Real Birth or Mindful Birth

[blueyes178]

Hi-

Has anyone taken either one of these classes and what was their experience? If Real Birth, which teacher did you have? In general, I have read a lot and I know about medications and what to expect from hospitals, and I am wondering if I will get the same thing out of either of these classes. I would like to learn as many positions and techniques as possible. Just wondering other peoples experiences. Thanks!

[SpudinPhilly]

Here's my experience. I wanted a Birth Center birth, but my first was early! I mean so early that my husband and I attended the first class of the childbirth prep course they offer, and the next day I was admitted to hospital (with baby being early 6 weeks). What helped me to really not freak out, was having read all the real birth stories in Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. Also, having being trained as a pre-natal yoga teacher helped too, I guess. But having said all that, I think basically all these classes will give you about the same thing. I would go with your gut feeling and just go for whatever fits your schedule, and go for the one offered earlier rather than closer to your due date (which was my mistake). When it comes to the real push and shove of birth, trusting your inner voice and having a birth partner you feel comfortable with will make your birth a positive and empowering experience. Good luck!

[Southern_Belle]

My husband and I just completeld our classes at Real Birth. I thought it was just ok. I didn't learn tons per se, but I had read a lot of books and talked to a lot of people before hand.

The classes at RB are good for making you feel like you aren't going through "this" alone, and that everything is finite, and that, at the end of the day, you can almost will your way through it (if that is what you are shooting for).

I think my experience was dampered, somewhat, by some of the people in my class asking irrelevant questions, going off on tangents, and me feeling like I was in a very, very basic birthing class at times.

My husband, on the other hand, loved the class.

[blueyes178]

thanks ladies

Thanks so much for your input- much appreciated.. if anyone else out there has what to comment, I'll take what i can get!

[mushka3000]

I went to the Real Birth classes - the teacher was Bonu. I enjoyed the classes. I found that I already knew a lot of the info from reading various books but it still felt good to have things reinforced by a live person. I wanted to labor at home and I felt like the class had a very positive message about natural pain relief backed up with hands-on teaching of a few techniques like acupressure and massage.

The thing I liked best about it was that it got my partner thinking things through and stimulated our discussions.

We ended up inviting Bonu to be our labor doula and were very happy to have her help.

[gypsyhips26]

I also had Bonu as our teacher at Real Birth and I found her classes very informative and helpful and she was very approachable and really helped me to not freak out about labor etc and she was very thorough about what to expect once you are in the hospital, etc.

I would recommend her classes for sure (and she does a little segment on massage techniques/pressure point to stimulate during labor which really came in handy!)

HTH!

[jhrabosk]

I also went to Real Birth. I felt that it was a little more than I needed (too long), but I'm glad I did it. I won't say that I learned anything NEW per se as I had done a lot of reading and had a great pre-natal yoga teacher, but I think that spending a lot of time seeing the videos and talking about labor and birth made me feel more comfortable with the whole process and my body.

The other great thing I got out of it was my doula. We couldn't afford to pay NYC doula rates, but my teacher (Jennifer, I think?) put a post on her doula listserv and I got responses from a number of people who were willing to work for me at a reduced rate. I found a really great woman who was building her business...I plan to have her again when I have my 2nd.

Jessica

[BrooklynDoula]

Real Birth classes are great and clients regularly tell me that they really got a lot of of the experience. I have not taken any personally, but Erica (the director) is great and you might look into getting a class that she is teaching. Also, Ellen has a terrific reputation and she teaches in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

That said, if you have already done a lot of reading and feel you know a lot about labor and routine care and such, you might find that the money for the class could also be well spent on a doula. As the PP mentioned, there are a huge variety of price options here in NYC and you can likely find someone perfect for you. Having a person with you gives you a lot more than a class in the end, especially for parents already educating themselves, because you may forget in labor but your doula won't!

Congrats and good luck!

[saydit]

I would second the recommendation for classes w/ Erica Lyons or Ellen Chuse. We did a childbirth prep class w/ Ellen (taught out of her home in Brooklyn) and last year took a sibling prep class w/ Erica.