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I took birth classes at a birthing center because I wanted to know more about ways to cope drug-free. Even if I had already known, though, I would have attended a class just for my husband's benefit. He was pretty clueless about birth, and I don't need him freaking out when I need him.

I have also read some books on the topic, but I think I remember the class material better.

We did a one-day Bradley class. Lots of great info! I've heard the Bradley book is great, too.

I took one and thought it was useful, knowledge is power. But everything basically flew out the window when the actual contractions started.

We've been taking them, I have found it really useful but most of all I think it is good for DH.

We didn't take one. No regrets. But I always planned on an epidural.

We're taking an "expectant parent" course through our hospital -it covers breastfeeding, labor/delivery, and newborn care, plus a hospital tour.

I think it's been good for DH, but honestly I haven't learned anything new. Although it has been nice to hear the hospital's views/policies (the teacher is an L&D nurse at the hospital) and know what to expect from them.

We're doing a 6-evening course on L&D, newborn care, and breastfeeding through our birth center.

I'll be taking one through my hospital. I have no idea what "method" they'll be teaching us, but I want DH and me to be as prepared as possible.

@CatchAFallingStar: We took a bunch of classes (newborn care, BF, infant CPR, labor). After the labor class my husband correctly concluded that having the info is helpful, but labor is going to go the way it's going to go so is it really necessary? Hard to say. I will say that we prepared to labor at home for a while before heading to the hospital (on the recommendation of our labor class teacher), and I ended up with a high leak in my water, 30 hours of contracting, and a c-section. There was a video on c-sections in our class, and my husband said had he not seen that he'd have felt far more lost than he already did so he was glad he saw it. Was it worth 10 hours of class? Hard to say, but for us I think it was ultimately.

We tried to sign up for the 6 week hospital class, but they filled up months in advance.

We're doing a serious crash course led by a yoga instructor and a doula/midwife-in-training in town. One hour of being shown what a contraction is like and how to work together to get through it.

We're also signed up for a 2 hour infant care class. I honestly don't expect to learn anything new, but it's more for bonding with my husband. We may take an infant CPR course as well. Lots of classes here and there we can piece together.

@LindsayInNY: @Torchwood: We loved our Bradley class! We actually found one that did it in 8 weeks instead of 12.

@Mrs. J: Good to know! I'd love to find one that is only 8.

@Torchwood: There are some places that will offer one class that's several hours long. My friends did it and loved that route.

@LindsayInNY: yes! Three days of labor, (2 at home), but absolutely no drugs. They did break my water to try and help me, but baby boy had ideas of his own. I would definitely go natural again!

WE took one before LO1 at the hospital, pretty pointless as I knew most of the information and was planning on an epidural all along.