Classes

eisma

Are lamaze classes/labor classes really necessary? Who is taking them and who is just going to go at it without?

 

STM's what is your opinion?

jnsmith85

Nope, waste of time usually!!

ahare2009

Lurking from 2nd Tri, but I have signed up for several classes.  Childbirth Prep, breastfeeding, baby care and infant/child CPR.  I feel like I can't be too prepared.

Whitterpow

I signed up for them because they're free and they do a tour of L&D. It will also hopefully make me feel less freaked out and somewhat prepared.

COgirl29

I took prep for childbirth last weekend and I found it helpful. I feel more prepared now - and more knowledgeable about what to expect.

hlb622

We're winging it. In part, because we couldn't find a class to line up with our crazy schedules, and also because everyone I talked to said they're a colossal waste of time and money (which I'm sure varies by hospital).

agentkitten75

We didn't take any , but I may take a breastfeeding class

bmqcmg

I took a preparation for childbirth class with DD and thought it was helpful for the breathing techniques and maternity floor tour.

AshleyF1234

We did the childbirth class offered by the hospital. It was very helpful. Mostly helpful by going over the ins and outs of the hospital and their particular procedures. We learned a lot about what we can and should not expect onour big day.

peitri

No classes for me. None of them work with my schedule, and I was on the fence about them in the first place, so I decided to pass.

MissJenna2011

We took a class w. our 1st, it was nice to have the information but then we ended up having an ER/CS and it all went right out the window! And since every newborn is different, sometimes trial & error is the best way to learn. We're on #3 now & haven't taken any other classes, but I may look into a lactation consultant for after the birth this time. It's a personal decision but I wouldn't call them "necessary" 

MommyCC22

With my first I took a childbirth class and I personally thought it was waste. When the big day came, those breathing techniques I learned in class went totally out the window. All I wanted was for everyone to leave me alone but that is just from my experience. You might find the class very helpful.

YummeeCookee

I took a childbirth prep class and i am glad i did. I learned a lot of things that just arent in the books/websites plus its nice having someone you can ask to explain a point or concept that you dont understand. I would def reccommend them to anyone who is doing this for the first time (like me!).

mwhipple77

We took a birthing techniques class through the hospital we're delivering at.  I found it very helpful, just to hear from other pregnant first time mothers, get information, etc.  I felt much less anxiety and nervousness when the class was finished.  A lot of the information that is gone over is also talked about in What to Expect when You're Expecting, but I like to have as much information as possible.  Except about C-Sections, I could have skipped that part of the class as it made me feel sick to my stomach!  The rest of it was valuable information for me and my husband.

Kitty1225

SUCH a waste of time and money.  nothing helps when you are in actual labor.

Red_Dahlia

I think it depends on the quality of the classes at your particular hospital. I LOVED all of my classes (birthing, breastfeeding, parenting, and CPR). I found the birthing one really helpful because they discussed procedures that they followed at THAT hospital. You can't learn that in a book. Breastfeeding - same thing, it was great to reinforce everything I'd read, but they also talked about breastfeeding policies and support post-partum for THAT hospital. It was also great info for DH to hear. The parenting class was great, and provided a lot of articles for us to read on introducing a baby into the family but still keeping our marriage strong, etc.

BethQB

Ours was free at our hospital, and it was worth it for the tour and information on their policies. My husband got a lot more out of it than I did because I've been doing a lot of reading on my own.

We are in our early thirties and were kind of disappointed that the other two mommies in the class were 18. I had hoped to find some mom friends since we're relatively new in town.  It also seemed like it was more geared to people their age, but that might just be the norm and education level in our community. 

SweetPea0902

We signed up late...I just got classes this week. We have such conflicting schedules that we weren't able to get them until now. We are taking a weekend child birth class, and breastfeeding. We also have a tour of our hospital coming up. Our classes aren't free, and may not be covered by my insurance (BCBS). So we may end up having to pay $170 for the classes, but we've decided that that is worth feeling more prepared as FTP.

mlacy522

ahare2009 said:

Lurking from 2nd Tri, but I have signed up for several classes.  Childbirth Prep, breastfeeding, baby care and infant/child CPR.  I feel like I can't be too prepared.

My husband and I are taking these exact same classes!!