Classes to prepare for baby

jlynnd75 · July 2015

Ive gone through the search engine and couldn't find anything related to what I'm wondering, so sorry if someone has already asked about this. But I'm a FTM and was interested in some classes before my son is born. Babies r us offers newborn classes, cpr, and breastfeeding classes so I was wondering if anyone has taken them? What are your reviews there? Did the classes help?
Thank you for any input!

nachomama27 · July 2015

I'd check with your hospital first. Ours offers free classes for most of what you want. We're taking breastfeeding, labor basics, & baby basics through the women's pavilion at our hospital.

wulfpackgirl · July 2015

A friend of mine is a nurse practitioner at a peds office and she does baby care classes for new parents. We're doing one in September. I've seen signs up at my OB office as well for breast feeding. Might look into that as it gets closer.

TacoSarah · July 2015

I'm already taking active ante-natal classes. We meet once a week and discuss pregnancy, labour, birth and newborn care and then we do some yoga and relaxation stuff, it's fun and a nice way to meet other ladies. I'm also really considering a baby CPR class.

oorl11052015 · July 2015

I have to be CPR certified for my job and I just started doing a birthing class with my husband and he has been going to a "daddy boot camp" at babies r us that he said he enjoys going to.. It's for first time dads and a group of second+ time dads tell them what to expect and my husband comes home and tells me all about everything that he's learned.. He has been super excited about being a dad!!!

Puddlewonderful · July 2015

So some people have mentioned free classes. My hospital charges $150 for the childbirth class, $90 for baby care, and $65 for breastfeeding and infant CPR! I don't want to forgo any of those classes, but I'm just bummed how expensive it is and that insurance won't cover it (except possibly breastfeeding). I'm mostly just complaining, but I do have an actual question- has anyone gotten an HSA or FSA to reimburse for these classes? I submitted my receipts so I'm waiting to see what happens. Couldn't find anything online about it.

maura+c · July 2015

My hospital charged when I looked into it when I was pregnant with my son. We were at Babies R Us doing our registry and they were doing a two for one deal that week. We signed up for the breastfeeding and newborn basics. I felt like they were worth it before baby came and then he was there, I felt clueless. You simulate breastfeeding by using a doll and it's not realistic. I felt I got better info on YouTube. I will say it was a nice way to "feel" like your getting better prepared for babies arrival; but all in all I felt they were expensive and a waste. When people say your " instincts kick in" that's, so true!!
FYI- if your laboring at the hospital you will have a lactation consultant to help you nurse and they will speak to you about newborn care. I would say maybe look into a CPR class because it could be useful to anyone anywhere! Good luck

MargaretC5 · July 2015

I took the labor, BF and CPR class at the hosipital before having DS. My insurance did reimburse me for the majority of the cost of the labor class but the other were not covered.
I think the classes were more helpful for DH then myself, but I did learn some. I read a LOT before DS so I heard a lot of the information before, DH is not a reader, he got a lot more out of them. The BF class was actually the most helpful for him, he never knew anyone that BF before.

MoRay05 · July 2015

I would look into your hospital or ask your doctors office if they offer classes. We took a CPR class before my DD arrived. I would recommend taking a labor class as well. I'm sure the breastfeeding class is beneficial but not sure if you really NEED to take it. My hospital had a lactation specialist that came to visit me after I had the baby.

Ceridwen77 · July 2015

I am wondering if I need to take childbirth classes. I've read a lot so I'm not sure how much I would learn. I've had friends who said they weren't really worthwhile and a family member never took any classes and had 2 vaginal births with no problem. Looking for advice from those who have been through classes on whether or not you find them necessary. Mine are not free and most of all, are a significant time investment.

phyllisnefler · July 2015

I think I'm going to sign up for the class at our hospital -- they offer six Thursday night classes or a weekend where you go both days -- I think I'm definitely doing the weekend, six Thursday nights sounds like such a drag. But like @ceridwen77 I'm sorta skeptical that I'll "learn" all that much. My main reasons for going are to get the hospital tour and to meet other local couples who are expecting.

olga1311 · July 2015

I took baby basics, breastfeeding and labour prep classes. Honestly? waste of money ! I felt great taking them, and felt I knew so much and it helped ease my concerns. But honestly once the baby was born, 99% of it (not breastfeeding) came naturally. I mean women took care of their newborns for centuries without special classes. Baby basics one was utterly useless - changing diaper on a doll etc is really not that helpful . The nurse in the hospital will show you how to change a diaper, no need to pay $$$ for that.

