Childbirth class?

[Azuremyst]

Are these classes really worth it? Are they helpful? I know some people who took them & some who didn't...I don't really notice a difference in their experiance. Also I would be attending alone because the class is more about relaxation techiniques than anything else...walking, stretching, yoga, etc. They talk about breastfeeding too. It's once a week for 8 weeks.

Any advice?

[atomic sagebrush]

I took them with my first and I did find it somewhat helpful, but this was prior to the Internet so information was harder to come by then. I don't know that I would bother but then again it might be a good place to make friends with people who will have playmates for your baby.

[nuthinbutpink]

I didn't do any classes. I'm sure there is some good info but if you watch an episode of A Baby Story, you kind of know what's coming. BF is kind of learned on the fly. If you are delivering in a hospital, you can tell your nurse you want a consult with a lactation specialist and they will send one to your room when baby is here. They are available in my hospital for free anytime you need them after too.

Basically, your body is going to take over and do its thing. If it will help you feel better-prepared, it might be worth it.

[Azuremyst]

Right now im leaning toward taking it, im not scared of childbirth...I just went through a kidney stone ordeal where I was in the hopital for 2 days & my nurse told im id be all set w/ childbirth LOL. I think it would be a good idea for me to get out of the house & meet people mostly since I won't be working. Maybe it will be useful, maybe it won't, it's not expensive so i'll give it a go.

Thanks!

[nuthinbutpink]

It would be a way to meet some gals. And yes, after a kidney stone you may not feel the contractions! I bet that hurt. My DH had one and I know it did a number on him.

[RedCanoe]

I took one before my first baby was born and found that I didn't really learn much that I didn't know already just from reading (What to Expect When You're Expecting) and being on mommy sites on the Internet (I like babycenter.com). But it can be good for meeting local couples that are due around the same time. You can also try joining a local mommy group on meetup.com if you want to get out with the baby. I found a great group of local ladies to hang out with through them... :)

[CocoChanel]

Azuremyst...I too had kidney stones while pregnant, and when I went to the Dr, I didn't know what was wrong with me so I said "this pain I equate to childbirth because it hurts just as bad" and he immediately laughed and said it must be kidney stones. So I think you have a good idea what the pain will be like!!

But I agree with the others, it is a good place to make friends and if you are planning a med-free birth I would recommend it. I never took a class, but I kinda wish I did for my first because everything was alot more intense than I anticipated.

[Azuremyst]

Oh wow yeah I had no idea what was going on with me, it came on all of a sudden. The pain was so intence I just went pale & threw up. And at the hospital I couldn't stop throwing up from the pain so I was placed on 3 bags of fluid, I was already dehydrated before hand. They gave me morphine and that helped with the pain a lot. They said they needed to control the pain because that can cause contractions...I was 22 weeks at the time, that's pretty scary! They think the cause of the stones was dehydration, now I drink water like a horse.

[whiteicequeen]

I never went to any Childbirth classes but this time I have been going to Aquanatal Classes which is a great way of getting some exercise and very low impact on the joints since it is in the water. If I didn't have my boys in the afternoon I would also attend the Yoga for Pg women too. I am shortly going to enquire about the Hypnobirthing a heard it is very good.

I didn't know what to expect in my 1st pg either but you soon know when it is time.:)

[NYFamilyOfFiveRoses]

I took Bradley with my 2nd pregnancy. I did not even really use it in labor. With my 3rd pregnancy, I took hypnobirthing from my doula. It was amazing. I was able to get through a drug free labor vaginally after 2 previous cesareans.