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3rd Trimester
Are you taking a L&D/Childbirth class?
I am really torn... I am telling myself that 'ignorance is bliss', and the drs and staff will help and guide me as to what to do to deliver this baby! I know the class offered at our hospital is ALL DAY long (8-5), and I hear they cover topics that aren't necessary and freak people out (such as random things that can go wrong that probably never will). I also will be pissed if I waste $ and an entire day in the class, and end up w/a c-section (which is a possibility). Is anyone else bypassing the childbirth prep class?
Chemical Pregnancy 5.2011. BFP 9.2011 MC @ 8.5w D&C 11.4.2011 sweet pea is always in our hearts.
BFP 3.23.2012! Our baby turkey is due 11.22.2012!
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Re: Are you taking a L&D/Childbirth class?
We didn't take a class for a number of reasons:
* DH and I have different schedules so taking a class without him having to take time off would have been next to impossible.
* I don't plan to go natural so really the only thing I needed to know was signs of labor.
* I am cheap.
We just watched a video and got everything we needed to know from it. If you are interested, it's called "Laugh and Learn About Childbirth".
Jack Emmett born on 2/2/10 after 17 cycles and a miscarriage
Calvin Wyatt born on 1/10/12. Our surprise baby!
EP Facebook Group ~*~ My Baby/Life Blog
It's really up to you. If that was the only class offered to me, I would probably not take it, but since you're in Atlanta, I'm sure there are many others around that are better. We took a 6 week Bradley class and I'm very glad because we learned a ton. Ignorance is not always bliss, especially when you can get different doctors on call and nurses.
Yes, I suppose everyone has a possibility of a c-section, but I'd rather know my information and be able to make informed decisions instead of just "go with the flow."
this...we are doing the tour of L&D though.
My DH and I are not going to for a few reasons....
it is 150 and I am cheap
I plan on having an epi.
my Dr. said that she will be guiding me through the pregnancy
I guess I am just going with I don't need to...hopefully I don't regret it!
We took one, it was 2 hours once a week for 4 weeks. I thought it was helpful - planning to go natural or not. It went over labor signs, what to do when you are home, when to head to the hospital, what to expect at the hospital during labor & delivery. What happens just after labor and the services they provide when your there after the baby is born.
Also, included a tour. I personally recommend it.
I took one and thought it was worth it. But I REALLY thought it was worth it for DH- he was clueless about so many things and it helped to have someone else telling him stuff about labor and delivery than him just hearing it from me. Even if you end up with a c-section you will learn things for the last weeks of pregnancy, early labor, and post partum that will probably be helpful.
Just my .02
We went to classes.
My main reason for wanting to go was because I doubt my ability to absorb new info in the middle of labour. If my midwife says. "I think we should do x, y or z." Or, "we're going to have to do x, y or z" or if they offer me certain drugs or whatever. I want to know what those words mean.
I want to have an idea on what my preferred choice is. Even if I change my mind and the birth ends up completely different from what I've "planned" I figure by knowing what is going on, it will be easier to go with the flow of whatever happens.
My Dr also said that in his experience the calmest labouring women were those who were highly informed about what was going on.
Elizabeth 5yrs old Jane 3yrs old
Our family blog
I felt like ignorance would be bliss as well, but we decided to take the prepared childbirth class offered at our hospital. It was only $50. I felt so much better after taking the class. We had a fabulous instructor, which may be partially why it was so great. She did talk about some scary things that could happen. But, as a L&D nurse, she also was able to tell us how often she saw those types of things and set our minds at ease.
I know a lot of people who say the class is a waste of time, but ours was well worth the $50 and 8 hours.
M/C Dec 2010 - 5w5d Missing my sweet angel baby.
We took a class at the hospital that was all day one Saturday and Sunday.
I plan to have an epi, but still found the class totally helpful--I learned a lot of great information about the epi itself (i.e. that if you receive an epi at 4-5cm, the risk of c-section is no greater than that of a drug-free birth), and also about our specific hospital's policies.
We also learned a lot about both c-sections AND breastfeeding. Even better, it gave DH and I an opportunity to talk about our wishes and expectations for L&D. It also helped get him involved with the process--he probably wouldn't have read a book about labor and delivery if we hadn't gone to the class, but he was totally up for the class, and I feel like it empowered him too.
I initially wasn't interested ... I had heard mixed reviews about classes in general but then I spoke about it with my doc who is a big proponent of classes in general and the class that's offered at the hospital where I'll be delivering ... matter of fact, she's pregnant and will be taking the same class (hopefully not on the same day
) ... I decided to sign up ($120 for couples) ... it offeres lamaze, the best of Bradley, and combines that with some Yoga and stress reduction techniques. Dh and I will learn about anesthesia options, cesarean birth, common labor and delivery interventions and postpartum care. It's from 8:30 - 4:30 on a Saturday. We'll see how it goes ... I figure it can't hurt.
I think we are going to order that video. I like the idea of a self paced course, and one we can do in home, not in a group setting where it's intimidating or covers unecessary topics! Thanks:)
We opted to take classes. They're free through our hospital and even though sometimes they seem to offer info that doesn't relate to us, over all it's worth it.
We go mostly for my husband, honestly. He's one of those that will deal with the whole process with a lot calmer of a head if he knows what's going on. I'm learning along with him, but this way, if I'm out of it for some reason, he can help make decisions for me.
We took a class at the hospital and loved it. I learned some things that I had no idea about. I've read a few pregnancy books but it's so good to go to a class and hear/see everything firsthand. My advice is take the class - it's better to know about everything and know what could possibly be in store for you so that when the time comes for you to make a decision, you're making an informed choice. Good luck
Piper Jo: October 14'
IMO, ignorance is not bliss... ignorance is ignorance. Especially when you're talking about one of the biggest events of your life!
If you think that the hospital class isn't your cup of tea, maybe you should check out some other options? DH and I are taking a class from a local midwife bc we heard mixed reviews about the hospital class.
What's the worst that can happen if you spend a day in class and you only learn one or two things? Maybe I'm just a "be prepared" kind of gal.
DH and I are taking our hospital's 6-week (1x per week) class. It's really informative and interesting... and we've learned a lot about our hospital's philosophies when it comes to c-sections, episiotomies, etc. I'm the type of person who likes to know what's going on. Plus DH knows almost nothing about childbirth, so it's a great benefit for him too.