Birth Prep Classes and Homebirth

[RubyOrganique]

Hi All,

We're planning a homebirth for our first baby. I like to consider myself very well read on the politics of birth and the physiology of birth. We think we have both settled on hypnobirthing as the method most likely to be useful to us. But we're having trouble finding a class schedule that works with our work schedules and that's not hugely expensive. So I had a few questions for everybody:

Have you given birth already?
Are/did you taking a birth prep class?
What method are you taking?
If it's in a hospital, are you concerned that the content will be relevant for a home birth?
If you've had a baby already, is it crazy for a first time mom to think of skipping the class and doing home study?
If you took a group class, did you get a lot out of meeting other couples or did they give you attitude about your choice to home birth?
If you had to choose between birth prep, breastfeeding, infant care classes, which one do you think is most important?
How much did your class cost and did your insurance cover any of it?
Did your health care practitioner require you to take a birth prep class?
How far along were you before you starting your birth prep class?

Thanks!! I'm curious to read what you think of this.

[alegna]

I have one dd- who I had at home in water. I did not do any classes. I didn't miss them.

-Angela

[elfinbaby]

I have 3 children going on 4. I have had all my babies w/mws. 1 in a FBC and the other 2 at home. This one will be at home as well. All unmedicated, uncomplicated, etc.

I took Bradley the first time. Became a Bradley teacher. Used Bradley again - just didn't help me out like I had hoped so I had to move on to something else. I took Hypnobirthing classes from a hypnotherapist. I was extremely disappointed. The hypnosis was great - very effective but 1) there was no childbirth ed. (I didn't need it since I'd btdt but first timers should get it in a class) 2) I felt that, when the class was over, I didn't actually have a self-hypnosis technique to rely on. I had scripts, a few exercises but it just wasn't sufficient. I'm not alone - search MDC. There are threads that talk about it.

I ended up moving on to Hypnobabies and having the best birth ever. I'm using it again. Click my username and find more posts - I talk way too much about HBabies You probably don't have a practitioner but they do have an awesome Home Study - which is what I use. Being a first timer I don't think it's absolutely necessary to take a class irl but it is nice to be with other expectant couples. However, HBabies shouldn't be combine w/other methods. The program focuses on ridding you of your fears, concerns, etc. and going to a Bradley class where they will describe birthing as much less peaceful process will only taint that work you're trying to do w/HBabies. That probably doesn't make sense but take a look www.hypnobabies.com It's a complete, amazing course. It includes your birth partner in it. It's incredible.

I consider myself very well read - the natural part, the science, the medical, the politics, the culture, etc. I've read almost everything worth reading. My outlook on birth has evolved alot since the beginning. Initially I felt like it was "hard work" but my body was made for it so I "got through it." Then after the second birth I didn't want to "get through it" anymore so I had to find something else. I found what I need in self-hypnosis and changing my views on birth. It can be peaceful, calm, with only mild discomfort, if any. I had that birth with #3 b/c I trained my mind well

Every woman should do it their own way - what feels best. You don't have to take a course. There are women who do just fine w/o it. I had Bradley the first 2 times. I might as well of had nothing but I managed. You can do it. But I wanted/needed something more. I know there are women who can do what hypnosis or whatever teaches w/o classes. I'm just not one of them I need a little help, a little structure, a little reassurance.

April

[smokeylo]

Have you given birth already?
No! Waiting on that one .

Are/did you taking a birth prep class?
Yes.

What method are you taking?
I took a BirthWorks class.

If it's in a hospital, are you concerned that the content will be relevant for a home birth?
I would never take a hospital class for a homebirth (or for hospital birth, really).

If you've had a baby already, is it crazy for a first time mom to think of skipping the class and doing home study?
No, but I think the class has other benefits that had little to do with knowledge building. I'm a doula so I already know everything the class taught me. But going to a class with my partner was really important to us bonding, making decisions together, emotionally processing our feelings and personal hopes/dreams for the baby. I wouldn't trade that for anything.

If you took a group class, did you get a lot out of meeting other couples or did they give you attitude about your choice to home birth?
Since it was an independent class, one other couple homebirthed and one was hospital birthing with CNMs. Everyone was cool. It was great to meet them (they've both had their babies already!!) and I can't wait for the reunion class.

