birthing class?

[tigerlove]

I posted this elsewhere (I think) but was wondering, does anyone have any strong opinions on whether to take a birthing class? I am pretty sure that I'll ask for the epidural if I can, so my sister who has 4 kids and SIL have told me there's no need for the classes. Does anyone agree/disagree? When I asked DH if he'd go, his answer was "do you want the honest answer or the supportive one?" I know he'd go, but wouldn't like it, and I'm not sure I would either. I'm thinking about getting that video I keep hearing about, In the Womb or something...anyone watched that/recommend it? If so, do you know where to get it?

Thanks, tigerlove

[Lexi]

This is our first so I was thinking about taking classes. My sister told me I should as they teach you how to breath and stuff, but I hear from others that everything you learn goes out the window when that day comes and your ready to deliver. I don't think I will do the classes AND I watched that movie in Health Class back in highschool years ago and I wanted to DIE and BARF then so there is no chance I can stomach it now. Good luck on the movie. Sorry I couldn't offer you better advice. :rolleyes:

[Tacey]

tigerlove,

I posted on your other thread. I posted that it is not worth it. You will have a very helpful nurse in your room, just tell her you never took any classes and I'm sure she will stay in the room and help you breathe and relax and such, just like mine did. She will even help your DH know what he can do to help you and discuss medication as well. They won't leave you there hanging.

Tacey


34 weeks and 4 days

[ultramichelle]

I did enjoy it I liked being with other pregnant women going through the same thing, I went to 3 of the 6 classes since I am having a c-section so I didn't do the breathing part but I feel like I missed out since it is also about relaxation and I have been contracting for the last 3 days and could use some good techniques. They talked about breast feeding and post natal care and a video of c-section so my DH needed to see that so he doesn't drop to the floor.

[mommyoftwo]

I enjoyed the birthing class. My husband and I took if before our first child. I guess it doesn't hurt to take it, but like someone else mentioned, a nurse will be there to guide you through everything. I, too, had epidurals (easy births) so I didn't really need to know all the breathing and relaxation techniques. I received my epidural early on so I never experienced much pain or discomfort at all. I actually fell asleep not long after getting the epidural!

In the Womb is great! I tivo'd it on the Discovery Health channel. I am not sure where else you can get it?
Good luck!

[luv2laf]

tigerlove-- Even if you're sure you'll have the epidural, I have talked to numerous women who did not take birth classes for that reason, and ended up dialating too fast to get the epidural--then they had no skills to deal with the pain. It happened to my sister.

Another couple of women have told me stories about how it did not take at all or only took on one side!

You never know what's going to happen in there, so you'll feel much more prepared---and also much more calm---if you know what to do if you can't get the epidural.

I really enjoyed having so much class time (we took Bradley--which is 12 classes) because we learned all the pros and cons of all the procedures the drs/nurses do. That way if they give you a choice of a few different things, you know what you want and why. Otherwise, you just do whatever the dr says and don't know all the pros and cons. In a perfect world, you could trust your dr to tell you all the pros and cons, but if you consider that they aren't there but for the last few mins of your labor and you are in pain and quite out of it when you are in labor, you won't be in the best shape to make informed decisions at that point. If you know about all the stuff ahead of time, you will feel less anxious and more confident.

[clathrin]

Hi tigerlove,

I took a birthing class at my hospital and thought that it was a total waste of time for both me and DH. I felt like I already knew most of the things they talked about just from the reading that I did. The only part I really liked was the tour of the birthing suites. The main reason I signed up was to hear the part about newborn care and I didn't feel like I learned anything, they barely went into any useful info at all. I ended up going to my local library and renting a bunch of DVDs about newborn care and other interesting baby topics. I'm sure your library has something like that too, so I would definately check it out. I found it way more helpful than my class....but maybe the classes where you live are better. Either way, I would try to get some basic information, it will make your L&D (and bringing baby home) a lot less stressful.

clathrin
37weeks1day

[mommyoftwo]

I think Luv2laf is right. I know of women where the epidural didn't work at all or just on half of their body. I think it is helpful to know other options for dealing with the pain just in case.
Before each child my Dr. has my husband and I fill out a birthing plan. This way we are prepared for events that we maybe didn't expect and we have thought them through before hand.

[tigerlove]

Thank you all for your responses...I'll talk to DH about them and we'll decide which way to go!! Thx again, tigerlove

[GeezFinally]

I posted your exact question about a week or two ago on fertilitext. I got the same good advice from everyone. Just wanted to throw in my 2 cents. After reading the responses, I decided not to take the class. My schedule (and my husband's) is so nuts that it would take the majority of our free time for a few weeks. Also, I'm not a lamaze kind of person and that capped the decision. I took a book out of the library on lamaze and was rolling my eyes after the first 6 seconds. Not denigrating it - I'm sure it's the right decision for some people. I plan on having an epidural - or morphine if they'll give it to me :D. But the fact that they refer to lamaze as 'normal' - not 'natural', not 'unmedicated' pissed me off. And all the stories of women cherishing the stories handed down from their grandmothers was a little too much for me to handle. I just know I'll be snickering in the back of the room and not getting much out of the class. I wish I had the option of taking a childbirth class that wasn't a lamaze class but my hospital doesn't offer it. Definitely go for the tour of the hospital wing and see if they have 1-day breastfeeding/childcare/cpr like classes too. I bought a DVD off Amazon called Laugh and Learn about childbirth just to make sure I'm not missing anything in the class. It seems to be the best one if you read the reviews and even those aren't that great. You can find it here.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000DK2ZW/qid=1138467129/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-1693888-6142418?n=507846&s=dvd&v=glance

My advice is to read a lot, see if your library has videos available and the worst thing you could do is take the class and not find it that useful. Not such a big loss. Good luck!

[QTDestinee]

My husband hated the child birth class, I thought it was ok. They teach you alot of other things too. At least at our class it was called birthing preparation not just lamaze. So it talks about the different medications and positions and help and support. It is all a preferance. I've been told it all goes out the window when the time comes too, haven't experianced it yet. I am glad I took it, but I don't know how helpful it will be.

[kristimc]

I posted this on fertilitext a few weeks ago. Do whatever makes you feel comfortable. And it's all about you, not DH! Take care!
******
I think we are in the same boat. I never took one on my first. If you plan on using an epidural, I think it is irrelevent. I do kind of feel it helps if you have ever exercised and know how to breath properly while exercising (e.g. don't hold your breath, exhale with effort and that's about it) but like you mention I do think almost everything goes out the window. I am the type of horrible woman that will smack if my husband tries to wipe my brow of if my nurse acts like a cheerleader (I am totally Miranda in Sex in the City!). Plus your husband could end up actiing like someone you have never met as well (I work in a hospital and every now and then I see a MAN going out of labour and delivery on a stretcher with oxygen over his face and I am sure his passing out was just as much of a surprise to his wife and it was to him!). I guess it plans on how much you already know and what you feel you need to know to be prepared and comfortable while there. I took a tour of the hospital. And I did a lot of reading about everything (GF's Guide is great!). And I was 100% comfotable with that before and after. That was the extent of my prepwork. But it is all about doing what you feel you need to be comfortable. I am pregnant with #2 now. No plans to do anything. Except last time I forgot my tooth brush which was a real pain. Oh - and also a battery charger for my cell so I might make a list of what to pack. But it's all about what you need. If you don't think you need one, you don't. If you do, you do. No other answer. People had babies at home. Apparently my grandmother was warmed in the oven! You'll be fine! If you have another, you will be extremely opinionated about how it should all go. Good luck!