Poll: What, if any, Birthing Class did you take?

[flower01]

I am currently pregnant, but mostly this is out of curiosity and to help me decide if I want to become a childbirth educator.

Did you take a childbirth class?
If yes, which method?
What type of birth did you have? (natural, home, hospital, etc.)
Do you think the class had an affect on the outcome?

[marrymeflyfree]

We took the birthing class that was offered by our birth center, taught by one of their nurses. There was no particular method...it was basically just general information about the process of birth, lots of discussion on different ways to cope with labor (different movements, massage, that sort of thing), etc.

I think it helped. For one, it was great to be with the other couples and pregnant women...the social aspect in and of itself was great, especially since we were all due around the same time and had all chosen a non-hospital birth. The biggest benefit, imo, was for my husband, as he didn't know much about birth at all. After our first class, he said something about how he'd taken it for granted that I was doing all of the research and didn't realize how clueless he was until the class! It definitely helped prepare him in a way that our conversations had not.

[JamieCatheryn]

We took a Bradley series with my first pregnancy. It helped DH immensely to learn in a intensive structured format what was going to happen, and what hospital things we'd be offered for what reasons and all that, and to understand why the natural process was best. It gave him a plan for how to help me. It helped me to fill in where I hadn't already researched on my own in those same areas. We learned about pregnancy nutrition (like the tons of protein). Learned and practiced relaxation, labor positions and staying upright (how and why).

I approach things from a knowledge standpoint anyway so this was easiest for me to work with, and I love/d the thoroughness of it. But - at least with our particular class and where I was at personally at the time, I was not prepared to surrender to labor, and the work to train DH to help me meant I felt I had to keep him involved and aware of what was happening rather than just draw within and birth. I think it stalled my progress some until labor taught me the lesson of surrender the hard way.

I labored at home for 30 hours then went to the hospital for another 8. Besides antibiotics, fetal monitoring, vaginal exams, and a passive pushing position it was a natural birth. It was really hard, but it happened once I stepped out of the way.

[Terpsfan]

I went with the Bradley classes. I had a natural birth in a hospital setting. I think I probably could've gotten through the birth without having taken the classes but I think it absolutely helped in preparing my husband. Don't get me wrong, I learned a ton from the classes and preparation, but I think "nature" probably would've gotten me through labor and I never really thought about the option of pain meds during labor anyway. The classes helped my husband understand what my goal was and ways to help me get there. My husband is very much a "modern technology" kind of guy so initially he was like there's drugs, interventions, etc why not use them?? After the classes he was completely onboard with a NCB and knew not to bring up the pain med discussion unless I said our secret word "asparagus" (to this day that word still cracks me up because I can't imagine screaming ASPARAGUS! during labor). During labor he was attentive but it was me that was having to tell him what to do (vs I guess a doula proactively tries things) so it was good that he took the classes because I could simply say "counterpressure" and he knew exactly where to go and what to do.

I am definitely thinking about becoming a Bradley instructor somewhere down the line. Maybe after having all my kids and changing careers.... I toy with the idea.

[Siera]

I took a birthing class from my doula. She covered everything we needed to know about natural childbirth and possible interventions to be aware of since we were having a hospital birth. It actually came in very handy. I had an emergency C section at 31 weeks and was prepared for what the doctors would throw at me with regards to interventions and C sections. I felt VERY prepared and I could "speak" their language. I still wish I had had a natural childbirth, but oh well.

[chandasz]

I took a Bradley class before my first and LOVED it. It totally prepared me and made me less afraid of the process.

After my first DD was born -- I felt so STRONG and capable. It changed my life to such a degree that I became a Bradley Teacher myself.

I really recommend taking classes with an independent teacher (all Bradley Teachers are independent) and not the hospital. Hospital classes are beholden to the hospital and independent teachers only have YOUR best interests in mind.

Interview your teacher-- make sure you like them, trust them, get a good vibe off them. Bradley teachers come in many flavors as do any teachers.

Most importantly-- take a class. Be prepared. Know your options or you don't have any. Learn everything you can in an environment you can ask questions in and listen to other people ask questions you may not have thought of. Be in a supportive community of like-minded mamas.

"If it's to be, it's up to me"

[Veritaserum]

Baby #1

Did you take a childbirth class?

Yes.

If yes, which method?

Lamaze (hospital-based) and a 6-week hospital childbirth prep.

What type of birth did you have? (natural, home, hospital, etc.)

Elective pitocin induction with narcotics and epidural in a hospital.

Do you think the class had an affect on the outcome?

Yes. Both classes prepared me for a medical birth experience, which is what I had. I didn't know I had options. I didn't know benefits/risks/etc.

Baby #2

Did you take a childbirth class?

Yes.

If yes, which method?

HypnoBirthing (Mongan) and then Hypnobabies materials at home.

What type of birth did you have? (natural, home, hospital, etc.)

Natural home waterbirth

Do you think the class had an affect on the outcome?

Yes. I had a 5-hour, pain-free labor and pushed for 4 minutes. It was great! The HypnoBirthing class was an ok start--it did build my confidence--but it was the Hypnobabies materials/techniques that really helped.

I've used Hypnobabies with the rest of my babies, too.

[barefootpoetry]

I took a typical hospital birth class for my first and had a typical hospital birth.

With my second, I studied on my own and had a homebirth.

[donutmolly]

No class, just tons of independent reading.

Beautiful Homebirth

I think not being tied to any method really allowed me to pick what worked for me at the time. I wish DH was more informed, but he accepted my crash-course in labor -- and did great.

