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gooshbaby
member
do childbirth classes help?
gooshbaby
member
This is my first child, but my fiance has already had 3. I dont know if i really need a childbirth class? I highly doubt my fiance will come with me since he's been through all this before.
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Re: do childbirth classes help?
I'm not sure I actually used anything I learned in my childbirth class while in labor. As a first time mom you often go into the hopsital with grand plans of how things are going to go, and all of that goes out the window. However, I did really find the childbirth class useful in reducing apprehension since I had a better idea of what to expect (in general) for both the remainder of my pregnancy and the birth. So in my mind it was worth it.
And if you want to take the class I'd hope your fiance would go to support you, even if he's been through this before.
I'm really glad I took mine. I wound up being induced, but it was nice to be able to ask all the questions I had to a nurse at the L&D I planned to deliver in. No to mention, all the things I didn't even think to ask (asked by mother moms-to-be).
JMO, he should go with you. This is your first time, and the father of the child, the man you plan to marry, should want to be there with you. I wasn't with my DH very long before we conceived, and I was just in awe of the fact that he was so insistent on going to every OB visit. I really thought he needed to be there for ultrasounds, and if there were any problems, but he genuinely wanted to be a part of the process. He did go to the child birth class, too. He was more prepared when we had problems right at the end of the pg, and I think that having the information from the childbirth class really helped, although it is still scary.
I had planned on getting an epi so Honestly I was pretty bored in mine because it was all for natural birthing. The first class was all about what you could and couldn't eat during pregnancy, which I thought was odd because you weren't suppose to take the class until you were in 3rd tri.
I agree with the others though, if you want to go, the father should also go to support you!
I think the childbirth classes were extremely helpful. No matter whether you plan on going with or without medication. Take one at your hospital and you'll probably get a tour and find out hospital policies (mine told us to bring otter pops to the hospital because we could have them instead of ice chips.). We also found out what was available for birthing at the specific hospital (like a birthing ball or squatting bar).
Some other beneficial aspects of my class were the breathing techniques and conversely we got to watch the epidural video which I would have had to watch in the hospital otherwise. We discussed all the things that could go wrong during labor and how they are dealt with (from induction to assisted delivery, to cesarean, etc. etc. etc.). There was also a session on breastfeeding and babycare for when we went home from the hospital - including how many diapers the baby should be having, support for breastfeeding, and how to soothe a crying baby - all of which are frequent questions on the 0-3 month board.