Childbirth Classes Question from 2nd Tri...

Kismet21 · July 2009

I am looking into child birth classes now and have a question...

If you did the "one day" class through your hospital:

Do you feel prepared or do you wish you had more instruction?

If you are taking a more in-depth class:

What kind are you taking? How many weeks? Is it worth it?

?Most of the places I am finding either have a one day class or a 12 week course. I would love to find some middle ground.?

TIA?

yale · July 2009

The one day course was fast, but pretty much an overview of almost everything I've read. DH learned a few things, and I felt it was good to hear it all at once. A 12-week course would have killed us.

JCM083009 · July 2009

Kismet21:
If you are taking a more in-depth class:
What kind are you taking? How many weeks? Is it worth it?
Most of the places I am finding either have a one day class or a 12 week course. I would love to find some middle ground.
TIA

We took an 8 week (3 hrs/week) Bradley Method Class. I think (hope!) it was definitely worth it. I learned so much about the birthing process, what I do and don't want for my body as well as a bunch of breastfeeding, infants, pregnancy, etc.

mallen727 · July 2009

We did the 1 day "express" class and I thought it was sufficient.

justme04 · July 2009

I'm signed up for a lamaze class that starts Aug. 3. Its called Lamaze but it is supposed to cover every option imaginable. Its once a week for 5 weeks...yay. I'll have to get back to you on if its worth it.

mandasama · July 2009

We did the one day and it was plenty. Lots of information and our class provided online and book resources for more in depth information if you want. Basically we just skipped through all the video clips they make you watch in the multiple week courses. I think the 12 weeks would have killed us as well.

lovesazzie · July 2009

I am taking a 6 week course -- Hypnobabies. I think it is worth it, but I have not started the classes yet.

dottymobo · July 2009

We're doing the 12 week Bradley class. For us it has been totally worth it, because it really helped DH be involved and he doesn't learn well from just reading, and it really made me more likely to do my exercises and watch my diet more, because we turn in sheets every week, and it's been really good to get us discussing things relating to birth and baby. Overall, I feel that it has increased my confidence in having a natural birth, even though I've read a ton of books in addition, and honestly know most of what we talk about in class already from that.

Lizard2022 · July 2009

We are in the middle of our 3 week, 3 hour classes. I don't think DH would have been able to handle 9 weeks of 1 hour class. I think it is the perfect amount of time, but if I had to choose I would pick 1 day over 9-12 weeks.

I love our classes so far. I thought I'd be bored, but our instructor is great and she has explained so much about the hospital and is really pro natural birth. It also has been really helpful for DH to hear from someone else what he actually needs to do to be supportive. I think it all depends on the instructor whether or not they are worth it.

GypsyEsq · July 2009

We did a 4 week 2-hour Prepared Natural Childbirth class. I had originally signed up for the one day class but changed my mind because I felt like having time to digest the info between classes might be useful and it turns out it was for us. Gave us time to discuss what we'd learned. Talk a little bit about how we wanted it to go for us and also gave us a chance to have a scheduled dinner date every week for four weeks.

Lopo · July 2009

We did the 'express' class, which was all day on a Saturday and Sunday. We thought it was great! We feel like we got all the info we need, and the class was really informative.

smilelari · July 2009

I did a 6 week course taught by an ALACE certified instructor and it was definitely worth it. I feel very comfortable with the idea of childbirth now and I have a local resource to ask for recommendations and that sort of thing.

Here's the outline from the class we did:

Outline of Classes

Class One: Welcome!
Introductions & Registration
Attitudes and Cultural Beliefs
Choosing a Caregiver and Birthplace
Fetal Development & Nutrition
Prenatal Testing Pros & Cons

Class Two: Preparing for Birth
Relaxation Exercises
The Five Stages of Labor
Timing Contractions
Labor Coping Techniques & Positions
Inductions

Class Three: Birth Planning
Perineal Care
Planning for Hospital or Home Delivery
Baby Movement & Kick Count Exercise
Birth Partners
Interventions and Choices
Informed Consent & Bill of Rights

Class Four: Considering the Unexpected
Cesarean Surgery
Variations of Normal, Coping with Unplanned Events
Labor Scenarios/Stations
Visual Relaxation Exercise

Class Five: Newborn Care
Immediate Newborn Procedures and Choices
Jaundice Care and Prevention
How to Calm Baby
How to Diaper & Swaddle Your Baby

Class Six: Postpartum & Breastfeeding
What to Expect Immediately After Birth
Breastfeeding Help, how to Prepare
Care for Mom
Postpartum Depression

tigergreen · July 2009

we're going for our crash course, all day class this saturday...there's no way that DH or I would be able to deal with a weekly course spread over multiple weeks. plus, it was about $50 cheaper than the longer course, too!

Kismet21 · July 2009

Thanks for all of the input ladies!?

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