Is Child Birthing Class really worth taking?

Answer 1

I think it depends a lot on what type of class you take and what you want to get out of it. I took a class with my firstborn that was offered by my birth center. I found it very helpful since it was geared toward people who wanted non-medicated births.

We learned a lot about what is going on with our bodies during various stages of labor, good positions for managing different types of pain at those stages, pros and cons of pain meds available, and what our birth partners can do to help support us. We were introduced to couples who birthed there so they could share their birth stories with us. It was also great getting to know the other expectant parents, both before and after all of our births.

Answer 2

We did for our first child and it was worth it. We took it at the hospital where my wife gave birth, and they show us the delivery room, the recovery rooms, what to expect when my wife was there with our son, procedures on what to do when we showed up at the hospital when she was in labor, weather if she wanted to take drugs for pain or not, when it was too late to ask for the drugs, and just some general basic tips on when was the labor real and when we should come in. They do show birthing videos and it was somewhat helpful, but not the most interesting part.

We live in Chicago and she gave birth at Northwestern which is a massive hospital that sees a lot of births, so it was good to know what to exactly expect and where to go when we got there.

Answer 3

I didn't take it b/c I couldn't afford it. My baby came out just fine, perfect actually. You don't need classes to teach you how to breathe. Having a baby is a natural thing. It's going to happen whether you're in a third world country in a rice field or in a top of the notch hospital. Now if you're bored and have money to waste, then by all means take a class. Otherwise you can get the same info from a book or on the web.

Answer 4

It never hurts to take a birth class. Not only they show you how to breathe, but give you a tour of the hospital, explain the procedure for that day and not only get you ready but your partner too, because he might not know how to behave that day so he really can help you. They cover the different labor and birth situations that you can encounter (c-section, epidural, etc) and tell you the "abc" of the first days with the baby, how to give her a bath, etc. I think is very worthy for first time mothers.

Answer 5

I think it's interesting, especially if it;s your first. Everyone has this thought that lamaze class is there to teach you how to "get rid of" the pain. Not true. It basically goes over everything your body is going through, it breaks down every phase of labor and what you will experience through each phase. It helps you learn how to find a way to deal with the pain so you can cope a lot more and not be so scared. I've learned a lot from it. We've done activies that has shown me what I do to deal with the pain, take for instance, the teacher had us all get two pieces of ice and hold it in our bare hands for a minute. (that doesnt sound painful but it kinda is) and for that minute we had to find a way to deal with the pain, people were walking around, talking, breathing, etc etc... they also go over ALL types of pain medication, what they do, how the effect you and the baby, and the risks. I find it is helpful. It's not necessary, but I think in the end it'll help.

Answer 6

I tried to take one for my first pregnancy, but lived in a small town and it was snowed out. I never took it after that and did fine. The nurses helped me with everything I needed. I am due today with my second and still have not taken a class... I am really not worried about it.

BUT, I am the kind of person who is okay if I decide to have an epidural or other medications. If you are against using them unless they become medically necessary, it would probably be a huge benefit for you to take a class.

Answer 7

I took the class with my husband. They told me what to eat, and what not to eat. They gave us a tour of the hospital and answered most of the questions that people in the class had about "childbirth." They also taught the breathing technique. It made me feel prepared to have my daughter, but....

When I went thru actual labor and my husband asked me to use the breathing techniques that they taught me in class I screamed at him! I told him he could take those BLEEPing breathing techniques and stick them up his BLEEPing BLEEP because that BLEEP wasn't going to help me with that pain.... Then I started crying and apologizing to him for being so mean...

Was the class worth it? To give you peace of mind yes! All the tips are great but if you read every pregnancy book like I did, then there isn't anything additional that you are gonna learn. It could quite possibly work for you (the breathing techniques).....It just depends on how you deal with pain and stress. Good luck!

Answer 8

if you are sensitive to pain, or fearful that your body isnt able to do what its designed to, no.

But if you're pretty well versed in your ability to allow your body to do what its created to and hork a fully formed person out of its smallest hole, yes its a waste.

I didnt take them. You can learn all you need to know on the net or on the discovery channel.

Answer 9

you never are going to learn how to rise a child until you became a mom, I wouldn't take it, you're never going to be ready to have a kid, and I already have one, that's why I'm telling you. When you have your kids, is when you are going to learn and they will help you to learn day by day and step by step.

Answer 10

YES!!!!!!!! dumb *** excuse my language but that sounds pretty
dumb why would'nt you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!