Childbirth classes: Why or why not?

[MichelleAnnette]

People keep asking me if I'm taking childbirth classes, usually in the form of "Are you doing a Lamaze class?" I reply no, and then I get the standard response, "It is so much better when you know how to breath!" Do people assume that I have been pregnant all this time and have not read at least part of every book I came across that I thought was worth reading? My midwives give us 2 birth videos to watch every month, I get most of my books from my mom (who had 2 natural births), and my chiro gives me info. Plus, I come to MDC and learn all sorts of stuff. Dh has read the labor and birth chapters of 2 books with me. Ultimately, what I have gotten from all these sources is that I need to breath deeply and be in an upright position. I have learned about what to expect in the event of a hospital transfer.

Am I missing something huge that is worth paying someone $300 to teach me? I *feel* prepared...as prepared as I can be without actually having gone through it that is.

[Marvelleaux]

You wrote this post for me, didn't you?

I get the same question a lot and I'm tired of it. I feel like I've been very well prepared for a natural homebirth--my childbirth education is highly personalized with my midwife and my husband. Group classes seem kind of inappropriate for the type of birth we're planning.

[txbikegrrl]

I took a Hypnobirthing class and kind of felt like it was a waste of money. In hindsight, I should have put that money toward a doula. The instructor was nice, and gave us a little more "hands on" practice, but I didn't feel it was worth $250. I have read a lot too, and already knew everything other than the hypnotic stuff that she went over with us. I guess some people don't prepare as thoroughly so it would be worth it for them. But every time she asked me if I knew about X (say the spinning babies website or issues with stripping membranes) really I had already heard/read about that topic.

It was DH's only childbirth prep though. He's such a great guy, but totally doesn't realize how completely unprepared he is for this event.

[Shell_Ell]

Originally Posted by Marvelleaux

Group classes seem kind of inappropriate for the type of birth we're planning.

: Here too. That was the main reason I didn't do classes. That, and I wanted this birth to be based on my gut, my own instincts, etc rather than a method. I've done reading and I've listened to a few of the hypbirth CD's, but other than that... nada.

We took classes last time at the birth center I was going to... they were 7 weeks long and honestly it was sort of a waste of time. At the risk of sounding like a know it all, I feel like I could have taught the class. That, and none of it REALLY prepared me for the birth. Nothing prepared me for the birth except experiencing it.

[wombatclay]

I think it really depends on the class...and on what sort of information you "want" or think you might "need".

I agree that it can be a good way for the reality of the situation to sink in for the partner...sometimes it's hard for them to really feel involved in so much of the early pregnancy since it's not happening "to them", you know?

And it can (in some cases) be a good way to meet other local mamas/couples who share your birth (and maybe parenting) philosophies. Some childbirth classes are a real waste of time/money and others are a great way to build a circle of IRL supportive mamas. Which is a benefit beyond any of the factoid type information the class may offer.

This time round I'm using the Hypnobabies home study class and loving it, but I've attended our local natural birth group series in the past (once when pregnant with dd, once to fulfill a doula certification requirement) and really enjoyed it. You can see the sort of info they cover and the resources they provide on their website... http://www.ithacabirthgroup.org/

If there is something similar in your area it may be worth going...or worth creating it yourself!

[mataji4]

Learning to breathe! That always strikes me as funny! Breathing through contractions is important (or yes, you'd die!), but in labor you are NOT going to be able to replicate any amount of memorized breathing styles or anything! In the moment, your midwife or a nurse or a friend or partner can breathe with you if your breathes are too short or gaspy. And different ways of breathing will work with different contractions...you will teach yourself in the moment how you need to breathe, most likely.

I mostly liked my childbirth ed classes the first time around to get some info on the immediate postpartum (what will happen after the birth?) and about newborns.

[firemommaof1]

I took one with my first pregnancy (it was free through the hospital). Didn't learn much but it was fun to go with my husband and do something together... plus it was nice to be around other couples who were experiencing the same thing. I wouldn't pay for the class... but if it was free I would do it again. Haven't even looked or heard anything this time around but I feel like I know what I'm doing... I've already been there once

[willoLevin]

We took a Bradley childbirth class for our first pg.

I found it useful because:
1) Even though I read A LOT, and I'm quite an information junkie, there were still things I learned from our instructor every week.
2) Our instructor was also our doula, so I got to know her better than I would've without all those many weeks of classes.
3) I did more practicing of my relaxation exercises than I would've alone, and I was MUCH more careful in my diet because we went over our protein intake at class each week!

