Lamaze and other birth classes

cwiceangel · October 2014

So I know it may be a little early for some of these classes but husband wanted to start looking into things. Anyway, for those who've been through this already. Was lamaze worth it? What other birthing classes did you think were helpful? Those that weren't? Just looking for some insight as a first timer.

SuperFudge00 · October 2014

I signed up for a breastfeeding class at my hospital. Trying to schedule a birthing class but they conflict with my work schedule. I plan on meds!!

cwiceangel · October 2014

I don't know if my hospital requires any or not. I haven't asked because we just started looking at them tonight. My husband wants to go to Daddy Boot Camp. One of the things they go over... "How to avoid being sprayed". I about died. I also plan on meds.

cwiceangel · October 2014

Oh we know how to deal with the pee. Had plenty of practice changing my nephew'a diapers. Eww on the poop. I would've freaked out too. Lol

lindsayanne14 · October 2014

We took a birthing class with DS, it was helpful to us. At my hospital you can't take it until 30 weeks but we signed up much earlier to make sure we had a spot in the class that best suited our schedules. My class covered natural birth, medication options and C-Sections. It also discussed labor, breast and bottle feeding and post partum, very thorough. I came away feeling pretty well informed.

Ncountrygal · October 2014

We did Bradley and thought it made the difference between a scary stressful labor and a really awesome one. The focus is on natural birth but a lot of the class is geared toward the pros and cons of any decision or intervention that may arise. It's invaluable to be able to read your progress in labor, know your options, and know what's "normal", especially as a first time mom. The hubbies all get really educated and comfortable with he subject too and learn how to help you relax (if you ever wanted a hours long back rub, you might get it!).

Any class is going to be better than nothing but the quality and style will vary a lot. Hospital classes tend to be policy focused. Look into Bradley, Lamaze, Hypnobirthing, and Hypnobabies if you want something more comprehensive. Doulas can also be great resources.

BabiesEverywhere · October 2014

Ncountrygal said:
We did Bradley and thought it made the difference between a scary stressful labor and a really awesome one. The focus is on natural birth but a lot of the class is geared toward the pros and cons of any decision or intervention that may arise. It's invaluable to be able to read your progress in labor, know your options, and know what's "normal", especially as a first time mom. The hubbies all get really educated and comfortable with he subject too and learn how to help you relax (if you ever wanted a hours long back rub, you might get it!).

Any class is going to be better than nothing but the quality and style will vary a lot. Hospital classes tend to be policy focused. Look into Bradley, Lamaze, Hypnobirthing, and Hypnobabies if you want something more comprehensive. Doulas can also be great resources.

I second this! Even if you plan on an epidural, that doesn't mean you might want to try to avoid other interventions if possible (like pitocin or an episiotomy). But even if you have no qualms with any possible intervention, it's still good to know what a normal labor looks like. Because you'll most likely experience at least part of labor without any drugs, and there is also the chance that you'll have a fast & furious labor and won't be able to get an epidural. DH also learned a ton and felt like it helped him know what to expect and how to react to what I was going through.

I think being more informed can only be helpful to you! And I'm sure you could ask the hospital which class they think is best suited to your plan/situation.

CivilMommy · October 2014

#1 and #2 were both high risk pregnancies with 39w inductions - so I prepared myself for a birth with lots of interventions and monitoring. DH and I took a general birth class through my OB's office for #1. It covered the hospital experience including a tour, show&tell with all the different monitors they might use, discussion of the different pain relief options, explanation of c/s, a short exercise in relaxation breathing (not Lamaze specifically), newborn care, and basic breastfeeding. I liked the general approach to everything. BUT this was NOT a good enough class for an unmedicated birth. They actually advised taking an additional class if you wanted to do Lamaze or hypno type birthing strategies b/c this class was just a general info thing.

I did not do a class for #2.

For #3 I will be taking a natural birthing class (not Lamaze specifically) and will probably hire a doula too - I want to go med free this time b/c it looks like I won't have to have a high risk chained-to-the-bed induction this time.

#1 and #2 were both vaginal deliveries with Pitocin and epidural. I'm going to try to go med-free this time.

cwiceangel · October 2014

Thanks ladies. The amount of options is just overwhelming.

be888 · October 2014

We took a Lamaze class at the hospital, and a breastfeeding class at a private boutique/lactation consultant office. My DH was especially happy we did. It was 4 weeks, but because of a scheduling issue we took the last class when I was 39 weeks. I have heard great things about the Bradley Method, but 12 weeks seemed a little too much for us.

MitoRachel · October 2014

I agree that a plan of "I'll just take the meds please" is not a great idea. With my first I didn't have any early labor, so I needed to use my natural pain relief techniques long before my dr. wanted me to come to the hospital. My daughter's birth was so fast and furious that we only made it to the ER doors 15 min. before she was born. I just read a couple of Bradley books and one called The Big Book of Birth because none of the classes worked with DH's weird work schedule.

cwiceangel · October 2014

lol just for clarity I don't plan on using the "I'll just take the meds" method.

AMShark · October 2014

Thanks for posting on this topic. Our hospital is hosting a "baby fair" later this month, and I was planning on looking into classes offered by the hospital and outside vendors then.

I like the idea of reading up on the Bradley method first to see if its for me (thanks for the idea @fabledmabel ).

But I'm also trying to keep an open mind, knowing that having twins could easily mean all plans are out the window.

Ncountrygal · October 2014

@cwiceangel‌ Yes, tons of options! Just do a little googling and ask around. Each type of class is a little different and you'll probably find you're most comfortable with one or two :-)

Props to you for wanting to be informed! You can't control labor but you can definitely be in control of your options.

Smash1215 · October 2014

I'm planning on taking a 6 week hypnobabies course.

FitMom3510 · October 2014

We signed up for Bradley Method starting middle of next month since its 12 weeks long and we are going to be in Holiday season where they may skip some weeks so that will take us pretty close to April.

lexyraejay · October 2014

I'm considering hypnobabies. My DD was born med-free because I progressed so quickly once I was in active labor; I had already requested the epidural, but it was too late. I was terrified in the moment, but after she was born, I was actually happy it turned out that way. I'd love to hear some feedback from those of you who have used hypnobabies during previous deliveries.

babywisher · October 2014

We took a Lamaze class. I couldn't justify spending the money and 12 weeks for the Bradley classes at the time. I did a lot of reading on different methods. I was planning a natural birth too. The class was perfect for us and we did use pretty much everything we learned. I had a fairly quick labor and delivery (5 hours) that was not bad with the techniques we had learned. I was able to have the natural med free birth I wanted. I don't think i would have been able to cope with the pain without the class.