Birthing Classes

[adgal]

Just curious as to how many of you (especially first time moms like me) are taking prenatal & birthing classes. We are starting Dec. 17th taking a class called Birth & Babies.  It's not just  birthing course, but you also attend (with baby) for several weeks after he is born.  It is part support system and part educational.  Helps with things like bathing, colic, etc. etc. and coping with all the changes in your life once baby arrives.  I think it will be well worth it, but wondering how many other's are doing something like this.  Anyone?

[rubyinparadise]

I know what you mean about time flying--the first half of my pregnancy seemed to go so slowly, and all of a sudden I'm 5 months along! I suddenly feel sooo behind on my reading & other preparations!

As for classes, we are required by our birthing center to take a "Birth Basics" class (all about what happens during an out-of-hospital birth), and an "Infant Care Basics" class. I will also have to take a Breastfeeding workshop. In addition to that, my sister highly recommended an Infant CPR class. And finally, we've chosen Hypnobabies for our Childbirth Education class (vs. Bradley Method, Lamaze, etc.). It's 5 weeks long and we're starting in January.

It's a LOT of after work commitment for my husband but I think that it will be well worth it. I'm also looking forward to meeting other pregnant women in real life, since it's really hard to meet people where I live!

[pertykitty]

my suggestion is to learn about labor and transitions.  knowing what your body is doing will help you to remain calm and learning what you can do to help prevent a c section.  ive heard the bradley method is great to learn (did i spell that right?) and ive heard from a few that hypnobirthing helps with the pain.  

i wanted a natural birth with my son.  he was face up so the back pain was more than i could handle and i took an epi.  had i known that being up and moving around can not only help turn the baby (birthing balls work too) it can help ease pain rather than laying flat on your back in a bed for 12 hours.  learn all the pros and cons, many things can make labor feel much better and painfree, but can also stall and help increase your chances of needing a c section.

when us women go into the hospital we expect this beautiful experience.  but we dont know as much as we need to and we become frightened.  i am not trying to scare you lol i just wish i had known more about my body and the birthing process with my first.  would have made it much easier with #1,#2 and now with #3 lol.

[sherrysb]

DH and I took a birthing class and it was great.  He was sooooo into it, he took notes and is even more helpful since the class.  Have fun!

[Pum]

The main benefit from the class I did was meeting other mums in my area. It focussed a lot on the birth and less on afterwards. The best thing they told me was how long feeding would take. 40 minutes up to 10 times a day maybe (well it was for me). You really don't have time to do anything else but be a feeding machine. And while some babies sleep 20 hours a day, some sleep 12 hours in blocks of an hour or so.....  but this is just the newborn stage and it does get better.

Good luck with the course. I hope you make a mummy friend. They are worth their weight in gold.

[spade22]

Yes, it sounds like this will be a worth while class since so many different topics are covered.  I dont think they had classes for mom/baby after birth in our area - that would have been nice.

[prevatt77]

Amanda,

That sounds like a wonderful class; it sounds like you would benefit from that class.  I wish they would offer that here.  I need just a class on how to baby proof your house.  Gavin is into EVERYTHING.  Wait until he starts crawling, that is when the real fun begins and the time will go by so fast after he is here.  Wow girl you're so close.  I can't wait until you both get to experience birth and see little beaner for the first time.  Also, I think beaner is a wonderful name; maybe you should just name him that...lol

Love Ya,
Debbie

[slippinandsliddin]

We are planning on taking a course at the local hospital. This will be my 4th birth (not all live births). I never took a class- as my ex refused- he refused to be in the room- so I never had a coach. I also want to take the course as there will be 11 - 17 yrs between children for us. Oh my. (I am hoping my insurance will cover the cost ...) GOOD LUCK!!! :)

[melimeli]

I took a one day course with dh about birthing with my first when I was 22... Mainly for him so he wouldn't get freaked out... I felt like I already knew a lot about babies as I had babysat infants my whole life...   i recommend the Bfing part because I bfed this baby and it was the hardest thing I have ever done for the first 2-3 weeks.. Please know that it is sooo hard for some of us but if you stick with it, it does get easy as pie once the baby and you figure out how to do it... good luck

[adgal]

This course covers breastfeeding as well.  The whole thing is put on by the Alberta Health Region so it's taught by registered nurses, which I like.  It also covers things like soothing baby when he won't sleep, baby massage, etc.  The whole thing is about 11 weeks long.  And I like the idea of connecting with other new parents.  Most of our friends kids are either grown up, or they are not having children at all, so we are kind of the odd men out, and although they are very supportive, they are not in the same place in life we are now.  I hope this course is worth it!  

[adgal]

It's crazy how fast time is flying by now.  I can't believe I am now in single digit weeks...lol.  9 1/2 weeks till his due date...how the heck did that happen.  We still haven't finalized a name yet and although I have been shopping up a storm (soooo much fun) the nursery is far from ready..Good God!!!  I am leaving work in less then 6 weeks, so trying to train my maternity leave replacement.  I feel like I need an extra month at least here to be ready..ha!  Still, I am so incredibly excited.  Funny, not even a bit nervous about labour or the birth, but I am glad I am taking birthing classes.  At least I will have some idea what to expect in there.  Warren and I were talking last night about how close it was getting. I don't think he is quite grasping that this is real and coming quickly.  I mentioned that even though the due date is 9 and a bit weeks away, babies can and do come earlier and we could be parents in 5 or 6 weeks...he turned sort of pale..lol.  He is excited to meet his son though.  I guess the nerves are normal...I hope so anyway.

[spade22]

I am not currently pregnant but when I was pregnant (2 years ago, 1st time mom) I took several classes that were available to me,  To be honest, I didnt find the birthing class very useful - I felt like a lot of obvious information was stated and many of the breathing techniques/pain minimization techniques were things that come naturally during labor.

A very useful class was on breastfeeding.  I learnt a LOT from that.

[rdh1981]

Before we had Cooper we took a class called Baby Basics. It sounds very similar to the class you are taking but there was no follow-up with baby afterwards. It was helpful, but I found it just as helpful to read parenting books while laying in bed!

You are getting so close!

[PamelaBee]

We did childbirth classes with Connor.  It was very informative...but honestly, nothing can prepare you for the "MOMENT"!!  I never did any follow-up classes once he was born, but I was on the phone with my lactation consultant and Pediatricians office numerous times with questions.  
Before you are discharged from the hospital, you will be shown tons of things to care for your baby like, bathing, burping, swaddling, changing a diaper, comfort and soothing techniques, etc..It's almost time sweets!!!  I can't wait!!  XO

[tobbeyj]

Hubby and I start these classes in the New Year. I am excited to get started because I know once they start - its almost time to meet the little monkey. I think as a first time Mom, these classes are going to be very helpful :)