Finally attended a Childbirth Prep class...one question for anyone else who has done it

VPGIRL06 · February 2013

I finally attended our first of 2 nights of Preperation for Childbirth...and I'm 37 weeks this Friday. A little embarrassing to be in a class full of these obviously prepared women (we didn't even bring pillows for the breathing!) who were probabley 7-7.5 months pregnant, and here I am with my obviously dropped belly, having BH contractions at the end of the slide show. ha!

Anyways, I fully plan on getting an epidural. For some reason, knowing I have the option of pain relief is really alleviating some of my worries about labor. I really just wanted to attend class to get a good idea of what the first stages of labor will look like, and knowing what exactly a contraction would feel like (turns out I've been getting them-not jus the BH ones but actual contractions-on and off for the past week .i just thought I had some weird gastro issue, but with the added back pain with them they are definitly some form of early contraction) and how I can tell when it's time to go to the hospital, etc. This class coverd all of this, along with the physiology and anatomy of labor. Next class is about epidurels, c-sections, and breastfeeding.

Now, this class was from 6-8:30 at night. I work all day, and sit at a desk all day. It was super uncomfortable to go back to sitting for another 2 1/2 hours, and really made it hard for me to concentrate. For those of you who have taken Preperation courses, did you get anything from the sections that discussed epidurals and C-sections? We discussed how epidurals work in this first class, how to control them, that they turn them half speed or completely off durin the pushing phase, etc....so I'm aware of how the work and the cons/pros of them. Did you get anything out of those sections, or since what I really wanted to know was covered during the first class, do you think I'm ok to skip on this second? I've got information on breathing through the pain, and the breathing patterns to practice in case there's a situation where I don't get the pain relief...but I really don't want to sit through another one of those classes, about information that I really don't NEED.

SamanthaKate85 · February 2013

I've been taking a Birth Class through my hospital that is on Monday nights from 6:30-9, so I can relate to the late night! Ours has been six weeks long and our last class is this coming Monday. Nearly every time I think about skipping, but I the class has done a lot to prepare me and my husband for what to expect for labor and gives us confidence that we've done something to prepare.

I would recommend going to the second class. It is not in most people's plan to get a C-Section, but almost 1/3 of births happen that way. It would be good to learn about and be a little prepared for this possibility.

I'm planning to go med free, but I still found the epidural & C-section informaiton helpful in case things don't go like I want. Also, having a second opportunity to practice the breathing where a teacher could correct anything you may not be doing right would be good.

stilts1 · February 2013

Personally, I didn't get much from my birthing classes. I think I learned more from the breastfeeding class. However, I can't speak for others so I'm not really sure what to tell you.

MJL113 · February 2013

I did not pay attention to the c-section part and wish I had.

DS had a heart arrhythmia and after 10 hours of labor, I started to spike a fever and his already unstable heart rate became erratic. I panicked and asked the doctor for a c-section. It was scary because I had no idea what I was asking for. I just wanted him out and safe. I had an amazing experience, no pain, and literally 2 day recovery. My section was so great, it's been a tough decision whether to VBAC or not, but like I said, I wish I was a little more prepared for it.

BabyMayinMarch · February 2013

I would go, its only one more class. Since you stated you learned so much at the first class, why would you miss out on learning more information about birth?

ShadyKull · February 2013

I know it is an inconvenience to go to a class when you are pregnant and tired, but I would still go. I just had my 1st class on Monday also from 7 to 9 and got a lot of more out of it than I thought I would. Like you, the next class will be about pain management, c-sections and other issues that might arise. Even though I am hoping not to have complications or a c-section, you really can't usually control that. So, I definitely want information about all that, and would think that you do too, right? And epidurals don't always work 100% for pain. . . so more information about pain management certainly would be good.

Just go. Or don't. . . its up to you.

ETA I know it can be uncomfortable to sit for 2.5 hours, but seeing as this is a class full of pregnant ladies, don't they give you breaks? Or they will at least be understanding of you wanting to get up to take a break/walk/bathroom run frequently. Sounds like you are making excuses to not go.

