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anyone not take childbirth classes and not tour the L & D unit?

goldensrthebestgoldensrthebest member
in 3rd Trimester

Maybe its me just being too relaxed but my dh and I havent made it to take a tour of the L& D unit b/c of our schedules. We decided together that we didn't want to take classes either. I'm just trusting my body and figuring things will work out and if not the doctors and nurses are there to help. I've been reading a lot and talked this part over with my OB who assured me that some people just don't feel the need for all of the classes, tours, etc. My inlaws and others reactions are what is bothering me and making me think twice.

My dh jokes that I really don't need to see L & D beforehand b/c he'll be the one getting me there.

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Re: anyone not take childbirth classes and not tour the L & D unit?

  • wannabmommywannabmommy
    I was half in your shoes with DS. I didn't take classes, partly because when they were offered didn't work into our schedule. I did take a short tour of L & D, but that was just because when I went in to pre-register, they asked if I wanted to take a short tour.
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  • Almost2PerfectAlmost2Perfect
    me! but I work at my hospital and have been through the classes the last few years with best friends and my sister :) If you have any common sense and listen to half the of girls advice up here you will be fine  :) Just make sure you know where to go and who to call at the time of your labor and expect the unexpected  :)
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  • Erin0922Erin0922 member
    I didn't take any classes, and we didn't have L&D tours due to flu restrictions. I was totally on board for whatever happened... and then it all eded up being pointless since I ended up with an emergency c-section. Don't let people bother you! :)
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  • cjmorgancjmorgan
    I didn't take any classes either. I don't really know why, but I felt like I could manage ok with out one. But I did take a tour of the L&D. There is small chance I may have to take myself to the hospital so I figure it was in my best interest to know where I'm going.
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  • BelhurstBrideBelhurstBride member

    If you and your DH are comfortable with your decision then I wouldn't worry about what others are saying.

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  • DaisyFullDaisyFull member
    Totally a personal choice; I know lots of people who didn't take the class and they managed through just fine. :)

    That being said, we DID take the class (yesterday in fact) and we really, really liked it. We both got a lot out of it, and even had some great discussions about what we learned at dinner following. Totally worth our day and the $60 it cost.
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  • lucisparentslucisparents member
    I went enough for the both of us. Toured L&D in my first tri, then had a free class at hospital did the tour again. I'm doing 6 weekly childbirth classes and one all day baby care class. I could write a book. Very basic stuff, I wouldn't worry about not going.
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  • goldensrthebestgoldensrthebest member
    Thanks everyone!
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  • Tattoo MommyTattoo Mommy member
    I didn't take any childbirth classes with DD or with this pregnancy, but I did do the tour.  And now that my hospital has built a whole new building for L&D, I will be touring again.  If nothing else, you will be able to clearly direct your family members to your room. And you'll see the size of the rooms, and if they are private or semiprivate. This affects how much stuff you can take to the hospital. Definitely recommend taking the tour.
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  • CD+ALCD+AL member

    I found the classes less educational (b/c I could read the books) and more of a comfort just b/c it was reassuring, but that's just me.  I know lots of people don't get much out of them.

    As far as the tour, there's such a small time commitment involved that I don't understand why you wouldn't do it.  If nothing else, it gives you a chance to ask questions about procedures.  To me, it just seems like even if it ends up being a total waste of time, it's not much time.  At the hospital DS was born at, it was a group tour that didn't last more than 45min.  At the hospital where DD will be born, you just showed up to L&D, and they showed you around one on one, answered any questions you might have, etc.  I think we were there maybe 30min. 

    I've wasted more than 45min doing absolutely nothing, posting here, etc., but I got something...even if it was something small...from both tours we took.

     
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  • Holly88Holly88 member

    If I was still in FL (where I'm from) I wouldn't bother with the L&D tour. I know the hospital well and wouldn't feel the need for it. The only reason why we are doing it here is because we know NOTHING about the hospital we are delivering at. I have never even been there and we have only been in this state for a year now.

