Childbirth Education Class - Necessary?

Heartwood0519 · July 2014

At my first appointment with my OB, they mentioned that the hospital has a childbirth education class if I was interested. I'm looking it up now and it says: Certified, experienced childbirth instructors will teach you and your support person ways to enhance your comfort and decision-making during labor and birth. The class covers relaxation and breathing methods, labor support skills, signs and stages of labor, labor variations and complications, pain management techniques and medication options for a healthy and joyous birth experience.

In your opinion or experience, is this class necessary? Aren't these things I can read about online or in a book? Please let me know what you think!

IrishHoney123 · July 2014

I found the class most helpful for DH. Afterwards, he said "I had no idea there is so much I can do. I though I just showed up." Ha! I think if your SO is reading up on things it might not be needed, but if he's the more typical guy he probably would benefit from that class!

MrMrsandBaby · July 2014

Necessary no, but I found it very helpful for asking questions and getting help knowing what to expect.

lct2008 · July 2014

I didn't go to any classes last time and still was able to birth a baby

but really I have heard conflicting things. Some people loved their classes and totally thought they were worth it. In the town we were living in at the time most people only had bad things to say about the classes which was why I skipped them. I just read a couple books and was able to have the med free labor I wanted and had read about some different techniques.

SusieBW · July 2014

Like everyone else said, the stuff they taught in the class DH and I took was mostly stuff that I had already read/researched myself, but DH would never have gotten any of that information without going to the class, and he was glad he went. I think it's a good idea for your support person to have some understanding of the stages of labor and what your body is doing during the whole process, so they don't freak out at the first sign of contractions, kwim? I'm not saying your DH would necessarily do that, but I think the whole class is helpful so that when it's time to make some of those labor decisions, your support person (who's not going to be in labor at the time), can help you make educated choices, instead of just being the one to drive you to the hospital and hold your hand.

Roseypants · July 2014

I went to one when pregnant with my daughter, and I honestly thought it was a waste of time and money. I didnt feel like they taught me anything I didn't already know. It was a lot of breathing techniques, which go out the window during actual labor.

heathera1979 · July 2014

Babies don't require a class to be born, however, taking a childbirth class through the hospital you are delivering at will help you to know what to expect. That in itself can decrease anxiety for a lot of new moms. Also, you can find out about cetain policies that are hospital specific. Most also include a hospital tour. Like a PP said, I am a nurse and rotated through l&d for training and also attend deliveries occasionally for my job, but I have signed up for a childbirth class so DH will be prepared.

[Deleted User] · July 2014

I'm a FTM so I can't speak from experience, but I opted to sign up for the class. Thanks to the Google, the Bump, and you lovely ladies, I feel confident that I know much of what to expect. However, DH is fairly clueless, so I think he'll learn a lot from the course. I also feel like there's the added benefit of doing this class as a bonding thing between us. I'm pretty excited! It cost me $50, so not too bad.

Liss1481 · July 2014

I couldn't find a class that fit in with my work schedule so we skipped it with DS. I read a little bit but honestly ended up going in with little prep. My labor was short (about 9 hours) and was unmedicated by choice.

wildflower75 · July 2014

My DH and I took a class (with first pregnancy) and we both really enjoyed it. It helped us feel more prepared for the day and bonded us in terms of the things he could do to help during the horrible contractions. It was also nice to hear about all of the different possibilities of things that could happen during labor, not everything goes according to your birth plan, it's nice to have the info and feel at ease.

MrsMac613 · July 2014

We are doing a weekend class. I think it's worth it because our class includes infant car and CPR. I think it will also help us both know a little more what to expect and to feel more prepared.

cozybluebear · July 2014

Honestly, I only learned maybe one or two things that I didn't know from reading books and websites. The experience was great though and I almost wish we could do it again. It was a great bonding experience for my husband and I and he learned a lot. I think it helped him to realize what I was going through. We still joke about some of the funny things that happened in class. Great bonding experience!

MrsL2B · July 2014

We are probably going to skip it, since it costs $70 at our hospital and friends have told us that it is really basic. Also, I've researched and read a lot and have been passing carefully selected information on to my husband. We have the hospital tour on Sunday, so hopefully between that and my OB visit on Friday, I'll have most of my questions answered.

raynes · July 2014

We did a once a week, several weeks long course at our hospital for DS, and while I knew from reading various things most of what was taught, it was really good for H to hear it all. It was also good because it included the hospital tour.

duckr · July 2014

I am taking one at my hospital. I'm a FTM and having them walk me through how they specifically handle things has given me a lot of comfort on what to expect. We toured labor and delivery rooms and mother and baby rooms last night and it's nice to know I won't be walking into a completely unfamiliar place. That's just me though.

Leysin97 · July 2014

DH and I took a 6 hour childbirth education class last Saturday and a 3 hour newborn care class a few weeks ago. We loved and learned a lot from the newborn care class. Honestly although there were a few tidbits of helpful information we both felt that the childbirth education class was a waste of time. It covers materials I had read about in my book and DH had read about in his research and books. DH was so bored he ended up on the internet most the time. This was his only day off so he wasn't happy. Plus it was $90 so I didn't want to just leave. The main reason I had signed up was for the tour of the hospital however due to construction and all the rooms being full we didn't get to see much. If you are looking to tour the hospital I would just go on a tour scheduled time. I think if I hadn't read up on it already I would of enjoyed the class more. I do recommend a newborn care class though.

yella726 · July 2014

I know I'm probably repeating what a lot of PPs have said, but I don't think it's necessary but probably very helpful for some. In my case, I knew it may have very well ended up being not needed, but I wanted to take the class just in case. And, yes, I found that it was very helpful to DH. There were a lot of things that I may have known that I would have never thought to discuss with him. He asked a lot more questions than I did and the class ended up bringing up a lot more questions in me than I realized it would have. So it totally ended up being worth it for us!

MuffinMom14 · July 2014

I'm probably in the minority, but I've been told, for the ones in my area, that no. They are pointless, if you want an epidural. Which I do. A big, fat, fatty epidural. Even though the hospital tries to scare you out of it (we have GREAT medical options here, let me tell you).

However, we're doing it anyway. Because, you know, sometimes epidurals don't work, or labor is too fast and I never get one.

I think it's probably a mistake on my part, because I'm the type that is much better with LESS information. I will only cry and stress out the last 2 months of pregnancy, I think, with all the info they are going to give me, but I'm going anyway.

BreandMikewedding · July 2014

I didn't take any classes with my first and didn't tour the hospital. I was completely fine without the class but I wish I had gone on the hospital tour. While in labor I focused on a sign that said discharge was at 11am. I delivered at 1:30 am and got up later that morning and packed up because I thought I was leaving at 11. I had no idea I had to stay for two days.

With my second I did the class and tour. I didn't use any of the class info for his birth, but I was able to use one position they showed us recently when I had severe kidney stone pain.

The class may or may not be helpful but it's not necessary. I do recommend the hospital tour!

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