VPGIRL06 · February 2013

Samanthakate you are awesome. I'm so wiped at the end of my day that if I do anything more than laying down I start getting BH contractions and she goes bonkers in there. I've always been a morning person and always fatigued at night so I'm not surprised.

I guess that makes sense. I think I'm just so close to the end at this point that My patience in waning. But it would be good to learn a little more about CSections in case I end up needing one.

As far as what I learned, I really just took away a what early labor looks like and b when to go to the hospital. But we'll see..I mean I did already pay for them LOL

VPGIRL06 · February 2013

shady I am!!! Haha I really don't want too. But for the record, like I said, at the end of the class I was literally so uncomfortable because my body was just wearing down that no matter what position I was in I stood for the last 30 minutes if class I was still contracting and feeling exhausted

You all make great points nx I appreciate the input. It definitely sounds like alot of you felt Bette prepared going into labor with all of the information. We will see how I feel that day but provider I'm not dying over there ill be 37w4days I'll probabley go .
ETA sorry for the ugly post grammar and spelling...bump mobile

Katie Trippe · February 2013

I went to an all day class and I found it interesting when they talked about the C-sections and more about epidurals because they also discussed what they would do to progress your labor and at what stage they would likely call a vaginal birth and move it to a c-section. I am a little bit* of a control freak so the more information I have the more in control of a situation I feel I am. Given this is one situation where I know I have no control. (blah) Also, they talked about what apparatuses they may have to use in birth like forceps and suction still important info.

ejs1of3 · February 2013

I plan on using pain med during my labor, but I learned alot during my class. my doctor also will not use a epidural until I am 6cm so I think all the other things I learned during breathing and pain management was helpful to know. We also learned alot about each things that could be used during the delivery and hospital policy. Not everything in the class was useful, but I think I learned something that made me more comfortable each time I went.

Juelsr · February 2013

I would go...one little thing could be mentioned that you are going to wish you knew. Also, people tend to ask questions that aren't exactly the topics for the evening and can be very helpful. I know that our Birthing class had a few birthing balls (i.e. exercise balls) there for demonstration purposes, but the instructor let us know that anyone was welcome to sit on one if it made them more comfortable. Have you considered bringing cushions or pillows to make the chair better?

I would try to switch positions often and keep drinking plenty of water. Maybe talk to the instructor ahead of time so that they understand, although like a PP said, this is a room full of pregnant women.

Also, for the PP who mentioned the Infant CPR class- ours was very hands on, so you weren't sitting still for very long before it was your turn to practice on the doll etc. That one is VERY important, and class just flew by.

jinnymb · February 2013

I would go especially knowing this is the route you want to take. You should know everything that is going to happen to your body/baby and your particular hospital's procedures.

The c-section part is important as well. Most are unplanned so it would help take anxiety out of making that decision if you know what to expect. An epidural does raise your chance of having a c-section so I would def educate yourself on all the processes.

Labor is a wild ride and no you cannot predict what will happen. However, you can make good informed decisions about you and your baby's care. Good luck with your delivery!!

honeydew01 · February 2013

Last night I had my "infant feeding" class from 6:30 to 9. I went in with a positive attitude, I would really like breastfeeding to work for us. Everyone also told me that I should skip the child birth class and definitely take the "feeding" class.

I found the class boring and honestly I didn't learn a single thing that I didn't already know. The instructor was also not organized and kept saying "what was I talking about???" Anyway, I felt like between reading books and watching youtubes I had learned everything I needed to know and that the rest comes with experience. The $60 spent on the class was money gone to waste.

astarisborn · February 2013

We just finished ours last week - it was 4 sessions on Tuesday nights from 7-9:30 so I can relate to the late night too. Working from 7:00-4:00, going to get my husband to grab dinner and then go to the class - it was exhausting!

The session with the c-section and epidurals/pain management was the one that I got the most out of. C-section is something that I don't have in my mind since I really want a natural birth but I am glad I saw the video and the explanation - especially since I know that my baby is breech and the doctor says that I will probably go early (I am already 3.5 cm, 80% effaced). I am nervous that the baby won't flip so knowing the option was definitely helpful. I don't want it, but I was glad to have that knowledge.

One more class - you can do it!!

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