So I missed all the childbirth classes... freaking out!

actresscye

I'm on bedrest for a few days so I thought I'd finally get my phone calls out to schedule a childbirthing class.  They are all full or not available until like May 21st!!

So am I better off getting a DVD?  Go ahead and take May 21st even though I'll be 36 weeks pregnant?  Any suggestions?

 I messed this one up.  At least I can go tour the hospital tonight.

emylos

Go with the class at 36 weeks. There is a pretty good chance you'll still be pregnant at 36 wks and you'll have the benefit of having the class closer to your due date so it will be fresher in your mind.

kevinslove

I would still take the one at 36 weeks.  We had some couples that were 36, 37 weeks along in our birthing class.  If it is making you freak out that you can't take the class, then just take the one on May 21st.

Baby4OT

I'd go ahead and sign up for the 5/21 one. Chances are good that you will not have had your baby yet -- and the info will all be fresh in your mind when you go into labor!

Are these all through your hospital? Can you look into other options in your community? My midwives office offers a class seperate from the one that the hospital offers. We never took a hospital class, but took Bradley classes. You don't have time for that (it's a 12-week program) but there are likely other things available.

For your tour tonight, write down any questions that you have that pertain to your specific hospital about their policies for L&D and newborn care. That way if you don't get to do a hospital-based childbirth class you will still have answers to your questions.

pbj10

Is the May 21st one a one day thing? I don't think it will be too late seeing as one of the women in my childbirth classes is 36 weeks today and we still have 4 weeks to go. If you are really worried about it, then just get a DVD or a book. Either way, don't sweat it. You will have nurses and doctors there when you go into labor and they can answer all your questions. 

Jenn0810

My hospital says to take childbirth classes around 3 weeks before the due date. I couldn't get in until 2 weeks before our due date though...Although if I go into labor and end up delivering before that, they can refund our money. I would go ahead and schedule if I were in your situation. 

thatgirl84

You've tried all the hospitals? I had to sign up at a hospital where I am not delivering because it worked better with our schedule. Also, if there is one just beginning, then go. If anyone who registered doesn't show, then it gives you an edge.

Many women don't go to classes at all. Most moms-to-be that I meet irl are skipping this. I suppose it goes with the "women have been doing this forever" philosophy.  I'd rather be over-prepared than under. You could take the May 21st, but all the birthing classes I looked into were 6 weeks. Is the same true for yours?

If you absolutely cannot weasel your way into a class, then a DVD is better than nothing. 

OpheliaChem

I think you can take the class whenever because better late than never, right!

 

However, I'm not taking a class and I think you would be fine without it. The thought of being around so many possible drama-mamas is so not appealing to me. We had our tour last night and there were two moms-to-be that were over-the-top dramatic about EVERYTHING...I can only imagine them in a birth class! MH and I have been reading books and watching youtube videos. Anything else I need to know I will figure out when I go into labor :-) 

cvl105

I would sign up for the May 21st one.

alm0309

I am taking mine on 5/21, I will be 35 weeks pregnant.  I didn't even think twice about the date.  

jen&jay07

I would take the May 21st one rather than not take any class at all. There were definalty some women in my class that were that far along. Did you explain your situation when you called? When I was booking mine I was finding it very difficult to find one that fit our schedule since DH only has 1 weekend off a month. When I explained that to the instructor allowed us to enroll anyway. It's worth a shot.

Wymasa

Ours were full too but I'm not stressing about it. I've done a ton of reading and researching and really not sure you can ever be fully prepared until you actually experience it. 

ashleah83

Our midwife explicitly told us it is no big deal if we don't take a childbirth class-  she pointed out women did this for thousands of years without classes.

Incidentally I was SO close to doing what you did. When I registered for our class, it hit the full mark and it was the last class offered/available without being right on top of our EDD.  Given how close I was to being in your shoes, I am sure tons of other people do this too.