Birthing Classes??
lisapr123
Posts: 863 Member
Have you taken them? Were they worth it?? Did you learn a ton that you actually used on the day of?
We're on the fence. My friends seem to be split....some didn't take them and were ok with it. Some took it and were thankful, others felt it was a waste. Our local hospital charges $150 and it's a full Saturday. I'd rather spend the time with friends or family!! I do plan on meeting with the lactation specialist (free if I do it on my own, otherwise it is part of the whole day class).
Of course I'm not going into this blind...I've had open discussions with friends (many who have delivered at the hospital we plan on using), have read a lot, etc... I'm due 12/6 so if we're gonna do this thing I better get moving and sign up!
We're on the fence. My friends seem to be split....some didn't take them and were ok with it. Some took it and were thankful, others felt it was a waste. Our local hospital charges $150 and it's a full Saturday. I'd rather spend the time with friends or family!! I do plan on meeting with the lactation specialist (free if I do it on my own, otherwise it is part of the whole day class).
Of course I'm not going into this blind...I've had open discussions with friends (many who have delivered at the hospital we plan on using), have read a lot, etc... I'm due 12/6 so if we're gonna do this thing I better get moving and sign up!
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I really learned a lot from ours. I like to have as much information up front as possible, it calms my nerves a little. We ended up having a c-sec in the end so it was nice that I had gone to the classes and they had explained the different things that could happen. Also they brought in a pedi to talk to us and I really liked her, so we choose her for our pedi. Just having all the info was comforting to me0
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We took them with our first, but it was free if you delivered at the hospital. I know there was a fee if you were delivering elsewhere. Our classes were either 1 or 1.5 hours in the evening once a week for I think 4 four weeks, with the fifth week being all about breastfeeding and optional. This was 8 years ago, so my memory is a little rusty.
The things I took away that stuck with me were the different options for pain control and birthing techniques. Both of my deliveries I had back labor with. It helped drastically that my husband was taught how to apply counter-pressure. Not that he probably remembered that from class and it was more the delivery nurse telling him to. We were very young parents at 21 and 20, so really we needed the education.0 -
I think our classes we $50 to $75, once a week for 5 weeks. We were in the adoption processes when we found out we were preggo, so I think we needed the classes to get our heads wrapped around what was actually happening to us:)0
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If you are planning for a certain type of birth, are not having a doula, and get an instructor who is in line with the type of birth you're aiming for, I'd say they are a good investment. You will have some idea what might happen, what your options really are, how to deal with it, and your husband/partner will have a better understanding of his role and what he can do to help.
We took a birthing class for our first and it was just some silly thing through the hospital. How to use a stopwatch and what types of pain meds the hospital offers. It did not prepare me for birth at that hospital. Our doulas knew what we wanted and helped us make decisions all along the way, as well as helping my husband help me.0 -
I didn't take one for my first nor did I with this one... Every birth is different and as long as my husband knows to just do whatever makes me happy, we're good (; But seriously -- with my first, all I wanted was someone to sing to me while I pushed. I didn't feel the contractions so I didn't need anything for that..
I've never been one to want a ton of information on it as the whole thing freaks me out. Knowing makes me freak out even more so I'd rather just be in the dark and go with whatever has to be done that day, haha.0 -
I took the course with my first (15 years ago) and found it very informative. Of course you know lots of it already but there is always something new and I really liked meeting up with the group members after our babies were born and swapping stories. so much fun.0
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We took a Calmbirth class a few weeks ago over 2 full days, quite pricey at $450 Australian dollars but worth every cent... I couldn't rave about this class more.
Before I used to see the birth as some horribly scary event that was a necessary thing to get through to get to our baby, now both me and my husband feel empowered and look forward to it. Yes, it will be incredibly hard work and it might go so very different from how we'd like it to, but we now have all the tools we could need to make it through successfully and without panicking. And, like some other ladies have commented, it can be really good to know all the options and impact of pain relief and such in order to make informed decisions.
I feel 100% better about the birth now then I did before the classes. But then again, I am someone who likes to have more of an idea of what's coming, the more I know the less I fear
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My mom took the classes and so did a few friends of mine. I didn't see a point in them.(preggo with number 2 atm) All the information they offered I either knew or could easily obtain. I was never scared of birth or the complications that could arise. I trusted my body with my son. I deal with pain oddly so none of the traditional techniques really apply to me anyway.0
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Thank you for all your responses! We have our tour & pre-registration tomorrow so I'm going to try to dig for some real information as to what is offered at the class. The class description is a little vague. I'm sort of one of those people who is afraid to "plan too much" as it seems when I do, things backfire.
