Birth class for OOH birth?

fyziksgirl · December 2011

I'm planning an out of hospital birth with my first right now, and am looking into potentially taking a birth class. If I do I kind of need to know soon so my husband and I can adjust our schedules to be sure we have one evening available for several weeks!

Some questions for you ladies:

Did you take a birth class for your OOH birth? Was it helpful? Why?

Do you think just reading a book would be "enough" preparation, or do you "need" a class?

Has anyone taken classes at the Birth Zone? What did you think?

Did you take classes somewhere else? If so, where? Would you recommend them? Why? (I live in the north end, so can travel into Seattle/Bellevue but don't want to go to the south end)

Thank you!

ETA Was the class you took focused on labor positions/techniques, or was it focused more on general labor information, interventions, etc.?

Kathzoo · December 2011

I would say for OOH you definitely need a class. Penny Simkin's classes are awesome, we took those. Great Starts teaches in lots of locations and would probably work, but is not specifically geared for OOH. They do have a Lamaze series coming up though. Big Belly Services does a Birthing from Within class that is great. I know some folks who've done Bradley or Hypnobirthing too. There are lots of options, just figure out your style, budget, and find one with a schedule that fits yours and go for it. Fremont Midwifery has links to a few others on their website and can tell you more about the options. If you have a FSA you can use the money to cover classes. Be sure to take a breastfeeding class too. Great Starts has a ton.

greenmtbride · December 2011

Kathzoo:
I would say for OOH you definitely need a class. Penny Simkin's classes are awesome, we took those. Great Starts teaches in lots of locations and would probably work, but is not specifically geared for OOH. They do have a Lamaze series coming up though. Big Belly Services does a Birthing from Within class that is great. I know some folks who've done Bradley or Hypnobirthing too. There are lots of options, just figure out your style, budget, and find one with a schedule that fits yours and go for it. Fremont Midwifery has links to a few others on their website and can tell you more about the options. If you have a FSA you can use the money to cover classes. Be sure to take a breastfeeding class too. Great Starts has a ton.

Agreed. If you can get into Penny's class you will not be disappointed! She has a class specifically for OOH births, but I ended up in her regular Great Starts class and it was still fabulous.

https://www.pennysimkin.com/homebirth_classes.htm

My doula also has a childbirth class aimed at OOH birth prep. https://www.letitbebirth.com/childbirth-preparation.html

greenmtbride · December 2011

Oh, and I've heard great things about Liz Chalmers (Birth Zone).

blueLu25 · December 2011

Yes, definitely do a class! I felt like the more education I had on birth, the better it was. I never really felt scared, but while you are in labor, especially the first time, its so good to feel like you know what's coming, etc as far as the stages of labor etc. We did the 12 week Bradley series with a lady in Shoreline. It was awesome and so helpful. And it was really nice for dh to be so involved. I have also heard great things about the Birth Zone classes! One thing I remember really well about the first birth was that midwives are really hands-off, so I wished I would have put in my birth plan to ask for coaching while pushing. When I look back, I spent a lot of time pushing in-effectively but didnt really know how to change it to make it better. Also, watch some videos of real births, not Baby Story etc. I loved the Business of Being Born, and my midwife gave me dvd with a couple documentaries that showed some births they attended. I think the best thing I learned was how to relax and use a deep voice to be relaxed. I had also taken lots of yoga and I think that really helped to keep relaxed and focused as well (as much as you can be, lol). Also, they will probably tell you this, but you should write out a birth plan for in case you get transferred to the hospital- stuff like putting baby on you right away, waiting to cut the cord etc. There is also a Natural Birth board on here, just look thru the list to the left <------------. Good luck!

JessieJH · December 2011

My husband and I just finished our birth class this Monday. We took the Birth Zone class with Liz Chalmers (at her home in North Redmond). It was a great class for those mommies planning a med-free birth. I think DH actually got more out it than I did since I've been doing a lot of reading. I noticed that all the husbands took really good notes and that the class helped us to have some great follow up conversations afterwards. I would say that DH really has a much clearer idea of his role and how he can contribute. My only complaint was that it made for long nights since it was a 6 week class from 7:00 until 9:30 and sometimes later. Also- those classes fill up fast. You need to enroll early to get in at all and need to show up to get the best seats (on the couches).

So top things I liked:

GREAT for husband or coach
Very good information on interventions
Nice group of people/small classes
Generally good info

Things I would have liked to have changed:

Shorter class length (I felt it could have been 5 classes or two shorter days).
More info on positions for labor
Better seating (some people sit on floor).

fyziksgirl · December 2011

JessieJH:
My husband and I just finished our birth class this Monday. We took the Birth Zone class with Liz Chalmers (at her home in North Redmond). It was a great class for those mommies planning a med-free birth. I think DH actually got more out it than I did since I've been doing a lot of reading. I noticed that all the husbands took really good notes and that the class helped us to have some great follow up conversations afterwards. I would say that DH really has a much clearer idea of his role and how he can contribute. My only complaint was that it made for long nights since it was a 6 week class from 7:00 until 9:30 and sometimes later. Also- those classes fill up fast. You need to enroll early to get in at all and need to show up to get the best seats (on the couches).

So top things I liked:

GREAT for husband or coach

Very good information on interventions

Nice group of people/small classes

Generally good info
Things I would have liked to have changed:

Shorter class length (I felt it could have been 5 classes or two shorter days).

More info on positions for labor

Better seating (some people sit on floor).

Interesting, so was the class not focused on how to cope with labor? I have done a lot of reading, too, and so don't want to take a class that is all about the stages of labor, etc., I want a class to be taught and be able to practice labor positions, techniques, etc!

blueLu25 · December 2011

In the Bradley classes, we only practiced positions for coping with contractions... I think mostly you just have to have an idea of some options, but also just see what feels best to you while you are in labor. Also use water if possible! I dont know how I would have gotten thru without being in the tub. That's pretty much all I did, was sit in the tub once things got tough. Its amazing

keri1013 · December 2011

I've had two natural births and while I'm glad we took a class the first time around (we just did one through Providence in Everett) my biggest recommendation would be to hire a doula. It's hard to remember what you've learned about positioning, etc while you're in the throes of labor. My doula was awesome at reminding me to keep my voice low, suggesting different positions, wiping the sweat off my brow while DH and my mom held my hands, you name it. And while I didn't give birth in the tub, I agree with Leanne that it was very helpful for labor!