When to start childbirth classes?

botanicalbliss

For something like Hypnobabies or Bradley, when do you usually start taking classes?

beachcomberbride

I would say around 25-28 weeks. 

BabyMayinMarch

We started bradley classes two weeks ago (27 weeks), but since they run 12 weeks and with holidays now we are going to have to double up on some classes.  I am glad our instructor is flexible, but in hindsight I would have started at 23-25 weeks.

botanicalbliss

Cool!  I've got some time

aylafsu88

I started mine around 24 weeks.  I took the Bradley class which is 12 weeks long so I had to take the class when it was available. It worked out pretty well because I finished the classes @ 36 weeks and went into labor at 39 weeks.

wittyschaffy

We started our Bradley classes around 20 weeks but the class is extended out over more than 12 weeks because of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years falling in there too.  I'd say you should try to be done by 36 weeks to give yourself some cushion.

Mrs.AmyDylan

We started Bradley classes at 23w. It went 12w, and my instructor was out of town one week, so I just finished at 36w. Great info, be prepared for some "homework" reading and exercises. I will say the super bonus perk was my DH had to do relaxation with me every night, which was a full body massage.  It was totally worth the time and money for 15-20min every night

sthomas1222

Our Bradley instructor combines classes so it's only 8 weeks instead of 12 weeks. But we started back in October and finished last Sunday. The other option, b/c of the Holidays would've had us going into March and that didn't work with a 2/4/13 due date. But one couple did sign up late and ended up having the baby early November, she was 3 weeks early!

nyki06

You should call the actual instructor in your area. Ours filled up REALLY quickly last time and we weren't able to get in.