Question on Childbirth Education

[TLL]

Hello!

My partner is due with our first baby in December/January, and we're starting to think about our options with childbirth classes, though I know we still have quite a bit of time. I like to have plenty of time to research the heck out of things :)

I'd love to hear about the experiences of folks here with different kinds of childbirth education and local (we live in Minneapolis) options.

The birth will be at a hospital with midwives, and we plan on taking the class they offer - probably in November. But I've heard that it is usually wise to do something other than what the hospital offers. I was just searching on the Bradley Method on the "I'm Pregnant" board here, and actually found a lot of negative experiences. I've read a bit about Bradley and other options, but I'd love to hear real mamas' opinions and experiences - about options in general and what's out there locally.

Also, we are hoping to have a doula - does that impact what childbirth classes we should look at?

Thanks in advance for your words of wisdom!

-Tracy

[DoulaSarah]

I have had families that I have attended in birth who have used the Bradley method and it has really worked for them. And I have had families that tossed it. So, it is really hard to say one way or another! So that wasn't what you were looking for!

We do have a great childbirth resource...parent topic nights...learn A LOT! about natural childbirth...meet a ton of doulas...Childbirth Collective in the Twin Cities. We meet on Wednesdays in Saint Paul and Thursdays in Edina. We have topic nights (which are FREE!) on everything. Here are some of our topics...

Comfort Measures in Labor

Interventions and Medications (often lead by one of our Bradley teachers and the meeting is not sugar coating anything, but giving you real information)

The Natural Rhythm of Labor

Your Amazing Newborn and Newborn Procedures (circumcision and other things like that are included)

waterbirth (we show a couple of waterbirth videos and have someone come who rents them out)

postpartum (keeping marriage and partnerships alive before and after baby) + PP issues (two separate ones)

Intro to supported birth, why hire a doula (answers any questions you have and you can meet a lot of doulas)

The active role of baby in birth

The spirituality of birth - talks a lot about the ecstasy of birth and all of the hormones and yummy (silly word, but appropriate) stuff that goes on in a womans body during birth

Anyway, we have a lot of different nights and they are great. You could combine that with your hospital and you would come out with a well rounded education! We also have someone who does the "Birthing From Within" childbirth class, and I don't have any info with me...
Let me know if I can help you out any further. Also, a lot of the local Bradley teachers are members and doulas, so you could get to know them there and decide if Bradley is right for you.