Birthing classes

anne11716

Does anyone think that taking a birthing class is a must for FTM? Being on bed rest my doctor said she would be ok if we still went. This being after we were clearly annoyed in the waiting room as some lady told us her nightmare birthing story and ended it with, "but good luck!" And then we had our appointment. My husband and I were both kind of like really?! 
My pregnancy has totally not gone to plan. At all. And I'm ok with that now that I'm at almost 35 weeks and I'm doing ok.  Now my fear is if we go I am going to have all these plans in my head and none of it will happen. I just am kind of in the mindset where the doctors will do what they need to do. We did watch some online ones birthing classes. 
What do you ladies think? Is a birthing class a must? 

tigerfish227

I really enjoyed my birthing class because it helped take some of the fear and mystery out of the process for me. We took 2 different classes. One was Understanding Childbirth and the other was Comfort Techniques. Both really made me feel much more confident in that it really wasn't as complicated as I psyched myself up to believe. I think I had it in my head that it was some big scary production and going to the classes simplified it. I also want to have a natural, med-free birth if possible and the classes helped me feel like it wasn't an unrealistic goal for me(providing there are no complications with baby). Ultimately, I feel more mentally prepared for birth even tho I don't feel like there was anything really complicated to learn at the classes.

rspalding001

I liked the one I went to. It covered a lot of information and went over breathing techniques. Overall I'm glad I went. 

LadyBugMe101

FTM here too and we are halfway through our 4 session birthing classes. We are BOTH so glad we decided to do this because it is helping us feel more prepared and we are better able to identify which breathing and relaxation methods are best for me. Like OP my aim is for a med free birth and the classes do bring comfort in the fact that it is possible. 

Knottie1458416769

I found ours okay, DH found them absolutely boring and annoying bc we spent more time talking about and to each other than real learning about childbirth. I Would not do them again, esp since they cost half a grand total, but I would prob have done something online 

FirePoppy

We did the free (one day, 7 hours) class at our hospital and it helped us to understand the usual procedures at the hospital--where to check in, what happens when you arrive, what different situations will be like (pain management options, c-section, induction, etc.), and the postpartum care at the hospital. It was really helpful from that perspective. We were disappointed that there wasn't really a discussion of breathing techniques or comfort measures, so we're going to take an additional short workshop about those things at a local yoga studio (2 hours, $100).

All in all, I think this is a good approach for us--we weren't willing to spend time and money on a more in-depth class. For us, knowing what to expect at the hospital and having a few comfort measures feels about right.

I wonder if a hospital class might be a good option for you, if you're thinking that there might be many possible directions that labor could go and don't want to get too attached to a particular kind of birth?

anne11716

Thank you everyone!!

Muscatmommyof4

I've never taken them or had the urge too.. I have had 2 great deliveries and 1 traumatic unmedicated one so I just know that anything can happen. I also keep in mind before going to the hospital that every labor is different so I don't go in with any expectations... I don't think they are necessary but if you have a lot of anxiety or anything like that they might help.

yosemite2018

I was thinking about skipping it but my mom convinced me to take one since I am aiming for med free. SO really didn't like the classroom style of the Baby 101 class we took and the childbirth class we signed up for was 3 weeks, 3 hours a day, so instead we are having the instructor come to our house and do a 3 hour private class with us (actually ends up being slightly cheaper). I just want to know what my different options are and breathing techniques so I can be prepared for what might happen.

camcbeth

In my birthing class they had an activity where we used cards to plan out our birth plan for the hospital. It was one of the best activities. All the details were in cards; labor at home and on the flip side was the opposite labor at hospital, epidural or non-medicated, vaginal or c-section, and so on. You lay out your whole plan then we had to take out a few cards that didn't matter to us if it didn't go to plan. Then the ultimate was flip all the remaining cards. It would then read as your ultimate did not go to plan at all. When I was able to visualize my worst case senerio I actually felt better. That class was with my first and when I did have a few things happen I didn't anticipate like the fact I spiked a fever and she went to the NICU after skin on skin time for a few minutes. Other than that I also kept an open mind that everyone's experience is always so different. I think if you don't stress about the perfect plan and focus on the end result of holding your little one you will be less anxious. 

