Birthing Classes?

[Vanessa Jean]

My Husband and I are thinking about taking a Bradely Method Birthing class and they are all 12 weeks long. I'm 25 weeks now so if we wanna do this we need to start VERY soon. I'm wondering what are the benefits of taking birthing classes? I'm pretty confident that everything will be fine, I trust that my body knows what it's doing and I have a fantastic midwife, but at the same time this will be my first birth and I just want to be prepared. My DH wants to know why we should take such an extensive course and since I've never taken one, and I don't really know anyone that has I don't really know what to tell him...

[jljeppson]

Part of taking the Bradley courses is just as you said, to prepare. If you've never delivered before, there is nothing like having other couples that have been there done that sharing their experiences with the both of you. Depending on how hands on your hubby wants to be, this can be a big boost for him. A lot of guys go into the process saying how much they want to help their wives, be their emotional and physical support and then wifey goes into labor and they have no idea how to fulfill the role they want for themselves. It's a horrible, helpless feeling for a man to watch their loved one in pain and not know what to do to comfort them. This should be a wonderful time for him as well as you, and if he is well prepared ahead of time it can stay that way. Childbirth classes aren't a guarantee that things will be wonderful but it's one way to know that you have done everything in your power to get it that way.

[billikengirl]

The Bradley class was really helpful for us. It helped my husband to be confident that despite me being in (a lot of) pain, everything was fine and he just supported me through the contractions and pushing. We had practiced being in labor, he knew (roughly) what to expect. We had a scary time at the very end with DS's heart rate and I was so exhausted--I really believe the Bradley class is why DH knew just what to say to help me find that last bit of energy to push the baby out.

[Peace+Hope]

we haven't experienced a labor or birth together yet, but my husband and i decided to do most of our learning at home by reading books outloud together - birthing from within and birthing partner, as well as reading birthing stories from various home/natural birth books. we also watched business of being born, orgasmic birth, and homebirth dads. and i am collecting home birth videos so we can watch those together closer to the time. a big part of birth prep for us as a couple is that my husband is able to be at all of our prenatal visits, and i make sure he feels space to air concerns/questions, and isn't just an observer.

we'll do a 5-week course for some additional preparation, for the community and fun of it, in the third trimester (taught by one of my midwives).

if i didn't have access to this shorter course, i would definitely have considered doing a longer one together.

[LaurenAnanas]

We did Bradley classes and it was great for us. I think the length of the course is one of its strengths!

12 weeks is a long time! Long enough that you have time to think of more questions, long enough to really affect you and your partner's mindset, long enough for everything to sink in. I looked at (non-Bradley) classes that teach "everything" in one weekend... But there is no way that you'll remember as much as you would from a longer course with homework.

DH and I are not disciplined enough to fully educate ourselves, and the teacher knew so much about the local birth climate and options.

[Belle]

We took Bradley classes for our first. It was very in depth and had all the information that we needed for the birth. (We had our first in the hospital, second was born at home) It would have been great for homebirthing as well.

[Carson]

Taking a birth class was very beneficial to DH and I. Because of the timeframe, it ended up being a private class and I was a little disappointed we didn't get to hear other couple's perspectives, but OTOH we skipped all the hospital stuff.

DH is super supportive of the HB, crazy enthusiastic to be a dad and has attended every MW appointment, but somehow having a set time and agenda to discuss L&D was really helpful. Plus even with as much reading I did on my own, I did learn a lot from the class, and I know DH did as well. Even now, he'll nag me to practice some of our birthing stuff, and I don't think that would happen if he hadn't gone to the class.

[Gena 22]

FWIW - I was in a similar position, and about 25 weeks along in my first pregnancy or so by the time I decided on a homebirth and thought about birthing classes. I did take some 1 day classes at my hospital, which were generally useless. I also bought a used copy of the Hypnobirthing Home Study course. That helped some. But in the end, lots of research, good attendants and a good attitude was what really mattered to me.

Bradley classes might be wonderful, but if time's tough and money's tight, you can do without. Good luck!

[Oliver'sMom]

We took a birthing class that was relatively helpful, but honestly I don't think it made a huge deal one way or the other. What we learned on our own and with our MW was far more helpful. One great thing about the class though, was that we were able to meet some really nice local families who we are still friends with and our kids play together.

[jenfl]

I really think it depends on how self-motivated you BOTH are about learning independently. There's a lot to learn about and talk about before a birth. If you're both motivated to read and talk about these things, a birth class may be overkill. If not, the class can be a great way to have a set time to learn.

DH and I were over-prepared. He's a registered nurse, and I'm an obsessive planner. We took the Bradley class, and knew more than the instructor. Even so, it was nice to have a few hours each week as an enforced time to sit down and talk and think about these things together -- even if our best times were on the drive to and from the class.

[hapersmion]

I enjoyed our Bradley classes with our first (ours were condensed to 8 longer sessions though). I was fairly educated already, so I didn't feel like I learned a whole lot, but it was really good for my husband. Also, being with like-minded couples was nice, and I think the whole thing gave me some extra confidence that really came in handy when my son turned out breech. Bradley classes are a good jumping-off point for your research.

I do have to say, though, that if you never practice the relaxation techniques, don't expect to be able to do them effectively in labor. I was fine without them, luckily, and now that I've done it once, I think Bradley focuses a bit too much on relaxing and lying in bed, when movement can also be extremely helpful. Still, it's a good start.