Did you do Childbirth Classes?

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Hi Ladies..

I'm at the point where I should've already registered for Childbirth classes by now.. but then I hear from other friends thati f you choose to use the epidural, then the classes aren't worth it.. I'm lost because this being my first baby, I'd love all the information I can get, but would rather not spend money that's not needed.

Can I get your opinions? 

 

TIA!

manda_mullins

DH and I are dropouts.?

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Ours was a HUGE waste of time. I've learned more from thebump, the internet, and books I have.

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But we live in a really rural/small town, so I'm not sure if that has any bearing on the quality of the class. ?

dgurl26

I went to one and I'm glad I went. They talked about alot not just labor but how to take care of your LO afterwards and it was good for DH to understand everything.

DNK777

I did.  I think it helped calm DH a lot more about the whole childbirth thing.  He's not one to read the books.  I don't feel like I necessarily learned a lot just because I've read the books and been on here too much.  I think it was helpful though.  Some of the pain techniques you might not be able to use after getting the epi, but they could still be helpful in early labor.

icyblueeyez19

We signed up for classes through our hospital, I wanted to go so DH would know what was going on. I just finished nursing school and my last quarter/rotation was ob and l&d, do sitting through 5 weeks of class did not sound appealing to me. We decided that they are not necessary and you can learn just as much, if not more by educating yourself through reading on your own. Needless to say, we skipped on the classes.

Jason'swife

We're taking them. But we're also doing a 100% natural birth (assuming there aren't any complications). If I thought I was going to get an epi I wouldn't bother.

ashalsup

We did go to the classes. For us it was a huge help for DH since he hates reading and refuses to read any of the baby books. Also we had a lactation consultant come in for the last 2 classes. This made the whole thing worth it!!!! She was full of so much information and I found it to be a huge help since we will be bf-ing.

moonshiney

We are taking them in a few weeks!

doozerdaisy

We are in class right now and I highly recommend it.  It's great for your dh and you to learn everything.  You never know what is going to happen and it is best to be prepared.

mickey84

we hired a doula.. she supplied me with tonnes of info. by talking, lending me book, informing me of good websites, ect. So i figured i would save the money on classes. What i really wanted the classes for was for the breathing.. but she'll be breathing with me thru each contraction. GL

alaskabride2be

We just finished ours last night. I found the ones that we took helpful. There was a lot of information that was given to us. Plus I think that it helped DH know more of what to expect. My goal is to not get an epi, so I really wanted to learn as much about the relaxing/breathing techniques as possible. Ours were free at the hospital that we are delivering at, but had they charged for them, I would have paid.

jeannarheinberger

I didn't this time.  I tried to take classes with DD, I had her before the class was over and didn't really get to the delivery section.  I felt it was a waiste of time and didn't want to repeat it.  This is DH's first child and it has been over 8 years for me, we did take a tour of Labor and delivery and the nurse gave us a lot of information.

verockica

We didn't, but most of the classes around me are glorified hospital orientation, and I'm not going to the hospital.  We thought about taking a Bradley class, but our MW said there's really no need unless we really wanted to.  We're learning through books, and the MW coaches through labor with the breathing and stuff.

goldielux1176

I got books and DVDs from the library.  I learned the same thing I would have learned in a class.  In fact, the DVDs are actual classes that they taped.

Kandie35

You should check to see if your health insurance will pay for the class if it is associated with the hospital - mine did, much to my surprise! (Too bad it doesn't also pay for the Infant/Child CPR classes we're taking too -seems like it should if it covers the the childbirth classes).

lolo5000

We went, and was really disappointed.  It was taught by a labor and delivery nurse.  She basically said good luck to me because I wanted to try natural.  She made me feel bad about my choice.

Temp159135562506975

no need. women have been birthing babies since the beginning of time without classes

listen to the nurses and doc and you will do fine- that is what we did and worked out great- i'm glad i didn't waste time/money on a class.

F&G777

nope - I think they are a waste of money.

AshleyKass

We didn't take the classes.  Didn't want to spend the money.  I figure I can get all the info I need from books and the internet.

jolis_petits_bijoux

My OB practice and hospital require it (well, they say they do - yet, I doubt they would turn me away if in active labor and I hadn't taken it ).  I am very, very glad we took the class.

We just finished and it was very educational.  This is my first baby, so if I didn't take it, I wouldn't know how to tell the difference between early and active labor, what to do when my water breaks, how to time contrax properly, birthing positions, how to push, and the exercises I need to do now to prepare for labor. 

We also got to watch several movies of an epidural, and a C-section.  I'm planning on an epi, and in the case I'd have to have a C-section, it was nice to learn exactly how it's done.  Also, not sure if your hospital is this way, but at many hospitals (including mine), if you and your DH haven't been through childbirth class, DH will not be allowed in the OR if you should have to have a C-section.  For that reason alone, even if there was no other benefit, I still would have taken the class.  I cannot imagine having to go through a C-section without my DH by my side!

Our instructor (and my OB office) have said they usually won't give a first time mom an epi until you're dilated to 4 or 5.  I know that's obviously not the most painful part of labor, but I still expect to experience a considerable amount of pain... so, I'm glad I learned birthing positions, breathing techniques, and pain management techniques.

The only part of our class that I thought was useless were the visualization techniques (I couldn't stay focused, had to supress giggles), but if planning on a natural birth, this may be helpful.  Other than that, 90%+ of the class was useful, and I am very glad we took it.  So is my DH (especially), he knew NOTHING, and I mean NOTHING about pregnancy/childbirth/babies.

I do live in a pretty good-sized city, and took the class at the large, regional, Trauma 1 hospital where we will be delivering.  I'm sure the quality of the class may not have been as good if I lived in a rural area and took it at a rural hospital, but I still would have done that if it were my only option.  Something is better than nothing, and it definitely assauged my fears as a first-time mom.

jolis_petits_bijoux

mickey84:

we hired a doula.. she supplied me with tonnes of info. by talking, lending me book, informing me of good websites, ect. So i figured i would save the money on classes. What i really wanted the classes for was for the breathing.. but she'll be breathing with me thru each contraction. GL

I think this would definitely be the only acceptable alternative to taking a childbirth class.  In fact, it would probably be preferable, especially if you're planning on going natural!

Elena&Dylan2008

manda_mullins:

DH and I are dropouts. 

 

Ours was a HUGE waste of time. I've learned more from thebump, the internet, and books I have.

 

 

Ditto!!!!!

cathy_and_matt

We took one last weekend-both days, 9am-3:30pm. That was a little brutal, but I'm glad we did it.

Honestly, the class was more for DH than me. I read everything I can get my hands on, but DH is not a big reader at all. They didn't just go over natural birth and relaxation methods, but the whole process of childbirth and some post-partum care. 

Aprilynn0206

my dr. hooked us up w/ an insanely awesome site from through our hospital that answered every question we ever had.. and the ones it didn't.. i emailed to my dr. and she answered at my next visit..so we're going to pass on the childbirth but may attend one for child care just to ease our minds

Belle15

We are, but our doula is going to come to our house to do them.  I'm sure you probably don't need them, but i'm thinking it will help ease some anxiety that 1st time parents get.

MrsG.060708

We just finished up our 4-wk session and we're both glad we went. They talked about all the options we'll have for pain medication, different relaxation techniques (breathing, straddle bar, birthing ball, tub), tour of the birthing center (including area for vaginal births, and for csections) and of the postpartum ward, told us what the hospital provides for us during our stay, hospital policies, etc. It was quite informative and feel so much better than going in blind.