I finally registered for our hospital tour (in 4 weeks!) and I was browsing the other classes that the hospital offers. My jaw hit the floor when I saw they wanted to charge $100 for a one-day child birth class! I think I'll save my money and let mother nature lead the way. They had all these really great classes but they were all crazy expensive! As if having a baby isn't expensive enough...
Re: Child birth classes cost HOW MUCH!?
That sounds like a fantastic, fair price. That's what I was expecting but was completely blown away when I looked them up.
Call me naive (because I truly am) but I really didn't think that they would cost me anything. Silly thought, obviously. But I still think $100 is a robbery. Like I said, I think I'm going to leave it up to mother nature now.
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In NW Ga our local hospital charges $85 for a 6 week course (meets once a week...or they do an all day course on the weekends for the same price). I didn't think it was unreasonable price. You can tour the hospital maternity area (2 hours, guided) for free though.
We are doing the hospital course on a Saturday and we're also doing a natural childbirth class in Roswell for $250 for 6 weeks. That trip is 1.5 hours drive from us each way - but we are looking most forward to learning all we can there.
Laura
We're paying $200 for five 2.5 hour Hypnobirthing classes. It actually may only cost $165 because I already have the materials that we need.
I'm going to check with my doctor at our next appointment to see if there's something standard that the hospital does as well.
This.
I just spent $240 total for a child birth class, breast feeding class, infant CPR and infant care classes. It's a chunk of change for sure, but I think it will be well worth it.
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That seems like a lot to me, but it could depend on where you live. Our hospital offers a four week class for only $45. We opted to take the class offered at my OB's office instead b/c we heard bad things about the hospital class- the class at my ob office is $60.
We also have a couple maternity/breastfeeding specialty stores in the area that offer childbirth classes taught by nurses- maybe look into something like that to see if it's a less expensive alternative?
This is how much we're spending too, minus the CPR class. The CPR class was another $130 and it didn't even include an actual Red Cross certification. My friend is a certified instructor though, so she's going to teach us and then we just have to pay $15 each for the certification card. The classes aren't cheap, but I'm happy to have as much knowledge as possible, and have the opportunity to meet some other moms/dads.
My hospital/birth center offers a 6 week childbirth class (covering everything from feelings during pregnancy through the labor and even car seat installation) for $40 or it all lumped into one afternoon for $60. The one evening breast-feeding class is $10 and I will probably do it the week after my childbirth classes end. I can't believe how much the classes are costing for most of you ladies! My mother was surprised at the $40 fee because hers "were free like they should be!" Ha.
Ooh, what a great suggestion! I didn't even think of that! Hopefully they will cover some if not all of it.
I work at a daycare as an infant room teacher so I am CPR certified already. We can't take a 6-week corse because of my DH's crazy schedule & hours (he's a poilice officer). I feel like I have a good grip on everything baby but I wanted to do childbirth & breastfeeding/pumping coarses - two things that I'm clueless about. We shall see.
But it is interesting to hear what the prices are for other bumpies around the states!
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In nyc I'm seeing $350 for a 15 hour class (either weekend or over 4-5 weeks). We bought the hypnobabies home course instead and we're reading books like "The Birth Partner." I think we'll be well-prepared.
But I'm a little bummed because my mom says she met some of her best mom friends in the birthing class she took--I guess I need to go find free ways to meet expecting moms (MOPS? Meet-up?).
ditto i think its $80 per person and not per couple....
My insurance also gives $100 towards the cost of a course. I just have to send in a form after we take it and they send us out a check.
My sister signed up for a one day course for $180 that is good for two people. She is due six weeks ahead of me, but her DH is deployed, so we are going to go together instead.
Where I live is really rural/low-cost, and they are $35 for the six week courses. The classes are when I'm teaching, so since I can't make it to the classes, the nurses gave me all of the materials for free and the head L&D nurses's email addie to ask any questions.
I wouldn't think they'd be $100 where you are. I don't blame you for being surprised.
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At my hospital the childbirth classes are $90.00 for a 3 week session. Lactation class is $25.00. You may want to check with your insurance company to see if they are covered. Mine are covered 100% through my insurance.