Is lamaze class worth it?

Question

I am trying to justify spending $250 on lamaze class - Some say lamaze was helpful during child birth others say no. Do I even need to take this class if im planning on having an epidural?

Answer 1

I never took lamaze--I did just fine. I like to think having a baby as more of a natural thing. You breath the way you feel you need to breath. You push when you need to push. You do things at your pace, unless your life or the baby's is in danger. I pushed for about five minutes--and out came my son. I didn't take lamaze--I didn't listen to the nurse telling me when to push. You know when to push--you just have to be intuned. So my advice is: save the $250 and buy some unpregnant clothes with it--lol! Good Luck!

Answer 2

Being a first time mom, I thought Lamaze class was helpful. They cover things other than breathing and answer a lot of questions. We talked about different types of pain medication and what happens when, etc. It helps you be a little more prepared so you have a better idea of what's ahead. I also had an epidural and still had to use some breathing techniques. At the time, I wasn't concerned if I was "breathing right." I was just breathing the way I wanted to breathe to make myself feel better. I took a class at a local hospital and it was free. But I still think I would want to take it even if I had to pay. It just made me feel a little more prepared, and that helped!

Answer 3

From my own experience and about every girlfriend I have that has children...NOT WORTH THE MONEY. Lamaze is a helpful technique, even if you are planning on having an epidural, because labor is going to be rough for awhile before that epidural is available, and you are going to need some other pain management techniques. BUT...if you are hard pressed on cash anyways, get a book about lamaze, and ask the labor/delivery nurse for help when you arrive, they are pretty helpful with it also. I don't have one friend that has taken the classes and said it has benefitted them. I didn't take them, and had taught myself just as much as others who had.

Answer 4

I would think not. They have other classes that are better. Lamaze started as a good thing but it has turned into a how to be a "good patient" class. They did their own study and found out more lamaze people were having c-sections. They are redesigning the program. But I would look into something else.

Answer 5

My fiance gave birth after only pushing for 30 mnuutes, without any lamaze classes. Her epidural did not even have a chance to kick in fully either, so I say, save your money and buy your baby something nice.

Answer 6

I never took lamaze, I had two children, nor did I have an epidural for either birth. I have met a number of women who complain of back pains near the injection site for many years after child birth. I don't believe that lamaze would have helped me, pain is pain, but that is just my opinion.

Answer 7

In my city the class is offered free at the hospital. Have you looked into taking it there? It's a good class because it goes over what happens at the end of your pregnancy and what is happening during labor. The lamaze breathing is just one part of the class. I wouldn't spend that much on it though.

Answer 8

When my children were born they were big and beautiful. We went through Lamaze classes and the only person that used it was me the dad and I hyperventilated and passed out. So the answer to your question is don't waste your time and money Babies are expensive to raise keep the money for something else that you will need and use. I hope that this helped you Good luck and best wishes to you.

Answer 9

As a first time mom my classes were a little helpful, they are more detailed than all the books I have read-- and I have read plenty!- but the class to me was more for my husband than me, it taught the partners more on making the mothers relax, I did learn the breathing thing but that was quick- took about 10 minutes to learn all the breathing. But my husband learned more than me, and how to confort me and what to do when things happen and how to make a birthplan and what if emergencies arise and he has to make decisions, etc. BUT my class was 50.00 and I got a free car seat and diapers for taking the class so mine was worth it... 250 I really dont think it worth it, you can by a video for most of the stuff. You may want to check with your local "county" hospital most times they do classes free even if yuou arent having your baby there...

Answer 10

Lamaze class if helpful i think, because they go through alot more then how to breathe. They go over labor and delivery and give you some helpful info on what your "coach" can do to help you through the labor.