Do I need a specific birthing class?

duffmaker · June 2011

Hi Ladies, yay for natural! Now I already registered for a 2hr once a week for 5 weeks, expectant parent class at my hospital, it's going to go over several different birthing methods, the labor process in general and a few other things and there is an exercise portion... but should I still look into taking a bradely or lamaze class? I want 0 drugs... but I'm also not doing anything to in depth like hypnobirthing or water bithing or anything like that... but is it worth the extra cash to take a completely natural focused class ontop of my general expectant parent class? Opinions?

banghartanddemilt · June 2011

Honestly, I was rather pleased with my birthing class at the hospital. The instructor went over various types of birth in detail. It was a 6wk course and I felt very informed. It's really your preference. If you feel you need more information you don't necessarily have to shell out more dough for info. You can talk with other moms, read books, or even do research on the internet. Depending on what you need their are resources out there. Where I live it's very hard to find classes specifically for natural birth, so I've had to do a lot of research on my own. If you need any help or suggestions let me know what you are looking for, and I can probably point you in the right direction (as far as books and websites).

wallace101610 · June 2011

This doesn't really answer your question, but I feel like I am looking for the same thing as you.

I read a book called Natural Hospital Birth, and it was really really good! It had a lot about making a birth plan, and other womens birth plans as samples. Then it really went into depth about what happens in your body during pregnancy and labor, and what things/drugs hospitals give you do to counter act a natural birth. It also isn't preachy, and goes into when it is time to let go of your natural birth plan, and go with what the doctors rec. It was really helpful for me, and I feel more prepared for labor. I am still doing more reading/research on classes too, but this was a great starting point. Good luck!

InfamousQBert · June 2011

i think it depends on your hospital & care provider. if your hospital is up on natural birth techniques and doesn't do lots of routine interventions, then you're probably fine. but if they're like most hospitals, i'd want to at least read a specific book and possibly hire a doula to advocate for me. most docs & nurses, in the US at least, will do things like episiotomies and pain med shots without even getting your full consent - it's what they've been taught and is pushed by their employer, the hospital. if you really want to go natural and have no interventions, it would be worth reading up and really planning ahead for that.

abell77 · June 2011

I would recommend finding a class that specifically prepares you for natural childbirth. Unless your hospital is unique, the hospital class will not prepare you for a natural birth. Sure, they may mention it, but they are also going to discuss epidurals and all other sorts of intervention and pain management. Again, perhaps I'm judging without knowing more about your hospital and the class itself, but in general I don't think hospital classes are truly designed to adequately prepare women for natural childbirth.

CurbsideProphet · June 2011

Are you having an OB or a midwife? Either way I think you need to prepare for a med-free/intervention free birth. However I think if you are seeing an OB it might be even more important.

We are taking Bradley classes right now and so far it seems worth it.

ncbelle · June 2011

I think a lot of it depends on your personality honestly. With C, we were signed up for natural birth classes but had to drop out due to schedule conflicts after the first two sessions. I never missed it though. I just did a ton of reading on my own and felt very prepared. The advantage to taking a specific class would be if you want to use a specific technique as pain management while in labor (like hypnobabies, etc.).

bridetobe52006 · June 2011

I suggest taking a Bradley Class if possible. It's amazing and so very very helpful. Honestly I suggest this to everyone who is intrested in a natural birth! Books are great...videos ok...but the class is so awesome and informative. Had I not taken it I don't think I could have had a natrual birth.

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