If you had to choose between birth prep, breastfeeding, infant care classes, which one do you think is most important?
That I don't know since I haven't given birth yet. I really feel that the birth prep was important for my partner. I can go to LLL for free. And I know how to take care of babies. So I'd say birth prep.

How much did your class cost and did your insurance cover any of it?
$200, but we got a discount since our teacher is also our doula. I didn't even check with my insurance (I'm a student, so it mostly sucks). I've heard some women use their health care savings account for classes.

Did your health care practitioner require you to take a birth prep class?
She didn't require it but strongly, strongly encouraged it for first time parents.

How far along were you before you starting your birth prep class?
I was in my 2nd tri, a little "early" for taking childbirth ed but with the holidays coming up and then school starting (I'm due at the end of this month) I thought it would be better to do it then than to cram it in at the end of my pregnancy.

Work schedules were DEFINITELY a problem for us, too -- my husband missed 2 classes which was a bummer. But that would have been the case no matter what class we took. You might look for a CBE or doula in your area who teaches CBE who could do an independent class with you and your partner in one day or something.

[RubyOrganique]

Thanks everybody. This is really helpful.

As of now, it looks like we're going to take a general birth prep class, outside of a hospital at a center that offers lots of pregnancy and parenting classes and workshops. It doesn't focus on any one method, but takes aspects from a number of them. It is specifically for those not planning an epidural, but birthplace could be at home, birth center or hospital. Hopefully we'll meet some fun people and yes, have another opportunity to bond. We're a super close couple and while my husband is a health practitioner himself and knows all the physiology, its crucial to me for him to be there with me. They offer a package that includes a bf class and infant care, which for me as the youngest in my family and a motherless daughter, is important as I have a lot to learn about both subjects!

We're also going to invest in the Hypnobabies home study course. There have been so many women raving about it on MDC that I think it's probably very worth it.

Smokeylo, I thought about becoming a doula before I became pregnant. It is still in my thoughts. I'll be curious to hear how your experience as a doula changes, if at all, once you've been through birth yourself.

Again, thanks. MDC has been so great to be connected to.

[lc81002]

Originally Posted by RubyOrganique

Have you given birth already?

Yes, my son is almost 20 months old.

Are/did you taking a birth prep class?

I did take a class that my midwife recommended.

What method are you taking?

It wasn't any particular big name method, it was just relaxation/pushing techniques taught by a former midwife/delivery nurse.

If it's in a hospital, are you concerned that the content will be relevant for a home birth?

It wasn't in a hospital, but my midwife specifically recommends NOT taking a class in a hospital. I don't know if it's just the hospitals around here or if it's the same everywhere else too, but the ones here don't really teach you much about coping with labor naturally. They might spend a few minutes teaching some basic breathing exercises, but generally it's all about epidurals and c-sections and hospital standard operating procedures.

If you've had a baby already, is it crazy for a first time mom to think of skipping the class and doing home study?

No, I don't think it's crazy. If you stay calm and listen to your body you should be fine during labor. I did find my class helpful, but I think I also would have coped just fine without it. I do think it would be a good idea to read up on at least one labor coping method if you don't take a class though. And my husband definitely benefited from the birth class. I don't think he really had any idea of what to expect before the class and although nothing could really completely prepare him, he was much better prepared afterward.

If you took a group class, did you get a lot out of meeting other couples or did they give you attitude about your choice to home birth?

I wouldn't say I got a LOT out of meeting the other couples in our class, but it was still a positive experience. We just didn't really get to talk to each other enough to form friendships because we were learning or practicing with our partners nearly the whole time. We did all exchange e-mail addresses so we could send birth announcements/stories when we had our babies. Everybody except us was planning a birth center birth, but nobody had anything negative to say about a homebirth. One of the other couples ended up having a homebirth too, but they never mentioned they had thought about it in class. Everyone did eventually send their birth stories by e-mail, and out of 12 couples in the class, 11 had completely natural births and 1 had a c-section after a failed post-dates induction. I think those are pretty decent stats.

If you had to choose between birth prep, breastfeeding, infant care classes, which one do you think is most important?

Breastfeeding!!!

How much did your class cost and did your insurance cover any of it?

