Birthing class???

ashtondiane · November 2014

I'm taking a prenatal yoga class that practices breathing techniques and positions for labor. Do I really need to take a birthing class?

brickcitylove · November 2014

We are taking a Bradley class. I have found the biological & physiological information we're learning super helpful. Stuff like the stages of labor and what, physically, your body does as it progresses through natural childbirth. In general, I've found the class really informative & good preparation so far.

tdegarmo1 · November 2014

I'm also taking Bradley Classes. They're super informative in explaining what will happen with your body and baby during labor. I'm a total type A and can't imagine not knowing what will happen when the time comes.

MusicFanatic · November 2014

Some people get a lot from them, some don't.

I CAN say you will be just fine if you don't. I didn't attend any birthing classes and managed. That said, I likely would have attended if I could have. It would have been nice to have, especially for my husband. So you don't NEED to, no. But you may benefit from it.

mmur76 · November 2014

I'm doing both. I don't think it I will ever feel over-prepared!

Maebb · November 2014

I didn't, but I got an epidural (and planned to going in), and I didn't have a super specific birth plan. I was just going to see how it went, do the best I could, and follow the advice of my doctors. I had discussed previously with my doctors that I wasn't against an epidural but did want to try to avoid induction or a c-section, as long as my health and baby's health were not at risk. Everything went well.

Like @MusicFanatic‌ said, it may help you, but I'm the kind of person where I figure there are so many unknowns about labor that I'd be least stressed if I just went with the flow, so that's what I did.

BackseatDriver · November 2014

I planned in getting an epidural and on one day an anesthesiologist from the hospital came to talk about that. To me that was really helpful. There were also some hospital specific details that were discussed. Overall it was something I could have missed and not been any worse off though.

Josie400 · November 2014

Breathing techniques and positions were such a small part of our birthing classes. The classes also focused on what happens during csections, what types of inducement techniques may be used and why, what happens during each phase of labor, medication options and pro and cons, a tour of L&D and more that I'm probably forgetting at the moment.
For me it was a lot I was aware of already, but it was very beneficial to attend the classes with my support person. H was given tips on what to do and not do throughout the process. He's now much less anxious, which makes me feel less anxious.

HStrawberry · November 2014

I've been doing prenatal yoga and just went to a birthing class this weekend. It was awesome! I thought I had researched a lot but there was tons of information I hadn't heard before. The breathing techniques was like 15 mins out of 7 hours. We went over tons of options (different pain meds, lack of, body positions, etc), stages of labour (and tricks on when/what to eat during it, when to leave the house, etc), post natal care of ourselves and baby, and the questions people asked throughout were very interesting. I think my husband got way more out of it than me. Opened his eyes a bit. I definitely suggest doing one if you can!

Edvent · November 2014

Personally for me I did a hospital tour and DH and I read a book together. That was enough to help me feel prepared. I was another who was open to an epidural and had no a super specific birth plan. I think how helpful a class is will be different for everyone based on your personality and preferences.

larfar · December 2014

I have done prenatal yoga and my husband and I are taking a birthing class as well as a lactation class. I have found the birthing class very helpful so far and a lot of the relaxation, breathing, and positional stuff for labor overlap with the prenatal yoga.

amiej1227 · December 2014

I liked my birth class. I'm not much of a reader when it comes to this type of research and would rather do a lecture style than try to read several books. I'm one to research when something comes up instead of just a lot of general information. Plus I don't think I could have gotten my husband to read a book. The class helped give a good basis on natural birth techniques to completely medicated. It wasn't taught in a hospital setting so the format was focused more on unmedicated birth.

I guess it depends on how much information you feel you need.if you feel like you have enough younger not need it.

erinmarie86 · December 2014

The birthing class i took was at the hospital i was delivering at. It didn't really cover any specific Technics but was more of a general this is what to expect when delivering here and what to expect after baby (it also included a hospital tour). I'm really glad i took it because now i feel more comfortable about our birthing location. I would at least recommend a class like this.

jennielynn+ · December 2014

Hah, my husband texted me today telling me to keep my Saturday open because he signed us up. I think he knew I was not into going as I am 8 months pregnant and never really mentioned it. He obviously thinks we need to go. I think it will add to my anxiety. I guess I will know this time next week if it was good idea.

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