Did you/are you planning to attend a childbirth class?
I have Kaiser and called yesterday. They suggest starting the class at 30 wks. It's every Sat for 5 wks, 2 1/2 hours long, and costs $96. I know that I would love to take a class but I'm not sure I want to commit to every Sat for 5 wks, especially right before the baby gets here. But, I also plan to deliver naturally (or at least as far as I can without meds) and know, based on my miscarriage, that having the breathing/relaxation skills would be very helpful. Plus, it will be great for DH to know more/be more confident as coach, etc.
I'm not. I plan to look some stuff up online - can't remember the website but I found one that has a free online class with a video I can watch. H I know wouldn't want to sit thru a class. The only thing we have planned is a hospital tour in September.
We did. It was 1 Saturday and scheduled for 8 hours but it really lasted 7, including a 1 hr lunch. Besides the hospital tour, I thought it was a waste. I learned more by reading books and MMM, but it was quite eye-opening for DH.
I'm doing a bunch (probably too many). I signed up for a L&D class that is two hours long on a weeknight for three weeks, then newborn care, breastfeeding, and infant CPR.
I'm doing a bunch (probably too many). I signed up for a L&D class that is two hours long on a weeknight for three weeks, then newborn care, breastfeeding, and infant CPR.
Yes, on top of the childbirth class, they offer free Baby Care Basics and Breastfeeding with Success. I/we are planning to attend both (DH definitely needs to attend the Baby Care Basics as he's never been around babies and I asked the lady yesterday her thoughts on the BF class and she recommended that he attend based on two ears are better than one and he might remember something I don't during the frustration of BF).
I think both of us would be more apt/motivated to do the childbirth class if it was during the week...5 Sat seems excessive. I'm calling today to see if there are other options, possibly at a different location.
I'm doing a bunch (probably too many). I signed up for a L&D class that is two hours long on a weeknight for three weeks, then newborn care, breastfeeding, and infant CPR.
Yes, on top of the childbirth class, they offer free Baby Care Basics and Breastfeeding with Success. I/we are planning to attend both (DH definitely needs to attend the Baby Care Basics as he's never been around babies and I asked the lady yesterday her thoughts on the BF class and she recommended that he attend based on two ears are better than one and he might remember something I don't during the frustration of BF).
I think both of us would be more apt/motivated to do the childbirth class if it was during the week...5 Sat seems excessive. I'm calling today to see if there are other options, possibly at a different location.
I have Kaiser as well. We're not doing the birthing class (the time commitment was just too much for me), but we did a late pregnancy/hospital tour class, and have scheduled a newborn care class and a breast feeding class.
I took one last time around but it was a one day all day class. 5 classes seems like kind of a lot. I think infant cpr and bfing classes might probably be more helpful, IMO the childbirth class wasn't helpful to me.
I took one last time around but it was a one day all day class. 5 classes seems like kind of a lot. I think infant cpr and bfing classes might probably be more helpful, IMO the childbirth class wasn't helpful to me.
This is my third baby and I agree with above. Seems like a lot. Especially in those final months before the baby arrives. I would want more time for lazy weekends and pedicures, etc. Or if you're in full on nesting mode, time to get the house in shape and nursery ready.
Wish we had done infant care and CPR before our first. Did a BFing class and it was well worth it for us.
Ours is 6 hours on two Saturdays. It feels overkill to me, and we were originally scheduled for a shorter class but DH had to work that day and they didn't have any other days that worked for us.
But as I mentioned in another thread, my DH is totally clueless about childbirth, so I wanted to take a class largely for his benefit (I don't think he'd read a childbirth book).
Did you/are you planning to attend a childbirth class?
I have Kaiser and called yesterday. They suggest starting the class at 30 wks. It's every Sat for 5 wks, 2 1/2 hours long, and costs $96. I know that I would love to take a class but I'm not sure I want to commit to every Sat for 5 wks, especially right before the baby gets here. But, I also plan to deliver naturally (or at least as far as I can without meds) and know, based on my miscarriage, that having the breathing/relaxation skills would be very helpful. Plus, it will be great for DH to know more/be more confident as coach, etc.
