Has anyone given birth without birthing classes???

Question

I'm 34 weeks pregnant, and haven't signed up for birthing classes, and now I think it's too late :(
my husband kept saying that it's not important .. but geeze, of course it's not important to him, I'm the one pushing a baby out of my vagina!!!!
Anyway, I just want to know who has and who hasn't had birthing classes . . and for those who have would they reccommend them??
I'm starting to freak out ..
thanks!

Answer 1

I didn't for my first son, but I did for my second son, go figure.
For my first son I didn't because I didn't really know of any in my area.
I had an average labor (17 hours for my first one)
and I had an epidural, so I wasn't going for the natural way the first time around.
In my second pregnancy I decided to go to learn some breathing techniques, and information about natural child birth. I didn't really work for me the first time around having the epidural, so I knew the drugs we not for me the second time around. I didn't have anytime to use anything I learned because I had him in less then 1 1/2 hours, I could not even get comfortable in the bed. But at least I was a little more prepared(I really didn't remember to much, like the pain of my first labor) I guess it wasn't so bad then.
So, if you want to go to birthing classes it is up to you, your husband should support you. It will get you prepared for the upcoming birth, and to know your birthing options. And it is not to late you still have 6 weeks to go and it will be still fresh in your mind.
Congratulations on your up coming birth.

Answer 2

I didn't do enough planning before babies #1 and #2, and I ended up getting the epidural. I simply wasn't prepared. With baby #3, I hired a doula and did a lot more reading on natural childbirth. I also attended the relaxation classes taught by the doula, and she went over different ways to manage the pain. It wasn't a lamaze class, but we learned about different positions for labor, that she could provide aromatherapy for nausea relief or to help calm us, etc. She made it very clear that different things work for different people, so it helped to practice relaxation techniques ahead of time and also to know what options were available when we realized something wasn't working during labor. If I were you, I'd definitely look into getting a doula. I really thought it was worth it, and I ended up with a much better experience than I had the first two times and an easier recovery. If you can't or don't want to use a doula, you can still learn a lot by reading books or online. And if I were you, I might go ahead and try the lamaze classes only so that they'll give you more strategies that you can use if needed.

Answer 3

my best friend had a baby a year ago and now that I'm pregnant, I have taken alot of her advice and she has recommended to me over and over again to get into a birth class, she said some of the stuff was incredibly helpful, especially since her fiance was there, he took notes and when she was having a hard time with birth he helped remind her of certain breathing techniques and other important stress relievers. I start mine next week, I will be 32 weeks then, and it will go to my 35th week. I would say call the hospital and just check into it. Most classes are free.......on the other hand my sister did not take one, bc she found out so late that she was pregnant she was just scrambling to get everything done, but my mom who had been throught the classes 3 times helped her trhough it, so I would say it may be a good idea to try to take it or talk to someone who has

Answer 4

I agree with most everyone else here. Birthing classes were not helpful unless you were looking for some preg female bonding and socializing time with some instructor war stories thrown in for good measure.

My first daughter is 13 and I wasted my time taking lamaze classes. They didn't help a bit.

13 years later, and trust me a lot has changed in 13 years...I had another and didn't take any birthing classes even though my OB highly recommeded it because it had been so long inbetween pregnancies. This second pregnancy was so much easier. And less stress, I didn't have do gooder nurses telling me to blow blow breathe.....(that was so irritating the first delivery that it stressed me out even more, sorry any OB nurses on here!.)

If you are looking for info on how to cope during delivery, you can probably google it and get loads more information.

Answer 5

I've had three babies and no birthing classes. My last two pregnancies were natural childbirth.

When you're in labor you don't need techniques taught in a class. A woman just instinctively finds ways to cope. Women for thousands of years have had babies without classes - it's only a 40-year-old phenomenon.

Don't fault your husband for what he said - I think it came off the wrong way. What he probably means is that he trusts you will listen to your body and know what to do. Plus, you will have a competent doctor or midwife at your side to get you through and help with labor progress.

I know lots of women enjoy the classes and feel like they get good information, but you can get info from books and family and friends. And classes take time and money.

So many women find that they throw everything they learned in class right out the window when the painful contractions start! lol

Answer 6

My goodness!!!, it seams that a lot of moms to be haven't gone to those classes, I am 31 weeks pregnant with my first baby, I think child birth is a natural process where your own body knows what to do, and the classes are just a spam to make money for the instructor, with me, my doctor will be there, and she promise to help me, maybe with others there will be a midwife or dula, but you don't need classes, the best way to learn how to give birth is actualy doing it.

Answer 7

Hi, I think what most of us are saying is that with or without the classes you will be fine. You will probably be in hospital surrounded by competent staff who have been through it countless times.
I have 4 children. I managed to have all 4 without pain relief even though I had quite big babies, my first weighed 9lb 11oz! If you listen to your body you will get through. If you stay in control you will be ok. If you have had bad periods then you will have an idea of what labour will be like. PMA counts for a lot. Whatever you do DON'T freak out.
I hope all goes well.

Answer 8

I never took classes either. Just follow the instructions that your doctor and nurses give you as far as breating and pushing. I just read "what to expect when you're expecting" and tooks its words as the Bible to Giving Birth.

Labor isn't that hard. You have cramps (contractions) and more cramps and more cramps the doctors, the nurses, the janitor stick their hands up your hoo-hoo and then finally when you can't stand it anymore you are told to put your legs up int he stirrups or have your husband hold a leg up and back and to push....push....push for 10-60 minutes and then POP out comes your beautiful baby! And then you get to push again and then POP out comes the placenta (gross and as big a the baby too!). And then the doctor makes a couple of stitches and then you get to feed and hold your baby.

Easy. People have been giving birth in cars on the way to the hospital since they invented cars.

If you want to take a class, then take one. But personally all that breathing (IMO) just annoys the nurses because they have to listen to you.

Good luck!

Answer 9

You don't need a class in order to give birth to a baby, women have been doing it for a long time. If you think you will get something helpful out of it, go for it, but when the time comes your body will know what to do.

Answer 10

When I had my son I too missed birthing class sign up...my son came a month early. I freaked at first...my nurse was wonderful and coached me through the whole thing...she told me when to breathe and how to push...you will do fine...your nurse will help...now I believe that birthing classes are over-rated and a waste of money new mother's should use for their new babies.