Or are they as much educative as only as TLCs :"baby story "and "bringing baby home "?
Also they have asked me to bring a blanket and two pillows .Do they mean the square shaped pillows which appear in Costco or the regular rectangular bedroom pillows with pillow covers on them?I would be too embarassed to take the latter.
2006-11-16 03:33:27 · 25 answers · asked by gulliver 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
My husband and I found the childbirth classes very helpful. We learned more about the stages of labor, how to know when it's "time", and all about breathing patterns, massage techniques and positions to help me through labor. I'd been through three births before this one, but I'd never been to childbirth classes before. I'm certainly glad that I took them this time! The breathing techniques alone made the classes worth it!
We bought two cheap bed pillows for the classes, just because we didn't want our bed pillows on someone else's floor. We found that the pillows were for my husband and not me! He used the pillows to support his back while we were on the floor. There were people there who used the type of square pillows that you're talking about. Any pillow that would be comfortable for you or your birth partner woud be fine.
The blanket is just to sit on when it's time to be on the floor.
Just a small suggestion... don't rely on t.v. shows for the bulk of your parenting or childbirth education. TV shows are geared to get ratings so you'll find that alot of them are going to show the worst case scenario. The reality shows only show you a limited range of possibilities.
I don't see anythng wrong with watching them, but don't just get your information from tv shows alone. Read all you can, ask questions of other mothers and doctors and nurses (I have learned more from nurses than doctors). If you want to learn about something, it's best to try to get your information from several sources!
Good luck!
2006-11-16 03:58:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
My suggestion is this...take the class,you may learn something you may not but at least you can say you found out as much as you could.Nobody can really know what to expect until your in labor.I went with my first baby and i have always been well educated on birth and still took some knowledge away.One thing is pay attention when they talk about c-sections,i kinda ignored that part and when i had my 3rd i needed a section and was clueless.Any pillow will do but most bring their home bed pillows.
2006-11-16 03:46:25 · answer #2 · answered by alecnaaron 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Any pillows or blankets will work, most people in our class brought bedroom pillows. Make sure it is a FULL birthing class, not just breathing exercises. Our class covered everything from medications used, types of instruments used, c-sections, stages of labor, relaxation, postpartum and even newborn care. Most major hospitals no longer teach "lamaze" classes because studies show it's useless during labor. The full child birth class was well worth it to be informed on what they were doing and everything. Plus, you get a full tour of the birthing center and get to check out the rooms. It was nice to meet other pregnant moms in the area and swap stories too! We found it so helpful, we are taking it again this time around and our daughter is only 13 months old. Good Luck!
2006-11-16 03:44:37 · answer #3 · answered by angie_laffin927 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My husband and I are expecting our first baby any day now and we took the class.. we enjoyed it because we learned how to handle diff situations, how to breath and what to expect after the baby is born.. we even had a doctor come in and answer any questions we had about pregnancy, giving birth and what dad can do to help if nursing.. you get pamphlets on everything.. they also tell you what to bring to the hospital.. i suggest going... but, there are many women and men that have babies that didn't go to the class and still did well and are wonderful parents..as far as the pillows, bring moms most comfy pillows and a big blanket.... Good Luck and Congrats on your bundle of JOY
2006-11-16 03:47:18 · answer #4 · answered by crystal S 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When I went, years ago, my husband and I took regular bedroom pillows, just seemed more comfortable. But you should take what feels best for you.
Go into these classes with an open mind. Everyone's birth process is different. The best thing they offered, as far as I was concerned, is that I was prepared for anything that could happen.
While I went through Lamaze, and had planned on "going natural", they had to induce so I opted for an epidural(which was wonderful!) My daughter popped out hale and hearty and I truely enjoyed the birth.
I don't know how much birthing classes have changed over the years, but they will probably want you to outline your own personal birthing plan. Don't worry, you don't have to stick to it!
Good luck, and happy birthing....the baby years are the easiest, it's when they're teens that things get interesting..
2006-11-16 03:41:46 · answer #5 · answered by tamara k 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I thought it was helpful! But I did mine at the hospital where I was going to have the baby, so it was helpful to see where everything was and meet some of the nurses, etc. It was also good for my partner to find out where the cafeteria was! :)
For my class, they meant regular old bedroom pillows. Why is that embarrassing?
Even more useful than the birthing class, was the breastfeeding class. If you can take one of those, it will give you a lot more confidence that you can feed your baby, AND should help you have less pain and difficulty in the first couple of weeks while your body gets used to having a nursing baby.
2006-11-16 03:39:09 · answer #6 · answered by MomMomBob 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, If this is your first baby I recommend taking the class. When I was pregnant with my son I took the class and it prepared me for exactly what was going tol happen at the time of delivery, so there was no surprises. If you know what to expect, you'll be less nervous, trust me.
Also it helps your partner know how to exactly help you in that crucial moment.
About the pillows, at least in my class we used regular bedroom pillows... Im pretty sure those are the ones they mean.
Trust me, take the class... you've got nothing to loose and a lot to gain.
2006-11-16 04:34:02 · answer #7 · answered by lilly_mom_pr 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I took the Lamaze class at the hospital where I was going to deliver and also the newborn care class.I honestly did not find the lamaze class helpful at all-it seemed a waste of my money and time.The pillows are the regular bedroom kind-they have you sit on them on the floor and do deep breathing exercises that are supposed to help you through labor-which deep breathing was the last thing on my mind as I was going through labor.They show birth videos,have you know all that can go wrong-pretty much everything you can get from reading a pregnancy book.
2006-11-16 03:37:55 · answer #8 · answered by mama of 2 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just bring regular bed pillows. The classes really didn't help me out because I was absolutely exhausted while I was in labor. I went in to the hospital with my first contractions when it was my bedtime and I actually fell asleep between contractions while I was in labor... so everything I learned went out the window. I think the classes are good for some women to stay focused during labor.
2006-11-16 03:37:46 · answer #9 · answered by Sarah 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes - they help you know what to expect and you have the ability to ask questions live and "in person". It is a good experience.
Also, - the pillows can be anything you are comfortable with. It is so you can get down on the floor and practice breathing exercises.
Good luck - and have fun!
2006-11-16 03:37:55 · answer #10 · answered by KeltWitch 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