Birthing Classes: Financial Strain

[inconditus]

My husband and I signed up for a Bradley class in April; however, his hours were cut and money just isn't staying in my bank account as easily as I would like. We haven't paid yet.... the class is condensed to 8 weeks for $200. It's also almost an hour away from our home. We could afford it but it would be a stretch. I don't like to feel stretched, I have enough of that in my belly... I'd prefer it not to be in my wallet as well.

My sister took Bradley and she said it's absolutely needed. My mom said "ppffftt I had all 5 of you kids natural and no one told me how to do anything." I'm sure this is an exaggeration since all of us were born in a hospital with an OB but the general idea is there.

Can I just get books out of the library? Should I scrape together the $300+ (including gas) to take a class? I'm a first time mom so I haven't been through labor before. 

[BonsaiBirth]

There is not a replacement for the class experience for birth education. I am a doula and I have audited many types of birthing classes and will begin teaching soon too. I think Bradley is a great method, but it is not the only one. I would research other option like Birthing from Within, Hypnobirthing/HypnoBabies, or perhaps find out if the hospital/Midwives in your area offer a birth class. All of the philosophies are a little different, but you may be able to find a more cost effective option. Some midwives will allow non-clients to attend classes and if you tell them your financial need they may be willing to work with you. It's always worth asking. Good luck!
 

[eabbmom]

I asked for a sliding scale and got it. Worth a shot right?

[OrmEmbar]

Where do plan to give birth?  Most hospitals and birth clinics have classes included in the labor/delivery costs around here.  My midwife does her own birth education class as part of service she provides.  Maybe you can access to education that you didn't know about?  

[LeighPF]

I would call the instructor and tell her what is going on. Many places have a sliding fee scale, formally or informally.

[Earthmoma]

I gave birth in a birthing center with a midwife. I didn't go to any classes because I had heard mixed feelings about classes. Some women I talked to loved them some said when it came down to being in labor they didn't remember anything they had learned in class. I read Ina May's guide to childbirth and it was all I needed to know. I also had my husband read it so he could know how to support me. I rented some DVDs from netflix but they were more to prepair my husband for what he was going to see during labor :). I sat on the toliet, a birthing ball and got in the water to help with the pain. If you have a midwife they will help with suggestions during labor.  

[inconditus]

I'm giving birth in a hospital that says is super friendly towards holistic birthing. I will ask at my next appointment if they have free or discounted classes. I'm also on government  healthcare so there might be something out there for free because of that. My major concern is going to a class thats super meds happy when I seriously have no intention of using any intervention unless its of dire need to myself for my baby. I would want a class that teaches me coping skills for pain rather than a list of approved pain meds. 

I would feel bad asking for a sliding scale since everyone but me dropped out of the class already. The instructor emailed me a couple days ago asking if I want to condense it. It was originally 12 weeks and I agreed to bring it down to 8 weeks since that works out better for both of us. Because it would be a one on one class and I would be taking up her weekends for however amount less I'm hesitant to ask. Silly  I know. Although when I drop out of the class I will cite that it's for financial reasons and if she wants to offer me a discounted rate I won't refuse :)

[Vaske]

If it's just you in the class now, maybe you could ask her to super-condense in a one-day workshop.  That would save you a lot on gas, and free up your instructor's time to get her next thing going.

[phathui5]

"I would feel bad asking for a sliding scale since everyone but me dropped out of the class already."

The underenrollment is not your issue. Do not feel bad about other people dropping out of the class or have some sense of obligation because you're the last one left.

[Banana731]

I think birth classes are great. I teach them

But I think as a first time mom in a hospital who really wants a natural birth, if you can only afford one, a doula is a better investment. Most hospitals have birthing classes for patients that are free or very inexpensive, and I think you can fill in with books and labor support. Doula's often have sliding scales as well.

Just a suggestion.