Sounds like the very specific classes (such as Calmbirth, Hypnobabies, or for a specific birth plan) are awesome! Sadly, this class sounds like it's just a general "what to expect" type thing. I'm leaning towards taking the specific pieces I'm interested in...Caring for Your Newborn & Breastfeeding. And maybe Daddy Bootcamp for the husband.0 -
I have studied Hypnobabies this entire pregnancy ($150 for the home study) and it has already paid for itself, no matter how the birth goes. I also no longer view birth as an emergency situation or medical ailment, but as a natural and normal bioloigical event. I have slept like a dream since I started listening to the CD's and have a real sense of calm about the birthing. I am going for an unmedicated VBAC in a hospital and am VERY type A, so this result is more than I could have EVER dreamed of. Also, the at home study that you do with your partner is extremely informative and was designed by a former Bradley instructor. My husband now understands all of the ins and outs of birth including any possibly needed interventions and thier pros and cons.0
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In my city we have a community hospital that does birthing classes for free it was 4 Saturdays 3 hours each Saturday ...my hubby and I enjoyed it, I believe it was very imformative, I enjoyed learning different techniques of breathing my hubby learned what to do to be my support person, we learned a lot in general and relearned things..I was suggest seeing if a local community.Hospital does them fpr free or at a discounted price bc the hospital where I am having my son at wanted too much, honestly if I hadn't found the community hospital youtube may hv been my Lamaze coach, I am.glad that I had the opportunity to take the class, it brpufht me and my hubby closer and it made us feel like we are ready ro embrace anything in labor...0
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We skipped the live childbirth class because it was pretty pricey, but we got the Laugh and Learn Childbirth class DVD (about $40 on Amazon with shipping, http://www.amazon.com/Laugh-Learn-About-Childbirth-Bayles/dp/B000PLXFSS/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1381311647&sr=1-1&keywords=laugh+and+learn+childbirth)
I think it was helpful, particularly for my husband since he hasn't read any of the childbirth books or anything. I've been reading a ton and I still learned a few things too. It's a good option if you want to do a little preparation, but don't want to spend the money on a live class.0 -
Well, we went last night to a "New Life Center Orientation Class" and it confirmed my desire to NOT take the class thru the hospital. The instructor was very much against non-medicated births, against birthing tubs/showers during labor, and generally not in line with my ideal for childbirth. She is not reflective of the floor as a whole, but is doing the next couple birthing classes. I did ask specifically if there were supportive nurses on the floor for non-medicated births, and there are so that made me feel better. Several acquaintances are nurses at the hospital--even on that floor--so I'm going to ask around and **try** to get a nurse that has had an non-medicated delivery herself.
We did, however, decide to do the online version of the class. It seems to be more of "just the facts" without the opinions of the class instructor. I'm going to check my library to see if they have the Laugh & Learn DVD (or if they can get it in for me in time) as that sounds more up my alley. bangmeup: I am jealous that you had that option! Sounds pretty ideal and since it's not at the hospital you'll be birthing at, you can take anything you didn't like with a grain of salt
(At one point I told the instructor that given the choice, I'd birth at home, that I think of child birth as the most natural thing in the world and women have been doing this forever. I expressed my thoughts that there is too much medical intervention these days over what should be a natural process. She was shocked. Yes, intervention is necessary sometimes and a choice other times, but for me it is a last resort. I'm pretty confident that, at this point, she is glad I won't be in her all day class either!)0 -
Well, we went last night to a "New Life Center Orientation Class" and it confirmed my desire to NOT take the class thru the hospital. The instructor was very much against non-medicated births, against birthing tubs/showers during labor, and generally not in line with my ideal for childbirth.
Waaah! What a discouraging attitude!
Your comment about how you see birth and that you'd prefer to have a homebirth are exactly aligned with my own, and reflect those of the Calmbirth class we did. Sounds like you are already taking a really healthy approach to birth, I don't think you need a class! Perhaps indeed just read up on the different stages of labour and the basic things to be aware of (like the fact that a chemically induced labour increases the risk of other medical interventions massively, I thought that was interesting) and then just spend the rest of the time in your own bubble, not letting others influence you away from the idea that childbirth is healthy, that the pain involved cannot be stronger than you because it IS you, and that you can trust your body since it is perfectly designed for this.
I know there are heaps of women who think it is naive to think a natural delivery is possible, just look at the statistics (and their own, often grueling experiences) they say, but believing in the exception is how it can become reality. We might as well do away with marriage otherwise, the statistics there are definitely grim!0 -
Wow, I didn't think there were many women left who believed in non-medicated births. I had both my children without any epidural. The first one was an 8 hr delivery and the second one was 5 hrs (I'm hoping this third one will be 2 hrs or less
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I am also considering a water birth since it is being offered at my hospital.
We are scheduled for a mandatory class at my doctor's office prior to our first ultrasound. I'm excited to attend so I can get to know the midwives / doctors that will be involved in my care and also to learn more about the water birth process.0 -
Just popping in to say I believe and I've always strived for natural births. I'm now heading for my fifth and have managed to get through the last four with just gas and air and a TENS machine. No epidurals, no pethidine, nothing stronger than paracetamol. My first birth at age 25 was even breech and 47 hours long and still no pain meds.
A lot of it is state of mind and attitude. The rest is having confidence in the midwife/doctor helping with the delivery, allowing them to guide you all the while knowing they'll respect your birth plan as much as possible. The more you can relax into it, the easier it is. I've also never had a stitch and all my kids were between 7lb 4oz and 8lb 13oz.0 -
OMG how exciting kcasey! Good luck. Praying for a speedy pain-free delivery and healthy baby :-)0
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Fly: Thank you for saying that the pain can't be stronger than I am, because it IS me!! I will try to make that my mantra during labor!!
IndianMuslim: It seems we are in the minority, especially in the States. I live near Chicago and my OB informed me today that about 95% of 1st time moms around here opt for an epidural.
Kcasey: I am working *really* hard to make sure my OB understands and supports my birth plan! Congrats on being 4 for 4 so far! My best friend is 3 for 3 (she & I have the same OB) so I know it can be done!!0 -
Hypnobirthing! I owe my unmediated VBAC to learning to birth without fear. Highly recommend it. the hospital classes were, in my opinion, a waste of time. at least in my case they taught me very little I didn't already know and offered no tools for avoiding a c-section
Birth is amazing! You got this! 0 -
Bradley birth classes are fantastic if you plan to have a natural birth. I have taken birthing classes at the hospital and they were a waste of time. Very generic info I could have gotten from any pamphlet at the docs office. The bradley classes were extrememly informative and give real things to practice to make a natural birth fearless and possible Im looking forward to my next natural birth!! Its empowering ! good luck 0
