Did you take a childbirth class?

klee411 · April 2009

So at my appt yesterday, they had me schedule a childbirth class for my 34th week. Not that I'm against taking this, but it's 7 hours long (it's an all day Saturday affair). Since this is my first baby, I'm all about learning as much as possible about the childbirth experience. BUT I've also heard that it's pretty intense and they really go into so many details of what could happen, that it might make me worry too much (I'm already pretty anxious of labor/delivery anyway).

So did you take a childbirth class beforehand? Was it helpful? Scary? Did DH join you? TIA!

lisamm1 · April 2009

I didn't take a childbirth class. I'm a nurse so I kind of knew somewhat what to expect. However, I knew it would make my DH and even me more nervous to hear about the L&D process so close to delivery, so we didn't take one. I ended up having a somewhat complex delivery as I had a rare complication with my epidural and ended up having to have natural delivery. It might have been nice to know some breathing exercises to help with the contractions, but our L&D nurse was fab and helped me through it. So, I guess to answer your ? I think you'll be fine without the class.

Dani3679 · April 2009

I took one that my OB recommended and it was spread out for about an hour or 2 for about 4 weeks (1 night a week) I thought a lot of the information was really useful and I don't remember it scaring me too much. Maybe you could look into seeing if they have any of the once a week ones? I took my best friend with me and she already had a 2 year old and she even got some useful information from it and said that she wished she had gone to one while PG.

teacherjess · April 2009

Wow, 7 hours!? Our class at our hospital that was at a time we could go booked up so fast that I would have had to take it when I was like 23 weeks pregnant or something, which seemed sort of pointless because I thought I'd forget stuff.

Instead, we took an extended hospital tour (which I'd highly recommend) and watched a DVD called "Laugh and Learn about Childbirth." It was about three hours long and we watched it in parts. It is taught by a nurse and lactation consultant. It was helpful to learn about dilation, cervix being soft, pushing, induction, etc.

Seven hours seems long for a class, though. I'd invest the time in a BFing class instead.

jerseygirl81 · April 2009

I did the all day Saturday class at B North and I didn't find it scary at all. There wasn't really anything anxiety-producing about it.

I'm glad we decided to go because it also included a very comprehensive tour of the hospital, the L&D rooms, and the recovery rooms, and a lot of information on the check-in procedure, where to go, hospital policies and procedures, etc. Knowing all of that stuff actually lessened the anxiety for me.

nire99 · April 2009

I took the six week long childbirth class with DD. It's a good thing I did since my labor went super fast and I didn't have time for an epidural. Those breathing techniques are the only thing that got me through. It wasn't scary at all and DH found it very informative as well. My friends who've taken the one day class have said it wasn't as informative.

424bride · April 2009

I took all the classes available at my hospital: childbirth, breast feeding, caring for baby, etc. I thought every single one of them was very helpful. I think knowledge is power and it's good to know what to expect and what could go wrong so you don't freak out if things don't go exactly as planned during your actual labor/delivery. I did the all day Saturday class too and all I can say is it was long and uncomfortable at that stage of your pregnancy. If you could do it any sooner than 34 weeks, I would highly recommend that. Oh, and yes, my H did join me...it's very helpful for both people to know what's going to happen and what your options are.

Final thought: just trust in your OB and the nurses. They know what they're doing and they will do everything they can to make you as comfortable as possible. GL!

AngRx · April 2009

DH and I are both medical professionals. We took the all day Saturday class and thought it was very helpful. It was definitely a long day but worth it. They do give you different scenarios of childbirth but it isnt anything to scare you but you prepare you. She did say that you are told a lot more (kept updated) by your L&D staff if you took a class rather if you didnt because they know you've been introduced to the terms.

planetzero · April 2009

DH and I took a 5 week (2 hr per week) course. I would say that instead of making me more fearful it was actually made me less fearful. Hear what to expect and suggestions of how to handle different situations was calming. The tour of the hospital is a great thing to go on as well - knowing where to park, how to check in, and where they'll be taking me once I'm admitted. I'd say hearing horror stories from friends and family can be traumatic, but in the class they'll outline the steps and offer coping mechanisms so you don't feel like you're confronting this new experience unprepared. I think it also helped my husband who was more worried than me - but as long as he has his list of notes he took in class he feels like he'll be able to support me as needed.

KristenBtobe · April 2009

I found the class lessened my anxiety.

bgsugrad · April 2009

Yes, my DH and I took a childbirthing class at Christ Hospital - it too was scheduled for 7-8 hours but I believe we got out early. My DH and I really got a lot out of this class. It really helped us understand what to expect which really decreased our anxiety! After the class, my DH said he actually enjoyed it and we both agreed that it didn't feel at all as long as it was! I would recommend one!

june10-06 · April 2009

We took the 6 week class and both dh and I really liked it. It was actually kind of fun and a bonding experience more than anything. They did a lot of massage and ways for dh to relax me so that was fun. I also thought having dh there was good bc he got to hear things for himself rather than me telling him. Of course, I ended up having a c-section bc ds was breech so we really didn't use most of the info, but it was a nice time. We reminisce about it sometimes now:)

kel716 · April 2009

I did not. We thought about it, and talked to my m/w about it. Her first question was do you plan on having an epidural? Since my answer was yes, she said it wasn't necessary. I'm the type of person that can follow directions well, and I just told my nurse that I had no clue what to do. She helped me practice before it was time to push B out. If I did not plan on getting an epi, then I would have taken the class. But I knew I was allergic to pain, lol.

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