Birth Classes- who is taking? Are they worth the money?

yogahh · October 2015

I was pretty shocked at how expensive birth classes are around here. Not sure I want to spend upwards of $500 learning how to breath, when I probably will forget it all during the actual labor anyways. For those with kids already, did you take them? Would you recommend?

For the FTMs, do you plan on taking any classes?

I feel like I get a lot out of my prenatal yoga classes as far as calming breaths and positions to help labor, but is that really enough?

countrygrl5533 · October 2015

Went to two before bad weather cancelled one and then I went into labor early. I found those two to be a major waste of time. Thankfully mine was free.

Merciel · October 2015

First-timer here. My hospital offers a free weekly class (actually, because it's part of a study developing a new program, they pay YOU to do it) that I'll try to get into if I can make it work with my schedule. But if I don't get into that class, then I'm not planning to take any birth classes. Based on all I've heard about them, they don't sound like a particularly efficient use of time.

cortney626 · October 2015

I took one 8 years ago (forget the cost). I thought it was a complete waste of time. I think it was a 4 week course. We saw a video of what's happening to your body. Would have been useful to see at the beginning so I had a better understanding of what the round ligament pain was, etc. Not useful at 30+ weeks. We did breathing techniques but they seemed unnatural and backwards to me. I ended up having a c section so I never had to breathe during labor. But during contractions I did different breathing techniques that worked for me. I'd probably ask other moms, what they did for breathing exercises and I'm sure you'll figure out what works best for you. I'd save the $500!

Bluejay3030 · October 2015

I did a 2 day hospital class for like $150, and I found it to be a waste of time and money. I'd already read or heard from friends about everything they went over. If you stay on the bump and do your research by reading up on labor/delivery, it's not really necessary unless you're doing it to make sure your husband is prepared.

JessicaB0627 · October 2015

We signed up for a once-a-week four week long class. We only made it to the first 2 since I was admitted before the third class. It didn't cost anywhere near $500 so that probably would've deterred me from taking it, BUT I think it helped DH more than it did me. They went over a lot of ways that DH can help during the labor process, like massaging a certain part of my back and a few other things. I do think it helped for him to remain a little more calm and actually feel like he was able to help in some way.

nerdymama15 · October 2015

500 dollars?!?!?!?! Holy guacamole Batman!
I should feel lucky that ours are only 80 dollars. 500 sounds a lot outrageous and price gaugey to me

wamam027 · October 2015

We are wanting to go the Bradley Method route, and I've heard a lot of positive things about going through those courses. Also, the classes I'm looking at are taught by other military mommies and wives so I figure in the least, if the class is a waste of time, maybe I can make some military friends out of the bargain seeing as I'll be in a new city across the country with no friends in 5 weeks and a husband who deploys a month after baby is due. The classes are only $150 though for 2 months once a week.

doozer1345 · October 2015

With DD I took birthing classes and it was the biggest crock. It was exciting bc I was an impending first time mom etc but you don't learn anything you haven't learned here, from your doctor, or just a quick search on the internet. When my water broke and the contractions started there was not one single piece of information I learned from the class that went through my head.

zekesmommy611 · October 2015

We did a birthing class with DS. It was only one day and cost maybe $30. I'm glad we took the class only because we got to tour the L&D floor and meet the nurses other than that I didn't really get anything out of it.

laurenmdrn16 · October 2015

I took one through my hospital and it was covered by insurance. I didn't learn a thing, but I met my 8 best friends. We are still super close and our kids are best friends too. We hang out all the time as a group and since our kids are all within a month of each other, we went through every step and stage with each other. We have a photo we have recreated every time we are together and it is awesome to see how the kiddos have grown up together. In fact, I am hosting the big 2 yr celebration in a few weeks. We babysit for each other, have mommy nights out, and text each other in the middle of the night for advice and to vent. MH made incredible daddy friends too so honestly, it would've been worth every cent.

rlworzalla · October 2015

I haven't looked into it yet but I certainly my would be questioning paying that much to teach me how to breathe. Excuse me, but I'm going to breathe any damn way I want to get that baby out!

kbrands7 · October 2015

I only did the free hospital classes and read lots of books (I liked the birthing/destressing strategies in hypnobirthing best). Other classes in my area were very expensive and only offered a few times per year.
The hospital classes were actually pretty helpful, especially for DH who hadn't done as much reading about birth, baby care, breastfeeding, and post-partum care. They gave a tour of the hospital facilities and all of the tools, machines, etc. as well so everything looked familiar when I actually went into labor.

