Moms - did you take birthing classes?

[MILCMAID]

I'm debating on whether or not to take a birthing class. A friend of mine didn't because she was told the classes were a waste of money. I'm undecided. I want to be as informed as possible. But..... Class or no class, the baby will be born, right?!

So, if you took a class, did it help prepare you for giving birth? Or was it a waste of time?

[Rose Bud]

Didn't take a class. I couldn't anyways, my doctor informed me of who to contact too late and by the time I could contact them, the classes that were available started in the middle of September, and I was due at the end of September.

I did fine without them. What I experienced, I doubt they tell you about in classes anyways (its called "prodromal labor" I was in the early stage of labor for just about 3 days).

[glittergirl816]

i don't know what your sitution is, but i was determined to have a pain med free birth, so i decided to take a hypnobirthing class. i'm so glad i did! it really taught me a lot about what happens during labor. very possitive and educational. i wouldn't recommend taking a birthing class from the hospital. from everything i hear, they are more scary than helpful.

you're right, either way the baby will be born. i think it's best to be informed, especially with something as life changing as giving birth. your birth experience is something you will remember forever. being informed will help you in making decisions about what you want and don't want, and in turn will help you have the experiece you want.

good luck! emily

[vegaenglit]

i took bradley classes. they are very involved (10-12 classes) but they cover a lot of issues and really focus on the woman and her partner being incontrol of the birth process and birth choices.

and because its not a "crash course" you are given information on how to deal with back labour, extended labour, natural alignment plateau etc.

bradley classes fit very well with my notion of birth as a natural "hands off" process. they can be rather "crunchy" and if thats for you (some people arent comfortable with that and may be put off by it), i highly recommend them.

edit: also, a lot of partners like the bradley method because they are so involved in the birth process. they do more then just hold hands and are given tools to truly help the women though the physical, psychological and emotional parts of labour as well as be advocates for the woman's needs in the case of overly pushy hospital staff.

edit part 2: i think with any class you take, you will get out only what you put in. if you approach them as being a waste of time, they will be. if you take them as a chance to learn all your options and become empowered in the birth process, you will.

[syvvie]

I took Lamaze classes. The classes themselves kinda sucked because I found the instructor a bit patronizing at times, and I didn't learn much. Also, it was just sort of assumed that we would be using Lamaze techniques *along with* medication or an epidural (which I did not have), instead of as an alternative. I did use some of the breathing techniques during labor, though, and they did help a lot.

[Sheri]

I didn't take any classes. Although I wanted to....

When I got to the hospital I asked the nurses tons of questions about breathing/pushing techniques. They helped me out alot.

Of course I was in the hospital for 24 hours before my baby was born, which gave me plenty of time to ask questions....some people are not so un-lucky as me!

[Clementine]

my class was $60 and worth it.
you can never be too informed, as the more you know, the less afraid you are.
the less afraid you are, the less stressed you'll be, and the more likely you are to have a positive birth experience.
even though i ended up having to have a cesarean due to fetal stress, i'm still glad i took the classes. :)

[angeles]

My classes were free. And I feel that they helped me when I went into labor. I say go for it.

-angeles (xo)

[MILCMAID]

Thanks ladies! :) I decided to sign up for the classes. It's $40 for 5 - 2 hour classes, once a week. The only bad thing is my husband will be working and I'll have to go to some of them alone. :(