Birthing class?

Question

FTM here and I honestly have heard that birthing classes are a waste of time and money. And I honestly don't really see a point in it, especially when hubby and I both work and get off right before 6 come home and just relax. But hubby's grandmother informed us that we need to take a lamas class (idk if I spelt that right) and told us she would pay for it but I've just heard that it's not worth it. Any advice?

Answer

I'm a second time mom. I think if you are planning for an epidural, don't even worry about it. I would just take the classes at your hospital. The ones over. Breastfeeding, baby and patient care, and anything like that were helpful for me. If you are planning on having an inmedicated birth, I would choose some program and go those classes too.

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My husband and I too don't think we can make a class. My husband gets off work late and we wouldnt be able to commit to it. There are online classes though! I even googled and found a free video of a class!

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My husband and I took a birthing class with our 1st child.  Originally, my husband was not on board.  He made fun of the instructor, made silly faces at me, and wasn't really involved for the 1st couple of visits.  Then, something clicked and he started paying attention (kind of...lol).  By the time it was over, we felt even closer.  We had fun during the class and learned a lot about the whole labor process, pain management, etc.  For us, it was worth it even though the birth of our son didn't go the way we planned.  I ended up with an emergency c-section but prior to that I was using the breathing techniques and pain management instruction to get through my contractions.  It was worth it for the memories as well.  That was 10 years ago and we still remember our instructor saying, "Go Murray!" when she talked about her alma mater.  Now, every time we see anything with Murray State on it we say "Go Murray!"  I think you should go to the classes.  It can't hurt, right?  🙂

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I have the same concerns. If anyone has done the online (free) stuff--what do you recommend?

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My husband and I started the local prenatal class and I wasn't really in to it. Now that we have started I have seen how much my husband is benefitting form it. Most of the information they go over I have read in the books but it's easier for my husband to sit and learn by hands on activities and informational videos that he would ever learn by trying to read 300-400 page books. He's just not a reader. We are also closer it's a nice experience to have together. Here it's only 3 days 1.5 hrs each day and we have met local couples with due dates very close to ours :) my husband actually left with another mans phone number he started making daddy friends :)

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The ones we took weren't worth it. The class that was however was CPR.

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We had a one-time Saturday class that ran from 8:30-3:30. We had no idea what to expect, so we both got a TON out of it. It was only about $60, and he and I both feel it was absolutely worth it. On the flip side, my SIL did not take one, and they are doing just fine. Personally, I just wanted to know what to expect to become mentally prepared for the whole process. Good luck! ❤️

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We were offered classes too and at first I wanted to go, but SO wouldn't go with me. They're free here so it's not about money, but honestly the only reason I wanted to go was to meet other couples waiting for their first child... I have no doubt we will do just fine even without them. 😇

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Currently a second time mom, with our first our classes actually got cancelled and we're from a small town so never got rescheduled. My nurses and husband were very helpful during labor and delivery so I'm kinda glad we didn't waste the money on classes. I will say that I also felt like I didn't have a say in my induction or any other interventions that occurred during my labor(no epidurals were offered,I knew that ahead of time) Now I did attend birthing classes last summer with my friend whose birth I attended, and I think it would have been beneficial to have been prepared to know what'd happen in the event of a cesarean/complications.

Answer

I have just watched free videos online and we are doing a hospital tour. You can also take Lamaze online if you don't want to commit to going to the classes. My friend who just had a baby didnt take any Lamaze and ended up not being able to get an epidural because she progressed too quickly. She had some trouble not pushing too soon and then being able to push when it was time but the nurses coached her through it and she was fine. They did make a comment to her indicating that is why they recommend the classes though.