BuzzBee614 · October 2015

I did the free class at the hospital from 9-3 on a Saturday. Our instructor was amazing, we toured the birth floor, and it was a great experience. I think it prepared DH for what to expect and we made it a fun day as a couple.

I think that $500 sounds outrageous, but I guess it depends on what the classes are all about? I'd look into one at the hospital or watch videos on YouTube before I spent that kind of money unless it was a special class I wanted to commit to like Bradley or hypnobirthing.

Edited because words are hard

tgortney · October 2015

Wow seriously?? That's so expensive! The breastfeeding, car seat, etc etc classes are offered for free at the hospital I am going to. The Lamaze classes are $5, so not really breaking the bank. I will definitely try to attend as many as I can because, well, they're free.

proudparent2b · October 2015

I'll be doing one through my hospital. 5 weeks $70. I figure if I get anything out of it, great. If not, I'll at least meet some other couples who are expecting around the same time as me.

camillaandcarson · October 2015

I took a one day breastfeeding class and a 3 hour infant care class with DH. Both were good. Both were cheap and offered through the hospital.

yogahh · October 2015

Hearing that everyone was offered free classes through their hospital scares me a bit... This is the one offered through my hospital! Holy crap how much is it going to cost me to give birth there??? And I was wrong. It's only $350, not $500 do a deal huh

NinnyJean · October 2015

My hospital offers so many different classes that and we'll probably take one or two. The costs are pretty reasonable but my husband works at the hospital so we get an added discount or some for free, so that makes it more appealing

Jenly17 · October 2015

Ours was like $90 or something. Although I didn't learn anything really new, I think it was a good overall experience. I'll never forget H attempting to change and swaddle the fake baby

). As PP's stated, I think it was especially good for him to be there and as @laurenmdrn16 mentioned, we made friends with another couple in the class. Our daughters now have play dates. It's kind of a cool story to tell. Even if you decide to forgo the class I would encourage you to take the hospital tour if you can.

hellogoodbye2 · October 2015

$500?!? Nope, wouldn't happen for me at that price.

We took a 6 week (1 class per week) natural birth class through our hospital and my husband and I love it. It was closer to $60 though. I would highly recommend some kind of class for FTM through their hospital.

lest12 · October 2015

We did learn a few things and I found the classes useful. A lot of the stuff, you "think" you know, but it is nice to feel that much more prepared.

One of the greatest benefits for us, really, was going through the experience of the class together. It was a really nice bonding experience for DH and I, and even though he had come to all of my dr's appointments with me, I think it helped him feel more involved in the L&D process.

I don't know if I'd pay $500 for it though. (Just saw your other post... $350 still feels a little high. I think we paid $200).

LadySamLady · October 2015

Follow up question for STMs - at what point in your pregnancy did you take the class(es)?

Jenly17 · October 2015

@LadySamLady I took mine in the second trimester because I didn't want to run into the issue of potentially going into labor early. It was important to me to get the hospital tour and understand the lay of the land once I was in labor.

mrstmoose · October 2015

I don't know if we are going to take the birthing classes or not. Like everyone else, the information will fly out of my head before we even reach the hospital. If DH wants to take the class, then I will do it. I know we are going to take a baby care course because DH hasn't been around many babies and I know me teaching him things for the first time will not go over well. And I can't figure out how to swaddle. We also plan on taking the breastfeeding class and hopefully using a lactation consultant. Our classes cost nowhere near $500 though; more along the $75 range. Stupid New York

yogahh · October 2015

mrstmoose said:

I don't know if we are going to take the birthing classes or not. Like everyone else, the information will fly out of my head before we even reach the hospital. If DH wants to take the class, then I will do it. I know we are going to take a baby care course because DH hasn't been around many babies and I know me teaching him things for the first time will not go over well. And I can't figure out how to swaddle. We also plan on taking the breastfeeding class and hopefully using a lactation consultant. Our classes cost nowhere near $500 though; more along the $75 range. Stupid New York

I like the idea of a care class. Im going to look into that! I am agree...stupid NY!