    As far as the birthing classes go, that is totally a personal choice. I am only taking them for peace of mind. Most likely, it will just be DH and I in the delivery room, and I would like for us to be prepared somewhat. If I was back at home, I probably wouldn't take them. I'd have my mom by my side and I feel her experience with delivering 5 kids would be enough to get me through lol

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  • Pocky873Pocky873 member

    We're not taking childbirth classes at our hospital and not touring the L&D.  We just couldn't make it to any of the classes due to scheduling conflicts.  Instead, we're watching DVDs on childbirth, breastfeeding, and newborn health.  We thought about touring the L&D but ultimately decided that it was just not necessary.  We may do a practice run, though, driving from our house to the hospital. 

    Don't let other people bother you - it's about what you feel comfortable with.

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  • whitsimwhitsim
    I never took childbirth classes with my first daughter, nor did I tour the labor and delivery unit of the hospital. Same goes for this, our second daughter, as well. When you get down to it: if you can control your breathing; you can labor. Yes, you can learn other info at childbirth classes as well, but I read a lot of books, asked my doctor a lot of questions, and felt comfortable with "nature" taking care of the rest. And in regards to touring the L&D Units: I'm scheduled to have my babies where I'm scheduled to have my babies - so there you have it. 
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  • BabyBaloghBabyBalogh member
    Same here. We decided not to take the classes, after talking to other mommies who had gone and didn't feel it helped them out too much. The best part they said was the tour and my mom works at the hospital so we already got one :) good luck to you!!
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  • AnotherChanceAnotherChance
    We didn't take any childbirth classes and we're okay with our decision.  I did read a book, however.  Also, we took the hospital tour, which was great because they served the most awesome gourmet cupcakes and let us take home the leftovers...YUM! Big Smile
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  • shari_rnglesonshari_rngleson member

    i never took a single class and didnt tour the hospital.  it was not a problem.  the nurse coached me while giving birth and it was not that hard. breathe/push/etc.  

    i think the idea that you need a hospital tour is kind of funny.  i mean you get wheeled into a room and stay there most of the time.  while in labor i walked around in circles on the maternity floor.  having a tour would have been a waste of time! 

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  • MCC1010MCC1010 member
    We didn't take a tour of the hospital either. Didn't see a point. We half did an oline birthing class offered by the hospital. It wasn't worth the money we spent and we didn't finish watching it.
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  • chazlewochazlewo member
    we dropped out after the first class... didn't take the tour--- i've been in enough hospitals to get the point.
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  • jenirvtjenirvt

    I did both with DD but this time around just took the hospital tour - last night, in fact.  I am delivering at a different hospital this time.  It only took 20 minutes and I liked it just so we knew where to go, what was involved in registration and/or if we should pre-register, what the rooms look like, plus it's a chance to ask questions (I asked if an anesthesiologist is in-house 24/7, if they have in-house neonatologists, etc).  For example, at the last hopsital I delivered in, women in labor were not to go to the ER, but straight to L&D.  I would not have known that if I hadn't done the tour.  Not a huge deal, but still nice to know in advance.  This time around, you get to pick your room (they have two wings which are for the same thing but one side has rooms much larger than the other), so it was nice to tour the place and actually see the rooms.

    Otherwise, you could definitely live without the tour.  I was very appreciative that I took the classes the first time around, but I'm one of those people who likes to know every detail of everything.  It really helped to understand exactly what was going on with my body and the "order of things", so to speak.

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  • JennicapJennicap member
     I've heard if your planning on taking drugs then the nurses pretty much guide you through everything anyways so there is no need for the classes. I am planning a much more natural birth and felt that I learned so much from the classes I took. I figure a runner trains for months (years) for a marathon, you can't just go into it and expect to know what to do or have the strength to do it so you need to train and practice to be able to do it. I feel birth is the same way.

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