Child birthing classes

raeah219

Do we really need them?

judahsmommy1

I would say it depends on several different factors. How familiar are you with the process of birth? How familiar are you with the various interventions that might be offered to you? Have you ever watched someone give birth? How comfortable are you and your spouse in communicating about various things related to delivery? How comfortable is your spouse with the information they currently have about the labor and delivery process? I would base my answer off of your answers to those questions.

raeah219

I know a lot about the process of birth and the interventions. I have been reading everything I can get my hands on. My real reason for considering the class would be that I want to try and practice the pain management techniques and because my partner knows absolutely nothing about natural birth and refuses to read any of the books

vintagejjane

I didn't take any, but I read and researched a lot. Make sure you know your options where ever you deliver. I also really recommend reading up on the stages of labor. 

bandwife

I didn't take any.

I did have a Doula, birth at home and read a tonne. I was also fairly confident in my ability to handle pain and relax through it - I was a high level athlete for many years.

 

pdilly2b

raeah219:

I know a lot about the process of birth and the interventions. I have been reading everything I can get my hands on. My real reason for considering the class would be that I want to try and practice the pain management techniques and because my partner knows absolutely nothing about natural birth and refuses to read any of the books

 

This was me.  We took Brio classes for the practice aspect and for DH to be on the same page knowledge-wise (he was already supportive of whatever I wanted).  Our instructor was wonderful and I thought they were extremely helpful.  Not that I couldn't have done it without them, but they definitely gave me more confidence and tools and a better idea of what to expect. 

badbridey

We took a Bradley class and found it invaluable.  I'm not sure I could have gone natural without it.  I loved that they taught DH how to support me, he's not a reader so the classes forced him to think about and practice all of the techniques.

mlsskr1s

I took classes taught by a doula, who also happens to be a RN and a board certified lactation consultant.  The classes were a bit more expensive and were 8 hours a day for 3 days.  The information and confidence I gained by taking these classes is immeasurable.  I knew I wanted to have a natural birth, but was seriously doubting myself and fearful of the process.  After taking a class geared toward natural birth, I feel like I have the tools I'll need to have the NB I want.  We learned about what our body does, what it needs and how to play the NB mental game in addition to giving us information about interventions, which are better and when they may be needed. 

So I guess what I'm saying is if you're going to birthing classes, make sure they are geared toward what you want your birth experience to be.  Don't waste money going to a class given by the hospital if you're not having a hospital birth.  Don't go to a natural childbirth class if you're planning on using interventions, etc.

CurbsideProphet

We took Bradley classes and were very happy with them. They did not seem like a waste to me.