LadySamLady · October 2015

yogahh said:

mrstmoose said:

I don't know if we are going to take the birthing classes or not. Like everyone else, the information will fly out of my head before we even reach the hospital. If DH wants to take the class, then I will do it. I know we are going to take a baby care course because DH hasn't been around many babies and I know me teaching him things for the first time will not go over well. And I can't figure out how to swaddle. We also plan on taking the breastfeeding class and hopefully using a lactation consultant. Our classes cost nowhere near $500 though; more along the $75 range. Stupid New York

I like the idea of a care class. Im going to look into that! I am agree...stupid NY!

Chiming in to say WTF NYC! Classes at my hospital are $300, and I can't find private classes that are cheaper either. Weak!

yogahh · October 2015

LadySamLady said:

yogahh said:

mrstmoose said:

I don't know if we are going to take the birthing classes or not. Like everyone else, the information will fly out of my head before we even reach the hospital. If DH wants to take the class, then I will do it. I know we are going to take a baby care course because DH hasn't been around many babies and I know me teaching him things for the first time will not go over well. And I can't figure out how to swaddle. We also plan on taking the breastfeeding class and hopefully using a lactation consultant. Our classes cost nowhere near $500 though; more along the $75 range. Stupid New York

I like the idea of a care class. Im going to look into that! I am agree...stupid NY!

Chiming in to say WTF NYC! Classes at my hospital are $300, and I can't find private classes that are cheaper either. Weak!

We should just meet up and watch a birth video or something

What hospital are you using BTW? I am getting worried about mine!

LadySamLady · October 2015

yogahh said:

LadySamLady said:

yogahh said:

mrstmoose said:

I don't know if we are going to take the birthing classes or not. Like everyone else, the information will fly out of my head before we even reach the hospital. If DH wants to take the class, then I will do it. I know we are going to take a baby care course because DH hasn't been around many babies and I know me teaching him things for the first time will not go over well. And I can't figure out how to swaddle. We also plan on taking the breastfeeding class and hopefully using a lactation consultant. Our classes cost nowhere near $500 though; more along the $75 range. Stupid New York

I like the idea of a care class. Im going to look into that! I am agree...stupid NY!

Chiming in to say WTF NYC! Classes at my hospital are $300, and I can't find private classes that are cheaper either. Weak!

We should just meet up and watch a birth video or something What hospital are you using BTW? I am getting worried about mine!

Ha seriously!! I'll be delivering at NYU. I still haven't taken a tour but hope to soon. I've heard great things about it from friends and fellow May bumpies! What's your hospital?

yogahh · October 2015

@ladysamlady, DH was admitted there this summer for his stomach issues. I really liked the doctors and facilities there, and thought about switching doctors so I can deliver there but really like my OB practice. They are affiliated with Beth Isreal/Mt Sinai. I think we will do a hospital tour/time our commute on the BQE sometime next trimester.

BlueJuice · October 2015

I think it depends a lot on how self-motivated you are in terms of researching and reading up on things beforehand, AND what kind of a birth experience you are preparing for. You should be able to tour the labor & delivery facilities at the hospital you are selecting ahead of time for free, so I wouldn't sign up for that reason. (We actually toured a couple of different hospitals before finalizing our selection.)

