What Did You Learn?

My husband and I took a 12 week Bradley class. I knew I wanted a natural birth, and the more I researched the more I decided Bradley was the way I wanted to go. I felt like I needed the structure of the class instead of teaching myself with books or dvds (hypnobirthing comes to mind as the alternative). I think we spent $150 on the 12 week session although from what I hear that is on the cheaper end of what they normally cost. It was invaluable though. It was not only great for me because I obviously learned a lot but I think being in a group of people with similar views on birth was important. There are so many natural birth nay-sayers (I say "i'm going to have a natural birth" they say "yeah, right, you just wait and see" while rolling their eyes) that its sometimes really easy to doubt your body's ability. So being in a group of like-minded couples was very reassuring. The best part of the class though was that it REALLY got my husband involved... taught him things he would never have bothered to read about and got him to the point where he was TOTALLY on board with having a natural birth, and I knew I could count on him 100% to be my advocate.

I would've spent $500 on this class knowing now how important it was. I had a fantastic birth... no interventions, no drugs, and a wonderful strong coach there with me the whole time :) It made such an impact on me that I'm now looking into becoming a Bradley Birth instructor myself!

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Hi M.. I had twins 2 years ago and was very determined to have a natural birth. I might have even tried a home birth if it hadn't been twins. Anyway, I took the Bradley Method classes which are much more extensive than your typical childbirth class. They are definitely more "natural" in their approach. I really appreciated how much they educated the parents about the birthing process so that we could make informed decisions along the way and not feel like we were "at the mercy" of the medical staff. I felt really prepared by the end of the classes and would recommend them to anyone who wants to be more in control of their birthing experience. Bradley's motto is "Husband Coached Child Birth" so the dad get's really involved in the process which I feel is very important. We also chose to hire a doula because of my "high-risk" twin delivery. I really wanted to have someone there to help us and act as our advocate so that things didn't get out of hand. I ended up birthing my twins vaginally and everything went really well. I really tried to do it without an epidural but ended up getting one 28 hours into my 30 hour labor. I almost made it. :-)

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That there is not a third option, much to my dismay. And the looser you are the faster it goes. That advice was stellar.

I did not take a class, but read Ina May Gaskin's Spiriual Midwifery and a few other books on natural childbirth. I liked her stance that giving birth is what our bodies are designed to do and that there are no classes necessary. My midwife was ok with me not taking a class as well.
I did go to prenatal yoga, which I used in early labor (I did a lot of cat/cows...) and it taught me how to focus and listen to my body.
I ended up having a fast and easy natural birth that was a great experience.

My husband and I took a Hypnnobirthing class that was perfect for us. It basically taught me how to meditate through my contractions and save my energy for what really counts. I still use what I learned today about stress reduction and relaxation and my baby is 8 months old.

I learned some other techniques of breathing and positions that can help u thru labor/and or just be more comfortable depending on your situation.I was very happy to learn of the birthing ball, though I never got the chance to use one during labor due to being confined to bed by the stupid on call dr for no reason at all.

Only thing I remember not really being wild about was that my teacher was a lil fruity...lol...and she was also a lil too pushy about natural child birth.I don't disagree with it but feel that if one needs to have pain meds then it's her choice and no ones elses.This is a reason why I never called her though she said we could if we wanted to and she would be there to support us any way she could free of charge (she was also a midwife).

I ended up with a c-section so I didn't get to use anything I learned, though next time I think I will take a refresher course anyhow.

The class I took showed you different labor passions and relaxing techniques and how to breath. I didn't think any of it was useful except the breathing. It the heat of the moment I just did what was the most comforting for me. It's different for every person. I would go to one if you can, you never know what you will learn from it.

Good luck!

I did not take a class with my last pregnancy because my husband and I felt pretty well informed with all the other amazing new mothers in our community and reading/researching. This time around I have not felt as connected with my pregnancy, probably because I have a three year old occupying most of my time. So we are going to take a Birthing From Within weekend class. I read the book and loved it. The philosophy is definetely up our alley. I am planning a home water birth and am so excited! I wouldn't dream of doing it any other way.

I took a class with Penny Simkin, which focused on learning the possibilities of labor, but not on any specific approach to labor. The goal was for each person to have the information they needed to have the birth experience they wanted, with a slight tilt towards a natural delivery.

