Question for STM's

mrshump

How necessary/helpful are lamaze classes?

and what classes do you feel are essential before baby is born? 

Kadyra

I didn't take any birthing classes of any kind with DS.  but I'm an ob/gyn and have delivered lots and lots of babies, so I knew what to expect from an outsider's perspective.  I had no illusions about my pain tolerance and after having been through a lot of unmedicated births with my patients, I knew I wanted an epidural.  I got it pretty early and about 90 minutes after my water was broken I felt a slight pressure.  I was complete.  I pushed for 22 minutes (I also theoretically knew how to do this, since I've coached a bazillion women how to do it) and had no pain.  I had a D&C at the bedside for a retained placenta and felt nothing.  It was easy and I'd do it that way again.  However, because of the previa, I get a c-section this time around.  Even though I've also done many c-sections, I'd love to take a class on going through one.  Even though I have a lot of experience with that  aspect, I still feel a little lost. 

I'm probably not a good example.  But for me, it would depend on what I want to get out of labor.  Do you want med-free?  if you do, then definitely take classes.  Consider a doula if you don't think DH can handle seeing you in pain and will not be a good support.  Check on the natural birth board also to see what their suggestions for specific classes are.  if you know you want an epidural, but don't have any experience seeing a birth, the birthing classes can get you prepared.  They can also guide you into how to ask questions and make decisions about interventions that you may not think of on your own.  in that case, a generic birthing class from a hospital should be fine. HTH.

ETA: I did take a BFing class.  It was invaluable.  DH came with me.  Learned so much!  And DH took a daddy boot camp class through dadsadventure.com  He said it was very helpful as well and would recommend it.

SummerOH

I took a class that offered info about what to expect during delivery and the basics of newborn care.  It wasn't a tradition lamaze class, but relaxation techniques were included in the L&D portion.  I found it extremely helpful.

KingRay09

I didn't do any classes with dd. This is just my opinion but I if you watch the show A Baby Story that will give you some insight as to what goes on in a labor and delivery room. Honestly after going through 38 hours of labor which ended in a c-section, no matter how much you prepare for labor and birth things usually don't go as planned. I wouldn't waste my money.

mrshump

Kadyra:

I didn't take any birthing classes of any kind with DS.  but I'm an ob/gyn and have delivered lots and lots of babies, so I knew what to expect from an outsider's perspective.  I had no illusions about my pain tolerance and after having been through a lot of unmedicated births with my patients, I knew I wanted an epidural.  I got it pretty early and about 90 minutes after my water was broken I felt a slight pressure.  I was complete.  I pushed for 22 minutes (I also theoretically knew how to do this, since I've coached a bazillion women how to do it) and had no pain.  I had a D&C at the bedside for a retained placenta and felt nothing.  It was easy and I'd do it that way again.  However, because of the previa, I get a c-section this time around.  Even though I've also done many c-sections, I'd love to take a class on going through one.  Even though I have a lot of experience with that  aspect, I still feel a little lost. 

I'm probably not a good example.  But for me, it would depend on what I want to get out of labor.  Do you want med-free?  if you do, then definitely take classes.  Consider a doula if you don't think DH can handle seeing you in pain and will not be a good support.  Check on the natural birth board also to see what their suggestions for specific classes are.  if you know you want an epidural, but don't have any experience seeing a birth, the birthing classes can get you prepared.  They can also guide you into how to ask questions and make decisions about interventions that you may not think of on your own.  in that case, a generic birthing class from a hospital should be fine. HTH.

ETA: I did take a BFing class.  It was invaluable.  DH came with me.  Learned so much!  And DH took a daddy boot camp class through dadsadventure.com  He said it was very helpful as well and would recommend it.

 

i do not plan on going natural. I think epidural will be my labor buddy. I am definitely going to take a BFing class and thanks for the tip on Daddy boot camp. 

drpayne

KingRay09:

I didn't do any classes with dd. This is just my opinion but I if you watch the show A Baby Story that will give you some insight as to what goes on in a labor and delivery room. Honestly after going through 38 hours of labor which ended in a c-section, no matter how much you prepare for labor and birth things usually don't go as planned. I wouldn't waste my money.

