childbirth prep classes?

[Emmom]

I was really not prepared for the pain of labor with ds's birth (that's right, I said it, pain...)
I'm thinking of doing a hypnobabies home study course this time, or maybe taking a class. I did a weekend-intensive Birthing From Within course last time which helped a little, but I need more.

Any suggestions?

What are you all doing? Or do you just follow your instincts?

[True Blue]

LOVE LOVE LOVE Hypnobabies. If you had trouble last time I think you will really benefit from it. Also, if you haven't already, I suggest reading Ina May Gaskin's Guide to Childbirth. The stories in the first half as so inspirational, even if a little out there for some of them. I found them very motivating and helpful to get in the right mindset. Hypnobabies really helps you learn to relax and let go, and work with your body instead of against it. My DD's birth was a breeze (as far as births go).

[smokeylo]

I'm taking a Birthworks class. I've attended it during doula training and they have extensive discussions of pain management and comfort techniques. I've heard good things about hypnobabies but would also want a more traditional class mostly for DH where we watch videos and answer questions. My class should start in about 2 weeks!

[Gunter]

i don't have plans to take one right now although birthing from within sounds great. i thought about doing it last time. instead, i did a prep class taught by one of the homebirth midwives with two other couples. it was excellent.

i read tons and had a great labor and birth. i will read more this time and re-read some books (like ina may's guide) late in the pregnancy when i can get my hands on it. i haven't seen any copies floating around here in bali.

[justmama]

I think the best prep for childbirth is having been there and done that before or having read a TON on the subject. I am not much on the classes but I LOVE reading midwifery books (Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, Baby Catcher by Peggy Vincent, etc) and birth stories online. With my two previous births I really found that staying busy helped enormously. Stay home as long as possible. Throw in some laundry, bake something yummy for after the birth or right then and there, send your dh out for a yummy treat, take a hot shower or bath, play outside with your kids, etc. DO SOMETHING! Once labor hits me, I plan on putting the lulu in the stroller(no mei tai for us during labor!!!!) and going out for a walk to the playground down the street with both girls. I plan on having the chicken take lots of pics of us and letting her get silly with the camera. I want lulu to help me make cards for baby big bird. I just want to stay busy and spend that time as a mama to just two girls instead of three. I just want to enjoy that last little bit of time just the 3 girls instead of 3 girls and a newborn to fuss over. I plan on baking a birthday cake or cupcakes for big bird once labor hits. And hopefully everyone will be involved in the labor at the birth center as well. Once at the birth center I want to play board games and take pictures and enjoy the tub with my kids to splash with. I just want it to be a fun experience instead of the 2 medicalized hopsital births I've had previously. I want a full term healthy natural birth with no interventions.

[Nature]

I've never taken a childbirth class. To be honest I don't think I'm the class learning type of gal. I'd much prefer to read books on my own...which I haven't done since my first pregnancy in 1998.

[Jujubie]

DH and I are taking our classes in January. The other choice was to do them in late Oct/Nov and I thought that was too early. Classes aren't scheduled during the holidays. I'm due at the end of Feburary, so hopefully babe won't decide to come more than 4 weeks early!

[flapjack]

Jujube, I'm shocked at how many of our classes have at least one baby born before the end of the sessions. Most teachers structure it so that the stuff you need to know goes in first and you have time to ask questions as you need to.

Emmom, I'd look for a refresher class or something specifically geared for women who have already given birth and have specific concerns or general concerns that they want addressing. It sounds as if, in addition to gaining information, you also want the opportunity to debrief your last labour and to let it go? There are classes and CBE's who do this but you may have to look for one.

[GreenRose]

I am interviewing doulas, have read a ton, and DH and I have just started a 12 week Bradley course.. I think it's going to be good to be surrounded by couples who are trying to go natural; and to have weekly reminders of how nutrition, exercise, relaxation, and pain coping techniques can help the pregnancy and birth. I would love to do a hypnobabies course too, but I'm running out of money for all of this!

[AlpineMama]

Well, with Bunny I researched online, but that was pretty much it. Never really considered going to a class. If anything, I *overestimated* labor pain. I had all sorts of relaxation techniques and remedies ready, hired a doula, etc. Never used any of it, the doula never even made it to the hospital. I just rode it out and a few hours later I had a baby in my arms. Wowsers.

I'm not really concerned about the pain aspect of it. I never thought it would have been the case, since I did no preparation while pregnant, but the deep relaxation meditations I have practiced since I was a teenager instantly kicked in with the first contractions. So I guess in my own way I did prepare; I just didn't know it.

This time, I am trying for a homebirth, and possibly an unassisted one, so I'm researching all the midwife files I can find online, with every complication under the sun. I don't know how much that would help, but at least I'm trying to educate myself.

[MommyHammy]

I wanted to take a class, mostly to reiterate to hubby all the things that he only half believes when I say them but so I could get a better handle on preparing to go natural. The problem I have encountered is that there are absolutely no 'good' birthing classes in my area. The only one are offered by the hospital and the OB offices which are basically "how to be a good patient" classes. There is one couple who does Bradley but they don't have a class starting until Jan which will be too late. There is nothing else here, not even Lamaze. Any one in the Tri-Cities of Michigan know of any 'hidden" birthing classes?

[mama_nym]

This is my fifth child, and I'm currently taking childbirth classes - mainly to help out a friend, but also because it gives me time to focus on baby-within, to practice relaxation techniques, to figure out what, if any fears I have remaining about birth, etc.

I think for many women what is important is having lots of ideas of what to do during labor to help relieve any pain she feels, to know what is going on with her body during labor and birth, to know the emotional signposts of labor, to be empowered to believe in her body's ability to birth, to know how to relax during contractions, and to work through any birth/new baby related fears she has before she goes into labor. Childbirth classes are a good way of gaining information, learning relaxation techniques, and bringing up emotions and fears related to childbirth.

For those looking for childbirth classes - you can contact DONA or ALACE or Bradley and see if there are any childbirth educators-in-training in your area who are offering classes for free/a discount in order to complete their training....or to locate a childbirth educator near you. Many childbirth educators do private sessions in your home as well as hosting classes with multiple couples.