Anyone NOT do a childbirth class?

Diane107

I just called to schedule with my OB and the only classes they had open don't work with our schedules.  It's a three class set (since they don't do their long weekend class anymore) and out of the three dates I am not able to make one one night and DH isn't able to make it to another.  Also, getting him to attend alone would be near impossible!  So we'd be only going to one class together and I would be potentially alone or with my sister/mom for the other class, and then we'd just miss the other.  I am beginning to think it's not really worth it honestly, but don't want to make a dumb mistake by not taking it if it is actually worthwhile.

There is a different childbirth class offered through the hospital as well, but is more expensive.  So, I am still wondering if it's worth it and what the general opinions of them are.  My sister said to not stress over it as she didn't learn anything she hadn't already read in a book, but I am still curious of other thoughts on it.

mrsmklynch

Mine didn't help me at all. Labor still hurt like a mother no matter how I breathed or what position I twisted myself into.If you want to be prepared, watch some youtube videos or something. The only benefit I saw to attending the class was the tour of the maternity ward - well, it would have been helpful if we were actually delivering at that hospital. You can schedule a tour any time though.

beege17

Im not taking a class. It may be helpful, and of course my doctor suggested it, but at the same time, our bodies are made to do this. I have a few books that I've been reading on L&D and they have been very helpful. I really dont think that it is necessary to take a class. I just suggest finding a good reliable book, so you can read on what to expect that way you aren't going in completly blind.

schafer17

I asked a lot of other moms that I'm friends with and most said they got nothing out of the classes and to maybe read a book instead.  I'm just going to tour the maternity ward because that's what everyone suggests!

mmeans1224

I'm not. DH and I are way too busy with our work schedules plus we're both in my brother's wedding in August. I'm just going to read all the books I can and talk to as many people as possible.  I asked my ob and she said she definitely wouldn't discourage someone from taking a class but it's not necessary. She said the nurses at our hospital are so helpful and will walk me right through everything. That put my mind at ease about not taking a class.

mdsharr

We have never taken one. With our first none of the dates worked with our schedule either and I am a nurse so I felt fine with not doing them. Our hospital offers them for free though. With our 2nd & this one I didn't even consider doing one. Not even the refresher course. All of the Mom's who I had talked to said they didn't find it helpful when it actually came time to have the baby.

bugsy2167

I asked a similar childbirth class question a couple weeks back. The hospital offers a 4 week class on Thursday evenings in August and the OBGYN office offers a 7 hour long single day class on the last Sunday of every month; both would cost us $150. DH works on a Tugboat and is gone 2 weeks out of the month so he would miss 2 out of the 4 classes at the hospital and the only class he would be available for at the OBGYNs office would be Sept. 30...my EDD is Oct 13. After much discussion with several other moms, my midwife and my DH we decided just to do the hospital maternity ward tour and skip the classes because most people said it wasn't worth the classes, especially if we had to pay that much. My midwife just suggested being knowledgeable about the stages of labor, which I could read in a book. If we don't feel "prepared" we can always take the Sept. 30th class last minute.

Diane107

Alright, good to hear.  We already registered for the hospital tour and as a FTM I've been a pregnancy book addict.  So we're probably good.  Thanks!

HarrietNJMommy

I've never done any and I'm PG with #4......I think I did okay with my first 3.......

KorieAngela

I'm not going to take a class. I've learned a TON through family/friends and the internet. I don't feel it is really that important...unless you are super freaked out about birth or something. It might help ease some anxiety as the day comes.

jennadoll87

Diane107:

Alright, good to hear.  We already registered for the hospital tour and as a FTM I've been a pregnancy book addict.  So we're probably good.  Thanks!

yeah i def agree the the previous posts! you will probably get more out of lurking on TB versus going to a class! the one i took when i was pregnant with DS was worthless. I know so much more now after reading books, watching videos, chatting online etc. So i think you will be fine

Cynthia1207

I'm not doing one either.  I don't see the use for it.  Most information can be found on the internet, books, etc.  A lot of it is also trial and error so we all need to learn how to deal with our baby.  Something might work for one person and not work for the next.

projectbaby2012

Thank you for posting this.  All of the classes still open in the next 2 months clash with DH's schedule, so I would have to go alone.  I considered going alone, but don't really want to.  I was going to talk to my Dr about it at my appt this week, but this conversation is really helpful at setting my mind at ease should we not take one.

However, I still want to take an infant CPR class. 

MichelleL1118

I enjoyed mine with DS, which was offered through the hospital.  But, given the specific situation I was in with him (high-risk, knew by 25w that I'd at least be induced & would possibly need a scheduled c/s), a lot of it didn't really apply to me.  The best part(s) were the tour of L&D and that it was taught by a nurse/LC at the hospital so there was a lot of hospital-specific stuff covered, like policies of labor positions, monitoring of the baby, etc.  It would have been a lot more useful if I'd been expecting/hoping to go into labor on my own.  DH found it helpful, since he doesn't research stuff as much as I do. 

Knowing what I know now, I should have just done a tour of L&D in my specific situation. 

JoNi2010

DH and I aren't.  Our work schedules are insane.  Plus, I work in the healthcare industry and have been through several labors, complicated and uncomplicated.  So I feel like I know enough to get us by!

daronsmommy

I went through a Lamaz class when I was 13 with my dad and stepmom for my brother's birth. I learned a lot then, of course, everything scared the crap out of me too. I was in the delivery room for my brother's birth as well. When I was PG with DS, I didn't feel the need to take a class, and I won't be taking one this time either. I didn't take a tour of the hospital last time either, but wished I would have. This time, since I have switched hospitals, I will have a tour before hand.

camillicat

I'm glad to see this post. I've been struggling with the decision about labor and delivery classes. We are taking the hospital tour as well as an infant/child CPR class. I've been hesitant about more classes due to the cost.. And everyone I have talked to seems to think that I'm insane if I don't take both a labor and delivery class as well as a baby care course. 

BronzeMama

Given everyone's responses - including my moms and my sisters, I'm not doing the classes. Money is tight, and I'm already mad that I have to pay for my hospital tour! I thought that was stupid, given how much they will be charging my insurance for L+D. I think they are just cashing in on us.All the classes at my hospital cost $150 - $250. I think it's a scam. They ought to provide those classes free or for something like $15 if you're delivering there...