I can't remember specifics of what i learned (i was well read before hand, which helped), but in general i felt a lot better prepared. What made my late pregnancy and labor good for me is that i felt equipped to handle all the difficulties that came up, and all the variations from my birth plan. Either because we had discussed those possibilities in class (like induction practices), or because we'd discussed a method for getting the information you need to make a good decision.

The people i know who had bad experiences, by and large, seem to have them not because of the actual procedures used, but because they felt like they didn't understand what was happening, and didn't know how to get the information they needed to be able to make decisions.

If i were you i'd talk to your doctor about how you will go about making decisions during labor and delivery - how you will get information from Dr., etc. And then read enough to know about possible events, even if they are not on the birth plan you most desire.

We did the Bradley Method of Natural Childbirth...It was awesome. I can't decide which was better...the great friends we made in class and are still friends with 8 years later or the massages that I got from my husband for half an hour or more during "class"...so amazing. Tons of interesting information too. This is a twelve week class, 3 hours per class, once per week, so it's jammed with info and FABULOUS.

My kids are two and four and the one thing I remember before giving birth was feeling so clueless. My childbirth classes were good for me, they prepare you for anything but I think I learned that you have no control over what happens. You are in the hands of your docotor and you need to trust them to give you the best care, especially if its your first. I had a great experience with my first although it was long and she was big I felt great afterwards and had no post pardom. I expected the same thing only better when my son was born but that didnt turn out to be the case. He was too big to get thru the canal easily (11lbs) and broke his collar bone on the way out. He wasnt breathing and had temporary nerve damage in his arm. I had a VERY tough four month recovery, both mentally and physically. I never wanted a c-section, but after that experience, I should have had one. We arent having anymore kids so I dont ever have to worry about it but it still haunts me. You never know what is going to happen during birth and you have to be prepared for anything

I took a Bradley Method class - I liked that it wasn't a one day/weekend seminar type set-up. It was a 12 week class that I felt really prepared both me and my husband for what we were getting into. It brought up a lot of topics that we hadn't thought to discuss and taught us how to write our birth plans. It also gave us the resources to carry out the birth we wanted. I was hoping for a drug-free, natural birth and I feel that because of the relaxation techniques and vast array of positions they taught us that we could labor in, really gave my husband and I the feeling that we were prepared. They also talked about research that has been done on a womans diet during pregnancy and give you specific goals to reach daily with your diet.

M.-

The best thing I learned in childbirth class (that I actually remembered enough to use) was a breathing excercise where my husband would give me a number (between 2 and 5) at random and I would do that many shallow breaths followed by a deep one. We did that all thru the active and transition phases for all three of the kids' births.

The other thing I learned was that there is no "wrong" way to go thru labor. I went into it wanting to go as "natural" as possible, but I ended up needing medication (just one dose) to get me thru the pain of transition.

My husband wanted to skip the C-section part since he was sure that we weren't having one which of course we did. The class was very helpful in preparing for the possibility. The breathing techniques helped the funny child birth stories were great.

C.

M.,
I didn't remember anything from birthing class when I had our first child. I just listened to our midwife and my husband telling me to breathe for the baby. (I kept holding my breath and his heart would stop beating.)
With our second son, I remembered to breathe through the contractions and to focus on the person at my bedside. (This was either my husband or my brother-in-law while my husband went to the restroom.)
With both children I went completely drug free. It was a great experience for me. Our first son was blessed into this world with his Auntie in the room video taping from over my right shoulder. With our second son, she was on vacation, but since my brother-in-law is single and will most likely not have children, my husband and I really wanted to share the miracle of birth with him. Again, it was taped, but not from any angle that we wouldn't broadcast on the TV. The experience for him was wonderful watching his nephew come into the world. He even panned up to the clock as soon as our son came out.
I was lucky in that with both deliveries, the midwife I wanted to deliver our children were on call at the hospital.
With our first son, it was her first official delivery.

My overall experience with child birth is that I would do it again in a heart beat if I didn't have to go through the nine months leading up to it.

Hi M.,
Unfortunatly I didn't use anything I was taught in my labor classes.The breathing made me light headed and frankly the coaching was almost too much too take while I was in labor. Finally, I totally tuned EVERYONE out, including the doctor, and started to focus on random things in the room. After I did that, I started to push correctly and the baby started making progress. R.

