Do you think i should go to birth classes??

Question

I'm 5 months pregnant and i know for sure that i'm going to have an epidural,is it necessary to go to these classes??What do they exaclty show you there and how many time do you have to go?

Answer 1

Different places have different birth classes, but the one offered at my hospital had two options. There was a series of 2 two hour classes, or 1 four hour Saturday class.

In them, they taugh pre-natal care and breathing excersizes, focal point use, and talked about different things that could happen (like epidural, epitiotomy, how to tell if you're in labor) in the first one and then at the next one (or during the second half of the Saturday one) they showed birth videos, different positions that you could try to labor in, and basic after-birth and infant care (like how to give your baby a bath, and nursing positions).

They were fairly expensive (for my budget), and since they seemed unnecessary, I didn't sign up. My sister-in-law signed up, and then didn't go.

Honestly, I don't think that many people benefit from them, especially if it isn't your first child (mine was my first) or if you have read any of the books like 'What to Expect When You're Expecting'.

If you are the kind of person that requires a lot of hands-on teaching, these classes might help you. But you can also rent those birth videos at the library and read up on your own time (like when you can't sleep at 2 AM!). And every hospital has a lactation consultant, and if you need any help or have any additional questions after the baby is born, the nurses will be able to help.

Some hospitals also have a program where you meet one-on-one with a nurse (at my hospital, it was the lactation consultant) for about an hour, maybe two, and she'll go over pretty much everything that the birth classes did, but in a really quick format that lets you skip over the things that you already know (like how to put a diaper on) and focus on what you have questions about (like how exactly a circumcision is done). I did opt to go to that one, and though some of it was silly, some of it was helpful to me, like the tour of the maternity ward.

And, if your hospital offers it, make sure to take advantage of pre-registration! You can fill out all the necessary forms weeks in advance (including all of the papers about the epidural), so that when you arrive with painful contraction, you won't have to answer a hundred stupid questions about whether you have a family history of asthma or if you wear false teeth (yeah, that really is one of the questions on the epidural form).

Good luck and congratulations!

Answer 2

It is definitely a personal choice, however regardless of the epidural, there are a lot of things that are unfamiliar if this is your first pregnancy and delivery. The birthing classes may spend a little time teaching you how to breath to relax through a variety of techniques, but they also often take you on a tour of the ward where you will deliver, including the rooms and nursery, give you an opportunity to get to know others going through the same thing as you, and demystify the whole pregnancy and birthing process. Some even routinely show you instruments that might have to be used during delivery like the forceps, vacuum, or the internal fetal monitor. Just because the majority of the pain will be absent with the epidural, knowing the entire birthing process and the specific hospital policies keep you in the know and will help make it the best possible experience. Good luck in your final months!

Answer 3

I wouldnt go its a waste unless you just want to see but the best thing was the free samples of stuff but you get samples at the hospital too. So i went with my first kid cause i thought i needed it but i got so bored i didnt go to the 3rd class since they are like 2 times a week for 2 or 3 weeks a few hours a night. So anyway i did fine with out it and my second kid i didnt waste the time they go over stuff with you in the hospital about baby care and pushing. Besides pushing is kinda like taking a big crap except it not of the butt but its the same idea and contractions just act like they are cramps except a little stronger and breathe or do what you feel you need to do to ease the pain let your body lead you thru until you can get the epidural just stay away from the IV drugs they will make you groogy and not so coherrent or easy to remember details afterwards. So i hope that helped and good luck

Answer 4

I think you should go unless you're very busy. Sure, everything will probably be ok if you don't go, but if you're in labor for 24-hours or more, you might like having a better grasp of what's going on and what to expect.

If you decide to go, do it more toward the end of your pregnancy. They talk about what you can expect, they practice pain control methods of vaginal delivery, discuss the risks / side-effects of an epidural & other pain relief medicines, they'll talk about the process of labor & delivery in general (what happens physically), etc.

I make my suggestion to go because I found it generally helpful to learn the signs of labor, the terminology doctors and nurses use, and better understanding of the decisions you may need to make.

I also agree with Naenae0011. My wife had an epidural, and it worked most of the time, but the 2 hours before the doctor decided a C-section would be necessary (the most intense contractions she had), she was hugging the rail of her bed in pain (not quite the hee hee hee hoo breathing we were taught, but she found that hugging the rail was best for her).

Answer 5

depends on where you take the classes. i took one at my hospital, and it was great. even if you know what is going to happen, it is nice to be refreshed on everything. plus you are in a room full of people in your same situation, and it is nice to converse with them. your classes will walk you through everything about labor and delivery, and probably teach you relaxation excercises and/or breathing techniques. you will also probably get a tour of the hospital maternity ward. you will also go over the basics of newborn care. that is particularly nice if you have the dad going with too, as he probably doesnt have a clue about much! you will also learn about breastfeeding.

even though you know you want an epidural, the class will still benefit you. you will learn about all the signs of preterm labor, and regular labor. you are getting an epidural, but you will still need to know when to go to the hospital, and what you should look out for (potential problems). also, what if you go into labor too quickly, and you don't make it to the hospital in time for the epidural?? that defintely happens sometimes.

the class i took was once a week for 4 weeks. it was actually pretty fun, and i learned a lot. its nice to share your own pregnancy stories and complaints, and hear everyone elses. i recommend that you go.

good luck with your baby!!

Answer 6

It depends on what class you take. If you take a birth preparedness class, they will just explain the birth process to you and if you have it at the hospital, you'll get a tour of the hospital. You'll be explained procedures for vag deliveries, what happens to the baby after birth, c-section procedures, etc. You'll also get to ask questions. They'll also explain pain management options.

You can take lamaze or other breathing technique classes, if you want. I didn't and I had 4 children, 3 vag births, 1 c-section and was fine. I did have an epidural but you don't necessarily get it right away.

Answer 7

One of the best things about birth classes is the network of friends you build up. My sister still has coffee once a week with her birth-class buddies an their kids are all off to school this year!

Support networks are super important when you're a new mum, being home alone with kiddies all day can be very trying.

Also, you never know when something might go wrong. The best laid plans and everythng... a good friends planned to have plenty of time to prepare etc but went into labour early. No birthing classes, no nursery furniture and no idea what was going on....

Answer 8

i went with my first baby and i was in enduced labor for 17 hrs before the epidural and the classes didnt help me at all the only good advice i got from there was to take something to look at thats it.. but i ended up getting a c- section also so im not the best one to answer since i didnt go all the way through birth maybe i would have used it im not sure

Answer 9

Yes!!!! It can only benefit you and your "birth coach". There are more topics covered than just which drugs to use.... and just because you've decided on the epidural, doesn't mean you're not going to experience labour. The breathing techniques are SO important. They also cover breastfeeding.

I took a prenatl class with my sister in her first pregnancy, but decided to take it with my own pregnancy. I'm glad I did. It gives you the opportunity to meet other expectant (usually first time) parents.

I took the class for Daddy's sake. He didn't have a clue about what to expect with labour and delivery.

Knowledge is power... and it will put your mind at ease when your in th emoment!!

Answer 10

You should go cus even with an epidural you still have to breath and push the baby out and it will give you good coping skills if the epidural don't work all that well. sometimes you can still feel it. Take the class tell it's done. What can it hurt? blessed be