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Another Class Question: Financial Strain

dreadiemamadreadiemama member
in Natural Birth

I'm sorry to post yet another question about classes but I'm kind of at a loss here. DH and I signed up for a Bradley class in April; however, his hours were cut and money just isn't staying in my bank account as easily as I would like. We haven't paid yet.... the class is condensed to 8 weeks for $200. It's also almost an hour away from our home. We could afford it but it would be a stretch. I don't like to feel stretched, I have enough of that in my belly... I'd prefer it not to be in my wallet as well.

My sister took Bradley and she said it's absolutely needed. My mom said "ppffftt I had all 5 of you kids natural and no one told me how to do anything." I'm sure this is an exaggeration since all of us were born in a hospital with an OB but the general idea is there.

Can I just get books out of the library? Should I scrape together the $300+ (including gas) to take a class? 

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Re: Another Class Question: Financial Strain

  • April!April! member

    I haven't taken the classes, but I have read the Bradley book. I am also on a tight budget and am very careful with how we spend our money. My opinion is that you would be better off reading as many different books as you can get your hands on. Bradley

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  • RMama2012RMama2012 member

    I wouldn't spend the money. I would read read read and prepare as much as possible with free resources. It's awesome that your DH is on board so you can probably get the Bradley book from the library and read it together.

    I rented books from t

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  • tokenhosertokenhoser member

    Bradley is one option. It's a good option, but it's not one that I'd drive an hour for and worry about money over.

    If your husband will read, get him to read "The Birth Partner". Read it with him. Consider inviting a second support person to yo

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  • SarahinMDSarahinMD member
    I'm sure classes are ideal, but we didn't do them for first birth, and don't plan to. We DID read several Bradley method books. I guess you can get these at library. Knowing my hubby, Ireland them first then picked one for him to read. Ended up with me re
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  • vcabbywvcabbyw member
    If you feel its important, is it possible to see if they offer any financial assistance? Ive seen many instructors do a reduced rate for certain couples. 
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  • dreadiemamadreadiemama member
    imagetokenhoser:

    Consider inviting a second support person to your birth, like your sister or your mo

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  • babyalex124babyalex124 member
    imagedreadiemama:
    imagetokenhose
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  • tokenhosertokenhoser member
    imagedreadiemama:
    imagetokenhose
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  • tantdylftantdylf member
    I didn't take any classes and felt fully prepared and went on to have a successful NB. GL!
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  • JoyfullnoiseJoyfullnoise
    I didn't do Bradley so I can't speak to how helpful that particular program is; however, I think there are many ways to mentally prepare yourself and that you can find other options for less money that you can dedicate yourself to and that will give you
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  • pinkpinotpinkpinot member
    I read Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, Birthing from Within, Pushed and Baby Catcher: Chronicles of a Modern Midwife prior to taking a home-birth class.  The class was deemed mandatory by my midwife.  I have to say everything that was covered in
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  • JCWhiteyJCWhitey member

    I have opted to not take a class in person and rather do a home study type course.  I've mentioned it a few times between yesterday and today and don't want to floor the board, but look up GentleBirth (Hypnobirthing), The Pink Kit Method, and Birt

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  • danuli8danuli8 member
    You can also buy a Hypnobabies home study course used. I got mine used from someone on The Bump for $100. And I love not having to drive anywhere!
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  • April!April! member
    imageJCWhitey:

    As for the Bradley Method, I know there are two great books that will help with that.  I have Husband Coached C

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  • CRLSMC2011CRLSMC2011
    Check with your health insurance--sometimes the birth classes are reimbursed.  Which reminds me, we just finished ours and I need to submit the paperwork for reimbursement. 
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  • JCWhiteyJCWhitey member
    imageApril!:
    imageJCWhitey:</str

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    I’m a modern man, a man for the millennium. Digital and smoke free. A diversified multi-cultural, post-modern deconstruction that is anatomically and ecologically incorrect. I’ve been up linked and downloaded, I’ve been inputted and outsourced, I know the upside of downsizing, I know the downside of upgrading. I’m a high-tech low-life. A cutting edge, state-of-the-art bi-coastal multi-tasker and I can give you a gigabyte in a nanosecond! I’m new wave, but I’m old school and my inner child is outward bound. I’m a hot-wired, heat seeking, warm-hearted cool customer, voice activated and bio-degradable. I interface with my database, my database is in cyberspace, so I’m interactive, I’m hyperactive and from time to time I’m radioactive.

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