Questions on Delivering and Parenting...?

Question

First, for those who took birthing classes do you recommend, or do you think I could learn enough by certain books, etc. any recommendations?
Second, anyone have thoughts on book "on becoming babywise".? Has anyone ever used this method? I have lots of people recommending and just want to see what majority thinks.

Answer 1

I definitely recommend childbirth classes.... I must have read 30-40 different books about pregnancy and childbirth while I was pregnant with my son, but learned some stuff from our childbirth class that I didn't find in any book. Plus the classes are taught by certified instructors who will be able to tell you if you're doing the breathing exercises or positioning yourself correctly. No book can do that. I went natural, and had really really bad back labor. They had to induce me since my membranes ruptured, but I wasn't really dialating, and I used every position and technique that they showed me in the classes. I do a lot of energy work and practice relaxing breathing techniques and meditation on a regular basis, but the classes helped me piece together what was going to be helpful for me during labor. Even if you are planning on having an epidural, the classes will teach you how to take the edge off while you're at home or waiting for the epidural.

Answer 2

Hi
Re: books, I did read OBB but I preferred The Baby Whisperer. I thought that the author put things in a much easier to understand way. I also found her methods successful.

Re: birthing classes, I do recommend it- even if you want drugs. I don't think you can learn enough with books and it's just good to be around other people who have the same concerns and fears that you might have. Also, someone's always bound to have questions you never thought of.

Some hospitals have an accelerated program and others have the usual weekly program. I would do the slow one if you want to go natural. I think it it more focused. Me, I knew from day one I wanted an epidural. But it doesn't mean you won't ever feel pain. Taking the accelerated class helped me to know a little better what to expect through the whole process, I got a nice tour of the maternity ward and best of all, it really helped me learn what to do to handle the pain (and there was a lot) until I could have my epidural.

Answer 3

I took birthing classes and it was okay - but I wont do it again. There are some DVD's out there that you can buy or rent that you would probably get just as much info from. I went to the classes held by the hospital where I was to deliver.

Heres a site on babywise - http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/reviews/parenting_books/on_becoming_babywise.html

I myself wouldnt do it. My baby set his own schedule and it was just on que with what the dr said. If you try to set a schedule, like I did at first because I am just a schedule type of person, you will find that youll go crazy. Especially when your little one is finally sleeping soundly and the schedule says he should be eating - do you wake him up to feed him - heck no!! He'll get up when he's hungry! Especially when youre going on 24 hrs with 2 hrs sleep! Thats just IMO! Good luck to ya!

Answer 4

I strongly recommend AGAINST Babywise. The AAP feels the same way...they warn AGAINST following Ezzo's writings. Babywise was written by a man who is not a doctor or an expert of any kind. His advice reguarding feeding has caused problems such as failure to thrive in infants. He has been excommunicated from his church, where Babywise and Growing Kids God's Way started.

GOOD books -

PREGNANCY & BIRTH:
The Pregnancy Book by Sears
The Birth Book by Sears
Husband Coached Childbirth by Bradley
Birthing From Within by England
The Birth Partner by Simkin

BREASTFEEDING:
So THAT'S What They're For by Tamaro
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by La Leche League

Child Development/Parenting:
Your Baby & Young Child, Birth to Age 5 - by the AAP
The Baby Book by Dr. Sears
Adventures in Gentle Discipline by Hilary Flower

Answer 5

ok lamaze classes were a complete waste of my time its breathing and not a whole lot else which breathing is not that hard just act like your in pain and let your body lead the way and second i have not heardof this babywise book so i cant say anything on that but i do know that get an epidural because if you rip you wont feel it and since your not in pain labor goes a lot faster plus befoer you get the epidural just let your body lead you thru labor if you get the urge to bend over and scream thru a contraction do it or if you just have to stop what you are doing and take a deep breath do it its your body telling you ok this is how to cope so good luck

Answer 6

wow. i am 20 wks along and just starting to read all the books on natural deliveries again. i prefer the bradley method of childbirth over lamaze. bradley teaches you relaxation techniques, so you learn how to relax among the painful contractions. go on amazon.com and look up "husband-coached childbirth". it's very outdated but has some good tips, and i also just got "the birth partner" which will help your birth partner (whoever that is) to help you relax. i had natural childbirth with my 1st baby, and hope to do it agin. also, i would love to take bradley childbirth classes, but can't afford it. so i'm reading all i can, and practicing from the books.

Answer 7

if you can get the father of the child to go to lamaze classes with you then by all means do it. people might think its a waste of time but it also lets the father be in on some of the things you are going through. my husband was so frustrated that he couldn't be more involved with the pregnancy and the classes made him feel like he was helping too.

the books that helped me through everything were:

what to expect when your expecting
what to expect the first year
what to expect the toddler years (im not sure about this title but its the 3rd one in the series)


congrats and good luck

Answer 8

Honestly, read all the books you want and get ideas but take everything with a grain of salt. YOU are the parent and only YOU know what is best for your baby. Listen to your own intuition.

Answer 9

I thought lamaze was a waste of time, my sis enjoyed the info she learned, but they tend to scare the crap outta you with alot of things. Like with an epidural, I was scared to death of the idea of it after the class. I wish now I never would have went, because then I would have had one :)

Answer 10

Honestly, I don't think that Lamaze stuff really works. Just my opinion though. I say EPIDURAL - all the way!! Good Luck!! Congrats!!