I think that's terrible advice, sorry.  That's kind of like telling someone to watch The Bachelorette for dating advice.  It's an overly-dramatized TV show.  Some labors are scary.  Complications arise... but that show makes it seem like they are ALL like that which is not the case at all.  If they showed calm, uneventful labors/births, it wouldn't be a very exciting show.

I did take Bradley classes (isn't Lamaze a little out-dated?).  I'm glad I took them, partly because it got DH very involved.  I read a lot so I knew quite a bit going into them but I think he learned a ton.  We also learned a lot of breastfeeding basics and got great postpartum advice.  It is true that you can only be so prepared and lots of unexpected things can happen.  However, I'd MUCH rather know I did absolutely everything I could to prepare myself beforehand.  The birth of my son didn't go as planned at all but I get a lot of peace from knowing I made informed decisions and did everything I could on my part.  I do not suggest "winging it."

 

momofmanyinthemitten

I took the birthing class at our hospital. I thought it was great, but I wish I had paid more attention to the bit about c-sections, as I ended up having to have one unexpectedly. DH is a doctor, so he's been there/done that, but going to the class made it more real for him. We also took the breastfeeding class. I would highly recommend it if you plan on BFing. It got me familiar with the lactation consultants at our hospital and I asked to see them as soon as LO was born. I saw them a couple of times when I was in the hospital, just to be sure all was well, and they called me after we got home just to check up on me. I did my fair share of babysitting, so baby care was a no brainer for me.

saturdaynightdoubletree

I learned more about breathing by watching A Baby Story on TLC than I did in the one and only class I took.

6fsn

We took a class at hospital.  It was good for us to see the facilities and how things worked.  The class was beneficial to DH.  He'd never been around babies and had no clue what to expect.  I also took a bf class that was informative.

tinktink20

I didn't take the classes with my first.  I really don't think any of the classes are necessary.

luckymom3

I didn't take any because honestly, I knew they wouldn't just leave me to do it by myself in a room and not coach me/tell me what to do. And thank goodness I didn't because after 30 hours of labor I ended up with a c-section. But if you think that it would be a fun bonding time with your SO, then do it.

IMO, breastfeeding and infant CPR classes are more valuable. 

LSU628

I took an infant CPR course, a newborn care course, and a BFing class. All were offered free though my hospital. I think the newborn care class was helpful in teaching us how to swaddle, teaching DH how to change a diaper, and showing us how to care for the umbilical cord while it is healing.

HappyMama30

We took pre-natal classes through our hospital with our first child, and I did find it useful.  Some of the info was incredibly obvious (like don't smoke or drink... duh.)  But, it was nice to meet some other moms, and we kept in touch after our babes were born. 

KingRay09

Um, so basically you are saying that my opinion and my experience isn't valid? The Baby Story show, I found realistic and helpful for ME. If you read what I said, I indicated that it "might give some insight into what goes on" not that the show depicts exactly verbatim what will happen when you go into labor. I'm sharing my opinion with the original poster. If classes worked for you that's great. Belittling someone else's experience and advice because they differ from yours is ridiculous.

drpayne:

KingRay09:

I didn't do any classes with dd. This is just my opinion but I if you watch the show A Baby Story that will give you some insight as to what goes on in a labor and delivery room. Honestly after going through 38 hours of labor which ended in a c-section, no matter how much you prepare for labor and birth things usually don't go as planned. I wouldn't waste my money.

I think that's terrible advice, sorry.  That's kind of like telling someone to watch The Bachelorette for dating advice.  It's an overly-dramatized TV show.  Some labors are scary.  Complications arise... but that show makes it seem like they are ALL like that which is not the case at all.  If they showed calm, uneventful labors/births, it wouldn't be a very exciting show.

I did take Bradley classes (isn't Lamaze a little out-dated?).  I'm glad I took them, partly because it got DH very involved.  I read a lot so I knew quite a bit going into them but I think he learned a ton.  We also learned a lot of breastfeeding basics and got great postpartum advice.  It is true that you can only be so prepared and lots of unexpected things can happen.  However, I'd MUCH rather know I did absolutely everything I could to prepare myself beforehand.  The birth of my son didn't go as planned at all but I get a lot of peace from knowing I made informed decisions and did everything I could on my part.  I do not suggest "winging it."

