I am wondering if anyone has started thinking of taking any birthing classes. I know there are different kinds now...the last one I heard of was hypnobirthing. I don't know much about that one. Any thoughts?
I think I'm set on taking a Bradley method class. H has this phobia of hypnotism so he was really skeptical of Hypnobirthing. I think the Bradley method is more my speed anyway.
As pp said, do some research on the different methods. I know people who have done well with Bradley and I know people who have done well with Hypnobirthing. It's more about what is a better fit for you. I can kind of give you a brief overview that might help to point you in the right direction. Please understand I am not an instructor and my knowledge of Bradley is limited since I was never a Bradley student.
Hypnobirthing: Teaches you that childbirth does not have to be painful, it's more of a mind over matter approach. Even their terminology is different: contractions are 'surges'; birth canal is 'birth path' etc.
Bradley Teaches you it is pain with a purpose. You learn about the stages of labor, exercises you can do, nutrition, etc.
Hypnobirthing: There are plenty of opportunities for the husband or birth partner to help, but in my experience it was more of a self-hypnosis. I was glad DH was there of course, but had I had to do it on my own I could have. In fact with my second, I labored alone in our bedroom until I told him it was time to go to the hospital, when we got to triage they could visibly see the head. So I pretty much did do the hypnosis by myself.
Bradley: is more of a husband coached approach
Hypnobirthing: Is a 4-5 course session
Bradley: 12 courses
As I said I know women who have done Bradley and had great experiences. I did Hypnobirthing and loved it! I think it really does work, I found labor to be intense, it required all my concentration, but I never labeled it as 'pain' and it was always manageable. You should try youtubing hypnobirthing videos there are some really moving, calm births on there and they tend not to be graphic.
Good luck in your search and feel free to ask me further questions if you have any
We did Bradley classes with our first, we won't be doing them again. I ended up having a very un-Bradley birth experience. The most useful thing we got from Bradley was an explanation of possible interventions and pros and cons. Look for a class and more importantly an instructor that matches your philosophy.
Thanks this is allvery helpful. I tend to have trouble with hypnosis type concepts but perhaps there are yourube videos that show examples of both methods.
For all the STM+, I'm just wondering about what your experience was... I definitely want to take the Brasley classes, but my DH brought up a good point too, do we need to take the hospital birthing classes as well? Or will it just be a lot of overlap and/or conflicting info? The only thing I liked about the hospital classes was they offered some breast feeding info, but my hospital also has a lactation clinic, where I can get one on one appts with a LC, so I'm not sure how important that will be. We will definitely do the hospital tour regardless though. Thoughts??
My midwife requires birthing classes for all first time parents. We can take anyone we want, though they do recommend Bradley. I am on board with the idea of taking a class just worried how I will fit it into my schedule
I'd like to take a class but I don't really know what kind. I do plan to get an epidural but I know that things don't always go as planned and I want to be prepared in case it doesn't work, things progress too fast to get one, or we aren't able to get to the hospital in time. I do have a lot of fear and anxiety about pain and about medical stuff- but I don't want my birth experience to scary and traumatizing for me, if I can help it. I'm hoping some classes will help reduce my fear and get me in a better place mentally.
There's a yoga birth class near me that sounds interesting, but I need
to email the lady that does it and find out a little more about their approach. I don't want to be shamed for choosing an epidural or have to deal with hearing a bunch of crap about how I really ought to be doing it naturally. That's just going to piss me off and give me more anxiety.
I'd like to take a class but I don't really know what kind. I do plan to get an epidural but I know that things don't always go as planned and I want to be prepared in case it doesn't work, things progress too fast to get one, or we aren't able to get to the hospital in time. I do have a lot of fear and anxiety about pain and about medical stuff- but I don't want my birth experience to scary and traumatizing for me, if I can help it. I'm hoping some classes will help reduce my fear and get me in a better place mentally.
There's a yoga birth class near me that sounds interesting, but I need to email the lady that does it and find out a little more about their approach. I don't want to be shamed for choosing an epidural or have to deal with hearing a bunch of crap about how I really ought to be doing it naturally. That's just going to piss me off and give me more anxiety.
Hopefully no one will shame you for choosing the birth plan thatis best for you. Just because I don't want an epidural doesn't mean that is the best option for everyone. Mothers need to be supportive and encouraging of each other even if we make different decisions
I've signed up for Bradley. I think it will be a good way to get my DH involved and he actually seems pretty excited about it since he feels like he has a set role in the labor process.
@erpiccy, will you do the hospital birth classes too or just the Bradley?? I'm just trying to decide if two classes is overkill or totally worth it....
@jewely24 I am not sure yet. My Bradley instructor said that after the 12 week course, we can continue taking classes through delivery for free. I am not sure what all that entails, but if I have a teacher I can be in touch with up until birth, I probably won't pay for a hospital course unless it is something I need extra help with.
Re: Birthing classes?
Hypnobirthing:
Teaches you that childbirth does not have to be painful, it's more of a mind over matter approach. Even their terminology is different: contractions are 'surges'; birth canal is 'birth path' etc.
Bradley
Teaches you it is pain with a purpose. You learn about the stages of labor, exercises you can do, nutrition, etc.
Hypnobirthing:
There are plenty of opportunities for the husband or birth partner to help, but in my experience it was more of a self-hypnosis. I was glad DH was there of course, but had I had to do it on my own I could have. In fact with my second, I labored alone in our bedroom until I told him it was time to go to the hospital, when we got to triage they could visibly see the head. So I pretty much did do the hypnosis by myself.
Bradley: is more of a husband coached approach
Hypnobirthing:
Is a 4-5 course session
Bradley:
12 courses
As I said I know women who have done Bradley and had great experiences. I did Hypnobirthing and loved it! I think it really does work, I found labor to be intense, it required all my concentration, but I never labeled it as 'pain' and it was always manageable. You should try youtubing hypnobirthing videos there are some really moving, calm births on there and they tend not to be graphic.
Good luck in your search and feel free to ask me further questions if you have any
There's a yoga birth class near me that sounds interesting, but I need to email the lady that does it and find out a little more about their approach. I don't want to be shamed for choosing an epidural or have to deal with hearing a bunch of crap about how I really ought to be doing it naturally. That's just going to piss me off and give me more anxiety.
None of that shit helped once they started the pitocin. I got an epidural and loved it.
Just my experinece. Not sure if actual classes would have helped more than books.
DS born Oct. '11
TTC #2 with PCOS since Nov. '13
Dx: Low Progesterone (3.3) on 8/12/14
Waiting for RE appointment on 10/28/14
Surprise BFP on cycle 12 -- 10/19/14!
EDD July 1, 2015