Did child birthing classes actually help you during birth?

Answer 1

I don know I never took them, the nurses were great, very helpful............

Answer 2

Honestly, for me - NO. The only thing that I found beneficial was something I was already doing before I joined the classes - sitting on the exercise ("birth") ball. That was ultimately what put me into the final stage of labor with my daughter and was pretty much the only comfortable place to sit throughout my pregnancy with her. I took the classes a little over 2 years ago while I was pregnant with my first child and since then I have delivered a son as well and I was able to do both deliveries without pain medications. Honestly, it hurts a bit, but it's only temporary and it goes away pretty quickly. The breathing exercises did little if anything to help distract me from the pain. There is other information presented in them that is informative, so I guess I don't feel like they were a complete waste of time, but don't expect that they are going to be able to tell you how to have a pain-free experience short of having pain meds administered. Good Luck to you!

Answer 3

Not at all....I never had to push even 1 of my 3 kids out and they never cared how as I was breathing durnig any of my c-sections!

But seriously, I would say they could be very beneficial if you are able to focus and concentrate on the breathing and relaxation exercises. I have heard from many women that it is more of a frame of mind you need to be in, and if you are able to divert as much attention away from the pain as possible while engaging yourself in the different excercises (breathing, visualizing, pushhhing...) it will make things alot easier and less stressful on you and your baby.

I don't think there is such a thing as painless childbirth. Bottom line it isn't pleasant! And now I will quote my grandma...."The screwing you get for the screwing you got" Gotta love Gram!

But really....lots of pain, painless, natural, c-section, however it happens the end result is pretty much the same. You end up with a beautiful baby!


I can only guess that if you are asking such a question you are expecting. If that's the case I wish the best to you and hope you enjoy all the joys of being a mother! But don't forget Gram's words! It isn't always joyful, but it is very rewarding.

Answer 4

We took the classes with our first. I think the only helpful thing was knowing what to expect. As soon as I went into labor it all flew out the window. I found my own ways to deal with labor. I advise to take the classes, just to know what might and might not happen. It's never a bad idea to be informed. Don't expect the techniques to be all that helpful. You need to find what makes YOU focus. In the class I had, the teacher suggested a small stuffed animal. What a load of crock. I yelled at my husband to get that thing out of my face! (lol) What helped me on the first was loud, blasting rock music in my head. I brought a cd player for the next 3. Music is how I focus and knowing that made all the difference. My rocking deliveries were all much simpler, I wish I had known with the first! Good luck ;)

Answer 5

No, child birthing classes did not help with the birth of my first child, and my next two were c-sections.

The actual experience of childbirth is nothing a woman can prepare for, and I mean that in a positive way.

Answer 6

I don't have any kids of my own but I have been told from my mother, grandmother, aunts, and multiple friends that it's such a crazy moment when it first starts you try to breath right but after an hour it all goes out the window and you do whatever feels right. It would probably help if you could stick to it but I have yet to meet someone who has been able to.

Answer 7

They helped me feel a bit more prepared & it helped to somewhat understand the dr & nurses lingo.
I'd suggest going to classes for any first time parents... it can't hurt, right?
BTW... the breathing exercises they had us practice DID NOT work during labor. I handled my contractions a lot better breathing the way I felt was right at the time.

Answer 8

Yes. You know what to expect. My second child was an emergency C-section. Had I not known what to expect from my classes, I would have really panicked. Also, I use my breathing exercises during dental appointments. It really helps -- and my youngest baby is 28.

Answer 9

They were somewhat informative but when it came down to actually giving birth, no. The breathing exercises that they taught me didn't help, they only made me have a dry and sore throat.

Answer 10

I took Bradley Birth Class http://www.bradleybirth.com/WhyBradley.aspx and highly reccomend it...I really think if my hubby and didn't take that class, I would've gotten the epidural.

It is so much more in depth than Lamaze.

Answer 11

Yes it does. If only to help with the anxiety you may be feeling with dealing with the unkown. The main thing you learn is how to breathe through the pain and relax.