We found a free class with our first child through army community services, which helped for birth and first weeks of parenting. Some hospitals offer free or reduced. With both kids we toured the hospital which allows you to ask some of the medicine related questions. Our second child I found a birth class on DVD (sorry can't remember the title) that we watched together. Then I watched baby story on TLC.
You can't prepare for everything, but I couldn't go into labor without some preparation.
I would def go! I was so glad we took ours because I found out a bunch of things I would have never thought to ask. I found our really beneficial as a first time mom.
I think it depends on what kind of labor you are planning. If you are planning for natural childbirth, it might be worth it. If you are planning to have an epidural, maybe not. Another thing to consider is what kind of learner you are. If you are a visual learner it could be helpful. If you learn better by reading, you might want to skip the class and get your hands on some of the great reading material out there. I took a birthing class and didn't find it particularly helpful, but I had an epidural and i learn better by reading.
We toured the hospital but didn't do the birthing class. I think it's all up to you and what you feel comfortable with. :-)
HI Eileen,
I have only two things to offer. You might have an idea of what you hope to get out of a childbirth class first, then look for one that will meet that criteria.
Secondly, while I never used to put a lot of stock in them personally, as I beleive that you inherently know how to birth your baby, I am now sold. Because I have been a birth doula for 10+ years, I assumed most of the things I am used to dealing with were common knowledge. I am currently teaching a childbirth class to expectant parents as I work toward my Childbirth Educator Certification. The feedback I received from my parents to be was that they didn't know what they didn't know and were so glad that I was there to fill the void. So that said, I would say there is in fact value. But I would say find one that fits your needs, your style, i.e more lecture, vs. more interactive etc. Big group at the hospital, or private in home classes. There are also classes that teach certain styles of birthing like Birthing from Within, Lamaze, Hypnobirthing etc. You have to decide if that is more important, or if time and distance to home is most important.
Essentially, I beleive you will garner some valuable information, and generally speaking, you get out of it what you put in to it:-)
Good luck and happy birthing!
Taffy Nelson CD (DONA)
We took a whole series of birthing classes, and although we ended up w/ a c-sect at the last minute (I didn't end up needed the breathing techniques or pain management - actually - I did use some of those breathing techniques for a few days afterward!) I was VERY glad we'd done the breastfeeding class (spouses attend that one, too), the newborn care class, the the infant CPR class.
I also found the local class at the hospital very valuable. I think the class is good for preparing you for various scenarios, and is better than reading about birth because they can tell you more specifically about how things are handled at your particular hospital. You also have someone you can ask if something isn't clear enough or you have special concerns. I remember people asking questions about privacy concerns, technology capabilities, water birth options, etc. that you wouldn't find answers to in a book. I didn't think I wanted a water birth until learning more about it. There were other women who chose natural birth after taking the class. I also felt it was a wonderful place to connect with other mom-to-bes. If your hospital offers a new moms group, definitely go after the baby is born. It is where I made one of my very best friends! If they don't, start your own group by collecting some of those mom-to-bes email addresses. The last reason I felt the class was super valuable was so that my husband and I could connect and bond through the pregnancy. He was putting in huge amounts of overtime since his biggest focus on the impending new addition was how he would provide financially. I hardly ever saw him, but that required class once a week forced him to spend some time thinking about the rest of fatherhood and how he could support me through the birth. He turned out to be the best birthing coach ever! You might also discover through the class that he won't handle the process so well, and that you might need a doula to help you through the birth. Better to know ahead of time than when you are in the midst of birth and your partner faints on you! Good luck!
Eileen,
After 4 deliveries, I can tell you that knowledge is power. The more I learned about what was happening to my body and added different tools to my "arsenal" for coping with the sensations, the more enjoyable and empowering each delivery was. I was all natural with the last three. (Tried the first time, had a shot of Nubane and swore never to do that again - it was awful for me.)
Even if your goal isn't a drug-free birth, you'll still need tools for coping with contractions and keeping a calm and peaceful outlook. Fear = tense = pain. My husband and I loved our birth experiences and encourage everyone we know to use Dr. Robert Bradley's "Husband Coached Childbirth" (aka The Bradley Method) as well as Hypnobirthing or Hypnobabies. The delivery of your child can be amazing, empowering, strengthening your bond with baby's daddy (assuming he's attending) - or it can be scary and terrifying. I believe the knowledge and the tools make it a wonderful experience. Your hospital class may help, but often they just end up being an expensive tour and some Lamaze lessons. Books from the library are free!
I'm glad I took the class and wish I had done a "refresher" for my second. Even almost 14 years later I still use the breathing and focusing techniques to get me through hard stuff. I also still talk to a couple of people from the class.
It may or may not be worth your time -- depends on your personality. They basically offer you some coping skills and the idea behind them so that you can decide what will work for you. Ultimately, I used almost none of the techniques that they taught but the classes gave me confidence going into it. And they helped me realize that I get to (and need to) be in control of my childbirth. Without them, I would have been embarassed about my need to do jazz hands to cope and my compulsive behavior throughout.
I took a class before my 1st (I have 3). I am very glad I did - I learned about all kinds of things that might be done in the case that something might go wrong, and sure enough, it was a difficult birth and I ended up with a bunch of tubes and such sticking out of my body! All went well, and I'll tell you, it did wonders for me to know what was going on! If it weren't for the knowledge I gained from the class, I don't think I would have been as calm as I was!