Second baby - childbirth classes? Preparation?

[Sexybookworm]

I am pregnant with my second. With my first baby I took bradley classes and listened to a hypnobirthing cds and read TONS of books. That was 2006. I had a natural, drug-free hospital birth and I feel like I just finished going through it and know all the information. Am I kidding myself? Should I take a refresher?

Otherwise, I figure the only other preparation that makes sense is doing exercise (squats, pelvic tilts, walks and yoga - some weights), lots of kegels, and relaxation practice. Am I forgetting anything?

[laurabelle1317]

I'm wondering the same thing. I read a lot and I took hypnobirthing classes in 2006 and had a wonderful, drug free hospital birth. Now I am planning a homebirth and am wondering what exactly I should do to prepare myself. I know I need to do SOMETHING though, otherwise I won't mentally feel like I have prepared enough...and I want to go into labor feeling prepared.

[kythe]

I didn't take a class with my second, though I did consider taking a different type of class for a new perspective. My first birth was as perfect as it could be according to my expectations, so I really had no doubts that my body could do what it needed. I read a couple of new books during my second pregnancy, but ultimately I found myself able to rely on my experience and the confidence I had developed during my first birth. :)

[honeybee]

I only took the typical hospital childbirth class with my first. With my second, I read more books about homebirth and went to a 3-hour class with my mw. But, I didn't do a lot of preparing. This time around I'm just rereading my books and trying to stay healthy.

[Meksmama]

With my dd I took hospital/OB ofc classes. This time around I didn't take any classes just read lots of natural birth books. Bradley, hypnobabies, Birthing from Within, etc.

[Avarie]

I just had #2 less than a month ago, and I know I SHOULD have given myself a refresher in Hypnobirthing. I also had some major (unforseeable) stress in the 36 hours before my labor started, so I know my brain wasn't as focused as it could have been. (HUGE fight with my dad, car broke down, etc.) And I never did take the time to do a good fear release before labor started. So I would suggest at least a brief reminder of whatever you did last time, and do your darndest to avoid stressful situations in you later days/weeks.

[Sexybookworm]

I know I need to do SOMETHING though, otherwise I won't mentally feel like I have prepared enough...and I want to go into labor feeling prepared.

This is how I feel. After reading every pregnancy book possible with my first, taking classes, exercises etc. it feels kind of weird to be do so little. But, after all was said and done I felt like all I REALLY needed was faith in my body.

Avarie - definitely will try to avoid stress, even though the car breaking down seems like the car breaking down stress is kind of inevitable.