Childbirth Classes

[almostmommy]

Are childbirth classes really necessary? I know the anatomy of birth and I bought a bunch of books on natural childbirth, including: Calm Birth, The Birth Book, a Bradley method book, and a few others. Do I really need a childbirth course?

[ctdoula]

(disclaimer, i've been a certified Lamaze instructor for 10 years and love my job). My favorite things about childbirth classes are meeting other expectant couples and the time to practice positioning, breathing, labor techniques (i.e. counter pressure, hip squeeze, labor balls). I find this is especially important for the partner/husband if they're not that comfortable/experienced with birth.

Good luck!!!

[almostmommy]

I am going to have a doula for labor and delivery, since my DH and I will not be able to have physical contact during late labor and delivery (due to religious requirements). Do you think I still need to go practice counter pressure and stuff at the class?

[onyxravnos]

Originally Posted by almostmommy

I am going to have a doula for labor and delivery, since my DH and I will not be able to have physical contact during late labor and delivery (due to religious requirements). Do you think I still need to go practice counter pressure and stuff at the class?

I would it can be helpfull during early labor...

can your doula provide a childbirth ed course?

[laohaire]

I think you'll get all kinds of answers, so you'll just have to review them and decide for yourself the answer.

I didn't take a class, and didn't want to. Seemed like it would be a waste for me, since I was homebirthing and most classes seem to be focused on what the hospital is going to do to you. While it's possible I am wrong and that a class would have been helpful and wonderful, I didn't regret not going.

As for pain management, I would recommend being prepared with a variety of ideas - positions, focus techniques, hypno techniques, water birth, whatever rings good for you. I would also read up on back labor so you can be prepared for that. For me (I didn't have back labor) I just went into LaborLand rather naturally and breathing techniques or whatever would have just interrupted that.

[hubris]

I was also a relatively informed first-time mama, but I still found our classes (Bradley Method) to be a good experience. Some of my reasons:

- they helped my DH to understand and support my decision to choose natural childbirth
- spending time with other expectant couples was nice
- some ideas came up, provided by the instructor or other members of the class, that I wouldn't have heard otherwise
- it gave my DH and I a dedicated time each week to spend focusing on each other and our baby and the upcoming birth. We would have spent *some* time that way anyway, but it just framed that time differently, much in the same way that planning an actual date with your significant other is different from spending time together at home
- for us, it was part of the rite of passage of becoming parents and celebrating pregnancy together

[almostmommy]

Thanks for the replies so far. I am leaning towards not taking a class. My doula does not give childbirth classes and the main childbirth educator in my community tends be heavy on the pain meds, etc. She has a reputation for scaring new moms-to-be.

[applejuice]

Most childbirth classes are just public advertisements to get you prepared for and more accepting of the hospital interventions.

I took classes from a midwife to learn more about natural birth. I would look for a Bradley teacher if I were you.

I took ACHI classes from the founder of the organization. They were oriented to a homebirth, very technical, almost Midwifery 101.

[SublimeBirthGirl]

Take a good, independent (non-hospital based) natural birth class.

Hey, I have a question. This is an honest question, totally not being critical, I am just really curious. I saw something on one of those birth shows, where the couple was Hindu. He was with her through most of the labor but left when it was time to push. I don't know if that is your religion or if it's another one but what is the reason for dad not being able to be present? I mean, when you think about the act that got the baby in there, it seems odd to say he couldn't be there when the result of that act is brought into the world. Why is that? If you have a link or something that'd be cool, I'm just curious

[attachedmamaof3]

I am an obsessive reader/researcher. I read like the dickens and didn't go to a single class. Ever. FOR ME, it's important to listen to my body and not go into it with preconcieved ideas. Thinking about panting at the right times would have freaked me out. I just did what felt right.

(Seriously though, I read every book I could get my hands on. Took what I liked, tossed what I didn't)

[almostmommy]

Originally Posted by SublimeBirthGirl

Take a good, independent (non-hospital based) natural birth class.

Hey, I have a question. This is an honest question, totally not being critical, I am just really curious. I saw something on one of those birth shows, where the couple was Hindu. He was with her through most of the labor but left when it was time to push. I don't know if that is your religion or if it's another one but what is the reason for dad not being able to be present? I mean, when you think about the act that got the baby in there, it seems odd to say he couldn't be there when the result of that act is brought into the world. Why is that? If you have a link or something that'd be cool, I'm just curious

I am Jewish and our reason for not having physical contact during the later part of labor and delivery is because we are prohibited from physical contact when blood is leaving the uterus (during menstruation as well).

