Which birth/antenatal classes did you take?

[Schae]

*long story to follow*

With my first son we attended 'normal' lol classes. Where they ran through vaginal birth and c-sections and talked about breathing through the contractions, but it was really a course for 'beginners' - not focusing on anything in particular, just running through the basics.

I considered myself well read then, but have since realised with all the reading I've done this time, that I was woefully ill prepared.

This time round, I've read Birthing from Within and the book resonates with me so much. However, it's very difficult to find BFW mentors in Joburg South Africa (where I live). I can find Hypnobirthing classes though.
So I decided to do hypnobirthing, then today I found a BFW mentor.
Now I cannot decide which class to take! Grrr!

Can anyone help with some advice?

I am also doing preggy yoga - where i am learning relaxation techiniques similar to hypnobirthing. So, technically I don't have to do hypnobirthing classes right?

haha!

Sorry for such a long essay, but I've found myself obsessing over small things this pregnancy (before this it was which pram we should buy - i mean really now)

Hope you can help!

[SumnerRain]

1st class - lamaze - hospital/epidural birth
2nd class - bradley - hospital/epidural birth
3rd class - hypnobabies home study - slept through most of my cds - home pain free birth!!

I will be using hypnobabies again.

[gardenmommy]

i did hypbobirthing with this last birth and loved it. i have read the bfw book, which was nice, but for me, not as helpful as hbing.

[lunarlady]

We did the Bradley class and liked it, mostly because it involved DH in the process. The book is "Husband coached childbirth" by Bradley. I'm considering HB this time, but we'll see if I get around to it.

[kkhan]

took Bradley with baby #1 and didn't use a lick of it, although it was instrumental in our choosing homebirth (normalizing it anyway). we are using hypnobirthing for baby #2 after, as a doula, having watched some awesome hypnobirthing mamas in action (yes, sometimes pain free and if not at least calm and relaxed). i think it's great. birthing from within is great too. may just be based on your personality and what is attractive to you. you could always take the BFW classes and read the Hypnobirthing Book by Mongan and listen to the CDs as a nice add-on. i've sat through just about every childbirth class imaginable and really thought hypnobirthing had it going on, but again, it's all about what draws you. good luck, very exciting!!
http://store.hypnobirthing.com/

[jennica]

I took a hospital childbirth class with Ds, which was okay, but was a huge misrepresentation of the hospital which made for quite the shock at the birth. This time I am taking Birthing From Within classes. The reason I chose it is because I didn't feel like I should get too invested in one pain management technique. Last time I thought I would use the tub for pain management, but they wouldn't let me use it, and I had no other plan. With Birthing From Within, it seems like you go through a variety of coping techniques including hypnosis. I feel a lot more comfortable with that rather than just relying on one specific technique to help.

[Schae]

thank you for your answers
i've decided to go with BFW classes as I connected more with the Mentor than with anyone else. We'll see how it goes

i'm very excited! we start June 2!

[Ianthe]

I did hypnobirthing and HIGHLY recommend it! I had a pain-free labor up until the last part when I was pushing... TOTALLY worth it!