Anyone skip the lamaze and/or birthing class?

I told my midwife I'm planning on "winging it" in the delivery room as I didn't sign up for a birthing class or lamaze. She basically told me I was nuts and should take one.

Anyone else skip out? I got some instructional DVDs I'm hoping are enough. I can't see spending that $200.

Re: Anyone skip the lamaze and/or birthing class?

I want to know this too! DH doesn't think it's necessary...I'm on the fence.

Re: Anyone skip the lamaze and/or birthing class?

I didn't take it. I did wind up with sections, but I didn't know that when I made the choice.

I do yoga so anything they were going to teach me about breathing, I already do in my practice. Outside of that, I didn't feel the need for a birth plan or any of the other things they advocate - it's just not me, I put my trust in my physicians and nurses.

I actually don't know of anyone who DID take it - and we all managed to get through the births

Re: Anyone skip the lamaze and/or birthing class?

I just took one last week and honestly we thought it was kinda a waste.

But I am might have a section and even if I don't I am definitely taking drugs.

If you want to go all natural then I would probably go. But I would pick one that focused more on the breathing. Ours was an overall birthing class

Re: Anyone skip the lamaze and/or birthing class?

I decided against it when I found out it was over $200. I am hoping I can wing it in the delivery room, my family thinks I am nuts. My Doctor said its a personal choice, he said its not a big deal to skip out. Hope hes right!

Re: Anyone skip the lamaze and/or birthing class?

I spent $180 on a class at LIJ. Most of the time was spent watching movies----very similar to A Baby Sotry that you would see on TLC. The few minutes of "practice" exercies that we did you could easily learn from a DVD or just listen to what the nurses tell you in the L+D room.

IMO, not necessary!

Re: Anyone skip the lamaze and/or birthing class?

I didn't take a class - we couldn't find one that worked with DH's schedule.

I got the Laugh and Learn About Childbirth video from the library and found it very informative (and free!)

Re: Anyone skip the lamaze and/or birthing class?

DH and I just took the class 2 weeks ago. It was $125 through our OB's office and to be honest, we both found it to be informative. Even DH learned a bunch of stuff. I feel a bit better knowing somewhat what to expect instead of going in blind. Ours discussed so many things. Only watched 2 short videos which were ok. Good luck with whatever decision you make.

Re: Anyone skip the lamaze and/or birthing class?

Yep i skipped it . Never even crossed my mind to take a class. I went into labor naturally and pushed the nurse talks you through everything. I ended up with a c section anyway. Its a personal decision.

Re: Anyone skip the lamaze and/or birthing class?

thanks! I think I'll stick with the DVDs. They're free

Re: Anyone skip the lamaze and/or birthing class?

I did not take anything with DD. I was a nervous mess about the labor, and figured that a class would make me even more nervous. I was fine. I pushed for 2.5 hrs..the nurse walked me through the entire thing. Actually, the next day she came to visit and told me to tell my lamaze coach what a great job I did. When she found out I did not take a class she was shocked. It honestly comes naturally.

Re: Anyone skip the lamaze and/or birthing class?

i didn't, my OB told me they were a waste of money. he said you can try to breathe lamaze style all you want with music and blah blah blah but he said it never happens that way so why bother.

i wasn't nervous at all, knowing the nurses and my doctor would guide me.

Re: Anyone skip the lamaze and/or birthing class?

We plan on taking birthing classes here OOS. It's once a week for 4 weeks but it's only $79.00

Re: Anyone skip the lamaze and/or birthing class?

i think it depends on you and your DH's personalities. my SILs both said it was a waste, but they are not the type of people to worry and stress about the unknown. they went into it w confidence. me, i am the exact opposite. i want to know as much as i can about anything before i do it. i was stressing about L&D constantly, so DH agreed to take the class. i am VERY glad we did. we went to new baby belly in massapequa, and i felt like we got a lot out of it. now i know the signs of labor, how long to wait at home until going to the hospital, and what a typical first labor and delivery is like. (i realize that typical seems like a bit of a silly word to attach to L&D bc no 2 are the same...but i just feel way more prepared for however it happens.)

i also have trouble learning from reading. i enjoy reading novels, but when it comes to reading about what to expect from a situation that i'm already nervous about, i have trouble absorbing the info. going to a class and hearing it first hand from a person right in front of me was really what i needed to understand everything.

see how you feel after watching the videos. if you feel that it's enough, then trust your instincts. good luck!

