Q For those that took a birthing class

[Rockies5]

How did you find a class?

[Drummer's Wife]

While pregnant with my first we took the one at the hospital we were delivering at. The CBE was a good friend of my mom.

[reillys_mom]

With DS we took a homebirth-specfic class that was recommended by our MW. Some of the people in the class also did hypnobirthing, etc sinc eour class was really more about the whole process.

I had also researched a bunch in my area, but was sort of overwhelmed by the choses so was happy that MW had a strong suggestion.

[St. Margaret]

I found a local holistic health center by poking around online than offers "your birthing class" a mixture of hypnobirthing and birthing from withing. So I got in contact with the center (also does all sorts of alternative/holistic health care) and got signed up. It rocks!!!! Totally the perfect class for us and for many MDC mamas I'd imagine. I don't think I'd even expose myself to a class that the hospital offers, unless maybe it had a specifically natural (meaning natural and not just vaginal) birth class on their list of many... even then. I might just go then to be a rabble-rouser, lol.

[WinterBaby]

I assembled a quick list of CBE's local to me from online, friends and my midwives. I called down the list looking for one offering a class in the right time frame for me, and was refered to another CBE by one of those who was offering a class in a time frame day/time that suited us.

[ndakkitten]

For our first pregnancy, we just took the hospital's free "weekend" version. Having read up so much on things like epidurals, pitocin, etc...I think all I did was annoy the teacher by asking too many questions. This class was mostly one of those "teach you to be a better patient" classes. It was full of first time moms who were totally prepared to just do whatever their doctor told them. Boy, did I shake things up a bit by saying things like "But aren't there risks from the epidural and the amount of IV fluid they give you beforehand?"
My husband said it was such a complete waste of time.

We've never bothered to take another childbirth class. The hospitals where we live now charge for theirs and we've done enough research (plus this is our 3rd time around) to feel we wouldn't learn anything new.

[hubris]

I said "searched online" but it wasn't that simple. It was more like: I was raised by a woman who had five natural births, and birth was something I thought about a lot as a kid/young adult. Then later I saw a TV show on which a woman took Bradley classes, thought it sounded right up my alley, talked to my mom, and she told me that that was what *she* had taken when pg with me. So I specifically searched for Bradley classes when it came time for me to prepare for my baby's birth.

[boobjuice]

i saw on my MW's yellow pages ad "Hypnobirthing", sounded good, so i took it.

[Amari's Mama]

Took the hospital's class b/c it's the only class offered in the area and we didn't know better then. We're not taking that class again this time. Worthless.

[Kirsten]

I found out about Bradley classes somehow..... a magazine ad maybe? Asked my best friend's mom if she'd ever heard of it (she is a preschool teacher) and she said that some of the moms at her school took it. I didn't know ANYONE in real life who did. I'd already signed up - and paid for - the hospital classes.

I asked a midwife in my group what her opinion was. She asked what kind of birth I wanted. I told her. She said to take Bradley. I said I'd be happy to pay for and take both sets of classes. She said no, just take Bradley.

We got a refund for the hospital classes, and took the set of 12 Bradley classes over the last three months of my pregnancy.

Best decision I ever made!!!!

[RockStarMom]

I already knew I wanted to take Bradley(my mom did when she was pregnant with me), so I found a teacher on their website and took that class. I also took the hospital's class in an effort to avoid them giving me a hard time during delivery(definitely didn't work).

[FreeThinkinMama]

Took one at the hospital with my first, complete waste of time. I had already read several books on pregnancy and childbirth, in addition to the research I did online. So I only learned a couple things I didn't already know. Most of that was during the hospital tour. We practiced breathing for about 2 minutes, seriously. There was very little emphasis on trying to go natural, but a lot of discussion about the epi.

This time I didn't even bother with the childbirth class. I'm just reading everything I can get my hands on and watching some videos at home. I wish I could have taken a breastfeeding class but they don't have them here. Instead I met with a lactation consultant and we went over everything one on one. She'll meet with me just before and after the birth as well to go over any last minute questions I have an make sure everything is going well.

[Herausgeber]

My doula recommended my class, and specifically my teacher. It was Birthworks, not something I would have found on my own, I don't think.

[musemor]

Originally Posted by reillys_mom

With DS we took a homebirth-specfic class that was recommended by our MW.

I wish I had made an effort to take a hb-specific class. I went for a pretty crunchy class that was focused on active birthing positions, and probably half the class was about how to cope with hospital interventions. The other half the class was great and I just wish I didn't have to sit through the other stuff about how to negotiate for basic rights like food and water.

[MamaSong]

I saw a flyer for Bradley Classes in our local health food store. I had never heard of Bradley, but the brochure looked interesting and the philopsophy seemed in line with what I was going for...

Next PG I want to do BFW classes. I found the BFW book used at a second hand baby store and I bought it. So, that's how I discovered that one.

[rachelagain]

Took the hospital class because that's all we have- but it was awful. I would suggest finding a doula and asking her for recommendations.