Birth Class Recommendation?

[curiouslysane]

Hi! I'm 12 weeks along in my 2nd pregnancy. With my first baby I had a hospital birth with a doula, and did not take a birth class. Due to complications that arose toward the end of pregnancy, I ended up with a very medicalized forceps birth and did not get a true chance to TRY to go natural.  This time we are planning a home birth with a midwife. I'd like to prepare in any way I can to have the best experience possible. One thing that made me sad with the first birth is that my husband said he didn't really know what his role was -- he didn't know how to help me with the pain, and presumed the doula was more of an 'expert' coach anyway. I had no idea he felt that way; he's absolutely my partner and rock in life, there's no way he's tangential to the birthing of our child.  So, considering that, I thought maybe Bradley Method classes are the way to go. It's 12 whole weeks of preparation, and my understanding is there's a big focus on the role of the husband. Another option is this area is Madison Birth Center's "Natural Birth" 7-week course. I know very little about what is covered in that class, and how it may be similar or different from Bradley. Those are pretty much the only two options I am aware of. Any experience with these, suggestions, advice? I'm all ears!! 

[TiredX2]

I am not in your area, but when I saw the preview I immediately thought "Bradley Classes."

We actually didn't take the classes (all of the instructors near us had animals in the house and I couldn't take the risk (asthma due to pet dander) while pregnant) but we read the book and did all the excercises.  It made a huge difference in our 2nd birth (home versus 1st which was planned birth center ending up in a hospital).

Good luck!