Natural Birth Class?

maginell · April 2013

At the moment, 23weeks, we are planning a hospital birth center birth. I am adamant about a natural birth and want to do everything I can to ensure one. I had hoped for a home birth, but that does not seem likely. I have an extended family member who is a doula who was going to attend our delivery, but she has very recently suffered a massive stroke, so while I pray for her recovery, we are on our own.

That said, I'm not sure whether to register and attend an independent natural birth class, or not. The class begins on April 9th, every Tuesday for 10 weeks. The class is $300. Is this reasonable? Would my money be better spent toward a doula and only attending a hospital class, which is free? Class is run by a Bradley certified doula and covers everything from biology to birth plan writing.

Our hospital provides free doulas for delivery, but they are volunteer and I won't meet with her prior to go time.

I'm really torn. We are far from rich, but budget wisely and make ends meet. I just want to make wise decisions for our benefit and peace of mind. Any advice is appreciated. We are first time parents.

starshineamator · April 2013

I took a hypnobabies class and I think it was actually a little bit more than that, so that does seem to be about right price-wise. Personally, I felt that it would be beneficial for me to have the advice and knowledge of an instructor who has done thi

abell77 · April 2013

We had to choose between a doula or Bradley classes, and we chose Bradley classes. The classes not only prepared me for childbirth, but prepared my husband to be a good coach as well. For us it was a great investment and we never felt like we

ClaireOtoms · April 2013

I look at it this way; a Bradley class costs $300, an epidural costs $1500. Stick out tongue

Able*Grable · April 2013

Thank you, Ladies! I think we'll go for the class...it puts us in a position of power rather than being dependent on someone else to be powerful on our behalf.

I appreciate your shared opinions and perspective!

maginell · April 2013

AbleGrable:
Thank you, Ladies! I think we'll go for the class...it puts us in a position of power rather than being dependent on so

aylafsu88 · April 2013

We took the Bradley classes and loved them. IMO they were well worth the money. They educated H on child birth and taught him how to be a great coach. That was really important because there was no way he was going to study child birth in his

maginell · April 2013

Thanks for your advice!

AshleyPT · April 2013

I would pay twice as much for the comfort and confidence that our Bradley class gave us. I think it should be a given for people adamant on med-free.

lioness13 · April 2013

I would take the class and use the volunteer doula. I think it will be worth it for you to be prepared for the birth yourself versus waiting until the day of and counting on a doula to know/explain everything. The hypnobirthing class I'm taking has helped

JCWhitey · April 2013

I have decided to do home study courses. We don't really have any in-person class options where I live and home study is a lot cheaper, so it was what would work for us. I have enjoyed it so far. I am doing GentleBirth (Hypnobirthing)

maginell · April 2013

All this hassle just so the instructor could cancel the course?! Great! Apparently, she couldn't be bothered to update her website...

I am so frustrated. She referred me to the natural parenting group that led me to her in the first place...

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Natural Birth Class?

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