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I didn't take any and I survived!
If I could have (time and funds more plentiful) I would have taken them all! Instead I read a lot of books,

I do wish I had taken the breastfeeding class before giving birth and need to do infant CPR as well. I think the others can vary from area to area. Do you know anyone locally who may have taken them in the last year or two? A pregnant friend of mine told me our hospitals baby care and childbirth classes were a waste of money. She said the hospital one was mostly hospital procedures and going over options (epidural a, etc). We got all the info we needed there when we took the tour.

Infant CPR and breastfeeding, for sure. The stuff I learned in the breastfeeding class helped normalize all the things I was going through.

The rest you can learn on Babycenter or your hospital tour!

I only took a childbirth class. I wanted natural med free birth, so I took a one day class at my hospital geared towards that, and really it wasn't that helpful. The most useful parts would have been covered in a tour. Plus some of the other participants were so annoying that it turned us off from taking any other classes!

I wish we had taken infant CPR and still want to but it's hard to schedule with the baby here now. So I would recommend that and then hope you never need it.

My hospital had a short breastfeeding class every morning on the maternity floor that new parents were encouraged to attend, plus the lc came to everyone. Between that, and reading about it on hellobee and hearing first hand from my sister, I don't think I would have gotten much out of a bf class.

And baby basics you just figure out!

Our pediatricians office offered a baby basics class, which we took.

I signed up for a childbirth class, *not* a lamaze class, and the instructor focused on natural childbirth. She skimmed over epidurals and c-sections. I was really disappointed!

I regret not taking a breast feeding class.

And, I didn't know this until our childbirth instructor mentioned it, but if you call your insurance they might reimburse you your class fee with proof of attendance. I paid $100 for the class and got $80 back!

We did a breastfeeding class, which while didn't solve all of our issues ahead of time, was still incredibly helpful. It wasn't geared towards convincing, it was more geared toward the mechanics of it and what to expect. It was the most helpful of our classes.

We also did a one day childbirth class which was good for what to expect, how to install a car seat, and gave a few breathing exercises and went over the stages of labor.

We also did a separate hospital tour, which was extremely helpful so we knew where to go and what to expect with their normal protocols.

I'd take em all! The only one I didnt do was the CPR (just wasnt offered and I didnt find one) but dh has. Birth class just makes it calmer when you go into labor (IMO) and the pain techniques actually did help (I accidentally made it to 8 cm)...breastfeeding is good although I don't think the class I took was very good, and CPR is honestly important and easier to take before baby than after!!

Any and all of them. You'll pick something up at each one. Nothing can really prepare you except experience so give yourself the best possible advantage

@Mae: I would still take the breastfeeding class even with all the breastfeeding support offered at your hospital. The handouts we got at our breastfeeding class were awesome (I still refer to them all the time and have been exclusively breastfeeding for 4.5 months). We also have a ton of free support at our hospital, but I know going into it with all that knowledge is so important. The LC at my hospital didn't come by until around 24 hours after I delivered (if you deliver in the middle of the night you won't be able to see an LC right away). I honestly didn't even really need her help, though, because I was prepared before going into labor and had my handouts! I also read "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" in my third trimester. I know every breastfeeding class is different so I don't know how helpful yours would be...I think it depends on how badly you want to breastfeed. Breastfeeding was my #1 priority, so I did everything I could beforehand to make sure it was successful (and it has been!).

Infant CPR is a definite.

I liked the childbirth class because it just helped to have someone tell you what to expect, what is normal, some coping mechanisms, and most importantly teach your partner how to squeeze your hips to relieve some pressure during labor. You could do enough research online that you don't need the class but it also helps your partner prepare.

I took a breastfeeding class at the hospital after DS was born. I don't really think it was necessary. The nurses and lactation consultants were much more helpful and hands on. I have no idea what the point of a breastfeeding class while still pregnant would be.

Infant CPR and Breastfeeding are very good. I have to say that the only thing I took away from the childbirth class was the hospital tour. Otherwise, everything else they told me, I already knew threw my own research.