What Classes are you taking if any?

[kater07]

I have positively decided to go with Hypnobirthing this time around. I need to decide if I am doing the home study or an instructor taught course. It's all going to depend on $.

Cheers!

[AmazoniaBelly]

Classes

I am pregnant for the first time and I am living in Germany...There are so many classes available during pregnancy that are completely covered by the social system. Since the second month I have been taking preg. swimming, preg. yoga, and preg. belly dancing. The belly dancing is taught by my midwife so the last half of class is focused on relaxation techniques and usually a birthing pep talk. I recommend belly dancing. The movements provide ample stretching and toning in all the right places. Besides exercise classes, my partner and I will begin a birth prep class in September....we are also reading the Bradley book and doing the exercises. Has anyone used the Bradley method before or taken a class?

[shannon0218]

I'm going to purchase the hypnobabies home study kit (btw, from the research I've done, as far as home study goes, it's far and away the best) I'm also going to have a friend that does hypnosis work with me as well and I'm hoping she'll agree to be at the birth. She has an unbelievable calming effect on me and is pretty good with relaxing Steve as well.

[mum5]

I would love to look into the some sort of hypnosis. I had 2 friends that used it last time, and they said that their births were not as painful as expected.
I am also reading , and will read again nearer the time the Ina May Gaskin second book and Birthin from Within.

[Orange]

I took Bradley classes w/ DD. I thought they were just okay. I think were great in that they really helped DH understand the birthing process and he felt really informed. However, I didn't find much relief with the pain management techniques we learned. But maybe that is just b/c my labor progressed so quickly?? Anyway, I am thinking about getting the hypnobabies homestudy kit. It'll be that or nothing this time around.

[TwinMom]

I'm thinking about doing hypnobabies as well, but am not positive yet. I kinda want to just let it go and listen to my own instincts in labor. I don't know. I am taking prenatal yoga once a week; that is awesome! Not really a "birth" type class, but definitely worth it. We took Bradley classes last time so technically could do a free refresher course this time, but we're not going to. I'm really thinking I want to focus more on my inner control rather than having my husband doing so much of it. Does that make sense?

[happymamajenni]

I'm not taking any classes this time. Last time I took Lamaze (which was fun, but I didn't find helpful) and a breastfeeding class. When it came down to labor I didn't use the breathing techniques from Lamaze, I just made this low-toned moaning noise the whole time until I decided to shut up and be silent, which was hard, but didn't wear me out as much. I am going to try to be silent this time too, but we'll see how that goes.

[Lousli]

I bought my Hypnobabies home study course yesterday! I'm still interested in attending a class with an instructor, but I'm not sure if it is feasible with a little one at home for me and dh to be able to go somewhere once a week for 6 weeks. I can't wait for my CD's to come.

[wtchyhlr]

Our midwife wants us to do bradley, but its a once a week commitment for 12 weeks. yikes.

[Periwinkle]

I'm still looking. I've decided against Bradley but haven't found a class I want to take yet. Hypnobabies sounds interesting....

[mainemom]

Hi,
I'm susan, new to the Feb. group. I am not taking any classes as of now. We have a lot of handouts and information left from the class our midwife taught before our son was born. I've been reading that along with the information given to me by our new midwife (it's been seven years...but it doesn't seem so far away in my "physical" memory of giving birth) Our current midwife has an awesome library, so we'll be borrowing quite a lot of material and deciding at another time if we need to take a class or can feel educated and prepared by reviewing... I also do yoga regularly, and the breath work is excellent for focusing and the postures help with stretching and opening the body. One of the things which was most helpful when giving birth was the freedom to do whatever I needed--move, get in the tub, walk, squat, kneel, moan, breathe...