Taking any classes?

watkinae · May 2012

DH and I plan on taking a childbirth/parenting class and a breastfeeding class. Are you guys taking any classes? When should we start signing up for them?

RoxanneA · May 2012

When I was pregnant with my first, I took classes and found it to be a huge waste of money and time. It was basically a reproductive 101 class. DUH, I know how that works, haha

Ken&Anna · May 2012

I asked my doctor when to take them and she said it's best to do them in the 3rd trimester. I signed up for a 4-week Childbirth Education Series class that starts in August--I'll be 28 weeks at the beginning of August.

nealbl · May 2012

the birthing class was super lame that I took. All really obvious information. My hospital has lactation consultants on staff at all times so I just waited till I had LO and talked with LC while I was feeding and she helped me adjust.

This time we are going to do the sibling class.

Ken&Anna · May 2012

RoxanneA:
When I was pregnant with my first, I took classes and found it to be a huge waste of money and time. It was basically a reproductive 101 class. DUH, I know how that works, haha

If you're concerned about the classes being a waste of time and money, you can always ask to see a sample schedule, or a list of topics that will be covered. The hospital where I will be delivering offers a free 4-week long Childbirth Education Series, and the topics covered are as follows:

Class I: Forming a birth plan, recognizing early labor signs & the stages of labor

Class II: pain management and medical interventions Class III: birth and changes after delivery Class IV: all about baby. Since I am a FTM, I feel that all of these topics will be quite helpful. I would call to get more information about what the class covers before signing up.

Sami91 · May 2012

My doctor had me sign up in July for a 4 week class. I am due in October but he said July would be a good time because I should still be comfortable enough to enjoy the class. I am also taking one on my own at the hospital I am delivering at in August and will be adding a breastfeeding class in there somewhere too!

NerdHerder29 · May 2012

I consider myself pretty knowledgeable about reproduction and birth (even before my first). I took a class with MH when I was about 32 weeks. I found it very helpful. Although I knew most of the topics covered in the class, I did learn a few things. The main reason that I really found it helpful was that MH learned a lot. He was much more helpful during labor and delivery because of it IMO.

We also got to tour the birthing center which was exciting Big Smile

MichelleL1118 · May 2012

The childbirth class offered through our hospital was a 6-week course when I was pg with DS, and my OB advised being finished with it by 35w or so... I think I was 26w when it started, because of the schedule. I didn't take a breastfeeding class, but the hospital has a great on-staff lactation consultant who runs a weekly support group, which I found invaluable.

I'd advise checking with the hospital where you will deliver for the schedule of childbirth classes and when they recommend registering. Classes at mine filled up quickly, I think I registered at around 20w for the course, too.

JKohio · May 2012

With my 1st, DH and I took a Childbirth class and a Breastfeeding class together. The Childbirth one was several sessions -- I want to say maybe 6 -- with a hospital tour at the end (even though we had already toured earlier). The BFing class was 1 evening. BOTH were helpful for us, as first time parents. I really think it's all about WHO is teaching your classes and the TOPICS that will be covered. We had excellent teachers (it turned out to be the same one for both classes). I've had friends who took classes through other hospitals though and weren't always as satisfied with the courses overall. Do your research. Find out what will be covered, and if you can, get some opinions about the person conveying the info in class.

You might also want to ask the hospital if there are any discounts available if you plan to deliver there. Ours offered a 'maternity packet' which gave us coupons to use toward both classes, plus the Daddy Bootcamp (1-day class) that DH took. That one wasn't quite as helpful though, as most of the material was covered in Childbirth class. It was just taught by first time dads, and from a dad perspective. I have no idea when we registered, but we finished the classes around 34-35 weeks, IIRC.

pb_bride · May 2012

My OB office offers a 1-day, 8-hr childbirth class. I'm thinking of signing up for it. I was told I should sign up soon as they're very popular. It's offered once a month and I would take the one in late August.

the hospital where I'll be delivering also offer childbirth classes, plus a whole lot of others like BFing, pedi CPR, etc. I haven't looked at the whole list yet but I think I'll sign up for some of those as well.

I know my ins will reimburse for half of the childbirth class fees, but don't think it reimburses for other classes.

Jeep Doll · May 2012

We just took our first class this weekend; Marvelous Multiples. Although I had already learned 90% of what they taught in a book I have read, it was very helpful to DH. Plus I loved meeting other ladies that are pregnant with multiples and at different stages of their pregnancy.

We are also going to take a Prepared Childbirth class and Breastfeeding Multiples. For the breastfeeding, I really want to meet the LCs at the hospital early (before having the babies) so I feel comfortable knowing them to reach out for any help I might need.

As for timing, I plan on finishing these classes asap in case I am put on bedrest.

Vegasbb · May 2012

I'm doing my Bradley method classes and I LOVE them. I started a couple weeks ago. I will probably do a breastfeeding class as well during 3rd tri if I feel like it's not covered extensively enough during the Bradley class..

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