Reviews of childbirth classes?

Re: Reviews of childbirth classes?

• JacquelineR. member

  November 2010

  I think it depends on whether or not you are planning a med free birth.

  We took Bradley classes, which emphasize the husband as coach, covers ways to remain low risk and avoid unnecessary intervention including nutrition, and exercise.  It's very comprehensive and requires a 12 weeks commitment, 2 hours each week.  It was a lot of fun and we enjoyed that time every week to focus on the baby and our relationship.  We got to watch many, many, births on video, and we learned a lot of different techniques for pain management that emphasized relaxation. The classes covered the different phases of labor (in-depth), breastfeeding, as well as c-section and pain meds in case plan A doesn't work out. I think the information learned in Bradley is useful for everyone, regardless of the type of birth that is planned, but it definitely caters to natural birthers, and if you know you want an epidural, the tone and the information presented might be too much.  If you're on the fence, I think it's a great option. 

  From what I understand about Lamaze, it is structured for parents who are planning either a medicated or med-free birth, and it is a few weeks shorter than Lamaze. It's evidence based as well, and emphasizes distraction as a pain management technique...special breathing, external focus, etc.  It doesn't seem as "in" as some of the other techniques available.

  As for whether or not to take a longer course, it really depends on what you think you and your husband would be up for. If it sounds fun to take a 6 week course, then do it!  If it sounds like torture then maybe a shorter class would be better.  

  I think the more information we gather the more prepared and confident we feel about going to into labor and giving birth.  For me, I wanted to enjoy the birth experience and feeling confident about the process and having realistic expectations really helped.

  Longer classes may offer a better opportunity to get to know the other couples in your group, which is great postpartum when you just need other moms to relate to.  The families in my bradley class STILL get together regularly, and our kids are 1 1/2 now.  The support alone was well worth the time and cost.

  Hope that helps!!  Good luck finding a class that fits! 

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• Hey Jellisy

  November 2010

  We took the 4 evening INOVA childbirth class.  It offered a lot of great information, we learned all sort of relaxation and massage techniques and we felt prepared for the actual birth.  I forgot to check your ticker to see how far along you are, but by the time I started looking (I think I was about 6 months pregnant) the options really were more limited.  Classes like Bradley were too long to fit into our time frame.  I think any class you take will help prepare you - it was more vital than I realized before taking it.  There is a lot about birth I just didn't remember or think I ever learned in high school biology and the massage and breathing techniques were really helpful during labor.  Once you get to the hospital the L&D nurses are great with giving you other pain management tips as well.  
  

  From December 29, 2011

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• QueSrah member

  November 2010

  I didn't get a whole lot out of the class we took at the hospital (I had already done a lot of reading and heard a lot of the information from friends), but it was much more valuable for DH who wasn't nearly as prepared.  We did a whole day class and I was glad to get it out of the way like that.  A long commitment to the class would have annoyed me.  We took the class at the hospital where I delivered (VHC).  I think it makes sense to take the hospital class, unless you're doing Bradley, so you get a sense of what that hospital's staff is going to do.

  

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• veruca5839 member

  November 2010

  QueSrah:

  I didn't get a whole lot out of the class we took at the hospital (I had already done a lot of reading and heard a lot of the information from friends), but it was much more valuable for DH who wasn't nearly as prepared.  I think it makes sense to take the hospital class, unless you're doing Bradley, so you get a sense of what that hospital's staff is going to do.

  This, pretty much.  We took a series of 6 night classes offered through our hospital (Shady Grove).  It was taught by an RN/LC, so it was helpful to meet her, have her info, and get a sense of what happens at the hospital itself.  As far as the content, I didn't learn much because I had already done a lot of my own research.  But, I thought (and DH agreed) that it was helpful for DH just to get him comfortable with the whole subject-matter and clue him in to some things about pregnancy, L&D, and recovery that he didn't know.  I think he enjoyed going just because he felt more on the same page when it came to everything, so in that sense I thought the classes were worth it.
  

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• victoria1212 member

  November 2010

  Our situation was a little different because both DH and I at earlier points in our lives had to take an EMT class so we had seen all the birth videos and such. Also, I did a lot of reading about birth (both normal and c-section). I debated about taking the class but after finding out that DHs main concern about the whole birth experience was where he was supposed to park (and was he supposed to drop me off first and then park- it was very comical)- we opted to just do the hospital tour (and much to my surprise three other husbands on our tour were very concerned about the whole parking thing).

  The nurses and doctors were very helpful and I do not regret not taking a class.
  

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• belizeitornot

  November 2010

  veruca5839:

  QueSrah:

  I didn't get a whole lot out of the class we took at the hospital (I had already done a lot of reading and heard a lot of the information from friends), but it was much more valuable for DH who wasn't nearly as prepared.  I think it makes sense to take the hospital class, unless you're doing Bradley, so you get a sense of what that hospital's staff is going to do.

  This, pretty much.  We took a series of 6 night classes offered through our hospital (Shady Grove).  It was taught by an RN/LC, so it was helpful to meet her, have her info, and get a sense of what happens at the hospital itself.  As far as the content, I didn't learn much because I had already done a lot of my own research.  But, I thought (and DH agreed) that it was helpful for DH just to get him comfortable with the whole subject-matter and clue him in to some things about pregnancy, L&D, and recovery that he didn't know.  I think he enjoyed going just because he felt more on the same page when it came to everything, so in that sense I thought the classes were worth it.
  

  I second both of these. We just finished a 4 part Lamaze based class through our hospital (Holy Cross) and found it worthwhile. DH learned the most, but I learned a few things too and it was exceedingly helpful to learn from an RN who had experience with this hospital.... including c-section and epidural rates and getting input from her on the background for those rates.  

  
  

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• otoro98

  November 2010

  Thank you everyone for your feedback!! I think I'm going with a four week childbirth class - I am still debating the baby care class. Then there is infant CPR...oh I don't know...

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