I feel the same as you about not taking classes. I've had some terrible mc where I had contractions for 12+ hours. I just feel I've been through it so many times what are classes going to help with? DH has a grown daughter so he experienced birth once. I don't think he remembers much bc he has asked if we are taking classes. The nurses will help us through it all too.
I'm thinking a breast feeding class would be better for me.
We took a one-day (8 hours) class at the hospital. H was not impressed and thought the instructor was fear-mongering re: pain meds, which I told him is laughable because almost everyone who delivers at this hospital gets an epidural. I thought it was useful and worth the money ($100) and one Saturday of our lives, but I probably didn't learn anything that I couldn't have gotten from a book.
I also did an infant CPR class (H was already certified). I definitely recommend that.
I didn't take a BF class because I wasn't sure how I would learn with no baby and no milk. I may regret this decision.
Post by picksthemusic on Jul 18, 2014 9:26:19 GMT -5
We did, and it was invaluable. We took a Bradley-style class, and DH learned a ton about what actually happens to a woman's body in labor and birth, and that a) it's normal, and b) that he can help. It also helped him see that he is a really important part of the birth process, and he has a role to play. I just think it's a really good idea for all women who are going to give birth to go to a childbirth class. I mean, you don't go swimming without taking a few lessons first, right?
My doctor's office wants us to take one that I think is at the hospital. I haven't looked into all the details to see if I'll want to look at other classes or not.
Did you/are you planning to attend a childbirth class?
I have Kaiser and called yesterday. They suggest starting the class at 30 wks. It's every Sat for 5 wks, 2 1/2 hours long, and costs $96. I know that I would love to take a class but I'm not sure I want to commit to every Sat for 5 wks, especially right before the baby gets here. But, I also plan to deliver naturally (or at least as far as I can without meds) and know, based on my miscarriage, that having the breathing/relaxation skills would be very helpful. Plus, it will be great for DH to know more/be more confident as coach, etc.
I feel the same as you about not taking classes. I've had some terrible mc where I had contractions for 12+ hours. I just feel I've been through it so many times what are classes going to help with? DH has a grown daughter so he experienced birth once. I don't think he remembers much bc he has asked if we are taking classes. The nurses will help us through it all too.
I'm thinking a breast feeding class would be better for me.
I don't mind taking the class but am hesistant to commit to so much time. Based on my mc (only 3 hrs of heavy contractions but 15 hrs of severe bleeding) I am afraid that I won't be able to relax as I should, etc. Also, I think it will be highly beneficial for DH...he's pretty much clueless and I'm going to need him to be strong and encouraging, not scared and not knowing what to do/say.
I'm going to look into the other options available through Kaiser. If there's something more along the lines of 1-2 days (even if it's an all day sort of thing) then we'll likely go that route. Otherwise, I will look into other community classes or the online classes available.
I think in your situation you can probably get away with not doing the classes (since your mc experience was much more labor-like than mine, your DH does have some experience, etc). Definitely do the breastfeeding class...and maybe have your DH attend that one as well (my friend had her DH attend and it ended up being very helpful in the early days when nothing was going right and she was exhausted/couldn't think of what they told her in class, etc).
I also did an infant CPR class (H was already certified). I definitely recommend that.
I didn't take a BF class because I wasn't sure how I would learn with no baby and no milk. I may regret this decision.
Same thoughts on these two classes. I am reading the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding and sort of rolling my eyes through it, but I'm hoping that is enough to have some background and then I can always meet with a LC afterward.
I'm taking a one-day class that's not associated with the hospital, and combines strategies from different childbirth methods (Lamaze, Bradley, hypnobirthing). They recommend a 4 session class for FTMs, but since we're also going to have a doula that seemed like overkill. I"m just crossing my fingers I don't go into labor early, because the class is scheduled right before I hit 36 weeks.
