Birthing Classes

Bridget - posted on 05/16/2009

Thanks for all of the responses. I would like to take the class and probably would have if I had thought to sign up for one about a month ago. Now the classes they have available are at a bad time for me and my husband to go to. I may take others suggestions and research on my own and maybe purchase a DVD. And of course I'll take a tour at the hospital and ask the staff there my questions. Thanks again!

Katie - posted on 05/16/2009

We didn't do the birthing classes--they were impossible to fit in our schedule. So, I bought a DVD called Laugh and Learn about Childbirth. It was pretty good, so if scheduling is a concern, I would recommend that as an alternative.

Sarah - posted on 05/16/2009

A good birthing class will tell you about all the options available to you, and about your rights as a patient. My class was excellent and included a lot of good post natal information - especially about my recovery and about breastfeeding.

Melissa - posted on 05/15/2009

Yes, i found them very helpful as there was a lot of info that i didnt know, my husband found the classes extremly helpful for him too- helped him to understand what was happening with me and helped him to know what to expect at the birth

Emily - posted on 05/15/2009

We bought a video online and watched it. It was great! Much more enjoyable compared to the birthing class stories friends shared with me. The woman was entertaining...

Tara - posted on 05/15/2009

We did them but I didn't find them very helpful although they were not boring either! I just read up on so much of the info already that I already knew most of the stuff in the classes. I just found it fun in the sense of being around others that were having a baby close to the same time and some of the activities were fun. I wouldn't take them again though with the next baby. I just had to take them as I was afraid I would be missing something!

Kate CP - posted on 05/15/2009

I didn't do birthing classes either. But, I had a good coach and I was very confident. I don't know if I would have enjoyed the classes anyway. To each her own. :)

Jenifer - posted on 05/15/2009

My hospital had a 6 week course, about 2 hrs per session. I didn't find much of the information about pregnancy, labor, and delivery to be all that helpful. Most of it I had already found out on my own. What was helpful though was getting a tour of the birthing/recovery rooms and getting to discuss policies with someone outside of the standard prenatal check-ups where I know I always forgot to ask questions. I'd say try for a condensed class at your hospital if one is available.

Julie - posted on 05/15/2009

I took birthing classes, and it helped to ease my mind a little to know what to expect. My birthing class was really good about covering natural birth, pain meds, and even c-sections so I felt more comfortable knowing what I might expect. And it was given at the hospital where I delivered, so I knew exactly what to expect from the staff there. As far as schedule goes, I know that the class I took was offered as a 3 week Monday night thing, a one weekend Friday night/Saturday morning, or a one time all day Saturday, so there were a lot of options for fitting it into your schedule.

Emily - posted on 05/15/2009

Yes. Mine were extremely helpful. If I were to get pregnant again, I 'd take birth classes even though it would be my third !

Terri - posted on 05/15/2009

I went to a birthing class. I found it to be helpful. Most people think that its a waste of time but it helped me through my labor. Even if you choose not to attend a class myself and plenty of other moms are here for you.

Mylene - posted on 05/15/2009

Also, I was uncomfortable going to a class and being around so many other people to talk about my pregancy/birth and birth plan. I really didn't feel at ease going to that type of classes so I chose to learn on my own and share it with my spouse instead. I am really happy with my choice. Trust your gut feeling.

Mylene - posted on 05/15/2009

I didn't do the birthing classes and don't regret it. My spouse was really calm and was helping me during labor and reminding me to breathe so I was fine. I did breathing techniques and self-hypnosis on my own at home and it worked just fine for me.