Have you taken a birthing class?

Question

Do you think it's totally essential to attend one? My husband probably won't be able to attend with me, but he will be there for the birth. I don't want to go alone and don't have a great support system besides my hubby. Should I go alone?

Answer

I don't think it's a must but it was nice to go and learn a little more about what's going to happen during labor. Especially because my class was taught by an actual nurse which was pretty cool because she knew so much!

Answer

I don't think it's absolutely necessary but it definitely helped my husband and I!

Answer

Attending a class depends on what you want your birth experience to be like. If you're planning on a ton of interventions you probably would get much out of a natural birth class. If you're hoping for something less medical then a class would be a great idea to prepare yourself, especially if you don't have a lot of support. 
Bradley Method
Lamaze
Birthing from Within
Mama Natural 
Hypnobabies 
Hypnobirthing
There's a lot more than that. Each class has something different and it really just depends on you as a person. Some are even available online. My first birth was planned out of the hospital. I took a natural birth class taught by a birth doula. I learned a lot of useful information. This birth is a planned home birth and I took a home birth class taught by a doula who works with my midwives so the class was very specific for what I would be able to expect from my care providers. 
Some hospitals have free classes. There are newborn classes, first aid classes, new sibling classes... I think it's all worth it. I don't think being informed and having knowledge is ever a bad thing.

Answer

With our first, my husband and I went to 2 classes. One was like how to take care of a newborn like wash, swaddle, change, etc & the other was a breastfeeding Class & both seemed pointless to me. Didn't really learn anything that I couldn't already find on the internet. But that doesn't mean it won't be helpful for you. If you have the time, give it a shot. I did a lot of stuff without my husband bc he was working so getting a little time to yourself isn't a bad thing. And there at least 2 other women there without their husbands in both classes bc they were working, so it's okay to go alone!

Have you taken a birthing class?

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