nataliepale

There are some online options.  Check with your hospital as well as on Lamaze.  There are some good resources online.

cwalks

I took a class that reviewed L&D as well as baby care basics, and as a FTM I found it incredible informative. They reviewed what to expect at L&D and spent a lot of time reviewing laboring at home since the hospital at least I am delivering won't really admit you til 4-5cm. Also, the baby care basics was helpful since personally I have never been on my own with a baby. The tour, and knowing hospital procedures was a great help too. I think it also set real expectations for me, and for my husband of his role. Our instructor did a great job reminding dads to not be on their phone while we are in pain!! Also, the parts about labor options I found helpful.

hoosiermama-2

FTM + I'm an information nerd, so I'm super excited for our classes. DH is not :P

We're doing a two-week "fast track" childbirth prep class; a breastfeeding one; newborn basics + infant cpr; advanced labor. Five total.

erinlin25

FTM; we are just about to  finish up our 5-week session next week.  I am glad we did them.  H was pretty bored and freaked out with a lot of the procedures, but I think he will appreciate it more when I am actually in labor and he knows more of what to expect.  It made it all a reality for me, and while I am still nervous for the whole process and unknown of how it will really all play out, I am glad I have been able to think about things and feel more prepared.  There were things of course that were common sense, but I do learn something every week so I find it useful overall.

We have our hospital tour this weekend, and infant CPR filled up super fast so I will not get to do that until December. 

ANZ116

FTM and took the class over the weekend. Honestly, I was dreading it but I'm so happy I went. I have a much better understanding of what labor actually looks like and when I should call the doctor. I also got a lot of information on different medications available to me (team epidural!), as well as the tour of the hospital. Our class was 8:30am-5pm on a Saturday (which was when Hurricane Matthew was hitting NC, so that was an added bonus) and it actually went by really quick. Worth the risk of driving in the elements  

eribeau

We had our first of 2 classes tonight. It was interesting. About 4 hours each, and next week we tour L&D. This week all the rooms were full. I'm the only one considering not doing an Epi and everyone else thought I was crazy, but after watching some video my DH and I feel more comfortable and like it's doable, we just have to prepare. And we're having a fun competition next week where dads have a swaddling contest. My husband came home and practiced on our puppy. It was hilarious to watch! 

kvruns

Had night 1 of 2 classes last night. It was basically Childbirth 101. I thought it was OK and while I learned more anatomy stuff which i good to know I'm not sure I will retain it. I wouldn't say it was a waste of time but it didn't do a lot for me. We get access to online materials so maybe that will be more helpful.

Thursday is night 2 and it covers newborn care and breastfeeding although I thought she said we had some post partum stuff to cover that we didn't get to last night. 

PrettyPalomino

I decided against classes, so instead I've been watching labor and delivery vlogs/stories on YouTube while I crochet. Most of them are very descriptive, and I've reached the point where nothing is new information, so I guess it's working! The only question left is what my hospital offers or doesn't offer, which I'll start to drill my OB about in the coming weeks.

i feel totally lost re: breastfeeding though, I will definitely be looking toward a lactation consultant for guidance.

kvruns

just had night 2 of baby class, we finished up with C-section and post-partum care and then did breastfeeding and newborn care. I was most interested in newborn care and that was the least covered. 

i did find it interested she said no swaddling arms in, not even with those velcro blankets. Everything I've read said you can do that until they are starting to roll over. Also some things where I know she has to teach to the letter of the law but I also wish there was some more practical stuff, because not everyone will have the perfect situation where the kid sleeps in a crib from day one, some use basinetts, rock in plays etc

rspalding001

@kvruns the whole point of the swaddle is to stop the startle reflex which requires the arms to be in the swaddle so I'm confused why she would say no arms. When DD started to roll we dropped the swaddle all together for just plain footie pajamas and to be honest leading up to rolling she got strong enough to break out of the swaddle anyway. But in the beginning you definitely have arms in. Very curious. I'd question it.

