Which classes to take (if any)

JesscanTri

It has been strongly recommended that we register for classes now in order to get them in before the baby comes. Is anyone else taking classes offered through their hospital? We are definitely taking the infant/child CPR and "birth express" class that discusses policies and has a tour. There is also a breastfeeding class, but I am wondering how worthwhile it is. Any thoughts on that one? I plan on BFing, but I am wondering if they will go over anything that a lactation consultant won't cover? There a bunch of others, but they seem like a big waste of money.

minimonstersmum

I'm taking the infant cpr, newborn care, nursing, and the plain ol childbirth classes but it's a series of 5 wks... but we get all of them free b/c my hubs works at the hospital... We are taking them all b/c even though I know about babies and have been around them literally my whole life, I still feel so unprepared so I'm hoping it'll help...

DaisyCakes18

We are taking the Preparing for Childbirth class (that's the long one - I signed up for a marathon Saturday class instead of the weekly ones), Infant CPR, and Breastfeeding. I mostly want to take the BF class so I can meet the lactation consultants and get some recommendations on pumps and such.

KColette

Since this is our first child we are taking all the classes I can sign us up for!  lol  At our hospital, when you sign up for the regular 4 week class, you can take a bunch of other classes for free... so we are totally taking advantage of that!

Last night I went to a 2.5hr class called Baby inside of you. It was all about the 2nd & 3rd Trimester.  What to expect, what is normal, what isn't, when to call the dr or go to hospital, how daddy needs to help you get ready, what to bring to the hospital, what to do when you are in labor and the procedure at the hospital.  It was great becasue now I feel so comfortable with the hospital because I know what to expect when it's time.

But, I think the most jaw dropping part of the evening was when the nurse showed us some typical baby sizes. She had 3 gel (giggly) type babies. The smallest one was at 15 weeks, and it fit in the palm of her hand.  The next one was at 22 weeks and it was pretty big!  (I thought, omg I am 24 weeks!  My baby is bigger than that!!!!) And the largest one she showed was at 30 weeks, and I was kind of left speechless. It really hit home how big my baby is getting and that THIS IS REAL!!!!  haha  Everytime I think about it I shake my head in amazement...

My suggestion, take however many classes you can afford.  They are not a waste of time, especially for 1st time mommies and daddies.  If your hospital makes you feel as comfortable with the process as mine did, then you will be really thankful.

jkaplan84

I think if you are planning on BFing a BFing class is a good idea to take.  It is a lot more complicated than we think and the more information the better.

chickaboo1974

I took an "Expecting Multiples" Class at 16 wks that included a hospital tour complete with a tour of the NICU.  DH and I are taking a infant care class since he has never been around an infant (and he is 46).  And I am taking a BF class.  As for childbirth classes- I am not planning on taking any of them- IF I can give birth vaginally it will be in a OR not the L&D room with a larger amount of people, so I am sure it will not be the typical birth that they teach.

principessa81

We're going to take the hypnobirthing class, and I think we'll take the breastfeeding class as well (although I'm not 100% sure about that, I'm thinking the lactation consultants at the hospital would be able to help me).

curlydoglover

We're taking the hospital's childbirth class (6wks).

I'm also looking at a breastfeeding class closer to home.  This is my first and, while I've read just about everything I can on the topic, I think there may be something to be said for a class.  Plus, it's only $10.

And Infant CPR, obviously. 

After the baby's here, I'm also thinking of taking the Working Moms & Breastfeeding class offered at the hospital.  Nursing infants are welcome, so I think it'll be valuable not only from a "how to continue breastfeeding while pumping" perspective but may help if we're having any latch/bf issues in general.

lulu8109

I have to pay for all of my classes, about $60 each.  I plan on doing a free hospital tour and taking the infant CPR class.  I want to take the newborn care class, but DH wasn't interested in that.  I'm trying to convince him to take it, since I think it will be helpful since we've never taken care of a newborn.  I'm not planning on taking a birthing or BFing class, even though I plan on breastfeeding.  I'll read up on BFing before baby is born and I figure meeting with a lactation consultant should cover the basics. 

mb1210

We are taking a 4-week childbirth class, Infant CPR, Infant care and I'm taking a breastfeeding class. We have to pay for them all (it came to like $150-ish for all 4), but I figure it's worth the money to be prepared in advance. I don't want to walk into motherhood feeling like I don't know anything. I figure this way, it'll help me feel a little more relaxed about eveyrthing.

RGriffone

we are not taking the classes at the hospital.  too broad, not enough detail, and too many people per class. 

 instead, we are taking the "Husband-coached childbirth"/ Bradley Method Natural Child birth classes taught by a licensed teacher out of her home with a few other couples.  classes are 2.5 hours each week for 10 weeks. classes start next thursday and we couldn't be happier with the decision we made. 

cc605

we are taking a 6 week birthing class that is taught by my LLL leader...it focus mostley on avoiding any medical interventions.

ali26

We are taking a childbirthing class and BF class which are both free at our hospital.  Then we are paying to take a Lamaze/childbirth prep class which is more in depth than the free one. 

I don't need to take CPR (already do it for work) but I'd like DH to take it if possible.