[Veritaserum]

Originally Posted by laohaire

I didn't take a class, and didn't want to. Seemed like it would be a waste for me, since I was homebirthing and most classes seem to be focused on what the hospital is going to do to you. While it's possible I am wrong and that a class would have been helpful and wonderful, I didn't regret not going.

There is a HUGE difference between hospital-based classes and out-of-hospital classes. I took two hospital classes with my first and they were "here's what to expect in the hospital so you can be a good patient" orientations. Not useful for pain management or anything. Big surprise that I got an epidural! @@

With my second, who was born at home, I took a childbirth class. I was petrified of pain. I do not like pain. It is not good. It is something that I would ideally avoid during labor/birth if at all possible. I was more terrified of another hospital birth, though. Hypnosis was a perfect option for me! I was able to have a safe, respectful, calm home birth and no pain either. I love Hypnobabies, which is taught as a live class or through a home study option. http://www.hypnobabies.com

Here's a guide to help you figure out what childbirth preparation option might be best for you (self-study is included):

http://www.birthnaturally.org/childb...tionsguide.pdf

[almostmommy]

Thanks for the link...I'm going to check it out

[AlpineMama]

Originally Posted by Veritaserum

"here's what to expect in the hospital so you can be a good patient" orientations.

Just curious... what's a good patient like? I have no doubt the hospital birth classes do prep you for interventions and such, but what is a "good patient"? Someone who doesn't protest interventions?

I didn't take classes but that's partially my learning style - I took a lot of college classes by reading a book and taking the CLEP tests. I learned better that way than going to class and doing more interactive stuff and listening to lectures! I think it depends on your learning style. If you're good with "book-learning" then I really think reading is enough. You can always ask questions from "real" people on here who have BDTD. If you're the kind of person who really benefits from seeing someone show you different positions and helping you into them etc then by all means you can find one.

Also think about your partner/DP/DH too though. I think it would have helped HIM a lot to go to a class with me so he would better know what to expect. I kind of glanced over the fact that while I was getting educated, he wasn't. I gave him tidbits here and there but I don't think he was that interested. Going to a class where someone ELSE is the "expert" (not just me telling him what I read on the Internet ) and he sees other dads in that position, seeing movies or whatever, that might have helped HIM relax more during my labor. He kept asking me "is that normal??" throughout.

[Veritaserum]

Originally Posted by truemists

Just curious... what's a good patient like? I have no doubt the hospital birth classes do prep you for interventions and such, but what is a "good patient"? Someone who doesn't protest interventions?

Pretty much.

What I enjoyed about taking a childbirth hypnosis class was being able to ask feedback about hypnosis from an instructor. Being able to ask questions in general and to have discussions with other pg women in person was valuable as well.

[phreedom]

Like a PP said, maybe a non hospital based one. I didn't take the one our hospital offered. It was mainly about what you would experience in the hospital, pain interventions, other interventions, tour of mother/child floor, and obvious newborn care (how to change a diaper...ect) I work there so I'm aware of all that stuff.

I think a class on a particular birthing technique (bradley, hypnobirthing, whatever...) would be kind of neat though. I didn't take one, but I wish I would have.

[huggerwocky]

I never had any and don't plan so for the future. i do like the socialization aspect though. We moved while I was at the end of the 2nd Trimester so it wasn't an option anyway.

[felix23]

I didn't actually make it to my childbirth classes :, but from what I've heard my hospital offers great classes. The classes were not all about how to be a good patient. They really taught natural ways to deal with pain and speed labor and really pushed breastfeeding. I was really pleasently surprised when I researched and discovered what type of classes they offered. Here is one of the hand-outs that they use (it's also on the website):
http://www.caromontbirthplace.org/pa...20womenpdf.pdf
I always e-mail this page to my mainstream friends that are giving birth. I've found that they are more likely to at least look at natural pain relief options if it comes from a hospital.
When I saw this I was so impressed that they listed the medical ways to ease pay at the very bottom after lots of natural ways. I would check and see what type of classes they are offering. You might be surprised. Good luck!

[gcgirl]

Originally Posted by applejuice

Most childbirth classes are just public advertisements to get you prepared for and more accepting of the hospital interventions.
.

This may be true, but the hospital-based class I went to was excellent. They only talked about interventions in the last hour of the 8-hour class, and the rest of the 7 hours were about the naturalness and normalcy of birth, why you should try to avoid medications, why most interventions are unnecessary, etc...

Oh yeah, and they were very pro-BF and babywearing too.

So it doesn't HAVE to be propoganda. But you should still be selective. I have the benefit of choosing a progressive research and teaching hospital where they actually rely on evidence-based care. And since evidence shows fewer interventions usually = better birth outcomes, it only makes sense.