kvruns

@rspalding001 that's why it was so weird, and someone even asked her to clarify and she said yes no arms in swaddling (whether a blanket or sack thing) at any age. I went to the American Academy of Pediatrics site after the class and it described waddling and how to do it and unless I read it wrong it seemed to say arms in also. I plan to at least try it with the pods/sacks we have for the first month or two. Once he gets to where it seems like rolling is inevitable I'll make sure it is arms out bc that makes sense to me.

ANZ116

@kvruns  @rspalding001  they told us this at our birthing class too! However she did say it's relatively new and to talk to the pediatrician about it. We plan to swaddle her unless our pediatrician tells us otherwise. Honestly the idea of a blanket in with her at night freaks me out if it's not tightly swaddled around her

kvruns

Good to know @ANZ116
i think my lady was pretty on top of new stuff too so that make sense. She also said new guidelines say rear facing car seat until 4 years old?!?

camcbeth

@kvruns rear facing until 4?!? There is no way my husband and I would have survived our 1st's screaming because she couldn't see us. Even with a mirror. (She had severe attachment issues).  I live in Washington and they do require kids to be in a booster until 12years. In Colorado its 8years. 

kvruns

camcbeth said:

@kvruns rear facing until 4?!? There is no way my husband and I would have survived our 1st's screaming because she couldn't see us. Even with a mirror. (She had severe attachment issues).  I live in Washington and they do require kids to be in a booster until 12years. In Colorado its 8years. 

Exactly, I don't see how kids would fit either. She said that it just came up at a recent safety seminar she attended, so maybe more of a coming down the pipeline thing idk. I looked online and couldn't find anything about it. Everyone in the class was just like what?!?!

MrsBigTime

kvruns said:

Good to know @ANZ116
i think my lady was pretty on top of new stuff too so that make sense. She also said new guidelines say rear facing car seat until 4 years old?!?

Some states have changed the law to rear facing until 2, but the safest is to RF until maxed out on the height/weight capacity of your seat. 

Some kids have a hard time with it, but it wasn't never an issue for us. We flipped my daughter at 3.5 but only because she was literally overheating in the summer with the sun beating down on her.

I had a lot of apprehension about flipping, but I'm a Peds ICU nurse and I've see some awful things and the ones that stick out most in my mind were FF too soon. I'm also sure other factors were involved - and I'm sure they weren't buckled into the seat properly alongside with being FF, but im a mom, I'm allowed to be a bit irrational, right??

In my opinion, driving is the most dangerous activity most of us do everyday, if I can do anything to make it safer for my children, I will. 

Sorry for the tangent!

camcbeth

MrsBigTime said:

kvruns said:

Good to know @ANZ116
i think my lady was pretty on top of new stuff too so that make sense. She also said new guidelines say rear facing car seat until 4 years old?!?

Some states have changed the law to rear facing until 2, but the safest is to RF until maxed out on the height/weight capacity of your seat. 

Some kids have a hard time with it, but it wasn't never an issue for us. We flipped my daughter at 3.5 but only because she was literally overheating in the summer with the sun beating down on her.

I had a lot of apprehension about flipping, but I'm a Peds ICU nurse and I've see some awful things and the ones that stick out most in my mind were FF too soon. I'm also sure other factors were involved - and I'm sure they weren't buckled into the seat properly alongside with being FF, but im a mom, I'm allowed to be a bit irrational, right??

In my opinion, driving is the most dangerous activity most of us do everyday, if I can do anything to make it safer for my children, I will. 

Sorry for the tangent!

There was a report out recently that my husband saw and it did say that there has been an increase in deaths with children and infants in carseats not being restrained properly. My sister is a firefighter and strongly encouraged us to get our car seats checked out at our fire station. She said so many times the husbands come in and are so proud of their installation (and for following the instruction booklet), but adjustments need to be made.