Birthing Classes?

Question

I'm 25 weeks pregnant.. how far along should i be when I take birthing class?

Answer 1

My hospital does not start birthing classes until 28 weeks. The midwife that I spoke to said that this is because, if they were done any earlier, that many women would forget little details of what they have learnt. She also said that it is best for the new information to be fresh in your mind when you are going through labour. However, if birthing classes were started when a woman was around 35 weeks pregnant, she may go into labour before the classes are over.

I am rather looking forward to taking these classes, as it will give me a better understanding of the natural process of birth, and will also allow me to share my thoughts and concerns with other expectant mothers and the midwife who will be taking the classes.

Birthing classes that are run by the hospital that you plan on giving birth at can also be very useful, as it can give you an insight into the way things work at the hospital. The birthing classes that I will be going to also include a tour of the labour and delivery ward, as well as show you the rooms that you will be in for the few days after you have the baby.

I also think it's important to read and learn as much information about labour and delivery as possible. Birth classes provide information on every type of birth; medicated vaginal birth, water birth, caesarean birth, natural birth, hypnobirth. It will come in very handy, as one can never predict what the birthing experience will be like.

Hope I could help!

I'm going to include the link to a pregnancy forum that I think you might find helpful. It's full of supportive women with boundless knowledge about these issues. I learnt so much there that I doubt I would have learnt otherwise.

Answer 2

Honestly I hated the birthing classes, unless you know nothing about having children or want to watch 1970's birthing videos I wouldn't waist my time on them. In order to have my child at this military hospital, we HAD to take the classes, and if we wanted an epidural we HAD to go to the classes, it was all stuff that I either knew or had already read about.
If you want to know what pregnancy and birth will be like get the book : Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy
at Target or Barns an Noble
Best of luck to you and your motherhood adventures, I hope you dont think I was too harsh on the whole birthing class thing, I think if it would have been my choice it would have been more enjoyable (u know?)

Answer 3

around 30 weeks

Answer 4

Sometime around 30-35 weeks. My mid-wife suggested to me when I should do it and where.

Answer 5

about 30weeks.