2007-05-06 08:24:20 · 12 answers · asked by lysistrata411 6 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
I liked "Birthing from Within" best for mental and emotional preperation. I took birthing classes during my first pregnancy, but I found that they mostly just made me want to try and control my pregnancy and labor. You can't control either one, so just sit back and enjoy the ride. Labor, for me, was much more of a spiritual experience than anything else. You'd do best to prepare by finding things that give just what you need to be brave, calm, and ready to let go and surrender to the experience. Some of the most well-prepared women have a terrible time of labor precisly because they feel it should "go" a certain way, or they become frustrated when the silly breathing patterns aren't helping.
The Dr. Sears "Birth Book" was nice for the more technical sides of labor, if you are interested. However, if you read only one book, try "Birthing From Within".
2007-05-06 08:41:10 · answer #1 · answered by Junie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should really watch a video or read some literature to prepare you and your partner. If you call the hospital that you have chosen to have your baby at, they will most likely rent you a video, or you could go to your nearest book store for a book. The classes are the best choices, be sure to check around to make sure there aren't any you could attend. Watching a video, reading literature, or taking a class will help relieve some of the stress you are having regarding birth. Good luck!
2007-05-06 15:31:04 · answer #2 · answered by ERRN 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it's not necessary to go to a birthing class.
The best things I learned were from friends and family members who have had babies. I also read a great book called The Birth Book by Dr. Sears. It has lots of birth stories written by women so it juts gives you a good idea of what to expect and all the different outcomes that are possible, and how to do what you can to have the birth you want.
Congrats!
2007-05-06 15:31:45 · answer #3 · answered by Veritas 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
While it's not necessary to go to class it did help my husband a lot. It made him feel more prepared and therefore helped me to feel more calm about his part of the delivery and parenting.
Babycenter is great for helpful info.
The TLC show, "A Baby Story" is a documentary style program that shows a variety of situations.
Both books, What to Expect When your Expecting and The Baby Book are full of useful info.
Lastly, see if you can set up a tour of your hospital (the one you will be giving birth at) and their birthing facilities, usually they offer tours and it can help you feel more comfortable then just suddenly coming into a strange place on the big day.
2007-05-06 16:21:42 · answer #4 · answered by side_of_potatoes 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Babycenter (www.babycenter.com) has birthing videos that you can watch online if you register on the site.
It is very worth it to watch them just so you know what to expect. If you don't want to watch the video, there are great books that you can find at your bookstore or library that detail the birthing process and what to expect. Even if you don't watch a live birth, you need to learn about the stages of labor and understand the choices that you have. It's also good to read about C-sections in case you are one of the 20% of women that end up having one. I had to have an emergency C-section and the fact that I knew what to expect and my husband and I had talked about it made it much less scarry than it would have been.
Good luck! :-)
2007-05-06 15:32:59 · answer #5 · answered by Wendy A 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I hope i don't get slammed for my answer. I had no classes and i have 2 healthy young adults as children ages 19 and 23.when the time comes you will know what to do. Our grandmothers and great-grandmothers all gave birth and survived without all the interventions that are around today. Relax and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy. Remember its not a competition. All i done before hand i went to the hospital and had a look round the maternity ward and asks questions.
2007-05-06 15:33:55 · answer #6 · answered by chersgaz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From personal experience they are just a waste of time and money.. My daughter was born at 34 weeks.. I was ready to start the classes when they decided to induce.. I told the nurse that I didnt get to learn anything because I had not yet started. She said that it was fine.. When it comes time to deliver the baby your body will know what to do.. Sure enough with the guiding the nurse gave me on how to push. Things went perfectly.. I had her natural and within 5 minutes from the time I started pushing.. Every woman and every pregnancy is different, but when it comes time to deliver you would be surprised at how fast you catch on... As for the diaper changing and everything else you learn from class. The nurses will help you with that to. Just dont be afraid to ask.. Best of Luck and Congratulations......
2007-05-06 16:14:16 · answer #7 · answered by auntietawnie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not even necessary. Your body tells you what to do and when you're in the er the doctors also tell you what to do and coach you through it all the way. When the time comes you aren't gonna be thinking about some class, believe me.
2007-05-06 15:35:58 · answer #8 · answered by Whiteangel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i also loved what to expect when your expecting.
its very informative - i read it once a month (it has a chapter for every month)!
i havent taken a birthing class either - im not sure that you have to (im curious too!)
i love watching shows like 'bringing home baby' and 'baby,baby' there are tons on tlc and discovery health - they follow a couple through delivery.
my fiance just rented pregnancy for dummies at blockbuster. i'll let you know how that goes! lol
2007-05-06 15:32:21 · answer #9 · answered by [[carly]] 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never went to a one and well the nurses are very helpful so I wouldn't worry about it, all of my labors were short except the one with the epi (meds slowed my progress).
2007-05-06 15:29:40 · answer #10 · answered by Shawna 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