Birthing classes?

[Mrs Dragonfly]

What are your ladies thoughts on birthing classes? First time mama's, are you doing them? And experienced mama's, did you find them helpful?

So far looking into them I'm curious about the Bradley method as it's more partner led which I would love DH to take the lead in such a big moment. The only downer I'm finding with Bradley method near us is that it's 12 weeks long! Is that a normal length or are they just crazy?

 

[junbait]

We are planning on attending childbirth classes, thinking no harm done in attending them. The classes at our hospital are offered at various intervals. The same material is covered either in 5 weeks (1 weekday per week), 1 weekend (Saturday and Sunday) or 1 full morning till evening Saturday class.

DH and I are planning on attending the 5 week class since it might give us more time to absorb the material rather than trying to cram it in one weekend.

 

[Mrs Dragonfly]

5 weeks definitely sounds a lot nicer than a one weekend crash course.

 

[junbait]

It does. But we are not planning on attending classes until September. That should give us enough time, not too far out nor too close to delivery.

 

[messica]

I'm copying and pasting my experience from elsewhere:

With my first I took a Bradley centered class. It was once a week for I want to say about 6 weeks. I had no idea that's what it was as it was offered through my clinic and I wasn't aware there were alternatives elsewhere. It was open to anyone 20+ weeks and I was close to that. The first one I took was TERRIBLE. Stressed drug free and drug free only. The instructor drilled in class that if you used anything your baby would be born lifeless at best, or worse. Showed us videos of just born babies looking dead to prove her point. She asserted that C sections would prevent bonding, and breastfeeding. No joke, it was just terrible. It didn't make me feel empowered at all, in fact I went from being excited about delivery to being TERRIFIED of it.

Once the nurses at the hospital reassured me the instructor was a nutjob the rest of my labor and delivery went off without a hitch. Nothing, not a single word was true in either of my experiences laboring and birthing my children.

Didn't go to one with my second (was not on board with seeing the nutjob and hearing her schpeel again) but am signed up to go to one this go round since it's been 10 years. Completely different city and hospital (it's a two day, with Saturday being 9 hours class so I was advised not to wait until 20 weeks plus with the twins already being giant). They have multiple instructors who work together and their doulas will be there to meet. No one method is emphasized and my doctors have reassured me EVERYONE there supports any way a mother wants to deliver.

I'm actually finding myself excited to go!

 

[Mild Mango]

I'm still on the fence about birthing classes. Since I'm opting for an epidural, and will give birth in a hospital setting, I'm not sure how helpful those classes will be.

I went to a Bradley Method class about 10 years ago with one of my friends (she was pregnant, and I was her "partner"). It probably lasted about 5 or 6 weeks. I didn't really like it because the teacher strongly encouraged natural birth (forced it down our throats). She had delivered 5 out of 6 of her kids in her home and was very adamant that home birth was best. Also, much of our class focused on various birthing positions, which won't be too helpful for me since I plan to be numb from the waist down.

On the positive side, the Bradley class was very focused on the partner and what he/she can do to help out during childbirth. Not sure if regular birthing classes are like that or not.

If you're sure you want a natural birth Bradley might be very helpful. However, if you are planning on getting an epidural or would like to learn about various options in addition to natural, then you may be better off taking a regular birthing class at the hospital.

 

[MamaLa]

I want to take the class. OH doesn't, but I know that he will go with me.

 

[Rhapsodi]

We are doing about 5 different classes. I can't even tell you all of them but I think I signed up for most offered. I know we have caring for newborns (I have some idea but DH is clueless), waterbirth, a basic birthing class, and breast feeding. I did decide against the natural birth class even though I'm hopeful for all natural but I didn't like the techniques they mentioned as I am Catholic and many are borderline against teachings. But I think I can find my own techniques.

This is our first biological child (my nephews currently live with us). I figured we can go if we get something from it great if not oh well.

I need to educate myself as much as possible for everything in order to keep anxiety at bay so that is why we are doing so many classes (and to help get DH informed too, he won't research like me and only half listens to what I say.)

 

[Selaphyna]

I took classes when I was pregnant with DS1. I found them pointless. Even though I was a young mother to be, I had my mom there every step of the way, and having her knowledge was much better than going to the classes. For the most part I was going to them with my mom as my son's dad lived 3 hours away. We both found the classes boring.

This time, I can't really take the classes as they are offered during times that I would not be able to attend. Part of me wants to go because I think it could be helpful for my OH, especially since he will be the one in the delivery room with me, since my mom now lives 4 hours from me.

 

[sashadoll]

Well ladies if you look up what the Bradley method is it is focused on natural birth it clearly states that. So going to the class you should be aware that's what they will discuss primarily. Now of course there are nuts out there that probably shouldn't be teaching any class but the whole point of the method is all natural birthing.

 

[Mrs Dragonfly]

My goal is a natural birth, I guess I should have stated that in my original post as well. I was mostly drawn to it because it's was explained to me as being partner led, the natural part is a bonus. We have a little bit of time so I'm looking into the classes around me in hopes of finding one that fits all that we could be looking for.

 

[sashadoll]

That's why I chose the bradley method. I had a horrible first birth with medical intervention and we decided this was best option for us. You can do it!

 

[messica]

Well ladies if you look up what the Bradley method is it is focused on natural birth it clearly states that. So going to the class you should be aware that's what they will discuss primarily. Now of course there are nuts out there that probably shouldn't be teaching any class but the whole point of the method is all natural birthing.

I would have looked it up, but it was merely advertised as a "Childbirth Class" and not specific to any one method

Add to that it was the only one offered through the clinic/delivering hospital I was at at the time so I naturally assumed there was no other method - and why would any first time mom think to question otherwise? I was the first off all my friends to have a child and in my moms day there were no classes so how else would most women know there were alternatives?

 

[sashadoll]

Well simply asking questions about the class like you would anything else. Maybe meeting the instructor before the class to ask a few questions. Lamaze is very diverse in both medical and natural birthing I know you said no other classes were offered at the hospital but maybe looking elsewhere or asking your doctor where to go. Just my thoughts because the first thing I noticed immediately about the class was it specifically advocated natural birthing. Thankfully you have many other options now that can benefit your needs.