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3rd Trimester
Kat_Bride
member
Are childbirth classes a waste of time?
Kat_Bride
member
How many of you 3rd triers have taken or are taking childbirthing/lamaze classes? I was reading the description of this class to my friend who is already a mom and she laughed and said that when you're actually in labor, all the crap you learn about in childbirth classes goes out the window. She said to not waste time and to not bother.
Here's the description: This 4-session class teaches all aspects of childbirth, including the phases of labor and delivery. It is recommended during the 7th or 8th month of pregnancy. Instructions include relaxation exercises, breathing techniques and comfort measures. A detailed description of all phases of labor and birth, including medical interventions, anesthesia and options for labor as well as a birth video are included.
So, do you think these types of classes are basically worthless? Or do they really help you to be prepared?
Married 11-8-08
DS born 12-10-10
DD born 11-5-12
Boy/girl twins arrived 10-10-14!
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Re: Are childbirth classes a waste of time?
Honestly, mine was not earth-shattering, but I have been reading and watching every birth-related piece of media I can find for months now. It was more helpful for DH, who has not really paid much attention to any of the books I have thrown in his path.
One thing that was good about it was learning about the specific policies and practices at our birth center. During one of the sessions, a couple who had given birth there brought their newborn and talked about their experience. It was really valuable to hear about how things work at our particular center ? we never could have gotten that from a book.
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I took a 2 session class two weeks ago. I am an avid reader and did not learn anything new at these classes. I did enjoy the class, but again, I spent over $100 to hear things I already knew.
The breathing exercises were common sense.The teacher told us that the breathing exercises will not take away pain, but help with anxiety only.
The one nice part of the classes was the maternity ward tour in the hospital. I'm guessing you can call the hospital and arrange this for free.
It's really up to you. I didn't feel the class was worthless even though I got no new info. It actually helped me feel like I've been doing a good job preparing myself!
It depends on what kind of birth you want. If you want to try for a med-free birth then I wouldn't go to a hospital childbirth class, I'd look instead at Bradley or Hypnobabies. If you want or are anticipating an induction, epidural or c-section it seems they can still be helpful about informing you of policies and procedures. Sometimes it's mostly helpful for your husband so he knows what's going on.
Plus, you never know what kind of birth you'll have so I think knowing some relaxation techniques and coping skills (perhaps not from this particular class) is a good idea.
DD2 (b. 9/04/2013)
BFP 2/25/12, m/c @ 6w 3d || BFP 8/1/12, m.m/c @ 9w5d
It was worthless to me. I originally had my childbirth class scheduled for 7/3. The baby came early on 5/26. It would not have mattered what I had learned in a class, I would have done whatever the obgyn would have told me to do when I was in labor. I will note though that I was confused that I was in labor--I just thought I was having cramps and indigestion, and spotting--and that it would go away like a painful Braxton Hick--seriously when your water breaks and you go into labor it is really painful--it is hard to think clearly because your body feels numb from the pain.
Now then I have been through labor, I know what to expect the next time. We ended up just taking a breastfeeding class and infant care class instead.
DH & I are taking them and so far, so good. They're not that expensive, and we signed up for several: childbirth, baby 101 (parenting/baby care), and breastfeeding 101.
Many people say it's more for DH, &/or what they learned will go out the window, or they'll just get an epidural, but here is what I've learned so far:
1) DH is learning things with you, and his job is to remind you of what to do when your mind is on other things. For example, the breathing excercises may not be the first thing that comes to your mind. His job is to help you remember to do them, to count them out for you, etc.
2) DH is learning what to do to keep you comfortable.
3) I learned that women who get to the hospital earlier are more likely to need a C-section. Not sure why that is, but they gave us info on what to do when labor hits, but staying home as long as possible before getting there. Even if I DO get an epidural (which I probably will) it is good to learn how to deal with contractions when I'm not at the hospital yet.
Also, what if something happens and you can't get an epidural? Our instructor also mentioned that in 15% of women, an epidural does very little to reduce pain. Wouldn't you like a back-up method to deal with it?
lurking...i am a first time mom and the only class it took was cpr....and my labor went great i followed what my body and my doctor told me to do
1ht
We took the classes. I don't necessarily plan on going natural but it was a good class that helped DH feel like a part of the process. Our classes also included a hospital tour and a night devoted to breast feeding which turned out to be worth it for those two nights alone.
I figure as a first timer, the more information the better...although we don't have very many close friends that have been through the process, I figure if we did it might have been a factor for us to not spend the $$.
Yes and no for us
cons: we are both very educated about childbirth and have seen a lot of births so we aren't exactly learning anything new. we laugh and joke when we leave sometimes and the instructor talks VERY slow and says what she says in 2 hours in what can be said in 30 min.
pro: we will have a car seat safety segment, that will be great! Also, looking forward to tour of the birth center to get a real feel and visual of where everything is. And meeting other pregnant women in fun!
I am a first timer. DH and I took the "Preparation for Childbirth" course at our hospital. Honestly....I wish I didn't spend the $90. I have researched online a ton, read books, spoken with Mommy friends etc. I certainly didn't learn anything in the classes. The things that DH did learn, half of them he really didn't care to know about (what a mucus plug looks like etc!). If I had to do it over again I would skip the classes.
I went to one of the four classes last week. I thought I learned more from reading. I decided not to go again....wasted 40 dollars. And I don't plan on going natural anyway. I did want to go for DH but he was only going to be able to make the first class anyway.
I learned alot at the hospital tour though, which answered most of my questions anyway.
I didn't bother with them. I talked to my dr when I was pregnant with my daughter and she said if I planned on having an epi, which I did, then it wasn't worth it. She also said that different nurses and dr's had different ways of doing things, so they would help me out. If I had been planning a med free birth or at least attempting to, then yes, I would have taken a few classses.
It was alot of repeat information for me cause i read and watch everything but it was good for DH he learned a lot. The most helpful part was the teacher was a Labor and Delivery nurse at the hospital that I am going to be at and she could answer any procedure and policy questions we had.
WOrthless. Lighting $90 on fire would have been just as effective & a lot more fun than this class. There's nothing you can't learn in a book in those classes (at least in my experience).