Another birth class question.

ash_and_mark

I got a call from my midwife's assistant (who teaches the class) and she told me they are eight weeks long and start on May 7th.  I will be nineteen weeks then. Is that early?  It seems so to me.  They said that is the only one they will be giving before my due date.

Also, they are EXPENSIVE!!!!!!  I know that the birth class is specifically centered around natural/waterbirth, longer than most general labor classes, and that the teacher is giving us a goody bag the first day, but I was not expecting to have to shell out  two hundred dollars!  Am I just dumb and should have known the price of the class, or is that an outrageous amount of money?

browneyes_24b

I'm pretty sure the local classes are $20 per person around here.  That seems really high!

Shananah

The birth class available to us through our OB is about 150$ if that helps.   We're gonna skip it though.

Genevieved

The one I looked at is $150 but doesn't run as long.  I don't think you are dumb there are a lot of things I didn't realize the cost of them until I started looking at them.  This is new for all us first timers.

Manderlin923

We just had our first "naturally confident" childbirth class last night. It is a 7 week course, once a week classes (2.5 hours a class). It was $175 and I feel (already after only one class) like it is totally worth the money.

It was great meeting other couples who are like-minded and I've already learned so much. I am actually excited for next weeks class. By the way, I'm 22 weeks so I don't think 19 weeks is tooo early.... I think you would be fine. 

Everyone differs on whether or not birth classes are needed. If you are planning on doing an epi, you may not "need" one but what happens if you get to the hospital and you're 9 cm? You may feel better having some education and knowledge about it. That being said, since I am going drug free (if all pans out) I consider this class indispensible to me and DH. It was a nice bonding experience actually and he even had fun! 

T&BMay142005

Our class is $75 and its a five week class. Yeah, they are expensive, but I am sure its worth it. I really don't know what to expect, since this is my first. Our first class is tomorrow night and I am 25 weeks - I thought that was early! But you have to do what works for your due date.

ash_and_mark

I am not cheap, it's just that I have been sticker shocked all day.  If it is something I have to do, well I am going to do it.  I am absolutely not gonna jump in a tub and try to push this baby out without some sort of class.

I am more worried about starting the class so early.

ash_and_mark

Manderlin923:

We just had our first "naturally confident" childbirth class last night. It is a 7 week course, once a week classes (2.5 hours a class). It was $175 and I feel (already after only one class) like it is totally worth the money.

It was great meeting other couples who are like-minded and I've already learned so much. I am actually excited for next weeks class. By the way, I'm 22 weeks so I don't think 19 weeks is tooo early.... I think you would be fine. 

Everyone differs on whether or not birth classes are needed. If you are planning on doing an epi, you may not "need" one but what happens if you get to the hospital and you're 9 cm? You may feel better having some education and knowledge about it. That being said, since I am going drug free (if all pans out) I consider this class indispensible to me and DH. It was a nice bonding experience actually and he even had fun! 

This makes me feel a little better!  I am planning on a water birth in a clinic, so the class is a must to me!

JCM083009

Ours are 8 weeks long and were about $300.  I started at 17 weeks, also b/c that was the only option. It's def. not too early.

water-fairy

We are taking a ONE-day childbirth preparation class (that literally lasts a whole day) and it is also $200. I guess that's pretty average around here... but I'm not sure. In addition we are also taking classes for breastfeeding and newborn safety/care ($50 each). Doesn't seem too much to me, but then again, DH and I are definitely not on the low-end income range.

ash_and_mark

Thanks ladies!  I feel a whole lot better.  I just kept seeing all of these other classes at hospitals and OB offices here and the price range was around $40, but they were general classes and not specifically natural child birth.

smilelari

That doesn't sound outrageous at all.  Here, the class at the hospital is $70.  A Bradley class is $275