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Hawaii Babies
POLL: what prenatal classes did you take?
Our OB gave us a list of classes that we can take. I am in the process of signing us up. Here are the classes offered to us:
Childbirth Education Classes
Comfort Measures And Breathing
Breastfeeding Class
Infant Safety & CPR
Baby Care Class
Natural Childbirth
*class descriptions here
Do I need to take all of these?
What classes did you take? Which did you find most helpful? When is the best time to take these classes? Should I wait until after delivery to schedule the breastfeeding class?
*EDIT* Did you do the hospital tour?
Thanks!
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Re: POLL: what prenatal classes did you take?
Tee-hee! I love this post, as I've recently become a little bit of a baby class whore! MH and I took a four-week "Childbirth Preparation" class together, and I took "Infant Safety and CPR" on my own (MH didn't really need this). Tonight I start a two-night class called "Caring for Newborns," even though I have babysat for my newborn cousins a lot in my life, and probably don't need it. My hospital also offers "Happiest Baby on the Block" class, where for $40 you get the class and a copy of the DVD. Since I was going to buy the DVD anyway, I signed up. It's next week.
The only one I haven't signed up for yet is the "Breastfeeding Basics." But I probably will soon!
Oh, yeah, and I also took a one afternoon class for Cloth Diapering at a local shop a few weeks ago. They also offer a Babywearing class that I might sign up for.
I really don't think these classes are all necessary (in fact, the Safety and CPR class was a huge waste of time, as I already knew Infant CPR, and didn't really learn anything else I didn't already know), but I am off of work now until the baby comes, and I need something to do when MH works late night hours!
I am taking pretty much everything my hospital offers just b/c I don't feel like I really have a clue so I need lots of prep! All of the classes are free, except the Lamaze which is $100. I figure I will go to all of the other ones and then if I feel I need more, maybe check out that one.
I also just checked at the Destination Maternity store near me and they offer a bunch of classes there as well that I want to go to.
Seriously...I can't take too many. I have never changed a diaper on my own. I need some hands-on education!
I think some (not all) of the classes that were offered at my hospital/medical group were more expensive than they should be.
So the only ones we took were an orientation to the OBG dept ($10), an intro orientation to the hospital (free), and Infant Safety & CPR ($45). Basically, we ended up taking the ones that were reasonably priced for the class IMO (for example, CPR is actually pretty cheap at $45 IMO).
I was kinda peeved that the hospital tour only came with the $180 Childbirth class and I was *so* close to taking the class just so I could go on the tour, but we were in a car accident and I ended up having to go to Labor & Delivery to get the baby monitored for possible premature birth, so we ended up seeing and walking through most of everything for the big day anyway, so I saw that as our "tour" and was happy to not have to take the $180 class. I ended up watching the Laugh and Learn about Childbirth DVD that I borrowed for free from the library instead =P
Now that all is said and done, I'm *really* happy that I didn't take the childbirth class for $180 (although I probably would've taken the class if it was ~$50) because I don't think/know how much it would've helped. BUT I do regret not taking the breastfeeding class. I'm not sure how much easier bf would've been, but given how hard it was/is, I wished I took a class beforehand--don't wait until after delivery because the first thing you do within the first hour of delivery (if you want to bf instead of formula-feed) is bf your baby.
Most of that was wrapped up in our Childbirth Education Class, offered by my OB's office. Infant CPR was a different class that we took through the hospital, and only after he was born (a little late, I know!).
The baby care I didn't find all that helpful, and breastfeeding was covered a bit, but not nearly what I would have liked to have known. If you are planning on BFing, I would *definitely* take that class. I would take all classes before delivery if at all possible!
We couldn't do the hospital tour because of the H1N1 restrictions at the time. Would have loved to though!
we took an independent childbirth class that focused on natural childbirth. it was recommended by the MWs, my ND, and my prenat yoga instructor. It covered prelabor, childbirth, pain management techniques, and what types of interventions the hospital might throw at you. It was great. I can't say I learned a lot, but having DH listen to it all was totally worth it.
we also took a BF class - I made sure DH went so that he could begin to understand that BF is not easy but it was also helpful because he knew how to help get Jack in position and I think it helped him get comfortable with the whole idea. (the childbirth class only briefly touched on BF since she knew that almost everyone took the BF class offered by her friend).
I took infant CPR for free from work, I sent DH to the one offered by the hospital (that also included "infant care") and he said it was really bad and he would not feel comfortable relying on that knowledge. I found that kind of interesting - he has since taken a different basic first aid/cpr class.
We took an accelerated Bradley Birth class and that was it.That would basically cover your Childbirth Education, Comfort Measures and Breathing and Natrual Childbirth. The rest? I either read books or magazines or online.
I did buy LLLI's "Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" and was glad to have it as a reference in my third tri and when I first brought Libby home. I am taking infant CPR later this month since we'll be swimming with Libby this summer and also introducing her to solids through Baby Led Weaning (self-fed finger foods, no spoon-fed purees).