Last time, we did do a labor preparation class that lasted 6-8 weeks, as well as an infant CPR class and I think a 1-or-2-week breastfeeding and infant care class. I have previously trained as a doula and done a lot of reading on childbirth, labor support techniques, and so on, so I didn't get that much out of them personally. We wanted a very low-intervention medication-free birth, however, so I did find the classes useful for letting me know what to expect from the hospital's routine procedures. My husband, who didn't do much reading during my pregnancy, also found that the classes helped him feel more prepared and informed about what was going to happen and how he could help. I think if you were planning a cesarian or a fairly high-intervention birth, you might not find them all that useful, either. As other posters have stated, they don't usually cover that much about pregnancy, they tend to be focused on labor and delivery, sometimes with a secondary focus on postpartum infant care.

kami09 · October 2015

I'm kind of in the minority here, but I LOVED taking the Bradley Method classes. I didn't do a hospital class, so maybe that would've sucked lol. I feel like I learned so much about everything that goes on during labor and delivery. I loved the exercises we did for pain management. It was all very eye opening. You can search to see if someone teaches classes near you.

It was time consuming though- once a week for two hours for 12 weeks...but I think it was worth it. And I think it was only $200 for allllll of that time.

countrygrl5533 · October 2015

A thing to think about:

Are you a "learn everything you can" kind of girl or a "on the job training/learn as you go" kind of girl? I'm more the 2nd kind so that's probably part of the reason I didn't like the classes. Plus, I have a B.S. in Child Development and worked infant/toddler care for years before I started work in the school system. I already knew a fair amount of what was being taught. DH enjoyed some of it as it helped him learn some but he said he would have been fine with not going too.

I also found the relaxation techniques super annoying, not relaxing at all. Small hospital so there were only 2 couples in the class so it was a bit awkward too.

nick&heather · October 2015

I would definitely take an out of the hospital class, it was sooo worth the money! I know it seems expensive but for me it was invaluable. We took a 10 week class.

pelicanesque · October 2015

Did any ladies out there use doulas as well, and if so, did that make the birthing classes moot, or not really? As in, were the classes redundant if the doula helped with the stuff that the classes teach?

jenl1681 · October 2015

We took the classes for DS and it was such a waste of time. Thankfully the hospital offered them free. If I were you I would skip the class and put the $500 towards a doula.

Bltbear82 · October 2015

@yogahh my friend delivered at Beth Israel in 2014 and was happy with her experience. You might want to ask your practice about classes also. I know mine has a ton of info on doulas, cord blood banking etc. I took a class at my doctor's office 3rd trimester and it was $300 (maybe even less, but to be honest after watching the birthing video I blocked everything out).

Also I think hospitals have breast feeding support groups after the fact. NYU has one and also has a hotline to call with questions about feeding, both were/might still be free.

2.red.heads · October 2015

$500?!! I just did a basic Sat. class at my hospital - I don't remember it being very expensive. After reading several books (and random tv shows) I felt like the class was simply a review for me but I did think it was great for my husband to hear it all and to prepare him for what he was about to see! Also, there's no way my husband would want to go to a childbirth class for weeks. I suppose he would if I really wanted to, but he would not be excited about it.

So I would say, a simple class may be best for the men.

penguinselbows · October 2015

I never took birth classes. The nurses and doctors never knew, when they found out they were surprised I hadn't. I'm not saying they are useless, so of you feel you'd be better prepared by taking them then go ahead. I just read up, different forums different shows and did what felt right. I feel like your body kind of takes over in those moments. My doctor and nurses also talked me through everything anyway.

DutchLucyLu · October 2015

DH and I are doing a 'Birthing Together' class in February. We're taking the 'weekend' option, which means you go to a really nice hotel on the coast from Friday night to Sunday afternoon and you have five 2-hour sessions with a few other couples and have the rest of the time off to relax in the hotel/go to the beach/go into town. The entire weekend is about $600 for the both of us, which sounds like a lot, but it includes two nights at the hotel, breakfast for two days, one lunch and refreshments during the course.

We're going to see if DH can get the Monday after off, so we can add on another day. It's going to be our 'babymoon', so the costs are OK to us (I mean, the hotel even has a bowling alley

) ).

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