I didn't ever take one. I had seen birth happen several times, and like you I thought I wanted to try for natural but wouldn't be torn up if it didn't go exactly as I thought it might (and I ended up with the epidural.) I had really great nurses there who were very supportive and I didn't feel unprepared at all.
I probably would have been more likely to take a class but all the ones I looked at here were fairly expensive, and I just didn't want to drop a few hundred dollars on it.
Post by runblondie26 on Apr 21, 2015 20:19:50 GMT -5
I took childbirth, breastfeeding, and infant CPR classes. I ended up with an emergency c-section, and never got DD to breastfeed well, so I exclusively pumped for months. So yeah, not much payoff for me.
Luckily I never had to test what I learned in the CPR class.
If it gives you more confidence going in, then I would take the classes. I was fine with the idea of a c-section all along, and honestly I'm glad that's how it turned out. I would probably look into Bradley classes, or something more intensive like that, if you're truly interested on a med-free birth. The classes I took through the hospital where I delivered were a waste for me.
I took childbirth, breastfeeding, and infant CPR classes. I ended up with an emergency c-section, and never got DD to breastfeed well, so I exclusively pumped for months. So yeah, not much payoff for me.
Luckily I never had to test what I learned in the CPR class.
If it gives you more confidence going in, then I would take the classes. I was fine with the idea of a c-section all along, and honestly I'm glad that's how it turned out. I would probably look into Bradley classes, or something more intensive like that, if you're truly interested on a med-free birth. The classes I took through the hospital where I delivered were a waste for me.
Oh I have absolutely zero interest in a med free birth which is why I am thinking of skipping the classes.
I chatted with DH and we are going to do the infant care/CPR and BF classes together and skip birthing.
Post by liverandonions on Apr 21, 2015 23:25:56 GMT -5
We did a newborn care class which was good because it taught us about bathing for the first time, poop colors and what's a concern, temperatures etc. we took a prepared childbirth class which was awesome because it showed me how to labor in different positions while my husband had to massage my back. So basically it was 2 hours of massage
I took one. It was maybe a little helpful? I had a weird birth though where my water did break at home without contractions then I needed magnesium due to hypertension and was catheterized and couldn't move. So I got an epidural right away.
I would have liked to hear more about common complications as well.
The breast feeding and pumping classes just make me sad in retrospect because that didn't work well. And I was very shocked when they came in my room with a pump a couple hours after I gave birth when class said you shouldn't pump for 3-4 weeks. They should have said some complicated births may alter that.
Baby care was somewhat useful. I wish it had been more thorough.
So I guess they are good if you have a normal delivery. I'm not sure how many women have that.
Here's some tips: -Your legs rest on the stirrups between contractions but you take them off while pushing and family/nurses help hold your legs. -Make your legs wide and pulled back- as far as they can both ways. -Raise your upper body up like you're doing a crunch and grab the back of your thighs. -Use that grip to both pull yourself up and pull your legs back. The people holding your feet shouldn't push your legs back, you pull them- it helps you push more effectively. -Take a deep breath before pushing and hold your breath while you push. Screaming will actually take away from your pushing power- which I realize isn't always possible when you're not medicated. -Listen to your nurse. She'll coach you through it.
I didn't take a birthing class because I've been in 100s of deliveries and the above are some take home points that I've learned over the years.
Here's some tips: -Your legs rest on the stirrups between contractions but you take them off while pushing and family/nurses help hold your legs. -Make your legs wide and pulled back- as far as they can both ways. -Raise your upper body up like you're doing a crunch and grab the back of your thighs. -Use that grip to both pull yourself up and pull your legs back. The people holding your feet shouldn't push your legs back, you pull them- it helps you push more effectively. -Take a deep breath before pushing and hold your breath while you push. Screaming will actually take away from your pushing power- which I realize isn't always possible when you're not medicated. -Listen to your nurse. She'll coach you through it.
I didn't take a birthing class because I've been in 100s of deliveries and the above are some take home points that I've learned over the years.
I have a confession - I just practiced the above on my couch. H isn't home, which is good because this would have frightened him.