Are you taking a birthing class?

[Jojo F.]

With DS I did not take any birthing classes and just did a lot of reading and searching on the net. When the time came in the hospital, laying in the bed having contractions the nurses said I was gdoing a great job and asked if I had taken any classes. When I said no they were quite surprised.

Anyway, I feel that I could probably do just fine by listening to my body, using some helpful hints I have found reading Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, and other books.

Those who have taken a class or are, what has really helped you and was it/is it worth it?

[mama2annabelle]

I took classes for my first birth. For my second I took a "refresher" class offered by my birth center and read the book Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way. I am now a childbirth educator myself...so I sort of take classes all the time when I'm teaching them. =-)
I really believe in the value of childbirth classes and how they can enhance your labor and birth experience. Some classes are much better than others...it depends on what you're looking for and what your needs are. I teach Birth Works and we deal a lot with the effects of emotions/feelings/belief systems on the birthing experience as well as building mom's confidence in her body's ability to give birth. Some childbirth classes focus solely on the physical process of birth and what to expect.
It all depends on your needs. You don't need to go to a class to "learn" how to give birth. That knowledge already exists inside you. But most moms can benefit from confidence-building knowledge and a safe place to express and work through emotions related to the upcoming birth.

[kijip]

We are taking an intensive class focusing on natural childbirth that is a privately offered series (not a general hospital type class) and also a VBAC specific class. Because we are planning a non-medicated VBAC and I have a history of sexual assault which affected my first birth experience, I think we need all the prep we can get. Also reading and doing yoga classes.

I am also taking my son to a sibling class which should be fun.

[ommom]

we're taking a childbirth prep class called the birth journey to meet other couples & b/c the doula came highly recommended. it's more about wholistic prep (including spiritual, etc.).

[xakana]

No classes here. I wanted to take Bradley classes the last time around, but they weren't offered until I'd be due at week 4 in the 12 week set (and the set before was already full). Now I've BTDT and since I'm going unassisted, the less other people put into my head, the better. I've heard or read basically all the classes have to say and unless it was Bradley, would have a hard time keeping my mouth shut at the... ahem... misconceptions... the more mainstream classes spew.

[MrsSoup]

I've thought about classes, especially cuz it would give more parents going through the similar thing in the area to meet and grow with. We've been checking around and haven't found anything quite yet that piques our interest, but we do have some time.

[mamasthree]

My dh & I took a class when I was pregnant with #1. I thought it was a great experience--it was at our hospital, but they really encouraged a natural birth. There were a lot of things I didn't know about labor, delivery and the "after" delivery stuff, so I'm glad we did it. I haven't taken one since, though, and don't feel I need to.

I did take my older girls on a tour through the birthing unit before our last dd was born, though. If you're having a hospital birth, I'd recommend taking the older ones on a short tour.

[RunnerMommy]

We ended up taking almost 2 full rounds of Bradley classes w/ our first (24 weeks) b/c we started a bit early and our instructor let us continue with the next class. Anyway, it was a great class. You could probably learn everything you need to know about the labor process etc, by reading books and searching on the internet though. The most valuble part about it for me was getting to meet other like-minded new parents in the area and just taking some time out every week to focus on the baby. This time around we probably wont take any classes, but I do want to make sure we take some time out each week to focus on the baby.

[Taryn237]

I took Bradley with DS but this time I think I want to try hypnobirthing/hypnobabies. I love my DH but I think a non-partner dependent class would be best for me.

[Pyrodjm]

.

[laurelg]

I'm planning to do the hypnobabies homestudy course.

Originally Posted by Taryn237

I love my DH but I think a non-partner dependent class would be best for me.

Me, too!

[Phoenix~Mama]

I'm planning on taking the Bradley classes. My midwife has a doula that teaches them. I'm excited and can't wait!

[_betsy_]

We took a hospital-sponsored Lamaze class with PG#1, it was pretty much useless.

This time I'll be deliving in a different hospital, so we'll be taking a tour, but I don't plan on doing any classes. As my MW said (I had an OBGYN with my frst), if I can make it through Pitocin contractions and not ask for even a Tylenol during or after, and go from 4cms to 10 cms in an hour, she thinks I've done my research and understnad what mybody's going to do.

I might try watching some YouTube birth videos, though!

How long does the Hypnobabies home study course take? How much is it?

[Artemnesia]

I'm going to be taking Hypnobirth classes.

[mustangtbn]

Last time I did home-study hypnobabies, and a short, independent "this is what happens during labor" type class at the insistence of my midwife. The class recommended by my MW wasn't too helpful for me as by that time I was already very familiar with all that info, but DH learned a lot. I wanted to do Bradley, but the class was far away and DH wouldn't have been able to consistently get home from work in time to make the classes. I didn't feel that the hypnobabies helped me much with the birth itself, but it sure did help me sleep when I was experiencing some killer insomnia! I'll probably be listening to the CDs again for that reason.

Not planning on taking a class this time, partly because I feel prepared and this time around want to to do more listening to my body and less external stuff, but mostly because we don't want to leave DD with a sitter in order to do it. If I had it to do over again, I'd find a way to do Bradley before having my first.

[quietserena]

DH and I took a birthing class at the birth center and really is was more for him. I found a few things out but nothing that was truly surprising. I think it helped him to go through what labor is like ahead of time.

I had a good labor and we didn't do anything that we learned in class. I seem to have my own way of doing it, I just close my eyes, want it dark and quiet and I do my thing. If I wasn't such chicken (bawk!) I'd probably want to do this unassisted. But really, the idea that all these folks are around if I need them is really comforting to me. And my MW got me to vocalize some in labor which helped me immensely in transition.

[papschmitty]

We took a private in-home hypnobirthing series. It was pretty good though I don't think I learned enough to justify the cost. If I had it to do over again, I'd do hypnobabies home study. I was moderately successful with hypnobirthing. I stayed fairly relaxed, never felt like I needed pain meds, but definietly felt pain and was LOUD. This time, I'd like to get my hands on a hypnobabies home study course if anyone wants to sell/rent theirs. *HINT*HINT*

[ochoco]

No, probably not. I had a doula last time, and read Ina May's book as well as Birthing from Within, and that combo got me through very, very well. I'm a big wimp, started labor feeling scared and thinking I couldn't make it (turns out I went from 3 cm to 10 cm in an hour, so it was hardcore transition)...I ended up feeling totally in control, or, well, totally in sync with my body and very strong.

I admit, though, I have little worries about this one - can I do it again? I feel like I need to dive back into the books and get my head back into that mode again. But I don't feel I need education about stages of labor and all that - I just need to get mentally ready.

I can't recommend Ina May enough!