Recommendations please?

Adi

Ok, now that I've decided on the VBAC route, I need some child birth prep. I called my medical group, and unfortunately, the ones they offer between now and my EDD don't fit into my schedule at all or are completely filled up already (I find that a bit rediculous since I'm  not even 3rd trimester yet, but it is what it is).

Doula's in my area cost about $800, and private classes are rediculously expensive as well, so they are not options for us. So, I've been looking into Books and DVD's.

Can anyone give me a recommendation? 

 

amandaleigh1

I am taking a hypnobirthing class, which is geared for med free birthing. They don't do home study as far as I can tell, but a similar approach, hypnobabies does have home study. In my area, some organizations outside of hospitals conduct childbirth classes for reasonable prices, so you may want to keep looking.

Also a doula can be worth her weight in gold, so you may seriously consider whether you can make room in your budget for that. 

Adi

Thanks Amanda.

for $800 I'd have to return to work a few weeks earlier than I'd like to. I think between DH and the hospital staff we can manage that part, I just need actual refreshers on the breathing and relaxation.

The classes in my area are all "all natural" and discourage any medication, or intervention, I don't necesarily want that either. I'm hoping to find something more well rounded.

kj07

You say your medical practice is full - have you looked at classes offered by the hospital you'll be delivering at?  Our hospital's L&D class included some decent exercises about breathing and relaxation.

benniferbaby

As a FTM I'm not much help, but when I was poking about for childbirth education, I found a site called americanpregnancy.org. Also march of dimes has some helpful info. Good luck!

Adi

Sorry... my medical practice owns the hospital...so that's no good either...

Bennifer... I'm familiar with MOD... thanks for the other, I'll check it out!

stever

I took a Lamaze class last time mostly just used the breathing techniques, which worked well and allowed me to go epi-free. I just wanted a refresher for this baby so I think I googled "lamaze breathing" and found some helpful stuff.

Here's the link I found with the best breathing info:

https://www.birthsource.com/scripts/article.asp?articleid=404

hrock74

Did you check all the local hospitals?  I live close to a few hospitals and each offered classes at different times one even offered a refresher course.  Even if you have to drive a few extra miles it might be worth it. 

I mean to be quite blunt...there's NOT a lot they tell you that you probably haven't read here or heard or read before.  It's basically...REAL LABOR vs. FAKE how to tell the difference and that's pretty basic.  Then the couple types of breathing depending on the severity of the the contractions.  the Slow breaths.  The He, He, He breathing and the He, He, He ...with a slow breath for the really bad I have to push but I'm not ready.  The Terminology they use...centimeters dialated...effaced...etc.,  Also they went over the drugs you can take...the ones for pain...then the ones to ease your stomach because the pain one's can make you sick.  The Induction meds and of course the epidural. 

That was my two days in a nutshell.  You might be able to even ask for the BOOK/Handout the hospital would give if you attended the class.  It's got all that inside. 

Good luck.

 

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Good luck.

Adi

Hrock - Thanks!

I think I've found a book I'm going to get. It supposedly covers everything from natural unmedicated births to the possibility of csect. (Most birth prep books are totally anti intervention, and with this being a vbac attempt, I don't need that mentality, I HAVE to do this in a hospital) I will need a refresher what early labor symptoms are, but the book covers that too.

Anyone read/heard of "The Best Birth" ?