question about your childbirth class?

Rolos_girl · June 2009

Ok, so for those of you who took childbirth classes and paid for them...........

would you feel cheated if you did not physically do any relaxation techniques in class?

I am going to be teaching my own classes in afew weeks.

I plan to discuss the options, but from the feedback I got back from a lot of nesties, they do not like these techniques in class, and it was awkward to do as a group.

I would prefer to just present the options, and recommend couples go home and research/practice what they think they will like and will help them in their own, comfortable environment.

I would not do ANY practicing in class.

What do you think?

calex33 · June 2009

During our childbirth class (which lasted from 8:30-5 last Saturday), we talked about/practiced relaxation/breathing techniques for about 30 minutes. ?There is a separate class offered for Lamaze. ?I didn't feel cheated at all. ?I got a lot out of the class with all of the other topics that were covered.

MrsBeckO · June 2009

We don't know if we'll use the breathing/relaxation techniques, but I still wanted to learn them and I'm glad we did just in case they do come in handy.?

My husband is convinced we'll use them and takes his coaching job very seriously -- so we'll see. ?

rommelea · June 2009

I think that's a fabulous idea. Maybe go over breathing once, but I really wasn't a fan of the "turn the lights off and have meditation/practice time" It made me uncomfortable and DH and I had a hard time not laughing

**Gretchen** · June 2009

For the most part, we just talked about them. For about 5-10 minutes (out of a full day class) we practiced positions to be in during a contraction.

It was perfect. Not too much not too little.

AutumnBride929 · June 2009

I would feel cheated if we didn't do any relaxation exercises during class because that's what Bradley is all about. However, the class is SMALL (read: us & one other couple, lol) so it's not awkward at all.

b.heather · June 2009

Our class was advertised as a "childbirth education" class and did not include any relaxation or "pain" management techniques. I wanted this specifically since we are doing hypnobabies, so I did not feel cheated at all.

calex33 · June 2009

During our childbirth class (which lasted from 8:30-5 last Saturday), we?talked about/practiced relaxation/breathing techniques for about 30 minutes. ?There is a separate class offered for Lamaze. ?I didn't feel cheated at all. ?I got a lot out of the class with all of the other topics that were covered.

JCM083009 · June 2009

I am not 100% sure what you are asking. Are you saying that if you went to a childbirth class and, as a couple, were each asked to practice some techniques as the instructor taught you them, you would not feel comfortable doing them?

If so then I guess it depends on the money, the type of class, and what else you'd be learning.

We took Bradley classes and they were 3 hrs a night for 8 nights/weeks. A very small part of that class was actually spend DOING the techniques, but some of it was. There were 6 or 7 couples in our class and the method of the class, the instructor, and the general feel made it easy for us to participate and want to participate. Most of the relaxation techniques were the woman being massaged by our husbands! Not sure why you'd turn that down.

mrswoodman · June 2009

I wouldn't say that I would feel cheated. In our class we only tried a few out a few different techniques each only lasting about 45 seconds. It was a little weird when I was trying to practice relaxing and the weird guy in front of me was breathing heavily and slightly moaning. Yeah that part was a little creepy, maybe its better to just practice at home Smile

sept14 · June 2009

We just spent the last 15 minutes or so sitting in the dark doing relaxation. Our instructor talked to the husbands about how they already know so much in that regard-- they don't need to be taught what relaxes us or where we keep our stress... they know.

kheuring0904 · June 2009

My hubby and I took 12 week Bradley classes and we only practiced relaxation techniques once in class, but she strongly encouraged us to practice at home, which i personally felt more comfortable doing. It was hard to actually relax with a group of strangers all laying on the floor! So no i did not feel cheated. But maybe you could offer for ones that wanna practice them with you to stay a few mins later and those who don't wanna do em in front of everyone can leave. just a suggestion!

jaime5121 · June 2009

We took a weekend birth prep class, so we didn't have a whole lot of time to spend on anything. However, we did spend a small amount of time doing different relaxation/labor positions. I'm really glad we did this, because a lot of them I had no idea about, and it was good to have the instructor there to help us out. I think we had 13 stations and spent approx 30 secs on each or so. I'm really glad we practiced them in class.

madonnadouwanna · June 2009

We had a small class and just practiced the breathing exercises (basic ones) three times each. The instructor demonstrated them, we did them with her, and then moved on. I was fine with that. She suggested practicing at home.

DarcyLongfellow · June 2009

I don't know what you mean -- do you mean breathing techniques?

I specifically wanted to take a natural childbirth class, so if my class hadn't had us actually practice the breathing I would have been pretty upset.

We practice breathing, and the guys are all supposed to massage us as we do that.

If you're just teaching general stuff, I guess I can see why you wouldn't practice. But I think the breathing techniques would be pretty hard to teach yourself -- and why should they teach themselves, when they're paying you to teach them?

rebus82 · June 2009

Yes, I'd feel a bit cheated. I'm not a homework kinda gal, and DH and I haven't practiced a damn thing we learned in class (I occasionally do the breathing with BH for practice). I could read about the methods on my own, I went to the class to learn how to do them properly.?

I didn't feel remotely awkward, but there were only five couples there, so that might be why. It's not like we were forced to practice loudly, or in awkward positions. Sometimes the relaxation stuff was silly, but it never made me uncomfortable.?

If you wouldn't do relaxation, what would the class consist of? Just reading out of a book or hearing about the medical aspects of labor? That would suck. I liked that our class didn't feel like school, and the two hours always went by fast. ?

VegasAsh · June 2009

I personally would feel cheated. We're taking a childbirth prep class so it covers a whole range of topics but I'm glad we covered relaxation and breathing techniques in the first class. It helped to actually practice what she was talking about (even for 30 minutes) so I know what I need to be practicing at home. Not that it helped much - the whole time, DH just laid there staring at me and whispering things like, "Did you put the dog outside or leave him inside?" and "What do you want to do for dinner?" Weirdo.

Bride7-7-07 · June 2009

I would feel cheated if we didn't do any physical relaxation. I think in my case, the whole point of taking my class is in order to attempt a natural childbirth. We have some type of relaxation at the end of every class. We also have devoted a class and a half to nothing but physical relaxation. I am so glad because I feel like I have techniques and skills that will provide me with a great opportunity to birth naturally.

I really think it depends on the type of class and method it utilizes. I wouldn't expect it from certain classes (example: breastfeeding).

chankins14 · June 2009

We are doing (and paying for$$$) the Bradley classes & I don't think I would feel cheated if we didn't do the relaxation techniques. As long as the instructor teaches us them, I think that's enough. If we have any questions about 1, we could have you go over it with us, no biggie.

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