What classes should I REALLY take?

jerseygirl227

Hi ladies,

I know we have discussed this a little bit in the past, but I'm bringing it up again.  Just scheduled our hospital tour, and they asked me about whether or not I plan to take any classes.  I initially though no, but now I dunno.  They offer the birthing class, the breastfeeding class and a baby care class.  I almost signed up for the baby care class today, but didn't.  I know some of you have said in the past that the breastfeeding class wasn't really necessary, especially since they have nurses/lactation consultants on staff to assist after the baby is born.  And I'm really not wanting to do the birthing class because 1. I think it might freak me out a bit, 2. I've read a lot online and in books about the process, and 3. What's gonna happen is gonna happen whether I take a class or not.

Sooooo .... suggestions?  Ideas?  Thoughts?  Thanks in advance!

sidey1

I didn't take any  classes prior to birth BUT my hospital required that moms attend a baby care and breastfeeding class before you were discharged.  I wouldn't say I found either particularly useful, the lactation specialists and nurses were much more helpful..in regards to the birthing class I kind of had the same feeling, the staff knows what they're doing, every birth is unique and I didn't have a birth plan I wanted to stick to, so I just decided to go with the flow..

niknak1208

The only thing I ever attended before having my first child was a nursing class and baby care class that were both free at Babies R Us. I didn't really find either that helpful. I never took Lamaze or anything because my plan was always to have a epidural

I did sign DS up for a sibling class at the hostile which I really liked. Taught them how to hold babies and not to put anything in their mouths and how to hold them etc

browneyes_326

I like idea of the sibling class!
As for the others ... This is my 3rd time around but I plan on taking some sort of birthing class b/c I had quite the rude awakening during my last birth. It was a weekend and Aparently the hospital only has 1 anastesia team on the weekends ... There was an emergency c section right when I arrived so I ended up having 'natural' birth .. Not by choice! I labored for 4 hours w/ nothing and I litterally delivered my DD less than 5 min after they put the epidural in .
I remember the nurses saying I needed to breath more, breath slower, breath better etc etc ... I really wished I had taken some sort of class at that point!

ewenner

DH and I took a natural childbirth class, which I found very informative.  It didn't focus on any specific "method" like Bradley or Lamaze, but it talked generally about all of the options and also covered possible medical interventions - just in case.  We also just signed up for a childcare class, which will be next week, and I'm hoping will be just as informative.  

I think it may depend on your personality whether you will find classes helpful.  We will be first time parents, and I am a crazy control-freak and kind of freaking out about everything.  For me, taking classes makes me feel more in control and calms me down quite a bit.  

HWKI

We did a two half day weekend birth and breastfeeding class. It went over some natural pain relief techniques which did help. I actually got better info from my La Leche book than the breastfeeding class, but the class really emphasized the reasons to breastfeed which got hubby on board so it was worth it. Second time around I think we are just doing a siblings class that is just like an hour.

KateLouise

I did an antenatal course (one evening a week for 6 weeks) before DD1 was born. It covered birth/brestfeeding and a little bit of baby care.

Some of the stuff was useful, but what was best was that I made friends with some women who 5 years later we still catch up for coffee and wines.

Chichigo

I took private classes. I wanted a natural birth, and took Bradley courses to prepare for it. My instructor was also an IBCLC, so I took her breastfeeding class. The breastfeeding class was not what I expected. It had a lot of really good information about how lactation actually works and what nursing a newborn is like. However, most of the information was available on Kellymom and La Leche League.

cneiding

when i was pregnant with my first the only birthing classes that were done (at least anywhere around here) where lamaze.  I took the class because everyone seemed to and it was just sort of the thing to do.  However, the whole time they did the actual technique  I kept thinking that it did not feel "natural" to me and I just did not see myself coping by doing things like panting or puffing.  Sure enough, in labor I did none of it.  I had my own method (which turns out a few years later the hypno birthing thing starts up and its basically when I did as natural instinct with no class or traiining. 

When I had my first the hospital required everyone no matter if it was your first or 51st child, take a baby care class before discharge.  It was sort of ridiculous because if you had every even been around an infant in your life you would have known pretty much everything they talked about. 

The breastfeeding class....I am on the fence there.  Honestly until you are actually attempting it, there isnt any way to really practice or prepare, I think.  However, if you like to go into things feeling as prepared as possible or if you feel apprehensive at all about breastfeeding then I suggest the class.  Anything that just make you want to breastfeed or stick with breastfeeding should it be less than magical when you attempt, I think thats a good thing.

mindaa

I took the hospital child birth class, which actually touched a little on both breastfeeding and child care. I've also done a ton of reading, so no, it wasn't a huge learning experience but there were definitely some useful nuggets.

My main reason for taking it was because I thought it was important to be familiar with the expectations/operations of the hospital. Even though I'm working with midwives, who are able to do things in their own way, I just can't really know who I'm going to end up working with. 

Also, DH was pretty into going, and I didn't want to discourage that. Taking the class together definitely gave us some things to talk about. 

The video we watched was very natural-oriented and actually made the whole thing seem very doable! So it didn't freak me out at all, although we did end up watching an actual delivery, which we were hoping not to  

jerseygirl227

Thanks for all your input!!!!  I think I am gonna skip all the classes, lol.  I may regret it, but I don't think so.  I trust my doctors and feel like they'll guide me through the process.  I plan on the epidural and I'll make sure they know that.  Other than that, I'm just gonna try to go with the flow.  MIght be naive, but, well, I guess I am when it comes to all this.

@ewenner ... I, too, am kinda a control freak in general, but not when it comes to giving birth.    I have already relinquished control in that area (or at least that's what I keep telling myself, lol.)

sonpetitlapin

The only class I recommend is infant CPR class.

marijaa333

This online birthing class is great: https://www.babycenter.com/childbirth-class

We also took infant/child CPR, and I plan on getting out to some baby care classes once the baby arrives - I think it will be a good way to make myself get out of the house and meet some new moms. Finally, I plan to get a lactation consultant if we have any issues with breastfeeding.