Birthing classes?

starlettedir · July 2010

We are trying to figure out WTH to do with them. All of them at the hospital we are going to are offered on times that just do not work with a coach's schedule.

The full day ones are on Sundays(days DH can NOT miss for football). If they were at a point that he could miss part of work and go for all of the session we could but it doesn't work out that way.

The shorter sessions are on game days(doesn't work for either of us).

They have an online option. We get all the material that they would cover in class. Does this make us totally crappy parents if we go this route?

cali_girl92504 · July 2010

We went to breastfeeding and infant class and watched a dvd for birthing, I have the DVDs for infant care, childbirth and breastfeeding if you want to borrow them. Hindsight, I only feel like the breastfeeding and hospital tour were worth my time. Infant care was uber basic though we got a few questions answered.

The childbirth DVD we watched was great and quite funny. It's like 6 hours long so it took us a few weeks to get through it (didn't do it all in one sitting). You're more than welcome to borrow them.

starlettedir · July 2010

cali_girl92504:

We went to breastfeeding and infant class and watched a dvd for birthing, I have the DVDs for infant care, childbirth and breastfeeding if you want to borrow them. Hindsight, I only feel like the breastfeeding and hospital tour were worth my time. Infant care was uber basic though we got a few questions answered.

The childbirth DVD we watched was great and quite funny. It's like 6 hours long so it took us a few weeks to get through it (didn't do it all in one sitting). You're more than welcome to borrow them.

ok this makes me feel better

I think we are cool to take the hospital tour...their seemed to be better options for that.

thehoneybadger · July 2010

We didn't do any classes or tours with K or C. You should be fine either way honestly.

weemodin · July 2010

I wouldn't bother with the childbirth classes -- everyone I know says they're a waste of time unless you're planning on going natural.

The BFing class, however, is very helpful.

Hope you're still liking Dr. R!

starlettedir · July 2010

weemodin:

I wouldn't bother with the childbirth classes -- everyone I know says they're a waste of time unless you're planning on going natural.

The BFing class, however, is very helpful.

Hope you're still liking Dr. R!

Yes! We just saw him today! Thank you again.

I'll be taking meds thankyouverymuch

MrsMGR · July 2010

weemodin:

I wouldn't bother with the childbirth classes -- everyone I know says they're a waste of time unless you're planning on going natural.

This! I kept saying during the whole class that by the time I would even need those breathing excercises and positions that I will be drugged up....and....but for the 10 or so minutes before we hopped in the car to the hospital, I didn't need any of it. The hospital had a room waiting for me and I had an IV in me with pain meds shortly thereafter ;-)

RosesRRed · July 2010

My doctor said that it is mandatory to take the birthing class if you are his patient. That is the only reason why we signed up for it. We are doing the fast track tomorrow which is ALL DAY LONG. booo

houstonkdw · July 2010

I did the hospital tour with #1 and that is all. I do not feel I missed out on anything by not going to a birthing class.

cali_girl92504 · July 2010

MrsMGR:
weemodin:

I wouldn't bother with the childbirth classes -- everyone I know says they're a waste of time unless you're planning on going natural.

This! I kept saying during the whole class that by the time I would even need those breathing excercises and positions that I will be drugged up....and....but for the 10 or so minutes before we hopped in the car to the hospital, I didn't need any of it. The hospital had a room waiting for me and I had an IV in me with pain meds shortly thereafter ;-)

The DVD we watched didn't focus on breathing but rather on signs of labor and common things that could go wrong or what to do incase of whatever. I found it helpful but I supposed I could have read about most of it too. Still, not necessary but it was nice to know. It was helpful for me too since my labor started with my water breaking and I knew exactly why my OB was asking about the color.

SageBeginnings · July 2010

Another options is to hire a doula. There are a list of Houston area doulas at Doulamatch.net. A doula acts as a childbirth educator, birth assistant (she stays with you throughout labor and birth so that you and dh don't have to remember when to leave for the hospital, what relaxation works for what stages until your epidural, etc..), and so much more.

A doula works in hospital, home, and birth center settings, and we work with women who choose to use medication, choose to or end up with a cesarean, and for women who choose natural birth.

And the best thing? Doulas come to your home and do this all privately on YOUR schedule.

Just an idea for you all.

starlettedir · July 2010

SageBeginnings:

I'm really not trying to be rude here but you need to stop posting about your job like this. You are coming off like a vendor and the boards are to be vendor free.

We have many fantastic nesties/bumpies on board that own their own business and they would never make posts like yours.

Quizzle · July 2010

We didn't bother with any classes. We did take a hospital tour, which was useful. I wish we'd done a breastfeeding class, but we just didn't have time. I considered taking one of the birthing classes from one of the local area doulas, nice short class, but never got around to it.

But it wasn't a big deal anyway since I ended up with a c-section and never even remotely went into labor. My OB told me what to look for and when to go to the hospital, and I just read on the internet.

E&RMommy · July 2010

I think the girls on here are so helpful that you don't need a birthing class...just ask here whatever questions you have. Your L&D nurses will be really helpful too when it comes time to delivering.

I do agree that a BF class is the most beneficial of all.

E&RMommy · July 2010

starlettedir:
SageBeginnings:

I'm really not trying to be rude here but you need to stop posting about your job like this. You are coming off like a vendor and the boards are to be vendor free.

We have many fantastic nesties/bumpies on board that own their own business and they would never make posts like yours.

Ditto.

rayskit10 · July 2010

cali_girl92504:
The DVD we watched didn't focus on breathing but rather on signs of labor and common things that could go wrong or what to do incase of whatever. I found it helpful but I supposed I could have read about most of it too. Still, not necessary but it was nice to know. It was helpful for me too since my labor started with my water breaking and I knew exactly why my OB was asking about the color.

This was about 1/2 the class I took. The other 1/2 was labor info. I was planning on delivering natural so the class did help me (in my 17 hours of hard labor. Oy) BUT the 1st part was nothing you couldn't get just as effectively from a DVD IMO. For me, knowing the signs of *real labor and at what point to call the hospital and all that was very, very helpful but I didn't need to be there in person to get it.

I think the only class that is a must is BFing- even more so for DHs than for moms. My class devoted more than an hour to telling the husbands all the crap they need to be responsible for and all the ways them helping is essential to mommy's well being and therefore baby's well being.

alliwalton · July 2010

I only did the birthing class so my DH would have some insight on what was going to happen. He had no clue on the labor and delivery process and we also went on a hospital tour. Other then that I would have skipped it. I kinda wish I would have done a breastfeeding class, but I also had the lactation consultants come work with me all three days I was in the hospital.

LaciLeigh · July 2010

I am glad to see this post. I was wondering if childbirth classes were worth it as well. We were definitely planning on attending breastfeeding and infant CPR classes but have been on the fence about the childbirth class. Thanks for all of the advice!

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