Birthing Class - Necessary for FTMs?

Venus04 · May 2014

For those of you who have had kiddos before, did you take a birthing class? If so, do you think it helped you be more prepared and / or relaxed on the big day? My doula offers a class through her group for $100. Does price sound about right? I believe it's a four week class, with an optional lactation class on the fifth week. Thanks for any guidance!

enigmasara · May 2014

I'm a FTM and haven't taken my class yet, but I am registered for June. It is a 3 week class (2.5 hours per night, 1 night a week) for $75. Mine is offered thru the hospital and they go over all of the standard hospital procedures during the class which I'm looking forward to hearing. I feel like I'm pretty clueless about the whole L&D process so this class feels absolutely necessary to me.

I am taking a separate BF/Lactation class that is just one 3 hour class for $25, also thru the hospital.

Jennyfahh · May 2014

I took a free class offered at the hospital last go around and I think it was helpful. I mean, I feel like there's really only so much they can tell you in terms of preparation because in the end you really have no idea how everything is gonna go down, but it's great to be prepared for whatever. I can't think of a reason *not* to attend a birthing class.

lookame3639 · May 2014

This is my second kiddo, first is 7 and i didnt do birth classes with him. I'd like to do the classes if we can but I don't think its really needed.

Now the class and tour for DS regarding newborn safety i really want to enroll DS in. That way he can learn about his sister and be a prepared.

poofwok · May 2014

I am FTM and I will be taking classes as of Thursday, every week for a month. So 4 classes all together. Cost 30$.

Personally I feel better about taking them.

caybeh · May 2014

I'm a STM. We took a class when we were pregnant with our first. It was through our hospital and was free. I think it helped both of us just to kind of have a little idea of what was going to go on. Once I was actually in labor, I didn't really do much of the stuff we learned, but DH did a great job trying to get me to focus and breathe.

tamarar5 · May 2014

I took the class offered by my hospital and the only thing they managed to do was scare the bejeezus out of me. I didn't get one useful thing from the class. My "instructor" spent the entire time recanting her personal delivery horror stories, complete with vivid descriptions of her uterine rupture and subsequent forced hysterectomy. She never even covered the little fact that the hospital didn't offer epidurals— a detail that would have sent me to a different hospital for delivery!

When I was expecting my second, it was my DH's first and I asked if he wanted to attend any classes. Luckily, he said no. Granted, most childbirth classes are way more informative than mine. But it's not necessary. Your body knows what to do. Your Dr/midwife knows what to do. You probably already know what kind of labor you are interested in (medicated, unmedicated, tub vs. Walking or sleeping, etc) so personally I don't think they are necessary.

Cat&S · May 2014

We're not planning to do them.

ungraceful13 · May 2014

I took a 6 week class through the hospital. It was helpful. It also included a tour and a bfing class. Id do it.

chase16 · May 2014

I don't know if my hospital offers classes.. I should ask at my next appt. However, the Army makes me do a pregnancy pt program, and part of it is education. Every Thursday its a different aspect of pregnancy/childbirth/new born care, which has been pretty helpful. Last week a L&D nurse came in, explained the process step by step, and offered her experiences and advice

jarethinafrock · May 2014

DH and I are first time parents and we are in the middle of taking Bradley courses. It's a 12 week program (2.5 hrs a night) and we paid $300 for them. I know it's a steep fee, but it really goes into depth about the whole birthing process and I feel like we are learning so much.

MandMLeona · May 2014

The answer will depend on you and your SO. Are you the type that has already done a lot of research and feel comfortable with what to expect? Have you taken the time to discuss with each other what you expect birth to be like and what you expect from one another? If you've done that kind of homework separately and together, than there is really just the specific policies of your facility/care givers and you probably don't need the class.

However, if one or both of you haven't done those things, then the classes can facilitate the learning and conversations.

For us, my DH really needed it the first time. I couldn't get him to engage in the talks we needed to have without them. Ours were through the birth center we were using and he wasn't familiar with it at all. It really helped him understand my decision to birth there and help him feel like it was the right decision. I hadn't realized how uncomfortable he had been prior to that. So it was very good for us to have the 4 nights together focused on it. It was definitely worth having him switch shifts for those days to be able to go.

PecanSam · May 2014

We took the class at the hospital with our first. It was $110 for a two day course. Total 8 hours.

We felt it was worth it b/c it went over the protocols of the hospital and some things about what can go wrong in childbirth that I never read in any book. It also went over the web of intervention which is great to know about.

Yes, there was a lot of stuff that we already knew b/c I research a ton but there was a lot of stuff I didn't know. They really went over when you start having contractions. When to call your Dr, when to head to the hospital, what to do while you labor at home, etc. All very useful info.

I wasn't nervous about childbirth so I'm not sure about easing nerves.

courtniko · May 2014

FTM here, we signed up for a 5 week, $150, Natural Birth class. It has not started yet, so I can't tell you if it was worth it or not yet. I have done a lot of reading, but DH has not, and I want us both to full understand what is going on during labor. I think that him learning some techniques to help me out during the process will be great as well.

The class will cover a mix of med free birthing techniques. It will also cover necessary medical interventions and why those interventions would be needed, and I want both of us to be as informed as possible.

Weezy2012 · May 2014

I am a FTM. DH and I have registered for a birthing class through the hospital that also includes newborn care and a breastfeeding class. I am totally the type of person who worries and stresses about everything. At the very least I am hoping it just makes both of us feel more informed/confident and more comfortable at the hospital itself. Very few of my friends and similarly aged family members have given birth so I feel a lot of the answers I get about general things feel outdated/old fashioned. Plus I haven't even held a straight up newborn (let alone try to bathe or feed one) since my baby brother was born.....24 years ago.

Also, has anyone also been looking into infant safety and CPR classes? If you've taken one did you find it helpful?

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