Birthing classes?

trucksntutus · April 2016

Yay or nay? I just signed up for one at the hospital I'll be delivering at starting next week (I'll be 29 weeks) and it lasts for 5 weeks. (every Tuesday evening)
I'm feeling kind of nerdy because I'm so excited to go! Are any of you other momma's planning on taking a birthing class or have you already done so previously? What were your experiences like/ was it worth it?

jennyleigh16 · April 2016

We signed up for a prenatal class on the advice of our OB. It covers labour and birth as well as taking care of a newborn. It's not really the one I wanted to do but its free so that's a bonus. It's 3 weeks in a row and ends about a week and a half before my due date so I hope we make it to all the sessions...

mamafox14 · April 2016

I'm taking one now that's seven weeks (4 weeks of childbirth, 2 weeks newborn care, and 1 breastfeeding). I'm really enjoying mine! It's nice to meet other expectant couples and hear their concerns, excitement, etc. I also find it has been really good for my husband because I think it helps him feel more involved in the whole process. I also like that it's taught by a midwife at the hospital we're delivering at because she can answer questions specifically about their policies and procedures which are more comforting than general google answers.

Nerdchild · April 2016

My o.b. also advised me to take one at the hospital where I plan to deliver. I'm doing the all day Saturday course, it covers labor and birth, hospital tour, baby care basics, and an overview of hospital services.

Edit:grammar sucks today.

Weville · April 2016

I was going to do the ones offered by my doctor's office but they were all booked for this month and apparently aren't having any more till September. I'm hoping the high risk clinic I go to am an fit me in theirs. I would really prefer free classes and if I go through the hospital we have to pay for the Saturday classes

abpl2014 · April 2016

We are starting our classes this week. They are every Thursday for 4 weeks. I'm looking forward to the hospital tour and meeting other expectant couples. I think they will be good for my husband and maybe they will get him excited to start working on the nursery! Ha

trucksntutus · April 2016

Meeting other expecting couples is going to be awesome! B's dad is already getting amped about being a dad so I'm sure this is going to kick it up a notch! It's so sweet seeing him get so into being a dad, it warms my heart.

deuxbouledogues · April 2016

We have an online/in person hybrid class with a full Saturday session this month at our hospital. I'm also doing stand alone breastfeeding class by a lactation specialist and might check into those babies r us classes people mentioned like Newborn CPR.

rakel88 · April 2016

We're doing a 12-week Bradley Method class and just had class #4 yesterday. I really want to try for a med-free, intervention-free birth so it seemed like a good option. I also have friends who have done the same class with the same teacher and they said they felt really prepared and all had med-free births. The teacher we have also covers a lot of breastfeeding and newborn care (not sure if this is common with Bradley or not), so I'm not going to do any other classes.
So far I really like it. We've focused a lot on nutrition so far (the importance of protein), as well as emotional signposts of labor and such, since it's "husband coached" so that's for him to be better able to judge when is a good time to go to hospital vs. staying home longer. I get more and more excited for labor and birth with each class so I think it's definitely helpful!

I think, especially as a FTM, it can't hurt to take a class, whatever kind that may be. As far as I know and have heard, nothing else in life compares to giving birth, so if you can have SOME kinda preparedness for it, why not?

BettyRu · April 2016

Definite YES. It was super helpful for me to understand what happens in child birth, but even more important, was for my husband to learn too. It was well worth it.

sboston06 · April 2016

I haven't started mine yet but I'm very excited about it! We are doing a newborn care class (through Babies R Us) first, then a breastfeeding class (also through BRU). The big one is a 5-week prepared childbirth class through the hospital where I'm delivering. It covers many aspects of the childbirth process so I will have options come delivery day, and it includes a tour of the maternity unit. It starts May 10 (I'll be 31 weeks). We're also taking a free prenatal class at the pediatrician's office which is more of a meet & greet with some newborn care stuff thrown in there. And DH is taking a "Becoming a dad" class at a locally owned baby store.

I am nerdy and love taking classes so I'm really looking forward to all of them.

elenabrent · April 2016

We did a 9 week Bradley class that will also have a hospital tour in a few weeks. It was GREAT, especially helpful for my husband. I'm taking a breastfeeding class with a lactation consultant next week. BFing was covered in the Bradley class but I figured the more information the better.