[PTmorgan]

Did you take a childbirth class? Yes

If yes, which method?
My husband and I took a 12 week Bradley class.

What type of birth did you have? (natural, home, hospital, etc.)
We planned to labor at home for most of it, then go to the hospital and have a natural birth. I labored at home for over 24 hours, then went to the hospital. I started with a natural birth, but within a half hour of being in the hospital DS heartrate went to 60 and stayed there. We had an emergency C-section.

Do you think the class had an affect on the outcome?
Yes, definitely. I had already researched everything in depth, so I didn't learn much new from the classes. However, my husband learned a huge amount. It helped him be proactive and very supportive, and to be supportive of a natural birth instead of taking advantage of all the interventions offered. It was nice, although not essential, to have the social interactions of the other couples.

The class really helped us with the stages of labor. I hadn't found a lot of info about nutrition, and the Bradley classes really helped with that.

I'm due in May or June for our second child. We've found that we simply don't have the time or baby-sitting resources to do another series of classes again. I'm glad we did the Bradley classes first. This time I bought the Hypnobirthing home class and will start it soon.

[onelilguysmommy]

no, i never have

first was induced almost 43 weeks hospital, birthed without pain meds but had pitocin
second was natural completely uc at bc almost 41 weeks
this one who knows LOL

[flower01]

This is great to hear everyone's experience. I have to admit I have such a proactive husband (at least on this subject)- we did all of our 1st pregnancy research together, i didn't even think about how helpful a class would be for husbands.

[JennTheMomma]

Did you take a childbirth class? Yes, at our Birthing Center. Was taught by Doulas, Childbirth Educators, Ob nurses and Midwives. Some of the Obs came to explain things and answer questions.
If yes, which method? They actually went over everything, since all women are different and want different births, etc.
What type of birth did you have? (natural, home, hospital, etc.) I delivered in the Birthing Center
Do you think the class had an affect on the outcome? Yes.

[nalo]

Yes.
Our class was based on Birthing From Within.
We had an all natural birth center birth as planned.
I do not believe the class had any bearing on the labor/delivery itself but I do believe it impacted our responses to what was happening (i.e. knowledge is power kind of thing).

[meganmarie]

Did you take a childbirth class?
Yes

If yes, which method?
Bradley

What type of birth did you have? (natural, home, hospital, etc.)
#1 - hospital with OB: vaginal birth, complication free, no drugs, no interventions except shot of pitocin after birth due to excess bleeding
#2 - hospital with midwife: same as above but more peaceful and no pit

Do you think the class had an affect on the outcome?
Absolutely - DH was very helped by the videos in the class and the advice for him as a coach. I was helped by the specific practice of relaxation methods and positions in class. Also, we both appreciated and used the information on when to go to hospital and what to expect in terms of emotional signposts. On the other hand, I think I was the only one in the class of 6 who did manage a natural birth. However, everyone escaped a c-section which beats the odds and sadly, counts as success these days - especially where I live in Northern NJ, our rates are through the roof.

[Romana]

Baby #1

Did you take a childbirth class?

Yes.

If yes, which method?

Bradley, shortened to 8 weeks I think.

What type of birth did you have? (natural, home, hospital, etc.)

Wanted a homebirth but had not been "cleared" yet by the homebirth doctor when I went into labor at 38 weeks, so I labored at home for about 19 hours before going to the hospital. Baby was born after 21 total hours of labor - basically just showed up at the hospital, pushed for 20 min and baby was born. All natural.

Do you think the class had an affect on the outcome?

Yes, because it's one thing to read about it and another to get the real-life support of actual people who are saying it's not crazy to labor at home, have a homebirth or have a natural birth. It did add a lot of stress to the pregnancy, though, because my husband was awful about not really wanting to go to the classes and not doing the homework, reading or exercises with me. He was thrilled about the baby but felt the classes were pretty pointless since I already knew everything being taught and had talked to him about it all. : 's ok, I'm over it now! But it was very stressful at the time and I felt unsupported in that respect from him, which is very unusual for us.

Baby #2

Did you take a childbirth class?

No. I really didn't have time. I wouldn't have wanted to do it alone. We weren't leaving our daughter with anyone for babysitting yet - she was/is a very high-needs baby/toddler. I had joined a local homebirth group that met once a month, though, and found great support and cameraderie.

I also didn't have anything that I needed to learn or get refreshed. I really knew all the information. Taking a class would only have been about the social and/or partner-bonding aspect of it.

What type of birth did you have? (natural, home, hospital, etc.)

Home waterbirth.

I'm considering trying hypnobabies if we have a #3. I had two tough births and the pain with the second was off the scale. I'd like it to not be quite so awful if possible.

ETA: I am very in tune with my body and did not use any of the Bradley "relaxation" techniques or positions. My husband did suggest trying a contraction side-lying when things started to get really intense, but that was awful, so we didn't try that again. Both labors I primarily listened to my body and responded with positions that felt right, and stayed very relaxed.

[dogmom327]

We took two classes with DS. The first was a 6 hour one day crash course given my doulas who worked with my HB MW in Utah. When we moved to Portland when I was 7 mo along, we took a hypnobabies class. The class itself was terrible (instructor) but the materials were decent. I did the practice but didn't end up using it when the time came. I was in labor for 24 hours and it was very manageable until I hit transition and then pushing sucked but I had my natural home birth. This time we won't be doing any classes but I'll do my hyponobabies practice and I do plan on at least trying to use it this time. I think I had a mental block of fear that if hypnobabies failed, would I be able to handle the pain. Now that I know I can, I think I'll be more inclined to let go a bit.