I'm doing a bunch (probably too many). I signed up for a L&D class that is two hours long on a weeknight for three weeks, then newborn care, breastfeeding, and infant CPR.
We took a class taught by two doulas during my first pregnancy. It was a 5 week class on labor, etc. with one baby care class added in as a bonus. I loved it and found it to be really helpful. I probably took it too soon (the class started in January and I wasn't due until early May), but I worried the next session was too close to my due date.
We are doing a two day course, friday evening and then all day saturday, through our hospital. Like others, I wanted to take it to prepare DH. He is very very squeamish around any sort of medical procedures and I have a real concern that he might not handle the birth process so well.
Post by sillygoosegirl on Jul 18, 2014 11:37:09 GMT -5
Ugh, that seems like a pretty crappy schedule. How many hours of class time is it? Around here, most of them seem to be either 6 weekday evenings, or 1-2 full weekend days.
Mine starts in 2 weeks, so I don't know yet how valuable it will be, but I figure unmediated birth is worth preparing for.
Ugh, that seems like a pretty crappy schedule. How many hours of class time is it? Around here, most of them seem to be either 6 weekday evenings, or 1-2 full weekend days.
Mine starts in 2 weeks, so I don't know yet how valuable it will be, but I figure unmediated birth is worth preparing for.
It's 2 1/2 hours each session and a good 20 minute drive each way, so easily 3 1/2 every Sat.
I did call and they offer the class during the week in the city where we deliver. Problem is that DH works close to there but gets off at 3:30. The class starts at 6...so, he would either have to drive all the way home (45 minutes) and then back there (30 minutes) or wait a couple hours. I would also have to drive there (30 minutes).
The other option is a 1 day class recommended by Kaiser but offered through another city program. The class is $100, 1 day for 9 hrs. The weekends that would work for us are in a city 45 minutes away (we could do it closer but the only weekend it's offered that applies to us is DH's birthday...that's definitely not happening!). I'm going to propose this option to DH...it seems like a much more practical, realistic solution.
I agree...it might not be all that helpful but at least worth trying. And you never know what you might learn! For me, it's important to at least do what I can and I also feel that DH would benefit from it greatly!
I'm doing a bunch (probably too many). I signed up for a L&D class that is two hours long on a weeknight for three weeks, then newborn care, breastfeeding, and infant CPR.
Yes, on top of the childbirth class, they offer free Baby Care Basics and Breastfeeding with Success. I/we are planning to attend both (DH definitely needs to attend the Baby Care Basics as he's never been around babies and I asked the lady yesterday her thoughts on the BF class and she recommended that he attend based on two ears are better than one and he might remember something I don't during the frustration of BF).
I think both of us would be more apt/motivated to do the childbirth class if it was during the week...5 Sat seems excessive. I'm calling today to see if there are other options, possibly at a different location.
Kaiser has a shorter overview-style of class that is only 2-3 hours and usually during the week, but I don't know if it would be enough for someone planning a med-free birth.
Yes, on top of the childbirth class, they offer free Baby Care Basics and Breastfeeding with Success. I/we are planning to attend both (DH definitely needs to attend the Baby Care Basics as he's never been around babies and I asked the lady yesterday her thoughts on the BF class and she recommended that he attend based on two ears are better than one and he might remember something I don't during the frustration of BF).
I think both of us would be more apt/motivated to do the childbirth class if it was during the week...5 Sat seems excessive. I'm calling today to see if there are other options, possibly at a different location.
Kaiser has a shorter overview-style of class that is only 2-3 hours and usually during the week, but I don't know if it would be enough for someone planning a med-free birth.
I saw that one too and asked the nurse. She said that if I wanted breathing/relaxation techniques, etc then I needed to do the more extensive class.
I talked to DH about the 1 day course offered outside of Kaiser (but recommended by Kaiser) and I think we will go that route.