But, the biggest reason I recommend the Bradley class to other couples is that my husband, who thought it was a huge waste of his very precious time while we were in the classes, went on AFTER THE BIRTH to tell every man he knew that they should take a Bradley class and hire a doula. DH tells these men, "Nothing will really prepare you, but these things got me as prepared as I could have been."

As a side benefit, most of us from our class met about monthly for our babies' first year. That was my first "mommies" group, and it was WONDERFUL to have that resource available during those life-altering early months.

--willo

[chinaKat]

I'm totally glad we took our natural childbirth class.

I probably could have easily gotten by without it -- like the OP I'm a vicarious reader of all things pregnancy.

However, it really brought DH onboard with natural childbirth.

He's not a big reader, he's much more hands on. After eight weeks of classes, he really got into it. I think it made him feel so much more a part of the process.

In fact, he even talked me OUT of hiring a doula for the birth, because he felt totally up to the task of being my coach! (And he was awesome, too!)

[Nora'sMommy]

I agree with ChinaKat.......our Bradley classes really helped dh get excited and feel like he has some knowledge and ability to make decisions for us if the need came about, plus be helpful, ummmm........in a way that is actually helpful!

I'm a big reader too. I have tons of natural childbirth books and read them all in addition to our Bradley class. I definitely didn't need all the hospital procedure prep that the class provided although you never know if you'll need that. But I did find all the information about relaxation, visualizing, and breathing out the "pain" etc very very important. And by the time my labor/birth came it was second nature for me to just do what I had practiced. (although, I realize that not everyone has the desire to just plop on their bed in relaxation position like I did.)

It's all about doing whatever you feel you need to do to have confidence during labor.

Like when my prego friend was skeptical about spending so much money on going to the chiro.......I told her "for me, the more I prepare, the more I feel like I have control over my birth experience......and the more confidence I have during labor, which is crucial."

[mrs_mandolini]

YES It was so great for DH going to the Bradley class. He was so weirded out by birth before that & he said it REALLY helped him know how to support me in labor. And he did a great job at it, too!

[Ks Mama]

With our first, we took 3 large group classes at the hospital. Breastfeeding, infant CPR, and "lamaze"-based childbirth class.

The childbirth class was completely useless, practically speaking.

The infant CPR class was awesome. I'd highly recommend it.

The breastfeeding class was HUGE, but very informative. You can get the same info from books/online, if you're willing to take the time to research. I also HIGHLY recommend setting up an appointment with a lactation consultant, and having the phone number of your local LLL leader on hand. Call her ahead of time to get to know her.

During labor, I didn't use anything I had read about or learned about in class... just flew by the seat of my pants, and felt I did pretty well.

This time around, DH & I are taking a private class taught by my doula & her partner - based on several different methods, primarily based in the Brithing from Within book. Mostly we're taking this to get into the spirit of childbirth, and get better mentally prepared, AND to get to know our doula better.

I can't wait!

[miso]

We are taking a Bradley class, because the midwives we are birthing at home with want to make sure that I will be able to handle the pain and not expect medication.

I never was expecting it, or wanted it to begin with, so it's sort of just me going with the flow, etc. They are the only CNMs around, since CPM's are illegal in Illinois right now, and I want a homebirth.

As far as the class, I feel like we are going over a lot of the same things that I have already learned and read on my own, though it is much more difficult for DH to get a chance to read as many of the books as I have since he works such long hours. The classes give him a chance to be exposed to the material, which is fairly basic from what I'm learning, and also gives us an opportunity to meet other expecting parents. It's difficult at the same time, because I don't necessarily feel that many of the other couples in our class view a lot of the procedures in the same light as I do. I mean, they are all there to learn natural birthing, but over half said they want an epi. Strange, right?

The instructor is nice though, I enjoy her, and she is making sure she includes homebirthing stuff since another couple besides us are planning a homebirth, and she has had two herself.

[Mere]

I agree with many of the pps - taking the childbirth class (we did Bradley) was really for dh. My dh hadn't read anything and was generally clueless, so it was great for him. We also watched lots of birth videos, which were helpful for both of us.

If your dh/dp is the inquisitive sort and actually does his homework though (and you do too of course), then I don't think you're missing anything by not going to childbirth classes.

[torio]

DH and I took a Bradley class--6 wks for $350 and felt it was a huge waste of time. We liked our instructor just fine, but she offered nothing above and beyond what was in the workbook. We're both avid readers, researchers and have both learned and practiced meditation so were disappointed that we didn't learn anything new. I knew about more resources than in instructor did in some cases.

This class came highly recommended by two couples we know, so I'll confess we didn't interview the instructor before enrolling. I think you have to look hard to find the right fit for who you and your partner are and what kind of class experience you hope to have.