Anyone NOT take a childbirth class?

[preppy]

I really just don't know if its necessary. I don't have a specific birth plan, I don't want to try for natural and wouldn't be upset if I ended up with a c-section though I plan on trying to labor first. I was present at one of my nephews births and I felt like that was very educational, lol. 

My sister teaches birthing classes and is appalled that I am thinking of not doing a class. FWIW I am planning on taking the childcare/CPR class as well as the breastfeeding class so I am not against the classes as a whole. 

Will I regret not doing this? 

[cheeseandcrackers]

I didn't. I did fine, actually got complimented on my pushing lol. That being said, I had an epidural.

[pooh8402]

I'm not but I get plenty of real life experience.

I would say that 90% of my first time moms do not take a class and do just fine. I don't think they're necessary, just helpful. I do believe that a lot of the information presented in classes can be obtained from friends, books, and youtube videos. Nurses are used to FTMs not knowing what to do and can easily guide you through it.

[preppy]

Apr 20, 2015 15:57:21 GMT -5 pooh8402 said:

I'm not but I get plenty of real life experience.

I would say that 90% of my first time moms do not take a class and do just fine. I don't think they're necessary, just helpful. I do believe that a lot of the information presented in classes can be obtained from friends, books, and youtube videos. Nurses are used to FTMs not knowing what to do and can easily guide you through it.

This is what I want to hear, lol. I feel like I learn a lot from here and MMM as well as from my sisters. 

I think I am going to sit out those classes. I don't think DH will be upset. 

[dearprudence]

Personally, I like it, because I like to be prepared and know everything that I can expect, but I wouldn't say I would be appalled if someone didn't do a class. I was just reading over the blog post I wrote about it when I went back to find out when I took it for the other post, this was my experience:

"We spent the weekend attending a birth prep class. It was long, but covered a lot of information. We went over everything that happens during labor, from the first "meh I feel kind of under the weather" all the way through "I'm sorry I'm pushing what out of where?" We worked on different breathing techniques - slow, medium, and panting. And we went over what to pack in our hospital bags, which was also helpful.


We took a tour of the hospital, so I got to see where Muppet will actually make that big arrival, although we also covered how to deliver the baby in a car just in case (does the thought of this scare anyone else?). We talked about the different medication choices, both before labor (like an induction), during labor (both systemic and epidurals), and going completely without. One of the things I really liked about the class was that she didn't make it seem as though any choices were "bad" or "wrong."


We went over different laboring positions and I love the fact that the hospital I'll be giving birth in is so flexible with positions. They keep birthing balls in the room, as well as squatting bars, and each L&D room has a shower in case you want to do some laboring in water."

[panicked]

I didn't. I toured the hospital but that was it. I did some online research and practiced controlled breathing a bit, but in the end, I screamed through most of my (thankfully quick) labor. I didn't want to go natural at all but I ended up having to until the very end.

[noodleoo]

Honestly, I didn't like ours that much. Mostly because the teacher kind of sucked. I do think the information was really useful, but it was a LOT of class time. I'm glad I took it because I'm the kind of person that likes to have all the info and be prepared. But I've also been reading a lot and most of the information was in the books I've read and in the handouts from the hospital.

I do think the class was useful for my H. He is not a reader/researcher like I am, so I mostly wanted to take the classes with him so that I knew he was prepared. He definitely learned a lot and took notes and I think he's been more supportive since we took it. It was also good to get us discussing things.

Since you've been to a birth and your sister teaches classes, I bet you could get all the info you need without taking one. How does you H feel?

It was funny though, there was a girl in our class who was like "why do I need to know this stuff? Isn't this what the doctors/nurses are for?" and she was freaking out with some of the videos/topics. She also asked it if was possible to just be put out for the birth (!). I was really curious why she took the class since it was very obvious that she didn't really want to know anything!

[preppy]

Apr 20, 2015 16:10:31 GMT -5 noodleoo said:

Honestly, I didn't like ours that much. Mostly because the teacher kind of sucked. I do think the information was really useful, but it was a LOT of class time. I'm glad I took it because I'm the kind of person that likes to have all the info and be prepared. But I've also been reading a lot and most of the information was in the books I've read and in the handouts from the hospital.