Honestly you are better off having your mom / relative / friend who had a kid on standby for questions. You will have TONS regardless of any classes you take.

The only one I think can be useful is if you plan on non medicated birth and want to learn special techniques / methods for dealing with pain. There are special classes for that and they are helpful (bradley method is one I heard of). But the labor classes the hospitals offer usually consist of basics that if your water breaks you need to go to the hospital etc. Or that you can have false labor.

Personally I didnt find any of the classes helpful at all, but if it will make you feel better/more prepared do check with your hospital

sarahsnowball · July 2015

I did some classes at the hospital last time but I didn't learn anything I hadn't already read about.
I would really like to do a birthing class that's more focused on breathing techniques etc during labour.
I'm thinking of joining a local antenatal yoga class. Has anybody tried classes like this?

Kanne0729 · July 2015

I would check with the hospital that you're delivering at because more than likely they offer something. I'm surprised one of the nurses didn't go over that with you already at one of your appts, they have always given me a listing on all of the classes that they offer and the schedule for them.

MoRay05 · July 2015

Ceridwen77 said:
I am wondering if I need to take childbirth classes. I've read a lot so I'm not sure how much I would learn. I've had friends who said they weren't really worthwhile and a family member never took any classes and had 2 vaginal births with no problem. Looking for advice from those who have been through classes on whether or not you find them necessary. Mine are not free and most of all, are a significant time investment.

I didn't take any childbirth classes with my first. Like you a read a ton! The nurses were great about walking you through everything, pushing, etc. I pushed for two hours and ended up with a c section. A childbirth class would have not changed the outcome. My baby was wayyyyy to big and just wouldn't fit!

maurahalp · July 2015

sarahsnowball said:
I did some classes at the hospital last time but I didn't learn anything I hadn't already read about.
I would really like to do a birthing class that's more focused on breathing techniques etc during labour.
I'm thinking of joining a local antenatal yoga class. Has anybody tried classes like this?

Yes I've started antenatal yoga classes. It will depend a lot on the instructor but I really enjoy mine. The class participants has a mix of due dates so it's nice to talk to other local mothers to be too. I was doing yoga before becoming preg and for me going to the class was initially about keeping fit/flexible but I'm really glad I started going as the instructor is also a doula so has some good tips to practice. If you're specifically looking for meditation to help with pain relief the prenatal yoga may not be enough though. We do some but it's about ten mins of a class so enough to get a feel for it but for me, who never meditated before I put my name down for a meditation in labor class that's 3hrs, partners invited and it's in the same yoga studio.
Check out your local studios though as instructors and costs will differ.

apritch88 · July 2015

Puddlewonderful said:

So some people have mentioned free classes. My hospital charges $150 for the childbirth class, $90 for baby care, and $65 for breastfeeding and infant CPR! I don't want to forgo any of those classes, but I'm just bummed how expensive it is and that insurance won't cover it (except possibly breastfeeding). I'm mostly just complaining, but I do have an actual question- has anyone gotten an HSA or FSA to reimburse for these classes? I submitted my receipts so I'm waiting to see what happens. Couldn't find anything online about it.

I was able to use my HSA to pay for mine.

IMO the one I would recommend to all new moms planning to breastfeed is the breastfeeding class. And make sure to take your partner! I like to be prepared so I was glad I took the birth class but the things that made me feel most prepared was the epidural demo and the hospital tour- both of which I didn't really need the class for.

gkfk · July 2015

We are taking all the free classes through our hospital. Some of them are carseat and baby safety and newborn care, as well as breastfeeding, etc, so we cover all the bases. If our hospital didn't offer them, i'd take the BRU classes. Maybe it won't help in the end, but it makes me feel better to go.

bellie1223 · August 2015

I'm resurrecting this thread! I was lurking on the O15 board and saw a pretty good discussion on the pros and cons of taking a childbirth class beforehand, I almost started another, but I thought maybe we could continue this discussion already started to see if more STM+ chimed in with their experiences.

