Did you take one and did you feel like it was worth it if you did? I was majorly procrastinating on scheduling the class and now the only ones that our hospital have available are either on a weekend when we’re scheduled to be out of town or 4 days before my due date. I’m tempted to just skip it but will I be extremely unprepared?
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I don't think you'll be unprepared.
We took it because my insurance will reimburse us, so it was a 'what the hell' type of thing. it was a 6-hour saturday class. we got a free diaper bag with coupons and a can of formula, which was cool.
I felt like I knew everything they went over just from reading books, websites, shows and talking to other moms. I feel like my husband learned a LOT of info that he wouldn't have known otherwise, particularly because I don't think he'd take well to me kind of "instructing" him if that makes sense. He hates to read, so he wouldn't read any baby books.
I think overall it was worth it for him - he feels like he knows a lot more now, and I feel like he is better prepared. But I did feel like it was a long day, and if we hadn't done it, we would still be able to have a baby
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I agree with @sorrycharlie about my DH. We took a natural child birth class and he was able to use a lot of the techniques we learned about while I was in labor. I also really liked our class and the other couples we met so I feel like it was well worth it. We also talked a lot about the post partum period and about breastfeeding, and that information has been helpful now that I've had my baby.
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@sorrycharlie: @Orvis18: That’s a really good point regarding DH! I’d REALLY like to take the class….I think I’ll look into whether we can take a similar class somewhere else.
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every class is only as good as its own teacher and what they cover but i personally found it very helpful especially the birthing part. I think any woman can benefit from understanding how procedures go and knowing what kind of birth she wants or what her options are in the various scenerios, knowing the risks. its also good to learn some of the calming techniques specific to labor. some things work better for labor than others. there are also great dvds out there and if you haven't seen the business of being born yet on netflix i highly recommend it as well as the suppliments which are available on itunes. Good luck honey! can;t believe how close you are getting.
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I'm not sure if it's beneficial yet (got about 6.5 weeks left till delivery), but I agree that's its been way more beneficial for DH... he's gotten a lot out of it, whereas I feel like it's a review of stuff I've ready or talked to other moms about.
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I'm due any day now and we didn't take one. I asked around some friends and it was about half and half. One of my mama friends has 4 kids and she didn't and is a superstar, so I was like what the heck, I'm NOT going to do it. I kind of want to limit as many preconceived notions of childbirth as possible...as if a childbirth class might do that?
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So I 100% plan on having an epidural, so I wasn't really planning on doing a childbirth class just because I didn't know if I'd really need it since I'd be numb. I kind of thought childbirth classes were more for breathing through contractions for natural births.
That's a good point about it being a good learning experience for DH. But I don't know if it's enough to make me blow one of our precious Saturdays or Sundays on it. Another mom told me that a local hospital has a great one but it's 8 hours long on a Sunday. I just find it hard to believe I can get that much out of it to sacrifice an entire Sunday! DH is going to be wonderful at the birth, I just know it. He's Mr. All The Answers Smooth Guy. So I think we'll skip the childbirth class.
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I'd rather spend the money and time on a personal lesson with a lactation consultant afterwards? There are some here that will come to your house for however many days and that really interests me.
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Take this with a grain of salt because I've never been to a class...But I don't think they will teach you anything ground-breakingly useful. I know you, and I know you are a researcher! So, you've probably already read many of the things they'll tell you.
My DH would probably refuse, kick, scream and cry if I tried to drag him to one. I mean, he will be great when the time comes and I don't think a class will change that because he will *instinctively* be great.
P.S: I'm on the epidural train so consider that too. -
The classes at my hospital are all free for those delivering there, so it is a no brainer for us to just take all the ones they offer. Like pp have said, I think DH will get more out of the educational aspect than I will but I also wouldnt mind meeting some new couple friends in there who will have kids the same age as ours.
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My doctor told me that most childbirth classes are more beneficial for the fathers than the mothers. We decided to hire a doula instead and he learned the same things from her... plus she was there with us, which took the pressure off of DH to remember everything.
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DH and I are just over halfway through our eight weeks of Childbirth Education classes (we do a two hour class each Wednesday night) and we've both really enjoyed it!
From an education persepective I'd say that DH has got more out of it than I have (I've read several good books and plenty of info on sites like HB and WB) but it has been nice to hear about what actually happens in the New Zealand system and at our local hospital.
I think what I've most enjoyed is actually spending time with and talking to the other eleven preggo's in the class, I've already made good friends with one of the girls and I'm looking forward to keeping in contact with my class once we've all had our wee ones.
