Did you take an "expecting multiples" class?

new+tothis

The hospital I'm delivering at offers a multiples class. Has anyone taken a class like that? If so, would you recommend it? The only time it's offered and available is when I'd be 17 weeks along. Here's the description:

"In this 5-week childbirth preparation class you will learn about the unique joys and challenges of having multiples.  Materials covered will include vaginal and cesarean section birth, how to handle bed rest, preparing for the possibility of a stay in the NICU and breastfeeding multiples.  This class should be taken during your second trimester."

Rachel Goldstein

The private hospital in our area offers free singleton birthing classes. The public hospital offers a paid for multiples class. We registered for the singleton classes and have been to several (BF, Newborn Care, Daddy Bootcamp) and they have been great. The multiples classes don't start until next month but we will be attending them. It's taught by a MoM who is also an RN/LC. I'll be well into my 3rd trimester by then but the class is only taught 4x/yr.

Soooo.... I can't recommend it but we are taking it and from my understanding there will be about 8 other MoMs in the class as of last week.

Lil Kate

I am finsihing up our mutiples class on Monday.  The 1st 2 weeks were not super helpful except for talking about preterm labor and what to be on the look out for since I never had labor with my 1st 2 pregnancies.  I am really looking forward to this week because it is all about bringing home multiples and what to expect.  Even having been through birth 2x I would recommed it.

chickaboo1974

Ours was a one Saturday class- you are encouraged to take it in your first Trimester- which I was 13 wks.  It covered things that are more related to multiples- PTL,bedrest, NICU,etc... And the BEST part was a tour of the NICU- their regular classes for singletons did not include this.  So when my guys were premature and went to the NICU- I was not afraid of the place.

Ruthie04

Mine was a one time, three hour class. The information was somewhat helpful (I particularly enjoyed some of the BFing tips, NICU info, and signs of PTL), but I don't know that it was essential that I take the class. I will say; however, it was really nice to be in a room where I didn't feel so huge and out of place. I was the subject of lots of stares at my other classes, so I really enjoyed being "normal" for once! 

One class I am very glad I took was the c/s prep class. We were anticipating one because of positioning and a previa diagnosis (it resolved, but we wanted to be prepared). If you are thinking a c/s is likely, I would definitely see if your hospital system offers one. It was extremely helpful in preparing us for the delivery.  

LegallyBlonde217

chickaboo1974:

Ours was a one Saturday class- you are encouraged to take it in your first Trimester- which I was 13 wks.  It covered things that are more related to multiples- PTL,bedrest, NICU,etc... And the BEST part was a tour of the NICU- their regular classes for singletons did not include this.  So when my were premature and went to the NICU- I was not afraid of the place.

All of this!  The NICU tour was definitely the best part, and it's not included in the non-multiples class at my hospital either.  

 

MandaS08

Our hospital offers several of their regular classes as a multiples class. So I'm not sure how it compares, but we are taking a breastfeeding for mulitples class instead of just the standard breasfeeding and a baby essentails for multiples instead of the regular baby essetials they offer.

new+tothis

Thanks! I think I'm going to sign up for it. They do offer a NICU tour with the multiples class but not the regular one. They also have a day just for breastfeeding your multiples and I'd really like to take that. It seems like it has a lot of information. I should add this is the only multiples class in the area. If I wanted something else I'd have to drive 1-2 hours each way.

Ann003

That sounds like a more worthwhile class than the one I took, which sucked.  However, 5 weeks is way more than I could convince my DH to do!  If you're up for it and you think you'll remember most of the stuff, take it!

AmyJoy728

one wasn't offered at my hosp and I was put on bed rest and had to withdraw from the bf class and the care of a baby class.