 

dande2129

Kadyra:

I didn't take any birthing classes of any kind with DS.

Me either. I'm not an ob/gyn, but I did just fine through labor and delivery without the birth classes.

I watched some hynobirthing videos, but that was about it.  

eb1113

I took a birthing class.  I found it quite helpful.  We spent a lot of time on relaxation techniques and basics of what to expect in the delivery room.  They talked a little about c-sections, which was nice because I felt a little bit more comfortable when I ended up having one.

Part of me wishes I had taken a breastfeeding class.  I had issues with DD and I wish I had more knowledge to know what I could do.

My BIL took a Daddy Boot Camp class through the hospital and it was a waste of time.  He really needed/wanted some prep/info on what to expect the first few weeks and also how to do everything baby.  It ended up being the Dads sitting around talking.  I felt really bad for him.

drpayne

KingRay09:

Um, so basically you are saying that my opinion and my experience isn't valid? The Baby Story show, I found realistic and helpful for ME. If you read what I said, I indicated that it "might give some insight into what goes on" not that the show depicts exactly verbatim what will happen when you go into labor. I'm sharing my opinion with the original poster. If classes worked for you that's great. Belittling someone else's experience and advice because they differ from yours is ridiculous.

drpayne:

KingRay09:

I didn't do any classes with dd. This is just my opinion but I if you watch the show A Baby Story that will give you some insight as to what goes on in a labor and delivery room. Honestly after going through 38 hours of labor which ended in a c-section, no matter how much you prepare for labor and birth things usually don't go as planned. I wouldn't waste my money.

I think that's terrible advice, sorry.  That's kind of like telling someone to watch The Bachelorette for dating advice.  It's an overly-dramatized TV show.  Some labors are scary.  Complications arise... but that show makes it seem like they are ALL like that which is not the case at all.  If they showed calm, uneventful labors/births, it wouldn't be a very exciting show.

I did take Bradley classes (isn't Lamaze a little out-dated?).  I'm glad I took them, partly because it got DH very involved.  I read a lot so I knew quite a bit going into them but I think he learned a ton.  We also learned a lot of breastfeeding basics and got great postpartum advice.  It is true that you can only be so prepared and lots of unexpected things can happen.  However, I'd MUCH rather know I did absolutely everything I could to prepare myself beforehand.  The birth of my son didn't go as planned at all but I get a lot of peace from knowing I made informed decisions and did everything I could on my part.  I do not suggest "winging it."

 

And I'm sharing my opinion which happened to include disagreeing with you. Big deal. My point was that if I ever end up with unwanted interventions, it won't be because of lack of planning/understanding on my part. That's something that's important to me.OP asked about the value of classes. I don't think a dramatized TV show qualifies but if you felt sufficiently prepared by it, great.

melly918

Taking a birthing class is not a waste of money as the other PP believes.  Insurance will likely cover it anyway with a small co-pay.

I took a birthing class which covers all the information about the labor and delivery process, medication options, etc. They gave a few exercises on massage and breathing.  It was a one day class.  I took a breastfeeding class at another time and it was worth it.

 

bearkatjen

I took a general birthing class, and found it very helpful in knowing not only different methods of working through labor naturally, but also what pain med options were available, how an epidural is done, and learning about different devices that are sometimes used during labor. 

I wanted to go naturally, and I found what I thought would help me manage the contractions was actually very different from what worked when I was in labor, so I'm a big proponent of going in with a bag of tricks and just seeing what works for you. A general birthing class should provide that.

ashdonne

SummerOH:

I took a class that offered info about what to expect during delivery and the basics of newborn care.  It wasn't a tradition lamaze class, but relaxation techniques were included in the L&D portion.  I found it extremely helpful.

I did a class like this too and it was helpful---more for DH than myself as I have older sisters who have all had kids but I was really glad we went.  It was offered at our hospital so we did a hospital tour as part of the class too.

FutureMrsBB

We chose to do an accelerated one day class and I'm glad we went. It helped me think about what I might want but the thing that I found most helpful was that it helped my husband see what I might need from him during labor and delivery.