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I dont think I learned too much new, though I did learn a bit more about pain mgmt specifics. But the big thing for me was learning more of our hospitals policies and procedures. We got to tour the L&D and PP units and rooms, and learned the typical wait time for an epi, their default of skin to skin and and cord milking, etc. It made me feel way more informed and comfortable going in. Maybe you could tour your hospital and get some info like that?
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For me I think it helped educate me on pain management (even though I knew I wanted meds the class confirmed this and made me feel less guilty about it and I learned how to deal with pain in case the epi didn't work which was a big fear of mine.
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I waited too long to get into a class too, but have some birthing DVD's. Spoke to my Dr about them and she said they were fine in place of a class. She also said I could learn what I needed from online stuff too.
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@jholler25: One thing to keep in mind - my birth plan is epidural as well, and the nurse teaching my childbirth course said that the ideal time for an epi is 5 cm. She said that gives you long enough that you are less likely to stall labor with the epi, but not so far gone that you couldn't get it (they won't give them at my hospital if you are in transition, because you can't sit still long enough and by the time they got to you, you're likely to be pushing anyway). A lot of the pain management techniques they taught us (and it certainly wasn't a lamaze class - just basic info) actually are things we will probably use while waiting for the epi!
ETA - @artbee has a good point - the epi can fail, and she pointed that out during class as well. Always best to have backup plans, because birth doesn't always go to plan, lol! (that part TERRIFIES ME!!!! if my epi fails the whole hospital will hear about it!)
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I didn't really learn anything new besides some breathing techniques, it was very informative for DH though. He learned a lot so I think it was worth it for us in the end. WE take our breastfeeding class this weekend, I'm hoping this one will be more beneficial for me!
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I did and I encourage all first time moms to take it. I think the most useful thing we took out of it is how our hospital does things. Where to go if you come in after hours, when they will turn you away. What kind of alternative birthing methods they offer. What classes are offered before you leave the hospital, etc etc.
Basically speaking every hospital does things differently. It's helpful to know how your hospital does things. And we got to tour the maternity ward!
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We took a Sat/Sun class at our hospital. A lot of it was stuff that I already knew, but it was reassuring to hear it in person as opposed to reading it. I think DH learned a lot. We also toured the hospital and learned specifically what to expect regarding the hospital's policies and procedures.
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I've informed myself on childbirth through lots of reading and talking with my midwife. DH as well, to a lesser extent. Most childbirth classes go over the hospital's standard medical procedures, so if you want to prep for that, it's probably not a bad idea.
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My husband and I took Bradley method classes and I loved them. I felt super informed going into labor and DH said he really learned a lot. Plus, we met another couple who has become our really good friends and that alone was worth the extra $$ for me
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We did and I wish we had not. It was a 9 hour class and both DH and I struggle to remember anything we actually learned. As @MRSMCCARTHY said, it really is all about the teacher/material--and our teacher was not my style and that made it a very frustrating experience. She kept calling the vagina a hooha, etc, and made me feel like I was in Jr High sex ed class.
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We planned on taking one, but I was on bedrest so was unable to go. I educated myself by reading a lot (and through Hellobee). I wasn't unprepared at all for childbirth - because I was planning on an epidural I feel like it probably would have been a waste anyways! However, I did have a hospital tour (well, not really...I was admitted for preterm labor) so sort of knew the drill at my hospital in advance.
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@Running Elley: if you don't take the class - read The Birth Partner with your DH! IT was a great read.
I didn't take the class, I ran out of time...and I regret it. Once the contractions started like crazy all of a sudden I had a panic attack because I had no idea what to do, or how to breathe or how to cope.
My mom was like "breathe"
"I'm trying!!"
"Didn't you take a class on how to breathe in labor."
"no."
oops.
I had a nurse who tried to coach be thru it but it would have been a lot easier had I been practicing before labor.
Yeah, I read about breathing in books - but look where that got me! lol -
So far I've taken 2 out of the 3 classes. I found it to be both helpful for me and DH. I think I could have researched and read a lot of the info on my own, but I know my DH wouldn't have. Plus, they go over the hospital that I'm delivering at policies and procedures. We've gone over a lot of pain management techniques and relaxed breathing. Even if you plan on an epi, my instructor reminded us we won't be getting it in the parking lot. lol Part of the last class is touring the birth center and turning in our birth plan to the hospital. They'll also go over postpartum & newborn care. My instructor also spent a lot of time going over what the husbands can do to support the mother through labor (ie massage, encouraging words, etc). Of course how your class is will depend on the instructor. Phew! Sorry for the novel!
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