I did a search and didn't see that anyone else had started a discussion on this, so hopefully I'm not repeating...
Has anyone started looking into childbirth classes yet?
My MIL highly recommends the Bradley method which she did 30+ years ago. It's a 12-week class so I'd get a lot of info and get to know other local mamas-to-be; however, the method isn't new and I'm sure there have to be other options out there. I'm not saying old equals useless, there is probably a good reason why it's still around, I just want to feel like I'm making an informed decision.
So I turn to you ladies - what classes have you used for previous pregnancies/will you use for this pregnancy?
Re: Childbirth classes?
Look for classes that match the kind of delivery you want. Some have a stronger focus on med-free pain management techniques which isn't for everyone. Most focus on giving birth in a hospital. And even if you want one kind of delivery, pay attention to all the available options presented in case things go differently than you planned.
I think I'm going to do the same thing since it's super convenient (around your schedule and at your house) and won't completely bore my husband to tears and/or terrify him. A 12 week course would never work for us.
DD: 8/20/14; DS: 11/13/16; DD: 5/3/19; DD: 8/31/21; Baby #5 (team green) due 3/24/24
1- intro to Bradley method
2- nutrition during pregnancy
3- pregnancy
4- the coach's role (your SO is referred to as The Coach)
5- the first stage of labour
6- the second stage of labour
7- planning your birth
8- variations and complications/postpartum expectations
9- first stage of labour rehearsal
10- second stage of labour rehearsal
11- comprehensive review
12- preparing for your new family
Having gone through the whole series, I don't feel like I would necessarily need to do it all again. I know that some instructors offer refreshers, but I probably will just pull out my old workbook that came with the class and just review certain parts that I might be rusty on. There are also a few stretches that might have helped last time around that I probably should start doing again in case they were in fact helpful.
Damn it, I just lost a giant paragraph I typed up. So pissed.
When it comes to the actual class, the format was generally the same. We would do some stretches/exercises. We would talk in depth about whatever topic we were covering that week. Sometimes a few short activities would follow. The instructor, who was also a doula, would generally have a few birth stories from that week for us and that was very intriguing. We would have a snack (classes were from 6-9pm so we would get pretty hungry) and watch a few videos, oftentimes videos of actual births. Now that I think back on it, that probably sounds revolting, but I maybe it helped "desensitise" us.
Another aspect I liked was the fact that we bonded with the other couples. There were 6 couples in all and I became really close with two of the mothers. One ended up giving birth two days before my daughter was born and the other gave birth on the same day as me. It was so nice to have them around for support, especially during those sleepless first few weeks with a newborn.
DD: 8/20/14; DS: 11/13/16; DD: 5/3/19; DD: 8/31/21; Baby #5 (team green) due 3/24/24
hospital. TBH, I didn't get much out of it that I didn't already know - I'm a planner and a researcher. However, it was nice for DH and I to
do something baby-related together and I think he got some good info out of it. It was 1 night/week for 5 or 6 weeks I think?
preparing for childbirth
newborn care
breast feeding
the childbirth one is a full day, and the other two are half days, I believe.
TTC #2: April 2018 ~~ BFP: May 2018 ~~ EDD: January 2019
TTC #2: April 2018 ~~ BFP: May 2018 ~~ EDD: January 2019
BFP#2 3/7/2016, EDD 11/19/2016 (It's a boy! Excited to meet little Anthony!)
For those of you worried about the cost check with your insurance, ours at the time reimburse us like $70 of $75 course.
MMC 01/26/12
MC 12/25/12, D&C 01/05/13
BFP 03/05/13, EDD 11/12/13. HB 175 @ 9w2d. Its a Girl!
Madeline Lorraine H. Born 11/12/13 @9:10pm, 7lb6oz
DX with EA/TEF Type C & Tracheomalaysia
MC @ 13wks 01/15/15
Clint Kiszonas H. Born 11/21/16 @10:38pm, 9lb11oz
BFP 1/11/18, EDD 9/21/18
With my second, because I knew how I laboured (I apparently have a low pain tolerance and contractions every 5 mins before 4 cm dilated) and because I wanted to try for a VBAC, we interviewed a doula (but didn't feel she would be fully supportive when/if I got an epidural). I also read this book: https://www.amazon.ca/Birth-Partner-Complete-Childbirth-Companions/dp/1558323570. It was really helpful. We borrowed it from the library and took it to the hospital with us..... I read parts of it to my husband and told him about more of it. I felt much more prepared going into my second labour and did end up having a VBAC but a big part of that was the hospital I delivered at.
This time, well, I don't think I'll be doing much of anything. Maybe signing out the above book....
Daughter #2 - Oct 2014
Daughter #3 - Nov 2016
Baby #4 - Sept 2018
BFP 3.8.16 EDD 11.20.16
We lucked out and won a package of classes at an event we went to which is nice because otherwise the classes would be $120
A nice bonus is that the instructor is also a doula and gives an amazing discount to her students so we wound up deciding to contract with her as well. This also helps the anxiety because DH was going to be the only one in the room with me (as a direct support) and this way there is someone else if he needs to step out to the bathroom or to grab food or a short nap or whatever.
I still need to schedule the hospital tour, but will probably do that in October.
We're also signed up for a 3 week (3 hour each weekend) childbirth class in October. It goes over how to know when you're in labor, the different types of childbirth and options (I'm going to try a natural birth), and how your partner can best support you. The instructor is a doula who had awesome reviews for her class on Yelp.
I'm skipping the lactation class since my mom will teach me that, and she is actually the one who gives the hospital tours so we'll do that (she gave us a mini one a few months back after one of our appts), and we will sign up for infant CPR. I want my dad and sister to take infant CPR as well since they will be babysitting so I might just hire an instructor to come do a private class for the whole family.