Message edited 12/20/2011 12:44:12 PM.

Re: Anyone skip the lamaze and/or birthing class?

I plan on skipping all of this... I know me... And I know once Im in labor, all of that info will go staight out the window... It just seems like yet another money making scheme... My mom took lamaze and she said it was a complete waste.

Re: Anyone skip the lamaze and/or birthing class?

We skipped it and watched "Laugh and Learn About Childbirth". There is also a book by Sheri Bayles by the same name. It made me feel really confident and prepared. Also DH and I were laughing through out the DVD.

I borrowed the book and DVD from my library.

Re: Anyone skip the lamaze and/or birthing class?

Im not going to take the class. I really don't want to spend $200 on it and I no longer have the energy to go out to a class.

I will probably rent the DVD from the library as well and do some internet research.

I know of maybe one person who did the class bc she was planning a drug-free birth and after a few hours she was begging for an epi.

I know I will get the epi as soon as they offer it bc I'm scared $#!less of labor but I know so many women with children and they made it without the lamaze.

Re: Anyone skip the lamaze and/or birthing class?

I *think* we are going to skip it. I still havent discussed it w/DH yet. It just doesnt seem necessary to me at this point. I am the last of all my friends to have a kid so I have them to go to plus I a SIL who has kids & is a DR so I am def going to be asking her a TON of questions. We will def be renting the videos.

Re: Anyone skip the lamaze and/or birthing class?

took it for my 1st pregnancy..don't plan on taking it again....waste of time..didn't help much.

Re: Anyone skip the lamaze and/or birthing class?

I didn't take a lamaze class. My mom thinks it's a scam. She didn't take any lamaze classes and had 3 kids without any med. She can teach me everything I need to know but too bad I ended up with a c section.

Re: Anyone skip the lamaze and/or birthing class?

With my first pregnancy, my husband and I took Childbirth Ed at New Baby Belly. We loved it. It was worth every penny. Really informative, fun and relaxed, and we really left there feeling prepared and I absolutely remembered some of the stuff when I went into labor. They only spent a few minutes on breathing. I would definitely recommend it. That being said, I have heard a lot of people rave about the Laugh and Learn childbirth dvd.

Re: Anyone skip the lamaze and/or birthing class?

i signed up for one at good sam. then after talking to like 4 or 5 other couples, they all said skip it. one friend is a nurse and her husband is a pa and they both said hands down watch the dvds- way more informational, cheaper, and easier. so i transferred my deposit to a bf class and signed up for the free c-section class instead.

Re: Anyone skip the lamaze and/or birthing class?

I got the DVD ( Laugh and Learn) when pregnant with my DS. It is a great video and tells you most of what you would like to know about birth. Unless you plan of doing a natural delivery (No Epi) then I don't think there is any need for Lamaze or a birthing class. I would only do one if I was going to give birth with no drugs. The nurse talks you through everything and when the pain gets intense, that is when you get an epidural. Like most said, it really comes natural what to do.

Instead of Lamaze, DH and I took a Newborn care class and a BF class. Those I would highly recommend. Labor to me was the easy part. Taking care of the baby, was what I was freaking out about. I took lots of notes at the class, and looked back at them alot once DS came.

Message edited 12/20/2011 6:07:41 PM.

Re: Anyone skip the lamaze and/or birthing class?

We skipped and only took a hospital tour..that was enough info. for me..I am the type of person that couldn't have a plan/anticipate too much, I have to go with the flow and I trusted that nurses had done this a million times..I ended up with an induction and section due to preeclampsia and just told everyone I needed to know what was happening when it was and all was well..knock on wood...

Re: Anyone skip the lamaze and/or birthing class?

I am not doing Lamaze. I will just get a DVD or something. I can't see spending the money.