Who's doing prenatal classes?

Robeano

Just wondering who is doing prenatal classes, and what types of classes you're taking. If everything works out, I'll likely take a class that my friends teaches, about breathing, what to expect at delivery etc. PLUS I'll likely take a breast feeding seminar if they have any in my area cuz I suspect I might have some issues with breastfeeding, but I really want to do it.

TJ1979

Me me me!  MH and I are taking a birthing class offered by the hospital I'm delivering at in a few weeks, and it includes the L&D tour.  We are going to do the breastfeeding class online (I'm really nervous about BFing too, but my OB keeps reminding me there will be lactation consultants at the hospital.)  We also want to register for the infant CPR/first aid class, but I was going to wait until July to take it since MH will be here for the entire month, and the class is offered 3x a week.  (PS, YGPM)

Robeano

See I have inverted nipps which can make breastfeeding a challenge. But everybody makes it seem like it's so easy and you'll totally understand what to do. But I feel nervous that I'll be one of those rare people that can't get a good latch.

TJ1979

I have not had a single friend tell me that BFing is easy.  It takes a lot of work and dedication.  And it hurts.  I've teased my mom my whole life about not BFing me (jokingly telling her that's why I have bad eyesight, or why I caught a cold, etc.) so now I'm afraid karma's going to come back and get me for that.

RFBsbride

I fully intend to take classes for anything and everything.  I really don't have much experience with infants or even toddlers for that matter and rather than relying on "mother's intuition", I'd rather have take a class and then take it from there.

PS - you and I are right on track with each other - I'm 5w3d.   

leolyns

Last night my DH and I went to Taking Care of Mommy & Me class, it was informative on some topics and boring on others. I thought we were going to see the L&D ward but didn't, so we will schedule an appointment for that on our own.

Robeano

TJ1979:

I have not had a single friend tell me that BFing is easy.  It takes a lot of work and dedication.  And it hurts.  I've teased my mom my whole life about not BFing me (jokingly telling her that's why I have bad eyesight, or why I caught a cold, etc.) so now I'm afraid karma's going to come back and get me for that.

Hmm, interesting, I feel like your friends have been honest with you, lucky.

My sister is the worlds biggest breast feeding advocate, and she meets with all kinds of women who like breast feed until the kids are like 3 and it's so natural, and easy and it makes them feel like real women.

I kinda find it mildly intimidating, but I can't tell my sister that. I also don't plan on breast feeding past a year and am slightly worried about my sister's reaction. I mean I know it will be okay but I don't like disappointing people.

Robeano

RFBsbride:

I fully intend to take classes for anything and everything.  I really don't have much experience with infants or even toddlers for that matter and rather than relying on "mother's intuition", I'd rather have take a class and then take it from there.

PS - you and I are right on track with each other - I'm 5w3d.   

We totally are!! That's awesome. I have nobody IRL (who I am friends with or like) who is pregnant right now (literally 5 women I know just gave birth in the last two weeks!)

Hopefully we can walk this journey together. Next Wednesday I'll know more if I will be staying. FX for a good u/s!!

drubie

Everything my hospital offers, plus a private class or two with our doula. We're taking naturally focused childbirth, breastfeeding, pumping, newborn care, infant CPR, and carseat safety (where you do the carseat installation and get it checked by professionals) at the hospital. With our doula, she's going to meet with us after we've finished the birth classes and give us some more hands-on/individually focused time to practice pain management techniques for labor, and possibly breastfeeding, as well.

Trish11278

My hospital offers it.  We will be doing the four week course, once a week.  This won't be until I am in my 7th month though. 

mandalinn25

We did a four session childbirth class, a breastfeeding class and then the hospital tour. They were all fantastic and we learned so much. 

lovemygs

We took a BF class and a Mom/Baby care class. The BF class was awesome. We're going on a hospital tour next weekend. 

MAbride0808

We just signed up for our classes.   We are doing a new parent course, birthing class, CPR/First Aid course & a breastfeeding class. They all came in a package that was only like $25 more than just the birthing class.  I probably won't get to them until the end of the summer though.

albjag

We signed up for an infant cpr/first aid class

And a birthing class at 35 wks, with a hospital tour at 34 wks

Haven't thought of a breast feeding class- I figured they'd send in a lactation specialist to see me after I give birth 

pb_bride

I am!  I'm a FTM and really have no one around me (friends or family) who can help me with this, so I need all the classes I can take.

I've signed up for childbirth class via my OB office.  My hospital also offers childbirth class, but I picked the one at the OB office b/c I think it'll be more catered to the OB practice style.  It is a 1-day, 8-hr class.  I'm taking it when I'll be 30/31w.  The class will include a tour of the L&D at the hospital.

The hospital offers other classes too and I plan to take: BFing; infant CPR, and a class on newborn care.  I haven't signed up for them yet, plan to take them when I'm in my 32-34 ish weeks?

FWIW, my insurance will reimburse up to $100 for childbirth classes, and $40 for BFing classes.  So, check w/your ins company to see if you can get some $ back!

RRL2012

I am a FTM as well. I did plenty of babysitting growing up and I'm pretty sure I could get by with my basic knowledge, but I am taking classes anyway. There is always more to learn and I prefer to be overprepared than underprepared.

I'll be taking the following classes- breastfeeding, infant care and health, and a class on labor and delivery.

missjul61

DH and I are taking baby care, CPR, BF and Lamaze classes starting next week.

mdiblasi10

We took a birthing class with our hospital a few weeks ago and we are signed up for a breastfeeding class next week.

mswood1977

We are taking a 1 day all day Saturday (8:00 am - 4:30 pm) Class called "From Pregnancy to Parenthood in a day" at our hospital. We are actually taking it this weekend.  They teach the same information in a 7 week series of 2-hour classes, but with DH's travel schedule it wasn't possible for us to take the series.

The all day class focuses on a review of the labor process and common hospital procedures.  A condensed version of the postpartum, baby basics, breastfeeding, breathing, relaxation, and coping skills are discussed. A tour of the Women's  and Children's Pavilion is provided. Then we have the option to take either Mind Over Body or the Planned C-section classes for free  at a later date if we want.

JodiAriel

I am doing a centering group with my midwifery office. It is 2 hours once a month up to 28 wks and then every 2 weeks after that and it replaces your regular prenatal visit.  It is 8-10 couples all due in the same month and the first 30 mins you weigh yourself, take your own bp, dip your urine and then get a fundal height and doppler with the midwife.  Then the group meets, any questions you have go on a board when you walk in the door and we discuss them as a group and then each week we work on something.  Last week was nutrition and comfort.  Ultimately by the time the babies are born it covers the birthing class, breastfeeding class and newborn care class.  It's really neat to meet other people who are pregnant at the same time and will have newborns at the same time.  I just hope I make it long enough to cover all the important stuff!

I still have to see the midwives in the office for additional monitoring because of the twins and I still have to see MFM so by the end I will be seen at least weekly if not more often but it is nice to have the centering group.

mystic_J

We are taking a breast feeding class, an Infant CPR class and a Infant Care Basics class. Since we're doing a scheduled c/s, we opted to skip the Childbirthing Class for obvious reasons.