I used the Bradley method. That lamaze idea totally does not work. I would ask a local midwife that you trust what her ideas are as she is the expert in normal birthing ideas.
-S.

Nothing. I learned absolutely nothing from a 6-week Lamaze/Childbirth Preparation Class. But I like to read; I think the curriculum was cut out for people who don't. I also didn't get anything that was at all useful for my labor. However, you'll be happy to know that I had a completely unmedicated natural labor and delivery nonetheless. And I met some cool people in the class who are my "mom friends" today.

Hi M. -

what I did NOT learn in childbirth prep classes was any information about the Newborn Screen Test. I think that is needs to be talked about that before you leave the hospital blood will be taken from the baby for a metabolic screen. It is important to point out that this test CAN and DOES save lives.

When we had our oldest I read a little flyer in the hospital about the test. By the time we were ready to leave they had actually forgotten to take the test and I reminded them. Little did I know that my daughter indeed has a metabolic disorder. This this test SAVED my daughters LIFE. Without it she would not be here today. Therefore it is important to point this test out to expectant parents, let them know how important it is, that it does not hurt the baby, and that it does save lives. I often hear from my OB & Pediatricians that parents want to forgo this test b/c of the prick to the baby. I am happy to share my daughter's story with anyone to teach just how important it is. FYI - my daughter is now a healthy, and happy 4 year old.

Please feel free to contact me for more information. Thnx.

Bea

The first time I took Lamaze. It did absolutely nothing for me. The breathing excersizes are immpossible to follow once you are actually in labor and can cause hyperventilation. They focused a lot on all the things that will happen to you in the hospital with no discussion about wether or not you should let those things happen to you. No discussion about how to prevent those things from happening, just non chalant, this is what this is, blah blah blah like being poked and prodded during labor is normal and right. I did NOT have a good birth experience.

The second time around I took the Bradley method. I LOVED it and recommend it to ALL parents to be. The Bradley method teaches you EVERYTHING. By the time you leave those classes you will understand how and why your body does what it does, that it is nothing to be afraid of or messed with, and that birth is completely normal, natural, empowering and doesn't need to be messed with unless absolutely needed, life and death, otherwise, leave it alone. The relaxation techniques they use, basic, slow breathing, using your partner as your coach, teaching your partner how you respond best and to know your cues....that was the BEST! I have to admit I was beyond nervous because relaxtion is not my strong suite. While pregnant I just could not get down the total relaxation part, but once I was in labor, it was so easy, natural, and calming to remember what I had learned in my class.
With each contraction I could picture in my head exactly what was happening inside my body, with my baby, and I knew exactly where and why I was having each feeling, pain, and otherwise.
That birth was 3.5hrs start to finish and I'm so glad I was able to trust my body and let go because when your body goes from a 4 to a 10 in 45 minutes, if you are scared or trying to fight it, you are going to be in serious pain.....
With the Bradley method, I felt the pain, but I was able to handle, it, understand it, and relax and let it come and go. It was great.
My third birth, in which I also used Bradley was the easiest, most fun thing I have ever done in my life. You are welcome to see pics and read my birth story.
http://www.tonyagervacio.com/AedenAnthony.html

We thought our one day class was a waste of time and money, and couldn't imagine taking more than a one day class either. I would have benefitted the most from a handout showing the different pain relieving techniques, positions, medication options, etc. If they could duplicate the pain level of contractions so you would know what to expect, that would have been great..lol!

The main thing I learned from having two babies that no class can emphasize enough is that you can prepare for anything but it all happens the way it's supposed to despite all of your efforts. Both my births were completely different than I imagined, expected, hoped, or planned for!

The first aid and baby care classes we took were good, and my husband liked the daddy class too. But the best thing we got out of birth prep class was another couple expecting the same day as friends!

For my first baby I took a Hypnobirthing class as I wanted to focus on natural childbirth. I found that when the time came I didn't find the relaxation techniques they taught be too helpful. I was birthed that baby in a large hospital where they wanted me to stay in bed strapped to a fetal heart monitor. I am not a fan of big hospitals now.

