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September 2015 Moms
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Childbirth Classes- worth it?

ericandilise123ericandilise123 member
in September 2015 Moms
I usually like having ALL information possible in life, but for some reason I have been reluctant to take childbirth classes. This is my first child and I know I want an epidural and want to go in with a goal of a vaginal delivery (but of course understand sometimes there are cases where you need a c-section). I don't have such a strict birth plan and feel pretty realistic about potential situations, so I'm not sure knowing ALL of the nitty gritty will help me.. I'm worried it may cause me unnecessary anxiety. Thoughts? 
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Re: Childbirth Classes- worth it?

  • Yiggle09Yiggle09 member
    For me the only thing I got out of my birthing class was the visit to the birthing suites and the information about when to actually come to the hospital. They said 5 1 1 rule. 5 contractions lasting 1 minute in one hour but I have recently read 4 1 1 is better. I liked seeing the suite and knowing was what available and how they allow you uninterrupted time with the baby after birth skin to skin etc. some of the ladies on here said they liked having a virtual one? 
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  • ericandilise123ericandilise123 member
    Thank you.. This is helpful! We already have a tour scheduled separately, so if that's the only real benefit, then it is likely not worth it for us.

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  • glhendricksglhendricks member
    During labour you spend a lot of time alone in the room once you're admitted or walking around the halls w your support person. I think understanding the process that is occurring, dilation stages, time frames, etc is helpful. If you don't spend some time reading up on this or have experience, I think it may be worthwhile to go for your 1st child.
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  • jasara7980jasara7980 member
    The classes gave us a couple of breathing techniques that I found helpful. It was also extremely helpful and enlightening for my husband. It gave him a better sense of what I was going through, what labor would be like and things he could do to be helpful.
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  • myspecialkidmyspecialkid member
    We thought about taking one, but we're also going to have a doula. So we decided against it.

    The hospital tour was very informative and covered a lot except for the dilation stages and breathing techniques.
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  • WDDCHWDDCH member
    I think you should. What if it becomes too late to get the epidural and you struggle with coping because you weren't sure what to expect? Not all nurses are helpful in getting you through so you can't bank on that. Being informed is so important, especially when it comes to birth.
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  • bmolson1bmolson1 member
    I cannot recommend the childbirth classes I took highly enough.  However, I wanted to avoid intervention and epidural, so I took a 12 week Bradley Method class.  It doesn't sound like that's what you're looking for, so they may not be for you.  I do think you should be an "informed consumer" though, so I think you should plan to do something ahead of time.  Either the hospital sponsored classes, or maybe you can just find a good book or a YouTube channel that will help you familiarize yourself with what's going to happen.  
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  • MW5280MW5280 member
    I didn't take a class with my first and in hindsight, I wish I had taken even a short something. I thought I was prepared enough since I'd read about the stages, process, etc. and had toured my hospital. 

    Perhaps it was my own situation, but I felt like everything was happening to me instead of me really knowing what was happening and how I wanted to respond. I felt very much like things were out of my hands and a little lost.

    Obviously, this is entirely up to you but knowledge isn't a bad thing.
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  • MufflerloveMufflerlove member
    We did one last pregnancy. I research a lot so I didn't find it helpful but my husband learned a lot so I think it was worth it
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  • rachelkawesomerachelkawesome member
    bmolson1 said:
    I cannot recommend the childbirth classes I took highly enough.  However, I wanted to avoid intervention and epidural, so I took a 12 week Bradley Method class.  It doesn't sound like that's what you're looking for, so they may not be for you.  I do think you should be an "informed consumer" though, so I think you should plan to do something ahead of time.  Either the hospital sponsored classes, or maybe you can just find a good book or a YouTube channel that will help you familiarize yourself with what's going to happen.  
    I'm taking the 12 week Bradley class right now, and I think it's great! And I agree, OP, I think you should do something ahead of time too, just so you have some idea of the stages of labor and what to expect.
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  • puddinpop95puddinpop95 member
    It depends on the class. Are u talking about labor class as in the informational class or the breathing class? I got alot of useful information from the class we took.i knew alot of it, but it basically went through what to expect...nearly every detail of what to expect.
    Married 9/5/14
    Me:24/Hubbs:29
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  • baker1jm2baker1jm2 member
    My husband and I took one and we both thought it was extremely beneficial. I just feel more at ease and I think if anything it was good for my husband to go just for the education piece and they talked about ways he can support me through delivery.
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  • ksmith520ksmith520 member
    My DH and I are also taking the Bradley classes right now. I'm a FTM and he is VERY squimish with medical stuff so it's helping both of us with knowing what to expect. I'm going to be as informed as possible. My DH is going to try and figure out what role he can play during our son's birth.
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  • AmandaNacoraAmandaNacora member
    I decided not to take the classes and already took the hospital tour so I know where to go and such. The classes conflict with my husbands work schedule so we are just going to watch some videos online. My doctor is already really good at telling me things and answering my questions so I feel like the birthing classes won't tell me too much more.
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  • hopeful87-2hopeful87-2 member
    I think every person is different and you know yourself best so do what you think is best for you. I am also not planning on taking any classes. I took a tour of the hospital seperate and that's all I plan on doing. I also know myself and that "ignorance is bliss" has worked well keeping me calm and low anxiety most of my pregnancy. I don't want to know all the possibilities of what could happen or should happen it will just make me over think and worry! As much as info might be helpful for some people we are all different and plenty of women all over the world give birth all the time with very little preparation. One way or another the end result will be the same :)
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