Childbirth classes

mum2lanabelliz

My dh is driving me nuts about this! The last time he was a birth coach was nearly 9 years ago. He missed his lasts baby's birth as he was deployed to Iraq. So for him it's been 9 years. He is a paramedic and feels like he has enough experience that we do not need to take a refresher class. He has yet to deliver a baby in the field. My births have never been easy and I would feel better if we took a class as a refresher.

I wanted to take a 5 week class that meets once a week for 2 hours. But his work schedule interferes and he has a 24 hour shift during 3 of the 5 weeks. So he said he will only take a class if we can take the 1 day Saturday class that goes for 8 hours. Just what I need to do at 28 weeks. Sit through an 8 hour class. Ugh.

Yuki Noodle

Ugh... That is frustrating! What are your options here?

mum2lanabelliz

I wish I had options. But we live in the boonies and classes are limited. I figured if we took classes near where we live it would be easier for him to attend. There are lots of options near where I work but with the logistics of his work schedule and our kids taking them where I work really isn't feasible. I'm just worried about how iI'll do at 28 weeks for a long 8 hour day.

Guennie

We took the one day class with my last pregnancy and it actually wasn't bad. I actually liked doing it that way, staying focused and doing it all in one swoop. They gave us lots of breaks and we got a really nice lunch.

I would remind your h that a lot has changed in the past 9 yrs, and the main thing is it's important for the two of you to have this experience together.

niknak1208

This is my third pregnancy.  I've never taken a birthing class.  I took my son to a little brother/sisters class that taught them how to hold babies and treat babies etc.  But I never took one myself.  I also knew that I was getting epidurals though and I do think that makes a difference.  

Good luck to you. I hope you can find a class that works for both of you.  I do agree that 9 years is a long time.  

NeonNoon

MH comes from a very small family and hasn't really interacted with a lot of babies, so it worries me too when he won't read all the bookmarked baby books I leave for him.  He keeps saying he'll get to them, but hasn't yet and I'm 32 weeks.  He will be going to birth classes with me, though.  I hope he takes them seriously!

They may not suit your preferences, but there are some online birth classes available to you, DVDS, and a whole range of books on the subject in many flavors.  They may offer you more flexibility.  Good luck

BeckyP005

My first and not taking a birthing class but we are taking a newborn basic class this weekend

jerseygirl227

BeckyP005 said:

My first and not taking a birthing class but we are taking a newborn basic class this weekend

I am with my first as well.  Are childbirth classes really necessary?  I am kinda on the fence about whether or not to take any.

BeckyP005

@jerseygirl227‌ I have no idea!! I figured the nurses can tell me how to breathe lol. I still have to do a hospital tour! Only 6 weeks left haha

jerseygirl227

BeckyP005 said:

@jerseygirl227‌ I have no idea!! I figured the nurses can tell me how to breathe lol. I still have to do a hospital tour! Only 6 weeks left haha

Six weeks, wow!  So, you'll be able to tell me afterward if I need to take a class or not, lol.

ewenner

How stressful!  Since all the women in the class will be pregnant, I am sure that they will give you lots of breaks to get up and walk around so you don't have to sit for eight hours.  Even though the eight-hour class might be tough for you to get through, it sounds like it's important to you that your husband goes through the course, so as sucky as the schedule is, hopefully it will be a little more bearable knowing that you will both be taking the class.  Best wishes to you!

mum2lanabelliz

Thanks for listening. I'll suck it up and do the 1 day class. We took a class when I was pg with my 8 year old. But that was 9 years ago. I don't remember much. When I had my 5 year old I thought I would be fine without one because I had just recently had one. My labour was hard and we had complications and while going through it I realized that a refresher would have been helpful. I took Lamaze with my 13 year old. But man, that was a long time ago. Lol.

So I guess I pretty much waited for my last baby to freak out about labour. I think a refresher class will help me feel like he will know better how to support me. He was pretty useless for my 8 yo's birth and actually got faint and had to be moved by the doc. Of course he is a big bad tough paramedic firefighter now. Lol. Delivering a baby in a hospital as part of his rotations is completely different from supporting me through birth. Lol. I need his support, as I am totally freaking out about birth. With my 5 yo I had a Doula. And am thinking of getting one again.