Is lamas or other birthing classes really necessary? What do you actually get out of them?

Question

My wife is 20-22 weeks pregnant and we've been talking about it and just courious.

Answer 1

My husband and I just did the Lamaze/Breathing classes. Honestly, we knew enough about births and such from our own families so we didn't learn to much, but if your wife is planning on having something other than an epidural at birth (ie natural, or just pain killers) then it does help to go to the classes I've found. You do learn a lot, depending on what you already know. I don't think I wasted my time in the classes, but hey, to each his own, I personally think if you're going to be a first time parent, there is no harm in trying.
Hope I could help

Answer 2

I took one two hour lesson that was free on the NHS (I'm British - some areas do whole courses for free but where I am in the country you just get one extended lesson) - honestly, by that point, I had done so much research and been on pregnancy forums for ages and had made pregnant friends, they really didn't tell me anything I didn't know. I didn't lose anything by going, I wasn't doing anything that afternoon anyway, but I didn't gain anything either. Perhaps if I'd had more lessons there would have been things they'd have told me which I didn't know already, but to be honest, I went into labour, went into hospital, did what the midwives told me, and I gave birth. I've never been one for planning - I didn't have a birth plan and I'm glad I didn't because I know I wouldn't have stuck to it anyway - and I don't really feel like I lost out by not having any extra classes. I have some friends who went on courses of antenatal classes which they paid for, and most of them have said that they were pretty useless and didn't teach them much, but the main thing which benefitted them was that they made friends with the women over the weeks who were all due around the time, and now they all still have a few friends from their classes 18 months later with similar aged kids, so I suppose that's a nice element, and obviously something I didn't really get chance to do in one lesson! But there are plenty other sorts of groups and things which enable you to meet pregnant women and new mums, I know I have, so I don't think it's fully necessary. If I have any more children I won't be taking any classes, I don't feel there's a need (although I suppose not many would on their second child anyway). But I don't think you'll lose out by doing it - but if you decide not to, I don't think it's the end of the world, so if it's a case that it's going to be costing you a lot of money or you'll be losing time off work and it's a big hassle, then I wouldn't bother personally. Labour is labour, the midwives are very helpful, make sure you have a great partner or birth partner with you, and I don't think you'll suffer for having not attended classes!

Answer 3

If shes planning on getting an epidural.. I'd say don't take the class. I got the epidural and felt NO pain.. I even fell asleep for an hour during labor. When I was 10cm and 100% effaced they had to turn the epidural off and let me wait around for an hour before I could feel anything at all. She will not need the class.

If she wants to know about whats going on with her body each week www.babycenter.com is a good site as well as www.whattoexpect.com .

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Is lamas or other birthing classes really necessary? What do you actually get out of them?
My wife is 20-22 weeks pregnant and we've been talking about it and just courious.

Answer 5

You learn how to relax yourself long enough before they can give you an epidural. You learn about the whole birthing process and take a tour of the hospital. It's beneficial.
With our first - we took a crash course-all day on a Saturday. With our second - we took 1/2 day crash course and with our third - we didn't go at all. By then, we knew what we were doing!!

Answer 6

I took Bradley classes. They helped me a lot. They taught me how to relax so my uterus did not cramp. Over 90% of those who use the Bradley method do not need pain medication. They only have a 5% C-sec rate too. Relaxing also helps prevent fetal distress. My husband took a picture of me during a contraction in transition. It looked like I was asleep. I did not have any pain medication with any of my births, (I had four).

Answer 7

I got so much out of my birthing class. They didn't do lamaze, but just taught us relaxing positions and relaxing breathing. They also went through SOOOO much about the labor, so there were NO surprises for me during it. I highly recommend them.

Answer 8

We didn't take any classes. I would have liked to but I had no time. Was our first baby and the delivery went perfect.