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Following this post because I am curious as well. My nurse just mentioned that we should sign up for classes this month, but didn't give much more information. Also - does anyone have an opinion on the free classes at Babies R Us vs. the hospital?

@ms.janedoe - I'm 30 weeks on Friday too!

@MrsH: With the infant care classes, no, I'm not the most experienced (by ANY means) with babies, but I figure if most of these girls on MTV can figure it out, there's gotta be hope for me, right?!

@MrsH & Ms.janedoe - and we've always got HB if you can't, right?

I took a one day child birth class. It was Ok. I would have been stressed if I did not take it, so for that reason, I guess it was worth it but I really didn't learn tht much. They also went over hospital policies and gave a tour which was helpful (like I knew I didn't have to ask for delayed cord cutting or skin to skin immediately). I was planning to do an infant care and first aid class but I was so unimpressed by the child birth one we decided not to! I actually would have done first aid but ran out of time. Breastfeeding I felt like I read so much before that what I'd really need was hands on instruction, which clearly you can't do without the baby!

Our classes are free for us so I thought I would take advantage of them. I've been educating myself on birth and labor for a long time so I feel prepared for this baby, but since the classes are free I would like to learn as much as possible.

Definitely taking advantage of the free breastfeeding class. I feel lost when it comes to that area!

Our birth classes were free, so with that said, I thought they were worth it. I am going to be honest and say I didn't learn a ton, but it did help make me feel more at ease and more prepared, and I did learn some things (especially specific to our hospital, since it was put on by the hospital). The main reason I decided to do it was one of my male coworkers just had a baby and he said he felt that his wife didn't learn a ton, but he did, and it gave him a whole new level of understanding and respect for his wife, it also helped him prepare for how to be a coach to her during labor. So that why we did them, and honestly I think that was probably the biggest thing we got out of it, I think DH learned a lot of things he didn't know, it prepared him a lot more than anything else (he doesn't use HB as resource like all of us ), and it gave him a little extra respect for the me and process. So for us it was worth it, plus I got a bit of a massage everytime while DH "practiced" assisting me through labor.

ETA: Sorry I didn't break that up into paragraphs, I'm in a hurry!

@MrsStormy: EXACTLY this for my DH, too!

I took Bradley Method birth classes from a local childbirth instructor, not the hospital. They were amazing for me and my husband both, and we were both very calm and confident (even in the face of complications) during my labor and delivery. I can't recommend them enough.

I took 3 classes, and all were helpful for different reasons.

Bradley method: I LOVED these classes as far as preparing me for what to expect in labor and birth, relaxation techniques, and helping my husband to prepare. I ended up getting an epidural and needing a c-section, but I still found the classes super helpful and would do them again if I could go back.

Hospital birth class: this was a 1 day class to prep us for childbirth at our hospital. I would recommend something like this not as the only preparation for birth (I think it's a good idea to at least read about it on your own and to ask your doctor questions), but as a way to learn about the way l&d us done at the place you plan on birthing. I brought a list of questions with me to ask the nurse, mostly about policies for things (visitors, how long I could labor after my water broke, could I use the birthing tub, etc), and she was happy to answer them. Our class also did a great job explaining some of the more common interventions that can be used, so they didn't seem so scary to me anymore. We also got a tour of the delivery rooms, and knowing in advance what they were like made me more at ease.

Hospital breastfeeding class: I didn't know many people IRL who breastfed, and the nurse who taught ours was really nice and encouraging. I would still read up on it myself and ask for help if needed, but the basic overview and tips were great to have. I also used the workbook we were given in the class as a reference early on. It had info on latching the baby, plus photos of different holds that I liked.

Overall, I had a positive experience. I felt a little like a Bradley failure at first for having an epidural and, ultimately, a c-section, but sometimes surgery is medically necessary. My OB told me to take information about birth and relaxation techniques I found helpful from the Bradley classes, but to not let myself feel bad if my experience didn't completely fit my birth plan. I thought that was great advice.

I liked the childbirth class because they went over all of our options- epi, other meds, and natural. I liked getting all of that information and it helped me feel more confident about my decision.

I also took breastfeeding and loved it. Although breastfeeding didn't work out for me..... I also did CPR and liked it, I want to do it again before baby #2 gets here for a reminder. And we did the newborn care. I could easily have lived without it, I don't felt like I learned anything there. But I was glad I did take it, if I didn't I would have thought I was missing something important.

I'm taking all the classes at the hospital, so far we've had the childbirth/Lamaze and infant CPR ones. In my area, classes (no matter where you take it) are pretty expensive. It's our first LO so we wanted an idea of what to expect and just feel more comfortable with the process. I think everyone is different but the classes have been worthwhile for us.

we took an "express" class that was a day of childbirth, newborn care and BF. just the basics. i think it was a good way for DH to get information. for me, i had done so much reading and internet research on my own that most of the information wasn't terribly new, but it was worth it for DH to learn about these topics.

i didn't want to sign up for the other classes, which were 3 sessions each--too much time!

We took a class through our doula that focused on natural birth (which is what we wanted). DH and I both LOVED it. I knew a fair bit going in but DH took a TON away from it and I felt really super empowered at the end of our classes. I really felt like the strategies and information she gave us was what helped us get to our natural labour. Going in to the class I was open to natural or medicated but walking out I new natural was what I wanted (and got).

We took a class offered once a week for six weeks at our hospital. The class was somewhat helpful, but I ended up having a c-section and didn't use any of the techniques relating to labour/birth. However, I would take the class again in a heartbeat, because we really bonded with all of the other couples in the class (there were 7 couples in total). Over a year later, we all still get together on a regular basis with the babies, and email each other all the time when we have questions about feeding, milestones, etc. since all of our babies are just about the same age! I think that because we saw each other every week for 6 weeks, we got to know each other a lot better than those who just do an intensive 1 or 2 day course.

So to answer your question, I didn't find the course itself all that helpful, but it was still worthwhile for other reasons!