We did do the hospital tour and I came home and cried. I hated it. It was a blessing in disguise when I was dx with GD since then I had to go to L&D every week of my third tri and through that process I got more comfortable with the hospital's atmosphere, etc. and got to know some of the nurses, so that when it was delivery day I felt more comfortable there. But yeah, after the tour I was REALLY upset!
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Which hospital did you give birth? I am going to Sibley. I called them earlier and they said they've stopped doing tours since the H1N1 outbreak. They have a virual tour on their website though. The lady I talked to said you can actually see more stuff on the virtual tour compared to actual hospital tour.
The lady I talk to earlier said a lot of husbands go to breastfeeding class!! I think that's great that husbands go. I know they can't breastfeed but can help in other ways.
Did you see anything that made you upset?
I did not take any classes and did not do the hospital tour. I think the tour is really optional.
I would recommend the CPR class and the BFing class. you can do the BFing class after baby is born if your hospital does the classes daily (mine did)...but if you do that then you need to make sure that is nurse or LC is with you and helping you latch that baby from the very first time! otherwise you risk damaging your nipples and being in a lot of pain
my ob said the birthing class was optional since i knew i wanted an epi (also b/c MH has delivered tons of babies so he couldn't benefit from it either)
Jaime & Brent
Oahu, Hawaii | Sept. 9, 2005
My Food Blog - Good Eats 'n Sweet Treats
We took:
1) Stork Class - Covered labor and vag/c-section delivery, postpartum recovery, basic newborn care, breastfeeding. The class was so-so. We went over everything so quickly because there was a lot to cover. Some of the stuff was helpful, other stuff not so much. In retrospect, we could have skipped this class because we went over the same things in more detail in the childbirth class. (free class)
2) Epidural Class - Just one class but it basically went over the procedure and the risks/complications associated with it. Great class and one that I think everyone should take if a similar class is offered. (free class)
3) Preventing Allergies - Geared towards moms-to-be in the 3rd trimester. It was a bit more 'technical' (the doctor presented a lot of scientific studies) than I had hoped it would be but we learned some things we could do to try to lessen the chance of our baby developing allergies. (free class)
4) Childbirth class - The one we enjoyed the most. It covered the same stuff as the stork class (but in more detail) and also relaxation techniques (breathing, massage, birthing ball, visualization). I heard someone say that this class wouldn't be helpful for moms who elected to get an epidural but I would have to disagree. The relaxation techniques helped me labor at home for almost a full day and breathing also helped me through the contractions while I was in the hospital bed waiting for the epidural! ($80 and totally worth it!)
5) Hospital tour - Being able to tour the hospital was great because when the time came to go to the hospital, we knew exactly where to go and what to expect.
We started these classes after I was 30 weeks. The last childbirth class we took was on a Thursday night and I went into labor 2 days later.
My hospital is a huge on breastfeeding so it's surprising that they don't offer a breastfeeding only class. I would have loved to have taken one before I had J, just so that I'd have a better idea of what to expect. I'd rather take it before than after because once you deliver, your hospital should have LCs there to help you if you have any problems. Trying to fit a 2-hour class into your schedule after the baby is born might be difficult too!
We only did one - it was the only one offered by our hospital (which means it was the only one in the area since we live in the boondocks lol). It covered childbirth, touched VERY lightly on breastfeeding (but I think that meeting one-on-one with a lactation consultant is better than any class anyway), and since the nurse who was leading it was extremely anti-pain relief, was heavy on natural childbirth. It cost $60 for both me and Ben to attend.
I already knew pretty much everything that was covered, but I'm still glad we went - I think it gave Ben a better idea of what to expect during labor and after. I would have LOVED an infant CPR class but the hospital didn't offer it - so now I want to go to one offered by the Red Cross.
Oh and yes, since we were in the hospital we did a tour.
Hey sweetheart! Exciting times for you, eh!
So many classes, so much info flying around, what to grab lol?!
I did this one (of course, no help to you as it's in Aus)
https://www.birtheducation.com.au/.
Josh and I both went and I got a LOT out of it, espcially as I was gunning for a med and intervention free birth (I don't like calling it 'natural' as I think EVERY birth is natural) and they gave a LOT of info on intervention rates at certain hospitals, as well as a whole whack of other info.
Personally, I'm inclined to say take them ALL lol. Bringing a baby home for the first time is going to be a massive learning curve so soak up as much practical information as you can (how to bathe a baby, diaper changing etc).
The labour is only a TINY TINY part of the whole shebang, obviously, but get as much info as you can on pain management (I mean what positions you can try to help ease pain, visualization, breathing, shower/baths etc).
It's important that your support people, such as your husband, be there to learn all this too as it's your support people who will remind you what you can do to help cope with pain when you're too tired/too much in pain to remember.
If you're planning on breastfeeding, definitely take the breastfeeding classes before birth. Then, if needed, work with an LC after the birth and attend any breastfeeding day clinics you can. Get as MUCH help as you can with it (if you are having trouble)...as you've seen on this board, breastfeeding can be really effing hard for the first couple of months!
Anyway, try and arm yourself with as much info as you can BEFORE bubby is here because it's hard peering bleary-eyed at the pages of baby books whilst trying to wrestle a bebeh to your boob at 2am.