I just had my second baby and this time around ordered The Pink Kit from a company in New Zealand. It was fascinating stuff, though a bit weird at first. The kit has a DVD, paperback book and a couple audio CDs. The major information I got was getting very familiar with your anatomy and in doing so, keeping the muscles and tissues relaxed during labor. Also it recommended breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. I found this information much more helpful.

For my second baby I did most of my laboring at home and paced through most of it. I found walking made the contraction closer together but that they were less intense and easier to breathe through. I focused a great deal on relaxing and letting my body do what it already knew it was supposed to do. The Pink Kit also talked about positions and I actually gave birth in the hands and knees position and found this was much, much better for me than the semi-reclined. The Kit was $110 with $25 shipping, but I really did use the information. I will probably loan it out to friends who are interested so that they have the information available. I was very happy with my birth. No stitches or tearing!

I took a class before my first was born it was a few weeks a few nights or something like that (he's 12 now so I don't remember the days). I remember not getting much out of it. I think what helped me the most was being in the delivery room with my sister in law and a friend before I became a mom. I am now pregnant with #3 and am wondering how this labor is going to go. My other two labors were so very very different. I guess the only true way to learn is to go through it. You can't really tell someone what to expect other than it's going to hurt, but not in a way you think it will. I always try to tell moms you can try to plan it as best you can, but don't expect your plan to go through smoothly, if it does it's a blessing, but don't expect it to. ALWAYS expect the unexpected. And I always tell them it's ok to wonder what you did to your life......LOL after the baby is born and you are home and sleep deprived with a crying baby. It's ok not to like your baby sometimes, but you will always love it. It seems harsh to some but those who are moms understand.
W.

My husband and I took a labor and birth class together and the best thing I learned in the class is to have no expectations. Each labor and child is different, each birthing experience is different and quite often you end up with an unexpected outcome. I think it's important to be prepared for anything and everything as it can help you deal with issues after birth, ie premature babies, post-partum depression, etc. If I were teaching a class this is the first point I would make to expecting parents.

My husband and I did the Bradley method. We learned a ton about child birth, breastfeeding and some about childcare. It really prepared us for what we were about to embark on. SOme of the videos were a little much (no screaming in labor? Come on!) but they were good for me to see as I was in a bit of denial about the whole process. It was a long series (10 weeks?) and each class was 2hrs. Its a committment, but we both thought it was worth it. Good luck.

My husband and I took a series of classes for $80 and we learned everything from the different methods used to control pain to how to breastfeed. It was worth every penny. The best thing was that my husband learned childbirth wasn't going to be something he could "solve" or "fix" but rather something he needed to help me through by being supportive. One of the classes covered the various stages of childbirth, which was extremely helpful when the event came and we were able to track where we were in the process. Also the tour of the hospital comes in handy.

I've had 3 pregnancies and 4 children (last pregnancy was twins), and I took classes each time. The first was the typical hospital class of the day, 12 years ago, in a very conservative city. I wish I had learned about doulas in that class. The second was an ICEA (Int'l Childbirth Education Assn) class, the third was Birthing From Within. I personally thought the breathing patterns in the first 2 classes were not useful, but as a doula, I can say that they may or may not be helpful for the mom, but can be great for the dad or other birth partner for assisting the mom, giving them something meaningful to do. Some moms need them to calm down, distract, and stay on top of the contractions.

The best thing I learned from the ICEA classes was all the different alternatives available during labor and birth, and to be assertive (or have someone with me who is). One of ICEA's 'mottos' is "Freedom of choice based on knowledge of alternatives". You can ask to be monitored intermittently, as long as everything appears okay, instead of staying in bed being monitored constantly. You can ask to 'wait and see', instead of accepting an intervention simply because it's what's usually done. You can choose different pushing positions, rather that lying flat on your back or in a semi-sitting position. You can choose to labor or deliver in water instead of staying dry. You can vocalize instead of trying to remain quiet. You get the picture.:)

The best thing I learned in Birthing From Within, which I still use now (my twins are now 7), is facing fears. We were asked "What is the worst thing that could happen during your labor and/or birth?" Once we answered that question, we were then asked "What will you do if that happens?" It helped me to realize that even if horrible things happen, I CAN handle them, painful as it may be.

Great question!!
K.,
Mom to 4, Birth Junkie, and Scrapbooker, too:)