When you were a FTM, did you take any classes prior to delivery?

suteki325

I'm trying to decide if my husband and I should sign up for the classes offered by my hospital - Infant Care, Breastfeeding, and Labor and Delivery. We are both first-time parents and completely clueless on how to care for an infant - neither one of us have really been around babies that much. Would it be a good idea to take the classes, or is it more of a "learn as you go" type of thing anyway? The closer I get to my due date, the more worried I get about how in-the-dark I am about everything.

yl1m32015

If you're feeling nervous and anxious, then I would definitely take a class. Sure, some stuff is common sense and you figure it out, but I personally always feel better going into something more prepared and having had practice. Plus a lot of the hospital offered classes give you a tour of the labor and delivery unit and help prepare you for birth and any emergencies that may arise.

dogsombrero

DH and I took the labor/delivery, infant care and breastfeeding classes. It was really helpful to know what we wanted ahead of time and see/touch all the tools equipment from forceps to watching a non-graphic csection video. I felt much less scared afterwards. I'd recommend every FTM take the classes for peace of mind.

ammnam14

My husband doesn't have much experience with newborns so I found a daddy boot camp class in our area. I haven't brought it up so who knows if he'll be up for it or not. I'm a little anxious about breastfeeding so I'll be going to a few classes. My hospital offers a breastfeeding class once a month and has a support group once a week after baby arrives. I'll also be using the lactation counselor post delivery. Definitely look into what your hospital offers! It doesn't hurt to try a class.

4puddleducks

We were going to take a L&D class through the hospital with our DS, but he arrived before the class. I had a ton of experience with babies between babysitting, church nursery, babies in the family and working at a daycare center, so we didn't take a newborn basics class. I imagine it would give you quite a bit of reassurance if you are feeling nervous.

Latina211508

My husband and I never took any classes. I'm pregnant with my fourth. I guess for me it all came naturally. But if your anxious etc then yes go ahead and take a class.

roo1oo

We took a L&D class and a breastfeeding class. The L&D was more for DH as I had a pretty good idea of what to expect, but it was helpful for a nurse from the hospital I'd be delivering at to tell me some ins and outs of that specific hospital. It definitely helped ease some of both our anxieties so was worthwhile.

The breastfeeding class was informative, but I could have done without it as the hospital had lactation consultants and they teach you all the same stuff hands on after baby is born. The nurses are all pretty great about supporting breastfeeding too, so personally I'd save your money and read kellymom.com and ask to see a lactation consultant after your LO is born.

I would recommend doing the tour of the hospital if its offered. That was really helpful to know where to go, where things were, what the rooms looked like, and what would be available to me before giving birth. They're usually free and 1-2 hours long. 

eshook2

We took classes through the hospital, labor and delivery was useful because they described how thing would go pretty exactly. Every hospital has there own procedures and it was nice to know. Infant car was good for those random things you don't really think about, like I was clueless about how to take care of the umbilical cord. You can read books but it was nice to have someone to ask questions straight away. The breastfeeding Was a little intense, it kind of maid me nervous. They were very pro breast feeding and basically acted like you were a bad mom if you couldn't do it! But overall I thought they were great and a great eye opener for Dads

Grace213

I took an online birth class. Just wanted to know what to expect and what all the options were. I think it was through parents.com. Took about an hour and half. Didn't feel the need to spend money on any classes.

mac-n-cheesy

I'm a FTM but I signed up for breastfeeding, the "stork tour" of the hospital areas that pertain to giving birth, infant care and labor/delivery. I'm high risk and will likely deliver no later than 37 weeks so I signed up for everything a little early.
I have a good amount of infant care experience because both of my parents had children well after their divorce and I was often left to care for them. Everything is free and even though this question was posed to STM+ moms I thought I'd just respond with why not get as much info as possible before hand to lessen the anxiety of a newborn? Also, if you do it with your DH/SO it could also be a great bonding experience I think I'll go to the breastfeeding one alone though even though my hospital is all for dad's attending!!

cerafina205

I never took classes. I opted for online research. Plus I have siblings with kids that I could ask any questions. After delivery, the nurses were a ton of help too.

mysquishy18

If you're nervous at all I would definitely take the classes. They will help you answer questions and feel more prepared. They're usually free so if you can find the time then there's no reason not too.

4N6s

This will be my first baby and I'm planning on taking the classes. Can't hurt, right?

KittyCat84

I'm a FTM and will be taking the "Bradley method" course, because I would prefer to increase my chances of having a vaginal birth (I'm a weenie and know I'll BEG for an epidural though. Haha.) with no induction. Supposedly this class helps educate women on the normal labor and delivery process and interventions to try to achieve as natural of a birth as possible. I figure the better educated I am at what's normal and what's not, the better prepared I will be. If they don't cover breastfeeding extensively enough, I will take an outside class for that through my hospital though. I don't think taking classes are necessary, you can read and learn a lot from books and through self-guidance. I really enjoy the class setting though, and am looking forward to learning and preparing. 

suteki325

Thank you everyone for the replies! I decided to sign up for all three classes offered by the hospital - labor and delivery, infant care and breastfeeding. I'm excited for them!

MississippiCatfish

I took a hospital weekend class with my first. I didn't learn anything, but was glad to find out I wasn't missing any necessary knowledge.

I had a difficult first labor with epidurals that didn't work, so to prepare the second time around, I took the hypnobabies home study course. It cost about $100 (same as the hospital course) but was INFINITELY more valuable. My labor was COMFORTABLE up until just the last 30 minutes! I would highly recommend it.

shelbibrooke82

We didn't with my first BUT looking back I wish we would have!!! My family is all women and 2 own daycares so I knew I didn't need those classes...WRONG!!! They won't always be there lol You learn quite a bit from the lactation nurse in the hospital and yes a lot of it is common sense but I highly suggest the labor/delivery classes!!