Take birthing classes? Did they help? Didn't take them? Were you fine?

Question

I know I'm having an epidural, so I don't need to learn lamaz or anything. How important are birthing classes? Who took them and loved them? Who took them and didn't need them? Who didn't take them and did fine?

Answer 1

I took them but chose an epidural. The class covered all options so I was prepared for what to expect with the epi. It also prepared me for pain management which i did need for a while. I had a good 4 hour gap between the Nubane wearing off and the epi being applied (mostly my fault for not complaining about the pain sooner). So take the classes - you just never know what info you might need. They even gave us info for a home birth - just in case...

Answer 2

Save yourself the $100 for the class. It was really not helpful. I had an epidural but it did not work, but it is not like I relied on anything from the lamaze class to get through the pain. (What worked for me was focusing on a line in the floor till the contraction was over) The videos they show are beyond ridiculous and my husband thought so too. There are shows on every day on the discovery channel health, birth day and babies special delivery which were more useful in my mind as they show all different scenarios and prepare you for different things that could happen. The pregnancy books also have loads of information to help prepare you. Your dr. may not be happy with you, but it is your choice and your money.

Answer 3

My husband and I have three daughters and never took a class. We figured that first off I wasn't going to forget how to breathe! And mainly we knew what we wanted to do in the delivery room as far as relaxing and calming techniques. It's really up to you, if you would feel more comfortable taking a class then that's what's really important. If you and your partner decide that you can make your own plan until your each the point of being able to get an epidural then I would suggest that. It makes it more personal and then you know that you took charge of the delivery room, not someone else.

Answer 4

I took birthing classes for my first pregnancy. It might have helped some, but not as much as the class promoted. I did get the epi for the first. Didn't take the refresher class the the second, and everything was just fine (had the epi with that one too, even though it didn't take).

Even though the classes didn't work like I thought they would, I don't think it was a waste of time or money. It was nice to be around other parents-to-be and we did get to tour the hospital ward before the actual birth. So, that was nice.

Answer 5

I wanted to, even signed up-- but never did it!! My birth did not go so smooth. Everything I wanted to avoid ended up happening, I was induced, which led to an epidural that only "took" on one side, labor lasted about 33 hours, had an episiotomy, and they still had to use "the vacuum" to help him out. The best reason to take the classes are for learning the various things that can happen during birth and just gathering information--also I was terrified, at 30 years old. You want all the knowledge you can get
when it comes to giving birth--- good luck!! I wanted to add that
despite all this, my son was perfect!! Pink and LOUD, healthy, 9.9 apgar score and he nursed immediately after birth, so the classes are mostly to help your experience be more "pleasant"
and less scarry.

Answer 6

I DIDNT take them...personally i think that they are a waste of money... I'm a RN and I used to work on the OB floor(i travel now so i'm everywhere) one thing that i recommend that you do if your giving birth vaginally is do Kegal exercises...it will help the PC muscle stretch and return..If i wasnt already in the hospital when my water broke(i was working) then i would have at least waited till i had contractions before i went to the hospital...my labor was 32 hours from the time my water broke to the time my daughter was born...but me personally wouldnt think that you need it the nurses will tell you when its time to push and with a epidural(i had 2 of them) you will hardly feel a thing!

Answer 7

I didn't take classes, and I had 2 of my children naturally. I almost had my 3rd child naturally, but he came with an induced labor (which I found that to be worse, after 5 hours I had to go with the epidural!).
I did read alot from pregnancy books before my first child so that I could have an idea of what to expect.

Answer 8

I never took any birthing classes for all four boys but I wish I would have for the first. He was a big baby and the labor was long. If it's your first then please take the class. Even though you're going to have an epidural, it'll help prepare you for the unexpected! Good luck! :)

Answer 9

This is a great question and one I'm glad you asked. It's interesting to read the wide array of opinions on this one.

This is my first pregnancy and I do intend to take birthing classes.

I feel like labor and delivery is something that is such an unknown. No one can predict exactly what's going to happen. I want to be prepared to expect the unexpected.

Even if I don't use the knowledge that I gain in the birthing class, I know that it will help me prepare mentally for situations that could arise and how to handle them.

In addition to that, I feel like it will be a good opportunity for my fiance to take an active part in preparing for the baby instead of just being a spectator. This is his first baby too and I want it to be just as scary/exciting for him.

Good luck to you whatever you decide.

Answer 10

I took one...every wednesday night for 3 hours for six weeks. When it came down to it, I remembered almost nothing from the classes. Forget breathing a certain way and doing exercises to help you relax. My contractions were so painful I couldn't remember to breathe, much less trying to breathe a certain way. I also couldn't walk. Thank God for epidurals!!

If I were you, I'd opt for a newborn care class instead. That is something you will DEFINITELY use!