Birthing Class

beenabee · May 2016

FTM here, I just got a call from a nurse at my hospital who teaches birthing classes asking if I'm planning on attending or not. It's on a Sunday from 9-5 and is $75, do you ladies think it's worth it??

My sister had a baby about a year and a half ago and I was lucky enough to be in the room during delivery so I pretty much know the gist of it, although I'm sure there's plenty more I could learn.

charmedlifex3 · May 2016

I know our hospital has the same thing, and it is covered by some insurance plans.

We're doing the class, regardless of coverage by insurance, but they did mention to us they would submit it.

MamaKSquared · May 2016

Ours is either 8 hours on a Saturday or 2 hours once a week for 4 weeks. It costs $100 and we plan on going. I keep forgetting that I need to call insurance to see if they reimburse. If not, I'm pretty sure these classes can be paid for with an HSA. :-)

charmedlifex3 · May 2016

Oh! and make sure you book it early. The May one at our hospital is full, and they just called me to say the June one I booked (the two day) is full as well... Would I mind doing it in July? ... I don't think that'll work so well, so we are doing a one day class instead of the two day class.

Whitmore1027 · May 2016

I'm surprised when I see that classes aren't free...my hospital offers all the childbirth, newborn and other classes completely free. But I would say, I would definitely still take them even if I had to pay!

Car0liiine · May 2016

We went to ours last weekend. (9-4 $70) Even though a lot was info I had heard before, I think it was important to get a sense of what your hospital's "birth philosophy" is. This is the time to ask questions about what options are available at this facility. I learned lots of good things- I can easily get tools like a ball, gravity bar, inflatable tub, peanut; there is no nursery anymore and baby will never leave you unless it is for an emergency procedure or circumcision; we get a "magic hour" for skin to skin and first bf attempt right after birth with only mommy, daddy and baby in the room; they are pro bf so there are no pacifiers. And some disappointing things- my preferred method of pain management, combined spinal, is not an option; once you get an epidural you must labor on your back; baby will not be provided with any clothing except a hat and blanket ( don't really care but good to know.) Etc.
Basically - yes, I would go.
On another note, I was bummed that this class didn't cover anything about caring for baby. There are no other classes offered that cover it. Found out there was a copywriter issue with the material they were using do they stopped offering it. A helpful dad in the class referred me to another local hospital that offers lots of classes but when I looked the May, June and July sessions were already full. If anyone knows of a good book or resource with basic baby care info, let me know! It seems like most of the books we've read are more about pregnancy and delivery.

jamiesc58 · May 2016

@Car0liiine I am not sure since it has been a long time since I have read it, but I have What to Expect the First Year and I feel that covered a lot on caring for baby.

beenabee · May 2016

@MamaKSquared what is HSA??

beenabee · May 2016

@Car0liiine Wow there's a lot of information that I forgot about. I definitely want to know my hospitals birth philosophy and the different stuff they offer like delayed cord cutting, ball, etc. Thanks so much for the response, now I'm 99% sure I want to go!!

Bookhousegirl · May 2016

I would do it. Even just to get the info on the hospital. The one I went to with my son was $200 for a full day, so $75 seems pretty reasonable.

mmclark10 · May 2016

@Car0liiine I bought "Heading Home With Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality" with my DS and thought it was helpful! It was easy to get off Amazon and less than $10.

As a STM, I'm doing a refresher birth class this time because I'm hoping for a VBAC and while I remember many of the things we learned with our first, it can't hurt to hear it again! I'd definitely recommend it.

Wolfie646 · May 2016

I'm with an Kaiser and all of their classes are free except for the labor and delivery class. I called one week to find out when the June classes (4 classes for $100) were and told them I'd call back to find out if it worked with my husband's schedule and they said okay. I called back two weeks later and they were all booked... I had to call another one of their hospitals which is farther away and their June had booked up so they added a second one that is 4 classes, 4 hours each - and bad part is they are from 430 - 830 on Mondays. But interesting that they were slightly more affordable at 96. But definitely going to do it.

JLyn821 · May 2016

The classes are definitely worth it. With DS, we took a two day (8 hours each day) class that was $120. I wanted, and had, a med free L&D and this class focused on that. We also got a tour of the hospital as part of the class.

emmeline714 · May 2016

i signed up for many classes that i need completed before 34w and actually taking 2 that last week of deadline. I am excited but scared since it is my first baby

runsoncoffee · May 2016

We're doing the one offered by our hospital for $60. Hubby isn't thrilled but I want as much info as I can get beforehand!

tmk0325 · May 2016

We had our first one this week. I wasn't too impressed, for $50 they split it into two nights which could have easily been one night since we were done an HR and a half early. Basically they went thru pre labor signs and a vaginal birth and made our partners give us massages. Next week they are talking about c sections and what to do after. I'm hoping there is more useful info in that. They pretty much gave us a book with all the info and went thru that. I'm signed up for a breastfeeding class in two weeks that was $25, I'm hoping that has some worthwhile that I can't get from a book.

karaszoo1 · May 2016

I'm apparently in the minority here lol
28weeks with third baby and I have yet to attend any type of birthing class . I read a ton,spoke to women I know,spoke to my ob mfm,and midwife (before I was transferred out due to being too high risk for her care ) I will say in my experience ,maybe it's just because ive gotten lucky, listening to instructions from the nurses and dr when it came time to push and breathing thru labor & using breathing techniques from my yogi cousin were all I needed . I had med free labor with my first and with my second had epidural. Who knows what will happen this time regardless of if I attended class or not. But I still went in armed with knowledge &wanting my wishes followed as to don't ask me for meds wait til I ask for them,delayed clamping, kangaroo care etc no eye ointment etc whatever you decide will be what you feel most comfortable with and what works for you :-)

ShanRum3 · May 2016

karaszoo1 said:

I'm apparently in the minority here lol
28weeks with third baby and I have yet to attend any type of birthing class .