I do think the class was useful for my H. He is not a reader/researcher like I am, so I mostly wanted to take the classes with him so that I knew he was prepared. He definitely learned a lot and took notes and I think he's been more supportive since we took it. It was also good to get us discussing things.

Since you've been to a birth and your sister teaches classes, I bet you could get all the info you need without taking one. How does you H feel?

It was funny though, there was a girl in our class who was like "why do I need to know this stuff? Isn't this what the doctors/nurses are for?" and she was freaking out with some of the videos/topics. She also asked it if was possible to just be put out for the birth (!). I was really curious why she took the class since it was very obvious that she didn't really want to know anything!

DH doesn't care either way. I mean I don't think he WANTS to take one but wouldn't care if I wanted to. 

To the bolded, I totally have thought this (half jokingly). I really don't want that, but when I think about being there when my sister was pushing out a 10lb baby with no drugs I think that being knocked out doesn't sound too terrible. (Does this make me a terrible person?)

I also think I can ask my sister if I have questions. I feel like she teaches them so she knows whats up if I need help. 

[starburst604]

Nope, didn't take one. I'm counting on the doctor and nurses to tell me what to do and get us both out of there alive. I did take a newborn care and breastfeeding class, since once we get home with this little stranger we will be on our own!

[noodleoo]

Apr 20, 2015 16:17:07 GMT -5 preppy said:

Apr 20, 2015 16:10:31 GMT -5 noodleoo said:

Honestly, I didn't like ours that much. Mostly because the teacher kind of sucked. I do think the information was really useful, but it was a LOT of class time. I'm glad I took it because I'm the kind of person that likes to have all the info and be prepared. But I've also been reading a lot and most of the information was in the books I've read and in the handouts from the hospital.

I do think the class was useful for my H. He is not a reader/researcher like I am, so I mostly wanted to take the classes with him so that I knew he was prepared. He definitely learned a lot and took notes and I think he's been more supportive since we took it. It was also good to get us discussing things.

Since you've been to a birth and your sister teaches classes, I bet you could get all the info you need without taking one. How does you H feel?

It was funny though, there was a girl in our class who was like "why do I need to know this stuff? Isn't this what the doctors/nurses are for?" and she was freaking out with some of the videos/topics. She also asked it if was possible to just be put out for the birth (!). I was really curious why she took the class since it was very obvious that she didn't really want to know anything!

DH doesn't care either way. I mean I don't think he WANTS to take one but wouldn't care if I wanted to. 

To the bolded, I totally have thought this (half jokingly). I really don't want that, but when I think about being there when my sister was pushing out a 10lb baby with no drugs I think that being knocked out doesn't sound too terrible. (Does this make me a terrible person?)

I also think I can ask my sister if I have questions. I feel like she teaches them so she knows whats up if I need help. 

Oh yeah, I totally agree!  I don't *want* to go through delivery, it sounds horrible.  And I've definitely thought having a c-section would be easier, but everyone says the recovery is so much harder.  Truthfully, I don't think I would have been that disappointed if she was breech and I had to have a c-section. But I would never announce it in front of a class of 20 people when I know it isn't realistic!  She kind of had a bad attitude in general that also wasn't very helpful to the class.

Haha, when I first got pg, I was so miserable, I kept having these thoughts about why haven't we come up with a way to grow babies in artificial wombs by now.  My sister thought I was insane.  But man, being pregnant really sucks (at least for me).  

[Koala]

I'm not planning on taking a childbirth class since I'm 98% sure I'll have a c-section (hopefully scheduled). I will try to find an infant care/cpr class though.

[hainesherway]

I'm not taking one, but I have known since 19 weeks that I have placenta previa and at a high risk of having a c-section. I would recommend taking the hospital tour so you know where to go and what to expect.

[dojo]

Prenatal class I did was only useful for post natal care, if you're getting that info elsewhere I wouldn't sweat it

[dojo]

Apr 20, 2015 16:58:51 GMT -5 hainesherway said:

I'm not taking one, but I have known since 19 weeks that I have placenta previa and at a high risk of having a c-section. I would recommend taking the hospital tour so you know where to go and what to expect.

