Just registered for prenatal classes at my hospital! They won't be until May, which makes me kind of nervous since EDD is June 2, but they don't offer any in April and my OB said March was early and recommended going later so the info would be fresh in our minds... so May it is!
I registered for the standard prenatal class (includes info on labor and delivery, postpartum care, and "newborn tips"), the breastfeeding class, and the breastfeeding and back to work class. I also registered DH for the Dr. Dad class.
What classes do you plan to take? Are there any that aren't available at your hospital that you wish were? My hospital doesn't have a lamaze class anymore, so I'll just have to go with the website for info on that.
Re: Prenatal classes
I have a Daughter born 2/26/2013. She is pretty much amazing!
2nd round exp 8/20/18.
I signed up for a breastfeeding class, and breast feeding and returning to work class, and a post natal care class. Opted out of the birthing class, have been reading a lot and also having a friend who is a certified mid wife in the room with me. The post natal care class is more for DH, he is terrfified about what to do with the baby once it comes. He has never been around infants before and I am sure there are plenty of things I don't know.
Also currently enrolled in prenatal yoga, which I love. It helps so much with stretching and addressing pregnancy problem areas like back pain and calf cramps. We do focus on some poses for labor, etc. Also allows for some time for me and baby just relax and focus on this pregnancy. I would highly reccomend this.
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Ours is the same way, with no classes in April! I decided to take the March set (well, it's 6 weeks, so it will end in April) because my mom delivered all of us two to four weeks early and just in case I am similar, I'd rather have to refresh the info before baby comes than not get it all!
The six week course covers most of the other basic classes (breastfeeding, infant care, CPR) but we also signed up for one called "Coping with Confidence" which is supposed to help you with pain management, and my husband wanted the fathering course, so he's doing that. Man, once those courses start (about a month!) things will really feel real!
We took the labor & delivery class, the breastfeeding (not helpful) and the baby basics class. The labor and dleivery was helpful, but too long. I think it was 3 sessions at 3 hours per. We ended up ditching out of hte last one early. They were talking about birth plans and what music to add to your playlist and what essential oils would be helpful..... puh-lease. I ended up having a c-section but the class was still good.
The brestfeeding class was worthless. They showed different holds etc but never really got into the "what happens when shit goes bad?" . My kid lost 15% of her body weight in the first week because I was under producing and I didn't have a freaking clue what to do.
My husband benefited from the baby basics as he had never changed a diaper before in his life. That was review for me but it was nice to be there to support him. He's very proud of his ability to burrito a kid.
I actually found yoga to be a really great preparation for birthing and it helped provide me with a helpful mindset to get through all the hospital nonsense. And since there was no epidural the breathing techniques from yoga I found way more helpful than Lamaze!