Childbirthing classes?

Who's taking them & where? Do you feel they are necessary?

I am debating, my OB's office offers them but the dates/times are not good with DH's schedule. I was thinking of taking an all day class at South Nassau but I am not sure if it is truly worth it.

Any insight would be great!

Re: Childbirthing classes?

We aren't taking one. DH is not interested at all and I could take it or leave it. Honestly, I feel that nothing can prepare me for what I am going to experience.

Re: Childbirthing classes?

We're signed up at Southside for Labor & Delivery and C-Section for next week and the week after (no cost). I'm also going to a BF class by myself. Three hours each day. This is our first baby and I just want to go through the motions. When my siblings had babies, these classes were mandatory. Don't think they are now but just want to check them out. I'm sure we will not be held prisoner and if it's not working for us, we can leave.

While I'm not an overpreparer, I think one can be prepared a little bit, to an extent, for this. The more things you are familiar with, the less of a whirlwind it will be. When it comes to medical procedures and things being done to my body, I like to know what's going on. At least a little bit.

ETA: I will be delivering at Southside. I think the fact that the classes are offered at my hospital made the decision easier that way we see our hospital's procedure. If they were at another hospital, I don't think we'd do them. Have no plans of taking an outside lamaze class. Was told breathing techniques will be covered in L&D class.

Message edited 5/27/2009 8:55:34 AM.

Re: Childbirthing classes?

We took lamaze. We got the name of the instructor through my doctor's office and took the class in Setauket. We enjoyed the class. I felt that it gave me as much information as they could to prepare me for labor. That was important to me. The breathing techniques are also helpful in my opinion. To us it was worth it. We had to switch DH's schedule a little bit too but it was only 4 evenings of classes so it wasn't too bad.

Re: Childbirthing classes?

Posted by BnBdreamin

While I'm not an overpreparer, I think one can be prepared a little bit, to an extent, for this. The more things you are familiar with, the less of a whirlwind it will be. When it comes to medical procedures and things being done to my body, I like to know what's going on. At least a little bit.

Re: Childbirthing classes?

I took the class at the hospital I was delivering at. All in all, the nurse who taught the class was funny and she really told it like it was... and that calmed my nerves. Also, she told us exactly how things would unfold.. step by step, once we got to the hospital, so that helped out with the way things went when we got there... so that was great too.... overall, the information about child birth, we didnt need, but the information abut the hospital was great

Re: Childbirthing classes?

We took a 5 week Lamaze at the Good Sam Hospital. Our instructor / nurse was awesome & made the classes fun!

I also won a 4 hour small group class on LIFamilies through New Baby Belly. We did that also, especially since DH couldn't make all of the hospital lamaze classes since he coaches at night.

I thought they were very informative & worth it...JMO

Re: Childbirthing classes?

Posted by JennyPenny

Posted by BnBdreamin

While I'm not an overpreparer, I think one can be prepared a little bit, to an extent, for this. The more things you are familiar with, the less of a whirlwind it will be. When it comes to medical procedures and things being done to my body, I like to know what's going on. At least a little bit.

I agree with this- but I read books and watched videos

Message edited 5/27/2009 9:07:47 AM.

Re: Childbirthing classes?

We are not taking Lamaze or anything.

We are going to Labor & Delivery given by the hospital tonight but I think it's more hospital PROCESS than about birthing.

Re: Childbirthing classes?

I'm kind of interesting in learning a little through classes. I have no idea what I'm doing, I've never done this before and I think anything that will help would be good. If I don't like it the first time then I don't have to go back but I would definately at least like to try it. When do you go for your first class? 3rd trimester usually?

Re: Childbirthing classes?

We went to a one day -all day class in CT where we live. It was informative and as a "planner" I thought it was a good idea to go and I am glad that we did. I feel like if I didn't go, I would have regretted it, esp for a first baby.

Also, one major reason why I enjoyed it is because I met a group of women who all live in nearby towns with babies who would be the same age as DD.

I stayed in contact with several of the women and now we go walking every week and we have a "stoller club" where we walk and then go back to a different house each week and play with the babies, eat some snacks, chat etc...
and we have a "family BBQ" at someone's house next week so the husbands can officially meet.

Re: Childbirthing classes?

Re: Childbirthing classes?

Re: Childbirthing classes?

We plan on taking the one day all day class at the hospital (NSUH-Manhasset), just so we're familiar w/ the hospital procedures and everything.

I planned on taking a BFing class and Lamaze/Bradley method in Westchester, where we live.

It's our first baby and although I've read books and watched videos, I'd like an opportunity for Q&A and it's something that I can include DH in.

And maybe hope to meet some other mommy to be's in our area.

Re: Childbirthing classes?

I'm taking them, starts tomorrow night...

I live upstate though

I figure, any knowledge we can get would be good, also it will help for DH to be clued in as to what to expect, how he can help etc

Re: Childbirthing classes?

I'm planning on taking a Bradley class. My cousin swears by it, so we're going to check it out. I emailed the local instructor this morning & am waiting to hear back from them...

Re: Childbirthing classes?

We are taking lamaze starting next week. I wanted to take something just so dh & I have some kind of info...plus I really wanted to do it cause it makes dh come home early one night a week :) and it will be like a date night for us

Re: Childbirthing classes?

We just signed up for our child birthing class. I am due Aug 28th and our classes begin July 7th. It is 3, 2 hour classes from 8-10 at night. I wanted to take a class, I think it will help me and DH to learn more about what to expect. I have a video as well.

We also signed up for a Breastfeeding class, DH is coming to that one too.

We signed up at Winthrop.

Message edited 5/27/2009 1:58:56 PM.

Re: Childbirthing classes?

I am going to take classes because I want natural childbirth. If this was not my goal I don't know if i would bother.