Prenatal classes yay or nay?

stephschmit12 · January 2016

My husband works out of town and I am not overly jazzed about going to prenatal classes alone. Non first time moms- thoughts on the benefits over not taking them?! Thanks

totsabounding · January 2016

I took one, and in all honesty, the most valuable part of the experience for me was the hospital tour. That's not to say I didn't enjoy the class, but I don't know that I really learned anything I couldn't have researched online. If you're planning for a drug-free birth, though, I think it might be more essential that you get some breathing and relaxation techniques from an instructor and practice said techniques with them in-person. You certainly wouldn't be the only one to ever go through those classes alone, if you choose to do that.

NicknShan · January 2016

Not worth it IMO. Agreed that all you need is a hospital tour. And hang out here.

Huskerfanz · January 2016

IDK, we did an all day class and I kind of liked it. But a big reason was because H was with me and I had done most of the research so it was nice for him to hear info from someone other than me.

ahernandez16 · January 2016

The nearest Kaiser hospital where I'd have to take classes is 45 minutes away and DH and I work such opposite schedules I don't think it's going to work out for the both of us to go. I'm not planning on taking any except maybe a BFing class because I don't feel 100% confident that's something I want to do. I plan to research online and have lots of drugs and hope for the best.

arteduc8 · January 2016

I'm a FTM, so I don't know how helpful it will be. But, I do plan on taking a class, a breastfeeding class, and a baby bootcamp class. Partly for DH and partly for me to help ease my nerves. My motto right now is "teach me all the things!" I figure it can't hurt, right?

SoEnamored · January 2016

YES to first aid classes and a breastfeeding class (if u hope to breastfeed). Have dad join you in these if u can, maybe take online if in person isn't an option. It was eye opening for my DH (and me) to truly learn that breastfeeding isn't always easy and so he could learn techniques to troubleshoot and to be supportive.

MamaNicoleof3 · January 2016

I wouldn't do a birthing class unless you're totally committed to having a certain birth (eg- hypnobirthing, or drug free, etc). Obviously things always change during labor and you may not be able to do exactly what you want (hardly ever does "the plan" happen!), but I really didn't find it useful. I think it was better for DH to learn things to help, but it's so hard to know how you'll react during the intensity of labor (will you want music or absolute silence? Will you love walking or just bounce on a birthing ball?). I'm ALL about or preparedness, but I just didn't find it that helpful.

cmac827 · January 2016

My birthing center requires it, if it's you're first.

cqhof · January 2016

My boyfriend and I work different schedules, but fortunately our hospital provides online classes as an option that we can access for 90 days at a time. I'm planning on taking a birthing class, a breastfeeding class, and a newborn care class, as well as prenatal yoga.

AmberLiz99 · January 2016

You can always do a hospital tour first and see if you feel like you need more. I just did the tour and lots of research on my own with my first

Rosehip15 · January 2016

Agree with breastfeeding & first aid (this from a mom whose second child choked multiple times). An actual birth class doesn't sound necessary for you. This is my DH's first - he doesn't want to go, so we won't. Actually, he's so squeamish, he probably won't be in the room once things get real, so there's no point anyway;)

adiaz132003 · January 2016

Ftm and we are taking a birthing class cause I'll be drug free and a newborn care class. I don't think I would have wanting to do the birthing class if I was in a hospital and getting pain meds. I want the pain management tips and dh really wants to do the newborn care class cause he learns by doing.

DeePaddy24 · January 2016

I'm a FTM, & DH & I are signed up for a 1-day class offered at our hospital (recommended by my OB). It's run by 2 of the labour & delivery nurses there, so they'll cover a lot of information that will be relevant to our situation, & discuss all types of births (drug free, epidural, c-section, etc...). If it weren't for this class being offered, I'm not sure if we would have signed up for another one.

amidavey06 · January 2016

I'm a STM and we did the hospital provided birthing class with our first. It was a little informative, but seriously everything they teach, you can find articles and videos on Pinterest or anywhere else. I would recommend an infant CPR and breastfeeding class. Also, if you are planning on breastfeeding, definitely take advantage of the hospital's lacation nurse. Mine was super helpful.

jerseygirl9090 · January 2016

I'm signed up for a breastfeeding class, baby bootcamp class, and Lamaze class. I'm thinking of dropping the lamaze class though I plan on getting the epidural and I heard taking it is not helpful lol I just signed up for it because I'm a FTM. They are free with my health insurance though so I might just take it for the heck of it i'm undecided still. I'm also going to sign up for baby on a budget class.

tjenkins528 · January 2016

We did the online class and then did the in-person breastfeeding class and the infant CPR class. I'd say the breastfeeding one was really helpful as far as giving you expectations for breastfeeding, but I'll admit by the time DS was born I threw up my hands and completely forgot everything from the class in that moment. The nurses in L&D were wonderful and helped answer any questions I had. Agree with PP that any information from the online/prenatal classes are easily accessible on the internet for research.

mar101483 · January 2016

Babiesrus offers infant CPR classes. I think they charge $30, but I'm not 100% on that.
I want to take a birthing class and a newborn class, it's our first and we need all the help we can get! Mostly, I just want breastfeeding help

jerseygirl9090 · January 2016

@Cmac827 yeah I am and I'm signed up for baby on budget class because I heard the same thing about it. Have you taken any of the other classes? if so which ones. Im between baby boot camp and infant care class. Infant Care class is a lot shorter baby boot camp is 8 hours two days it just seems like a lot but from what Ive heard they both cover same things.

cmac827 · January 2016

@Jerseygirl9090 I haven't taken any other classes. I tried to sign up for the baby boot camp and baby massage class, but was told they aren't offered here anymore. I also tried to sign up for a breastfeeding class, but because I switched to Standard after I found out I was pregnant, I can't take it.

Tawny87 · January 2016

My hospital offers some online courses, so bed rest moms don't have to miss out. Maybe your hospital offers something similar. I enjoyed the info in our class and she even made sure to show a cesarean twin birth and vaginal twin birth video just for us.

Tawny87 · January 2016

Our BF class was for pregnant ladies but our hospital employs LC's and also has a tri weekly BF support group.

stephschmit12 · January 2016

Brilliant! I'm doing prenatal yoga and not planning on drug free so I think ill stick with my gut and not do them. Thank you!!

cmac827 · January 2016

Jerseygirl9090 said:

I'm signed up for a breastfeeding class, baby bootcamp class, and Lamaze class. I'm thinking of dropping the lamaze class though I plan on getting the epidural and I heard taking it is not helpful lol I just signed up for it because I'm a FTM. They are free with my health insurance though so I might just take it for the heck of it i'm undecided still. I'm also going to sign up for baby on a budget class.

Are you military? If so, I did the baby on a budget class. I didn't learn much, but I did get a free baby blanket and a $50 Visa gift card which made it worth it.

stephschmit12 · January 2016

thank you so much everyone for taking the time to respond to me. I think I'll look into the breastfeeding course, is this something that is done after babe arrives?! thanks again everyone!!!

jerseygirl9090 · January 2016

@cmac827 thats strange they have here still where we are stationed. We don't have a baby massage class though.

tjenkins528 · January 2016

@stephschmit12 no, the breastfeeding class is taken before the baby is born. I think we did it a month before? They also have great resources for breastfeeding after, though!

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