100% agree with hospital tour. You'll have a better idea of what to bring too.

[Cicero]

We were signed up for one but ditched it when more fun plans for our weekend came along. Not going isn't something I regret.

We were also signed up for a hospital tour but we got into a car accident a week before it was supposed to happen and I had to go for monitoring so I got it then. Seeing it before hand was good information to have.

[hbomdiggity]

I'm only doing the one day class that includes the tour.

But I've also not read any books.

My birth plan is: have a healthy baby.

[lindsaymg]

I did last time and thought it was the biggest waste of time. I learned nothing. We definitely won't be this time.

[Kit]

I won't be taking one. We are taking an infant care class and a couple others I think, but not a birthing class.

[preppy]

Apr 20, 2015 18:35:57 GMT -5 @starry said:

I am sensitive regarding the c section under general topic but truly you probably don't want that. It is riskier for mom and baby and disconcerting to say the least

Eta: trust me I can see how it appeals in theory but in practice it wasn't as great, at least for me

I am sorry if the comment was offending in any way, I truly know that I don't actually want one. I hope that you have a better experience with your second delivery:)

[preppy]

Apr 20, 2015 18:33:41 GMT -5 @starry said:

I think you are fine. I took one (I think six weeks long) and it was not very useful unless you were planning a med free birth, which I really wasn't.

I would read up on breastfeeding and have the numbers of a recommended lactation consultant and / or your local La Leche League handy if that's important to you.

I will take the BF class as its separate and this is very important to me. Also handy, the sister who teaches birthing classes is a lactation counselor. She will be on call!

[mcfelix]

DH and I did take childbirth and breastfeeding class the first time around. While there were certainly parts where we were rolling our eyes, we were still glad we took it.

[kiddoc]

We are not planning on taking a class as both H and I have professional experience with deliveries. I do want to take a hospital tour though, so I know what to expect and what resources are available during and after labor. My H works at the hospital where I will be delivering, so he's not as excited about the hospital tour.

[dragon's breath]

I had signed up, but never took any since my son was born seven weeks early, before the class started. It was fine. We ended up having to take CPR classes before he could leave NICU, and with preemie feeding issues I had help with getting him to BF (otherwise, I think that one can come pretty naturally for many). I'd definitely do infant CPR classes though, we almost had to perform it on my son more than once.

[aprilsails]

It looks as though I might not. Our City offers classes and I hadn't really looked into it yet. Checked up on how to register last night and they are all full right up to my due date. I'm joining waitlists. Oh well.

[emoflamingo]

I didn't take one, mostly because I was a full-time student and I just couldn't squeeze in the extra classes on my schedule. Just remember to breathe (I had issues with this lol) and you'll be fine.

I also wasn't planning on going med-free. I did go mostly med-free for all but like 3 or 4 hours my first go-round, but the drugs were fantastic and I always remember my mom saying, during the labor of my 3rd sibling, that the hospital could have made way more money off her if they had told her how great epidurals were 3 kids before lol.

[montywho]

I never did. I just didn't feel it was necessary or for me. I was a firm believer in you can't control what's going to happen during L&D and the nurses are there to guide you.

I was dead set on getting an epidural but did not have time for one when I was in the hospital. I freaked but the nurses were awesome.

I did tour the hospital which was a must. It kinda puts you at ease a bit I guess. My SIL is the head maternity nurse so she just walked me around.

[speyedr]

I took a labor skills class but not an actual birth class with my first last year. I'm not taking any classes this time though because I just delivered a year ago and it's still pretty fresh. I am CPR certified and breastfed my first for 6 months so I feel plenty prepared.

[cilantro]

I watched a video of one an hour or so at a time at home. Glad I never did the real thing.

[marina007]

I didn't either - and also feel like I didn't miss out on anything tbh. Speaking with friends who have given birth was by far the most helpful to me.

[sparkythelawyer]

We did not take one. We did the tour, and we did the newborn classes, and that was it. I figured I would be having a baby regardless of whether I took a class or not :-). Besides, I think there is only so much preparation for labor you can get in a classroom. No matter what you learn/read about beforehand, its going to shock the crap out of you anyway.