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Disappointed with first childbirth class...keep going?

ashleyb0604ashleyb0604
in 2nd Trimester

We signed up for the (free) series of childbirth classes our hospital offers and the first one was last night. It pretty much sucked. She put in a DVD for an hour and a half and they didn't cover one thing I didn't already know...and I'm not a medical genius! I feel like it was a huge waste of time and I am not sure if we should even go to the others. They're from 3-5 on Thursdays, so DH and I both are taking time away from work for this - even though it's not PTO or anything like that, it's still valuable time. I want a class where we discuss fears, get to ask questions, and that teaches me AND DH how to manage my pain and anxiety during labor and delivery. Things like relaxation, breathing, massage, counterpressure, etc. Am I completely naieve here? Is that movie BS?

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Re: Disappointed with first childbirth class...keep going?

  • rohansmomrohansmom member
    give it more time than  make a choice.Good luck
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  • lmpdjclmpdjc member
    I attended a class with my first baby.  I found it to be pretty useless.  I only took one thing away from it that I actually used during labor.  That was to pick a focal point in the room to concentrate on during the contractions.  All my partner picked up was to repeatedly tell me to breathe.  At one point I yelled "I AM breathing, otherwise I would be DEAD!" haha
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  • jrose0126jrose0126

    imagerohansmom:
    give it more time than  make a choice.Good luck

     

    I agree!

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  • ashleyb0604ashleyb0604
    DH said the same thing PP - "you get what you pay for" and that we need to find another class that costs that we pay for or have a doula do a private session. He thought it was pointless too.
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  • NFL_WifeNFL_Wife

    Did you ask if the classes were going to be the same each week? I would call and ask. Maybe the first week is a video, and the rest are different?

    I agree with pp, try it again before you give it up completely. I loved our classes with DS, and actually want to do something for this baby as well. I know DH will say we don't need anything, but I liked meeting the other couples and talking about our experiences, etc.

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  • Kiki-licioius Kiki-licioius member

    I would give it more time as well as look for another class in the mean time.

    You guys should figure out exactly what you are looking for and I'm sure you will find a class that is right for you.

    GL!

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  • three4methree4me
    I would call and ask if that is how the classes will be every time.  Our classes were free with DS and our instructor was great.  She had awesome insight about all of the OB's that delivered at that hospital.  She passed around the equipment they use for epi's, etc.  It was very interesting.  We did watch movies too but there was alway food (pregnant people, hello!) and a q & a session.  Oh and one class we spent in labor and delivery learning all of the ins and outs.  It was awesome.
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  • sciteachsciteach member

    I thought the class we took thru our hospital was completely useless. And it was not free. My husband found it somewhat useful, since he does not have a biology background and had not been reading every he could get his hands on. 

    We were the only ones in the class (about 20 pregnant moms) who admitted to wanting to try for a natural birth. The instructor was very condescending and she actually said in front of the whole class, "Are you crazy? Good luck with THAT." I was really put off. After the first class showing the video of an actual birth and discussing a little biology, the other 3 classes were about medical interventions we should anticipate. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised since it was a hospital sponsored class. Not that it is bad to know, but there was nothing about how to avoid those interventions, or even a mention of why someone might want to. 

    It sounds like you are looking for more info on natural techniques, and for that you might need to look elsewhere. Maybe find a Lamaze class, around me there is a natural parenting store (sells cloth diapers, organic clothing, wooden toys and slings) that sponsors a natural birthing class. I might take that this time around. If you hire a doula for the birth, she will probably do some pre-labor coaching with you as far as ways to manage labor and delivery. 

     We did finish our class,  because even though it was not what I had hoped, I figured it would be good to have as much information as possible. 


     

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  • emmalilemmalil
    I would look into classes offered by doulas, or lamaze or bradley or "birthing from within" classes.  It seems like the hospital classes mostly don't give you a lot of help in the kind of pain management you're talking about.  You will have to pay in that case but $100 or so seems worth it to me to feel more confident in the whole birth process. 
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  • PurpleK26PurpleK26 member
    imageNFL_Wife:

    Did you ask if the classes were going to be the same each week? I would call and ask. Maybe the first week is a video, and the rest are different?

    This is what i'd do! 

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  • LaNegritaLaNegrita

    the dvd was our first class as well and i didn't learn too much except she had diagrams re: effacing & stations of labor which were helpful. and the focal point concentration exercises.

    we actually napped through the 2nd portion which was the breathing exercises. i mean...they let us lay on the floor with pillows & get comfy? what did they expect?

    i really got ALOT of my questions answered and the best advice from an L&D nurse i happened to be sitting next to when getting a pedicure one day....which was labor at home for as long as you can before you come to the hospital because you'll be more comfy. so true for my situation.

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  • JennicapJennicap member
    you might want to find another class. I'm going to a natural birthing class instead of the basic general childbirth class the hospital offers. Its a bit more money but I think it'll be a lot better for us in the long run.

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  • hamson17hamson17 member

    IMO, childbirth class is completely useless!

    The nurses will make sure you know what you are doing when the times comes to push that baby out.  I truly believe this is no way to really prepare for it!

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