At my appt today my ob told us to start thinking about if/when we want to take a childbirth class. Originally I thought that we would definitely take a class, but then found out we'd have to take it at a different hospital due to scheduling, and most people on the other board seemed to think that the tour of the hospital was the most helpful part of the class. I've been reading a lot about childbirth, both online and books, and definitely want to take an infant CPR class, and maybe attend a few LLL meetings in town. I'm such a type A person, I feel like the "right" thing to do is attend a class, but if it's not worth it, I don't want to waste all that time and money.

rachswi · August 2015

My husband and I decided to take the Lamaze class my hospital offers... it's only $65 and it goes through a lot of the pain management stuff. Even though I want to read a bunch, it seems like this class will be really helpful because I'll get to practice the breathing, positions, etc. and have someone tell me if I'm doing it right lol. Also it'll help my husband know what to expect (he hasn't had as much opportunity to read so he just gets synopses of what I've learned).

RVAMomma · August 2015

For our 1st I took a lamaze class. Both my husband and I were really happy we took it bc it really prepares u for birth and after. They also teach ab epidurals etc if u don't want to go the natural route.I found my class thru my hospital. It was $150 for 5 weeks but we'll worth it.

bellie1223 · August 2015

rachswi said:

My husband and I decided to take the Lamaze class my hospital offers... it's only $65 and it goes through a lot of the pain management stuff. Even though I want to read a bunch, it seems like this class will be really helpful because I'll get to practice the breathing, positions, etc. and have someone tell me if I'm doing it right lol. Also it'll help my husband know what to expect (he hasn't had as much opportunity to read so he just gets synopses of what I've learned).

That's kind of what I was thinking too--having someone tell me if I'm doing things right. I am so stupid at yoga because I'm bad at following spoken, spatial, directions, so I always need to have someone modeling the proper way to do poses, and it seems like this is kind of similar. I was reading about lamaze and different birthing positions thinking what they heck do they mean....haha. I don't think the hospital class is very specific though as far as different techniques, so maybe I just need to look elsewhere. Or watch some youtube videos!

Bettytteb · August 2015

I'm doing a Labor & Delivery workshop at my yoga studio...looking into some newborn care classes at the hospital also.

missphil · August 2015

I signed up for a labor/delivery class and a breastfeeding class with my hospital. It's really more so for my husband to get prepared and involved and also for me know what to expect from a hospital delivery and the way they do things so I can best prepare myself to ask for the things I want from my delivery.
My hospital also organized free weekly breastfeeding meetings after baby is born- like a support group. I will probably be attending those as well

marsbars25 · August 2015

I'm so on the fence about this. The childbirth class offered by my hospital is $185 per couple. It's a seven-hour session on a Saturday.

I recently read Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth and Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way. I think information is so powerful and I know it would be a good idea to go to the hospital class and learn what I can about their advice/policies/procedures/etc... but gosh it feels like a lot of money and the idea of spending 7 hours in class on a Saturday truly exhausts me.

I am leaning toward taking the lazy way out and just doing the (free) hospital tour and hoping for the best. The baby is going to come out either way right?

knolliepollie · August 2015

We are planning on doing the labor and delivery class, it's 3 days and a total of 8 hours. $70.00

Breast Feeding $30.00

Newborn Care $30.00

These are all at our hospital. I spoke to my insurance today and they do not cover any of the costs but they seem pretty reasonably priced IMO.

french_mani · August 2015

I took a breastfeeding class at babies r us and I did find it very informative. It also
Introduced me to some great local
Resources and contacts. It was free and I would recommend it. I signed up for a two
Night labor and delivery basics class which also
Covers some newborn stuff. It's $70 per couple and is a total of 5 hours. Looking forward to it next month.

TacoSarah · August 2015

I looked at taking an active birth class, but the course curriculum seemed to be what is in Ina May's Guide to Childbirth which talks a lot about birthing positions etc. Also YouTube! There is a lot of info on YouTube.

logarithm3 · August 2015

TacoSarah said:
I looked at taking an active birth class, but the course curriculum seemed to be what is in Ina May's Guide to Childbirth which talks a lot about birthing positions etc. Also YouTube! There is a lot of info on YouTube.

Any specific YouTube channels you can recommend? Classes are super expensive where I live - and the only availability I found Was mid October !

Ceridwen77 · August 2015

I think we are going to skip the classes and I'm just going to read the following (which have been recommended - Ina May's Guide to Childbirth and Dr Sears' The Birth Book).

Also my hospital has lactation consultants that spend a ton of time with new moms and also provide you with a phone number so you can call any time after you go home. So I think with that I can skip the breastfeeding class too.

Classes to prepare for baby

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