Did it help any at all? My mom took them and said it helped her a lot, but then my nagging mother in law said she never took any classes and labor was easy. What do you think? Did any classes you took benefit you?
2007-07-22 15:31:28 · 23 answers · asked by mrs.russell 7 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
I didn't take classes. Birthing is a natural process and your mind and body intuitively know what they're doing.
The best piece of advice I can offer you is DO NOT let your mother OR your mother-in-law in the room until after your child is born.
That's a little piece of info. I wish I had thought of beforehand. Trust me; having either of them in the room will be the biggest obstacle towards successful and peaceful childbirth!!!
2007-07-22 15:35:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Hi, I'm 34 weeks pregnant and last month I did a preparation course. I'm so glad I did... The course covered alot and I walked out feeling more confident.... I asked heaps of questions that were bothering me, you could say I was stressing out just a bit before doing the course! So, listen to your Mom and enrol in some classes!! Your mother law said labor was easy? Well she must be one of the lucky few, but most of us will need all the help and information we can get ;)
Good luck to you and your baby!!
Lily
2007-07-22 22:42:03 · answer #2 · answered by Lily 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They really did help, for my first pregnancy. I really benefit from the breathing excercises and by finding an object to focus on. I have even used the breathing excercises I learned when I have a migraine (I get horrible ones). The rest of the info. was 'okay', but I was still glad I had gone, I at least learned what to expect. I think your MIL wants to see you thrown in the lion pit, unprepared. Just my opinion. Labor is RARELY easy, and it definitely would be easier if you'd been to the classes. I'd go to the classes, it really can't hurt anything. I haven't gone this time, but I would have considered going to 'refresher night', but I didn't look into it in time. Good luck~
2007-07-22 22:36:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I did with our first. It helped me to know what to expect- but that was it. NOTHING can really prepare you for how labor feels- and it hurts.
I had my mom in the room during the delivery and it was wonderful. She and our daughter have an incredible bond. There is something amazing about having your mom there for your baby- and the baby is literally seconds old. She said it was a life changing moment for her and I believe it.
That said, I would go if it is your first. I had worried about not going for our second- but it was fine. I was more relaxed with our second baby anyway and she was late- so I was ready to get her myself!
For your second- do what the other person said and watch TLC and the discovery channel.
Also, no matter how well you plan your birth things happen. Even for the same person- every labor and delivery are different- mine were totally different.
Good luck to you!
2007-07-23 00:06:20 · answer #4 · answered by NY_Attitude 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if the classes actually helped with the actual birth, but it was nice to spend some time with other couples who are going through the same thing you are. Most of the couples in these classes will be about as far along as you are. So you will be able to talk to them about changes in your body, and your spouse can complain with other soon to be daddy's about what a pain you have been. It's fun and it's not like the classes will hurt you any.
2007-07-22 22:37:06 · answer #5 · answered by curious 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, but I 'communicated extra well' with my doctor ... all of my pregnancies were 'high risk' but the births were all 'very easy' ... and my last two babies I was allowed to go home long before any other mother ... our hospital has a '12 hour minimum' stay, and with my last baby we left when he was only 3.5 hours old. Why? Because my doctor knew I had other babies and knew how to care for them ... and they'd run out of orange juice. If you are 'confused' by what your doctor is telling you, then take the 'preparation for birthing' classes ... if you 'communicate well' you won't really need them. The BIG THING is that it's most important for YOU to make this decision and not allow either your mother or your mother-in-law to influence YOUR decision. Why ... because YOU are about to be a mom, and it will be up to YOU to be responsible ... and making this decision is your 'first step' into parenthood.
2007-07-22 22:37:30 · answer #6 · answered by Kris L 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
We did for our son- and never finished. He was 3 weeks early.
With our daughter- no.
I don't think it helped at all. Our son's labor was 28 hours and 25 of it was without drugs- and it hurt- it hurt a lot. Even with a jacuzzi, breathing exercises, etc.
I do think that if you don't know about childbirth- it can help. I also think that if you watch the discovery channel- you could learn as well.
I did more reading on my own about the stages of labor and of what to expect which helped me more than anything.
2007-07-22 22:34:37 · answer #7 · answered by Sage 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No I didn't, but I did watch videos but out by organizations. It did help to educate me about medical procedures. Things like why might induction be nessicary? What is episotomy? What type of drugs are available and what are their effects?
It didn't prepare me for pain, emotions, coping, etc but honestly, the FEW things that my husband did do that were "recommended" is the things that made me want to jump up and beat him. Once he stopped and was just himself things went really good.
I wouldn't right away to go classes, but knowing what complications can happen and what will be done about it is knowledge all women should have.
2007-07-22 22:37:00 · answer #8 · answered by Noota Oolah 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I took some offered by my hospital, and it did nothing for me. I didn't even get a tour of the nursery and birthing ward or anything. If you've read What to Expect or ANYTHING online, like babycenter...you already know everything they "taught" me. The only worthwhile part of it was seeing other parents and getting to ask questions with my partner, and kind of getting a general feeling of how the hospital functioned...but I didn't learn much of anything I didn't already know. They weren't very good classes, though...maybe yours would be better organized.
2007-07-22 22:38:15 · answer #9 · answered by grayhare 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I didn't and I wanted to with my first it just didn't work out schedule wise with our schedules and the ones that were offered was expensive. I actually didn't regret it all so much with my 2nd I chose not to take the classes and for me I found it fine. I felt for me the breathing came naturally. So it is a personal choice.
2007-07-22 22:46:15 · answer #10 · answered by anjelahoy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