I think the class is normally $90, but because the lady who taught it is a member of my church and teaches the classes in the church building, she offers a discount to other church members, and it was only $60 for us. I didn't bother trying to get insurance to cover that amount, and I'm sure it would have been denied if I did anyway.

Did your health care practitioner require you to take a birth prep class?

My midwife does really strongly encourage first timers to take some kind of non-hospital class, but she doesn't "require" it in that she won't attend your birth if you don't take a class or anything like that. I think she would settle for knowing that you had at least read up on a technique and had some kind of plan for how to cope with labor in mind.

How far along were you before you starting your birth prep class?

I think I was about 30 weeks and the class was 6 weeks long.

[CellarDoor]

I gave birth at home 26 months ago with midwives in attendance. I paid the midwife in training in the practice to give us (with one other couple) a 6 hour course specifically geared to homebirthing. We watched a film, went over the normal course of labor, and she showed us some good techniques for breathing (not sure of the method) and massage. It was pretty basic and I didn't feel like I needed much more. I had read a lot about ways to manage labor without drugs and I didn't want to pay for a 12 week course in any particular method. I do know a LOT about breathing in general due to other aspects of my life, so I felt good about going into labor. DEFINITELY go to a La Leche League meeting or two (free) and read a good book on the subject before you give birth. I really wish I had done that as I had some issues and waited too long in getting help. I've never attended a hospital class, but I think they are heavy on the hospital rules and regulations and it would probably be a huge waste of time for a homebirther, IMO.

[firespiritmelody]

Have you given birth already?
2 DD's already, one on the way

Are/did you taking a birth prep class?Took 2 different classes the first time, one class the second. I'm taking the same class as with DD#2 again this time.

What method are you taking?
The teacher of the class uses a lot of her own experiences with child birth as a doula/labor assistant/CBE/CB photographer etc etc for two (+) decades. Shes been featured on numerous documentaries on child birth.

She loosly uses the Birthing From With In stuff, but it is not centered around that. Her focus of the class is to help you to feel impowered, that you CAN do this and that in the event of an emergency situation to help you feel that you did the best you could do as to not come out of the situation feeling like a failure. She works with women that are dealing with hospitals, birth centers and at home and does not treat you any differently based on your decisions. She wants you to make informed decisions and feel good about making them.

I recomend her classes (and doula services) to all of my pregnant friends and *required* two employees to take her class because I knew how much they'd get out of it.

It was a one weekend class, so did not take up too much time, nor did it interfere too much with our hectic schedules.

If it's in a hospital, are you concerned that the content will be relevant for a home birth?
Personally, I think this is a BIG concern.

If you've had a baby already, is it crazy for a first time mom to think of skipping the class and doing home study?
That depends on you. How do you feel about it. I dont think there is a right or wrong answer when it comes to taking a class. I think the only *wrong* thing to do is to not make an informed decision.

If you took a group class, did you get a lot out of meeting other couples or did they give you attitude about your choice to home birth?
I did enjoy being in a room with like minded women, but I did not keep in touch with any of them or anything like that. I believe there were like 8 couples in the class, if I remember correctly, 2 were having hospital births, 3 at BC and 3 at home.

If you had to choose between birth prep, breastfeeding, infant care classes, which one do you think is most important?
Again, I think it depends on you. La Leche League is free and usually offer meetings once a month in most areas. They dont cost a thing but are absolutly priceless IMO. (FWIW, I can't imagin needing to take an infant prep class, but that's just me)

How much did your class cost and did your insurance cover any of it?This class was around $200 but the instructer is amazing. She lets you make payments and in some cases will trade etc. I dont feel that she would turn someone away for the lack of being able to pay for the class. But she would try to work something out with you.

Did your health care practitioner require you to take a birth prep class? No, but my MW LOVES this teacher (I've never met anyone who doesn't adore her!)

How far along were you before you starting your birth prep class?I think I took the class the end of March and I was due the middle of May. This time I'm due at the begining of July and will probably take the class in May.

Alos, I can't beging to express how much my hubby got out of this class. She really did a wonderful job of including partners as part of the birth experience and helping them to understand what roles they play in the whole thing. I've even caught hubby recomending the class to other people.

I hope this helps you make your decision. I'd probably start by calling around and seeing what different classes have to offer. Do you have a birth center near you? They may offer *better* classes then a hospital. Talk to your provider, are there any that they recomend?? Good Luck!