[Deleted User] · April 2016

We're doing an 8 hour class on June 4th. I've heard from those I've asked if it was worth it or not, that they just felt more prepared when they went into labor. I'm weirdly excited about it too! I can't decide if I want to do a BF class though.

jenkeale · April 2016

STM and I'm taking a refresher course in June. I just started Hypnobabies on my own, and I'm getting really excited for my birthing experience.
The short childbirth class (Bradley method based) we took before having DD taught DH so much and he was an incredible support. We probably don't need to take another class, but I know it will boost my confidence and DH's too.

LilLambie · April 2016

I'm doing a hospital one in May. We had a choice between 5 weeks, or 1 Saturday so we did the 1 Saturday. I'm interested in doing a Bradley course, but I am waiting to find out if I will have to have a C-section due to cord placement, which should be next week. If everything comes back ok with that scan then I'll book in a Bradley class.

carolynpetite · April 2016

I absolutely think this is essential for FTM's! Take them and prepare all you can! I took Bradley classes and a tour and breastfeeding classes with my first pregnancy. This is my
3rd so I won't be taking the classes, but I have utilized the things my Bradley class taught me with all my pregnancies.

jwittwer · April 2016

Due to work, I was unable to take a class at the hospital where I delivered DD. Since LO is due around the same time-frame as DD was, it looks like I won't be able to take one with this baby either. Gotta love public accounting.

joleri23 · April 2016

Ours have finally been booked! Since I live in a rural mountain town, they wait until they have enough people to participate. Ours will be on May 2, 4, 6, 9 & 11 for three hours apiece. It's an intense schedule, but I'm excited for it. I'm not sure exactly what will be covered but I know they're taught by the same nurse who works with our OB-GYN and I know we get to tour the birthing center. I'm really excited to ask hospital specific questions, like if they'll let me labor down (as I learned about in the DVD Laugh and Learn About Childbirth) and what's available for pain management. As of right now, I want to labor without meds and as few interventions as possible, but we all know what can happen to plans so I want to be ready.

kellz14 · April 2016

FYI there was also a discussion on this in another thread a few weeks ago you can check out:

https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12661472/ask-a-btdt-mom-questions-about-birth-recovery-breastfeeding/p12

DominiqueU · April 2016

I'm not taking any of the hospital classes, but I'll be taking a hospital tour in two weeks.

I also went to the free Baby Basics and Breastfeeding 101 classes at Babies R Us. They weren't too detailed, but I think they were definitely worth it. Especially because they're free.

Honestly, I don't really want to know too much about labor. I know that's probably silly, but I'm mostly just relying on the doctors to tell me what's up. I'm also all about that epidural, so that's my number one birth plan right now.

megstervt · April 2016

We started our 5-week labor and delivery class last night; it meets once a week for about 2.5 hours. I really enjoyed the class last night so am looking forward to the next 4 weeks. We took a newborn care class a couple weeks ago and will take a breastfeeding class this week as well.

PhoebeJune1984 · April 2016

We didn't take any the first pregnancy and wont with this one. We knew all of the terms when it came to childbirth and c-sections, we had a pretty easy birth plan, etc. The nurses walk you through everything when you are actually going through it anyway.

I do the hospital tour though, because there are behind the scenes areas that you don't really see when you are visit someone at the same hospital (like the dad's lounge if the hospital has one). I will be doing a hospital tour this time as well, because the baby will be born at a different hospital than the first.

blackgirlmagic · April 2016

I also will not be taking any of the birthing classes at the hospital because they are not free. My insurance offers a couple of classes that I have already signed up like breast feeding, late term pregnancy and labor and delivery and preparing for newborn. I don't know what to expect out of them but they are only two hours each.

MrsRo731 · April 2016

We took a birth class with our first - it met for 2 hours for 5 weeks or something like that. Honestly, we didn't take anything away from it that we didn't already know. I had already done a lot of research on my own so that helped. They did offer a tour of the hospital during the class and that was very valuable.

