Value of Childbirth Classes?

powerbar · June 2009

So I started looking into childbirth classes. OMG! Everything from diapering 101 to bathing 101 to Lamaze classes, Bradley classes, Breastfeeding classes. I could go on and on. Plus, they are offered at the hospital, at the the popular maternity store, at the trendy maternity store, etc. Sometimes I wonder if it is worth it. I mean, women did not have this stuff even 20 years ago and we all made it here just fine. Anyway, how many of you are just going to wing it? How many are going through a hospital vs. a private group? And what are you going to take for class or classes?

neonvicki81 · June 2009

i asked my Doc if I needed to do a class, or if he recommended one. He just showed me the pamphlet and said "Some people like to do it". When I asked him if he felt they were significant, he didn't say yes, and just said "everyone does their own thing" meaning, he probably finds not so much value in it

I've asked a couple other people who have had babies, and they said they didn't really use any of the methods they were taught. While it was good socially, it was a pain in the butt to go to, and pay for.

We aren't going to be doing it. Hubby and I aren't good in "classes" and paying attention for long periods of time. Plus, there will be a lot of nurses and docs when I have the baby that can tell me what I need to do I'll save the money!

mel41g · June 2009

My hospital offered a 5 week class that covered everything except bfing, an honestly, I'm not sure that would be worth it prior to having a baby to actually DO it with. Our hospital has a lactation consultant on staff that came to talk to me everyday I was in the hospital. Aside from the initial latch, I didn't need help until DS and I had some problems around 3 months, and then I just called her and she talked me through it. There are afterbirth bfing classes around here.

ellemoney:) · June 2009

I didn't do it before and I probably won't do it this time either. ?I think it could be beneficial, but like pp said, I'm not going at paying attention either. I space out, lol.?

magdusia · June 2009

i'm taking a birthing class and a breastfeeding class.. mostly for the experience and especially so that hubby can be apart of it. both classes came out to $325 for both me and husband.

if you dont want to do the classes you can order a dvd here -- https://laughandlearn.com/

also, i heard they have these dvd's in local library's! so you can rent it and watch it for free.. the website has the first video for free on the main page.

good luck

december09baby · June 2009

I was laughing as I read your post because we're definitely at the same hospital in Boston! I was looking at that long list too. . . I think we'll prob. just stick with the prepared childbirth class and maybe infant cpr. But I know what you mean. I haven't been to Isis yet, and I'm sure the classes are a way to lure you in . . .

powerbar · June 2009

Hey December09baby! Yeah! That's the one and the hospital itself has a long list too! Yikes! Congrats to you!!

first-time-mama · June 2009

I dont think we are going to take them..It cost so much money..and we need to pay for circumcision which is 300 bucks..I will have a lot of help..so I really dont feel like I need the classes..and I grew up around babies.. We are going to to the free class that is offered at the hospital..which will be a few hours to mainly go thorugh some stuff..im not too worried

SeminoleMate · June 2009

We did a childbirth prep. class which was about $40. There was definitely some irrelevant information but, all in all, I thought it was helpful - especially for DH. He never really understood what terms like "induced" and "epidural" meant in terms of the actual giving birth process. I think it gave him some perspective and definitely made him feel more prepared.

Of course, I had heard those terms but to, again, have it explained in terms of a timeline was really helpful. I didn't know that there were 3 stages of labor, for instance, and that in early labor you don't have to necessarily go to the hospital.

IMO, you should go - but, if you don't, I don't think you will be unprepared.

smilelari · June 2009

First - 20 years ago they did have all that stuff. My mom took a Lamaze class to prepare for me and I'm almost 30

Whether childbirth class is valuable depends on a lot of things. One is your learning style. If classes aren't the way you learn, find a different way to learn. If you aren't planning on an epidural, you should definitely be learning some sort of relaxation techniques - whether it be in a childbirth class, yoga class or a book. Either way it's good to know what the side effects are of the drugs that are commonly offered to laboring women. It's also good to know the basics, like the stages of labor.

I would also want to know things like special after care concerns for c-sections, just in case (like, for instance, PPD is more likely after a c-section, just something that's good to be aware of).

smilelari · June 2009

Oh - and this is about the baby care classes more than anything

They will likely cover some of the stickier subjects and get some discusions going at home like pros and cons of circumcisions, formula feeding vs. breastfeeding, cloth diapers vs. disposables. It can be valuable to hear about those things in a class with other people that might ask questions you never thought of.

maryannelise · June 2009

We're going to a childbirth and breastfeeding class, but they are free if you deliver at the hospital (which we are). Not sure how helpful the childbirth class will be, but I am looking forward to the breastfeeding class.

mpls_cat · June 2009

It really depends on the class and on your personality. I'm a learner, I need to know and read and understand EVERYTHING, so obviously classes were right up my ally. Luckily our hospital had great classes so I thought they were totally worth it. Best parts about our child birth class were the medical intervention night where the RN went over everything that can happen to you in labor from ROM to vacuum extraction and what the risks/benefits are of all medications and interventions. Also we had a pediatrician come in one night who talked about what will happen to baby while he's in the hospital, what he may look like (as in don't be scared if he looks funny the first few weeks), etc. Fabulous!

I highly recommend breastfeeding class if you're planning on bf'ing. It is not easy for most mom's and babies to get the hang of things especially in those first few sleep deprived hormonal days, so having a visual idea of what to expect and how hard it is to get a squirmy, crying newborn to latch on and do something they've never done before can only help you. It was also REALLY good for DH to see what to expect and how much he's going to have to help and support me in the early days. He thought the bf'ing class and the CPR class were the best time we spent in baby class.

Obviously all this goes out the window if you get a crappy teacher or a poorly run class. So if you can ask around and see if others have taken the class you are looking at that may help make sure you get your money and time's worth.

ickasticka · June 2009

Well, being first time parents we want to feel like we did what we could to prepare. We will be taking some classes through the hospital we are delivering at. There is some cost associated, but I think it may be worth it. I'm also hoping that we meet some other local couples in the classes. We will be taking: prepared child birth, newborn care, infant CPR/choking, and a breastfeeding class.

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