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1st Trimester
What classes are a must and what are not worth taking?
Being new to this mommy stuff, I really have no idea what classes I should be taking to help with birth and baby and what classes I can just forgo and not waste time on it. Any suggestions?
And roughly how much does those classes cost?
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Re: What classes are a must and what are not worth taking?
Sorry I dont have an answer but thanks for asking this question I had the same question!
For my first one, I took a Birth & Labor Instruction Class or something like that about a month before I was due. It was a 8-hour course, spread in to two weekends (4 hours each day) and it was like $65. I thought it was really helpful since it went over all my options and kind of what to expect. And it was great for my DH.
We also took a basic Newborn Care class that was $30, and a total waste of time in my opinion.
We did one at the hospital. It was once a week for 5 weeks and maybe $30? The only thing I really got out of it was seeing the hospital and knowing where we'll be and meeting another couple. DH got much more out of it because he had never been around kids, changed a diaper, and they put on a sympathy belly.
We could have certainly had a baby without it, but I think it was a fair price for a decent experience.
We also did an infant CPR class and I did a free breastfeeding class.
if you plan to BF, i really appreciated my breastfeeding class. i got a ton of information and really helped to ease some of my anxiety and to remind me it was OK to ask for help from a lactation consultant.
we also took a basic childbirth class that was so-so. the most valuable part was for me and dh to take it together and to discuss childbirth, expectations, etc. i didn't learn anything that i didn't already know but dh did.
DD - February 2011
I didn't take them. I figured the dr.'s and the nurses would know how to deliver the baby. And I had a c-section anyway. A lactation consultant always visits you in your room so there really is no need for a BF'ing class.
I guess if you want to meet other couples or are really clueless about babies and how they're born then it may be worth it.
There was one lactation consult for my hospital. She was on vacation the week I delivered.
Life of mrsjanks
so I guess if you live in a small town and there is an outside chance you won't have access to a lactation consultant, there is a use for a BF'ing class. Although both of my kids just took right to feeding so I never needed even used the consultant. She just made me watch a 80's video that taught me absolutely nothing I hadn't already read about.
Personally with all the information we have on the internet and the books available, what else could you possibly need to know? You could probably watch an entire class on youtube. I think sitting in a class at the hospital is an antiquated idea.
I do think infant CPR is good to have but I believe those are offered free at a number of places in many communities.
I didn't take anything with DD and was just fine with L&D. Everything you need to know is on the internet!
I wish I had taken a breastfeeding class because even though I had a lactation consultant it was the most difficult thing about having a baby and that 1 hour in the hospital was NOT enough!
Also infant CPR.
I don't plan on taking any classes for two reasons:
1. We live in Egypt. There are none.
2. Between the living women in my family, they've birthed and raised over 40 children. Anything I need to know I will learn from them. Plus, my aunt is a peds nurse/lactation consultant. Also, I used to be a lifeguard, so I have that infant/child CPR thing down pat.
looking back now, I wish I had taking a breastfeeding class or watched a breastfeeding video or sat in on a Le Leche League meeting. ah well.
I hightly recommend an infant/child CPR class, and a first aid/safety type class too if there is one. We learned a lot about making our home safer. It isn't rocket science, but sometimes you need someone to lay it all out for you, ya know?
We also took a general "What to expect in labor, delivery, and with a newborn" type class. I didn't learn anything really new, but it was really good for DH. So if your DH is like mine and doesn't know the difference between a cervix and a uterus then that type of class could be useful too!
We took 3 classes, all of which were very helpful. ?
The first was a "Happiest Baby on the Block" class that my hospital offers. ??This one was particularly helpful to DH (though he whined about me "making" him go, he admitted after DS arrived that he was glad that we took it.) ?Gave us some techniques for soothing a crying infant.
The second was a weekend class about childbirth - taught the basics of labor, vaginal and c-section deliver, med options, complications, a little BFing, hospital tour, etc.
The third was a breastfeeding class that was about 2 hours long. ?DH didn't go to this (though some expectant fathers were there). ?This was helpful to me - they talked a lot about different holds, latching, common problems and solutions, pumping and various pump options, etc.
None of the classes were expensive - I don't think I spent more than $100 total for all 3.?
We're taking a 6 week childbirth class ($75) and a Saturday (9 am - 6 pm) breastfeeding and baby care class ($65) through the hospital that I am delivery at.