I'm in the same boat as you. Third baby, and no classes. I have read and researched, and went in to my first one, pretty much knowing what to expect. Having my mom there with me, helped me with my breathing, and I had amazing nurses, and a Wonderful OB who helped every step of the way. My DH was an excellent source of moral support! I feel like I'm more nervous this time, mostly because I've done this twice before, I'm worried that it won't go as smoothly this time. I also think it has to do with me being AMA... I've been around long enough to know things don't always go as expected, but I don't think at this point, a Birthing class would be of any real help to me.

Mrsrundell · May 2016

I haven't taken any classes either - FTM 29 weeks in a few days. I just assumed they would answer any questions I had regarding the hospitals philosophies at the tour.

Ive mostly been reading about parenting once the baby is actually here, not so much about actual labor but, I'm not too concerned - however naive that may be!

emmeline714 · June 2016

So i took class about birthing and it is a 2 class session and let me tell you the lady freaked me out as she was telling us stories about her previous classes, there was a couple that had 7wks before there due date and after the class they had to leave because she began labor and ended up having her baby that night, i was like OMG thats how much i have left and going onto 6weeks over the weekend my emotions were everywhere last night, and of course also i was the only one that is due pretty soon everyone else was due Oct or Dec. in my head i was like maybe i should have taken this damn class a few months back. It was interesting to know that there is many positions for you to give birth though which i thought you only laid in the bed and when you were ready to push you go ahead. It was interesting and just scary the lady kept on checking up on me making sure i felt fine, did not help last night i was in hip and leg pain and uncomfortable in bed and today i feel the same way

which i tend not to do much at work and leave early !

Katm89 · June 2016

We are doing a 8 week course. It covers the actual labor and how it progresses which to be honest I didn't understand much about... and I liked hearing about all the breaks I would have and thinking about that really sets my mind at ease. We have only 1 other couple in our class... so its nice bonding with them. we only have one more class and its all about breastfeeding. There are alot of things I already knew but alot of the baby stuff I didn't ... like how your daughter might have a period from bathing in your hormones for so long and its not a big deal... and also that there is stringy stuff in their vagina that you don't want to wipe away.

kwilliams3402 · June 2016

Our one-Saturday childbirth basics class isn't until July 9. Due 8/10 and C-section scheduled for 8/4. We're probably waiting a little too late at first time parents, but all my birth plan includes is that I want all the drugs and we're doing a C-section, so frankly not too concerned about waiting that late... most days.

We did do the breastfeeding class two weeks ago and have the baby care basics class this Saturday, so we're not toooo behind.

cait5413 · June 2016

We're signed up for the birthing class (including tour of the hospital), childcare class, infant CPR, and breastfeeding class. The only one with a cost is CPR and it is only $5. I've done a lot of reading, but I think they will be very helpful for my DH and so we can get to know the hospital and hospital policies, since we just moved here, and I don't know my new doc that well or anyone who has delivered at the hospital. If the classes were really expensive, I don't know if I'd do it, but I think they will be helpful. Since we moved so recently, and you have to be a pre-registered patient at the hospital to register for classes, I couldn't sign up for them before the July sessions. I would have rather taken them this month, but oh well!

WinnieLou82 · June 2016

We did a 2 session course on baby care basics and now are in a 4 session course on child birth. As a FTM mom, I've found it very helpful to not only learn useful information and tools but also for DH to hear it all from a good educator. I'd recommend doing it.

Alygohome · June 2016

Meh, I didn't find my class super helpful

ShanRum3 · June 2016

I'm on my third baby, and have never taken a class. It is what it is. Some people find them helpful, and others dont. That may also have something to do with the instructor. Not that I think it's a waste of time, I just didn't have the time to do it the first go around and figured it would be a waste, the second time around. Not even considering it this time.

ccfc1984 · June 2016

Also a FTM. I'm doing the class at the hospital, mostly for the tour and talking through hospital specific things. It's only 2 weeks before my due date though so it's a bit last minute. Ours is a one day class, costs about 100dollars.

Nikkoli98 · June 2016

I bought the book "Moms on Call Basic Baby Care 0-6 months" from Amazon for my kindle. It's easy reading and was only $12. I'm about 1/2 way through it. It's written by 2 moms who are also pediatric nurses - it's a good perspective.

I took a BF class with one of my coworkers who is due 5 weeks before me. I went as her "support person" and we split the registration cost. We didn't feel our husbands would gain much from attending. Hee hee.

DH will take an infant CPR class. I'm already certified. I think this is probably the most important class for all new parents to take or refresh.

Want a personalized experience?

Birthing Class

Re: Birthing Class

Choose Another Board

Search Boards