Also, there were things they told us in the class that were untrue and that was odd; for example, they explained husbands were not allowed in the room when the epidural was administered. That made me so, so nervous and I remember kind of obsessing over it. Fast forward to the birth, my husband was allowed to stay but they made him sit in a chair. Overall, I thought the class was a waste of money and time.

noelietrex · April 2016

DH and I are taking a 6 week natural birthing class with our birthing center starting in May and into June. It's required to give birth there but we're excited and would have wanted to take it regardless. We are also taking a required 3 hour breastfeeding class and a required 3 hour PP/newborn care class. They make partners come to all classes so I'm super interested in what men attending breastfeeding and postpartum care class is going to be like. For costs I have a high deductible plan and HSA account. I don't know if my insurance actually covers these classes, but I went ahead and assumed and reimbursed myself with the HSA. I figure if we get audited we will pay it back but if not these costs really should be covered so I'm making executive HSA decisions here.

erin7264 · April 2016

No classes for us. They are expensive and don't work with our schedules, plus most of the ones that start now are full and the later ones don't end until right before my due date. I've been doing my own research and education and we can practice at home using BH contractions. And besides, we both hate learning in a classroom environment. I prefer one-on-one instruction.

lolomommy1 · April 2016

Third time mom- although, it has been 5 years so im feeling a little rusty.

I will be getting the hypno-birthing book and CD again and reading that during the last month! I am anxiously awaiting the big day. Coming fast you guys!

Serpica · April 2016

We're going to do all day thing at the hospital we're I'll be delivering... It's too bad it's pricey this kind of educational opportunities should be more available. My yoga place also does a workshop on skills for calmness so that should help...

@sboston06 may i ask where the Becoming a Dad class is? We're also in boston and i figured I might suggest it to my husband...

juliagulia38 · April 2016

I took one with DS. We were both really really young and knew the basics but that was it. It was so helpful. I didn't take any with DD and the only one I'm taking his time is a 2 hour breastfeeding class. I didn't succeed nursing and EPing so I want to be as educated as I can this time. I'm excited.

I would recommend classes for FTMs. It was helpful and I felt less scared when it came to labor and delivery.

Cosmic+Love · April 2016

We took one last time. It was mandatory (and free) to register at the hospital. In addition to the different birthing techniques, there was an entire class dedicated to breastfeeding which turned out to be so helpful. There was one class dedicated to newborn care and car seat installations. I had read books, but I learn better in a classroom setting. I looked forward to them too.

ETA: It was also good to get a feel for the hospital's policies- skin to skin time, newborn checks, no nursery, etc.- as well as visit the maternity floor.

sboston06 · April 2016

@serpica it's at the diaper lab in Somerville near Davis square! Only $20 too.

KASG · April 2016

I did a yoga/massage for birthing class. I really liked that. If anything, I'll probably look into the Bradley Method and/or see what natural birth classes the hospital might offer (because I'm going to try to do med-free) but I'm not pressed to do a legitimate class.

rnyland1 · April 2016

I took a 6 hour birthing class last time. I still feel like I don't really know anything, and my whole labor and delivery experience seems like a whirlwind to me. I guess I'm going to review some of the books I have. Also, we're taking a maternity tour this Saturday so hopefully that helps to get me in the right mindset that I need to start getting prepared.

jlmartinez517 · April 2016

@sboston06 my best friends used to live in Somerville for grad school and I loved visiting them! Loved Lemon Thai and Davis square - there was a great breakfast place there, but can't remember the name!

Serpica · April 2016

@sboston06 fantastic that's really close to where we live!! will send him over

@jlmartinez517 yeah that's a fun area to be in or close by... are you thinking of Johnny D's for breakfast/brunch? It's great, but they're actually closing soon which is too bad...

dolewhipper · April 2016

Doing a class taught by my doula that is a mix of hypnobabies/ hypno birthing and Bradley. It's included in her fee and I know I'll need some education and confidence to have the birth I'm hoping for. I'm more excited for my H to go to get an idea of what's going to happen (he's not big into the books) and how he can help.

TxTeacher91 · April 2016

My husband and I are going to a birthing class at the hospital I will be delivering at. It's a one-day, all day class. I'm also going to a breastfeeding class at the hospital because I know nothing. I doubt I will be able to drag him to that one though.

megstervt · April 2016

This slightly off topic, but my DH just texted me "so excited for the boob class tonight". We have our breastfeeding class tonight. Glad he has a sense of humor!

PinkLady2015 · April 2016

that's adorable @megstervt

deuxbouledogues · April 2016

So we're doing a comprehensive birthing class, an infant CPR class, and I want to sign up for a breastfeeding class. I wonder if I am going overboard?

kellz14 · April 2016

@theshannondee We are doing exactly the same!

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