction, Cesarean, or epidurals?
What about your partner's childbirth education? Are they reading everything with you? Have you set aside time to discuss your options, fears, hopes, and decisions so they can be your advocate when you cannot speak for yourself? Whether you choose medications, opt to labor without pharmaceuticals, or your birthing time prevents you from sleeping, you will be unable to move freely and/or think logically for some amount of time during your birth. It is critical that your support people and medical team know what you want for your birth!
You can absolutely complete your childbirth education on your own for free, but it requires discernment, a critical eye, facing your fears, researching local options, multiple discussions with your birth partner about what you're learning, and lots of time.
What helped you prepare for your birth? What information did you wish you had learned? Was there something you learned that was not valuable?