What types of classes did you go to? Do you think they were helpful? Are there any that you would recommend?
What types of classes did you go to? Do you think they were helpful? Are there any that you would recommend?
grapefruit / 4085 posts
We did one that my dr. recommended - it was an all-day birth class. It was pretty good to get some pointers, but I don't think I really used any of the techniques when I was in the thick of it. The class also went over newborn care which I did find helpful.
persimmon / 1147 posts
We took every class offered for LO1 lol this included an all day childbirth class, breastfeeding class, newborn care and infant/ child CPR. I would say the only one truly worthwhile was the CPR, but at the time the others made me feel at least a little bit more prepared (although no class TRULY prepares you). For LO2 obviously no classes lol
GOLD / watermelon / 14076 posts
All the ones offered: childbirth, newborn care, breastfeeding, and first aid/CPR. I found them all extremely helpful. If I had to skip one it would be newborn care because I knew most of the stuff from reading HB (how to swaddle, change a diaper, no crib bumpers, etc).
pomegranate / 3375 posts
We planned a homebirth, so we chose a totally hippie class: Yoga Way to Birth. It was not centered around home birth at all, just around unmedicated birth. We loved it. I knew a lot about birth already, but it was a great bonding experience. I'd recommend it for sure. There are other classes like BioDynamic Birth. I wish I would have taken a breastfeeding class.
pomegranate / 3791 posts
I went to one that focused on tips for labor. How to tell the difference between early and active, tips for the different stages, many techniques to get your body to work through the contractions and progress naturally, etc. At the time I thought that it was incredibly helpful. Once I was actually in labor? Yeah, turns out it wasn't really that helpful.
We also attended a class on newborn care, which I found to be pretty useless since I was super active on baby sites preparing myself, but I think it helped DH feel more ready, so I would still say it was worth it.
cantaloupe / 6059 posts
I took a Bradley class with my DH. It was required by my midwife for first time moms. It was alright but I think it (this may have been because of the particular instructor) gave me really unrealistic expectations about labor. It didn't prepare me for just how intense labor and delivery is and made it seem like you wouldn't experience ANY pain if you just relaxed enough.
Yeah. About that.
hostess / wonderful watermelon / 39513 posts
Baby care, breastfeeding and natural childbirth.
nectarine / 2973 posts
None! There's so much information on the internet now days I didn't really see the point.
honeydew / 7916 posts
We took a 1-day baby basics class offered by the hospital. The original plan was to take the labor class but everyone told me they basically prep you for a c-section. It all turned out fine without a class, because with an induction and epidural, I slept through the whole thing!
pomegranate / 3791 posts
@coopsmama: That is pretty much how I felt about it too! I felt like if I just did the right things during early labor and used everything they taught me then I would be fine; that I just had to visualize, breathe properly, and try the tub/birthing ball/pressure points/etc. When none of the things I'd been taught were helping (or just weren't possible - how the fuck do you do breathing exercises when you're gasping for breath and the contractions are one on top of the other?) and I was still only at 3cm I felt like I was doing something wrong. I wish they'd been more realistic about how much the effectiveness of those techniques and the pain level (particularly during early labor) can vary person to person.
pomegranate / 3565 posts
Breastfeeding class that totally wasn't worth it. Nothing other than that!
pineapple / 12802 posts
None.
After I gave birth I went to a CPR course that my husband is required to take and did that with him around 6 months right as we introduced solids into L's diet.
GOLD / wonderful olive / 19030 posts
We did a birth class at our hospital, it was pretty pointless in my mind!
persimmon / 1316 posts
I signed us up for birthing classes through the hospital we are delivering at. But since I am a NICU nurse I won't be doing any of the baby care, CPR or Breastfeeding classes.
nectarine / 2784 posts
I will be attending a class for coping with med-free labor, and a baby care class that is more for my husband's benefit.
cantaloupe / 6059 posts
@wonderstruck: I wholeheartedly agree. Labor is not one size fits all and they definitely tried to present it that way in the class. They also said that transition lasts an hour, so when my transition lasted about *9* (seriously - contractions every minute or less for nine hours!!!) I thought my body was completely ill equipped and broken. Turns out I just had incredibly thick membranes and if my midwife had broken my water (like the on call OB did immediately upon arriving at the hospital) I wouldn't have had to go through that hell. But whatever - that's all water under the bridge, right?
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts
We went to like an all in one class... It was about labor, birth, a little newborn care + hospital tour. It was really long, but I thought it was helpful. Def loved the hospital tour, and it was more for DH to remember to coach me through contractions. I don't know if we necessary used the exact breathing techniques but DH did help me focus on him when it was painful and to breathe through it.
Also went to a breast feeding class. It was also helpful but the class made me angry b/c they make it seem like BF is SO easy and I know it's not! There were some good tips that I remembered to use.
hostess / wonderful apple seed / 16729 posts
I'm currently interviewing doulas and also looking at classes offered by my hospital. I am wondering if the class is needed considering I have a doula. Can I learn everything from my doula or should I attend a structured class?
I found out that they have an 'expecting multiples' class series.
Week 1: Pregnancy with Multiples
Week 2: Labor Preparation with Multiples
Week 3: Preventing Preterm Birth
Week 4: Birth of Multiples
Week 5: Breastfeeding Multiples
Week 6: Basics of Newborn Care
Week 7: Parenting Multiples
Oh, I am looking at add-on classes like infant CPR and a 'conscious father' class for the DH. DH will be a SAHD so I would like for him to attend a class that will help him, but I wonder if the 7 week series above will be enough for him.
They, also, offer hypnobirthing and lamaze classes. Should I take them, as well?
pea / 6 posts
I never did any classes with my first nor will I for the second. I just read books.
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