labor and lactation classes - waste of time?

nikinikinine

Just wondering if you thought and/or found that labor or lactation classes were a waste of time.

I've seen a few people OTB say that the nurses at the hospital were better lactation consultants than the LC's at the courses (which I guess aren't designed for MoMs?)

I don't want to be doom and gloom about the delivery, but I'm wondering if it makes sense to do a labor class if we likely will not end up with a natural birth...

TIA!

blondek8

We still did the prenatal labour/bf'ing classes. More for DH's sake than my own. I wanted him to be a little more prepared for what lies ahead. The bf'ing class left me with more questions than answers and more stressed out, but there is a TON of community based help for me after the babies are born. The community LC that does home visits in my area successfully bf/tandem fed her twins. She's already got the heads up about me and our twins -- haha!

macchiatto

I found them very helpful. I had to do my labor course at home b/c of scheduling and bed rest, but it was a full kit with videos and stuff that Dh and I went through together.

My Successful BFing class was GREAT! The instructor is actually a MoM herself (and in my local MOTC) and throughout the class she would give me twin-specific information as appropriate, taught me the double-football hold, etc. She trained the nurses at the hospital where I delivered but they do not have LCs actually on staff so I was really glad I'd had the class.

dec13th

they were for me.  But, if you can BF you will save $$$$ that we spent on formula.  I am more excited about switching to milk to save $$$$ than I am about the first bday.  sad, but true.

If you end up with a planned C, try to avoid Friday as most LCs don't work weekends (at least around here).  I didn't see a  LC until Monday afternoon and I was discharged Tues at lunchtime.  They really pressured me to give formula in the meantime and once my babies got ahold of the eay-peasey bottles there was no BF'ing going on.  I pumped for almost 4 weeks but I always wished that I could have BF.

twobytwo2010

We did a labor class but no lactation class. I loved the labor class even though we ended up with a c/s. Since they talked about after the babies are born and how to take care of yourself, and my DH got some good info.  

amanda31H

DH and I took a Marvelous Multiples Class - it was 6 classes, 1 night/week.  It has prenatal care, labor (includes information on c-sections), child care, etc.  It was geared towards parents of twins and triplets (and more!), and it was a good chance for us to meet other parents of multiples.  Look it up online.  It wasn't offered at the hospital I delivered at so we took it at another hospital nearby.

We also took a breastfeeding class together that was 2 hours.  We both found it helpful if not just to calm some of the anxiety I had in advance.

 

scorch

The best labor class that I had was when I was with my BFF when she had her baby.  Of course I ended up witha c-section.  We took all the classes anyway.  As far as lactation goes, I was really commited to it so any issues DD and I had , we just had to work through them. 

jamie217

We went to a breastfeeding class and looking back I don't think it was necessary.  The nurses at the hospital were amazing and my lactation consultation was great - though they are very pushy and try to make you feel guilty about supplementing, so try not to let that get to you.  You have to do what you have to do.  I didn't make enough milk for both my girls and never had enough time to pump enough to increase my supply as much as I would have needed to and maintain my sanity and give me girls as much attention as they needed.