birthing class question

[MamaMacMurtry]

This is one for repeat mommys. Did you take a childbirth class with your first pregnancy & did you find it truly helpful? I have a very high pain tolerance & have used breathing techniques to help me manage pain since I was a little girl. Our insurance doesn't cover the cost of birth classes, and I'm wondering if its really worth the cost or if I can just skip it. I've been educating myself & watching birth videos-so I feel confident that I'll be fine. I am planning a drug free, natural birth, if that makes any difference.

[MamaMacMurtry]

Thanks ladies! I was leaning that way anyway, but I feel better about my choice now :-)

[mummainoz]

I didn't find it helpful. It only covered what I had already read in the one pregnancy book I bought and only went through what happens with a typical pregnancy and birth. Asking my ob questions and keeping an open mind regarding any kind of birth plan was more helpful.

[MamaMacMurtry]

My OBGYN offers a free 2 hour breast feeding class & has an in house lactation consultant. My doctor is very helpful in answering any questions about how to differentiate galse labor from the real thing & we have already gone over my basic birth plan & how to know when I'm in active labor. There is also a free 1 hour class on "what to expect in the first month" and "how to know when something is wrong with baby". Most of the birthing classes I've looked into are very much just "breathe like this, pick a focal point, how can your partner help you get through the pain & when to push". Any that cover more than that are expensive as all hell. I can't afford that right now on top of all the baby stuff. I had gall stones in 2003-2004 for over a year. Didn't go to the doctor until I started vomiting blood because I thought it was just bad gas or indigestion. I had regular, severe attacks and my stones were larger than a marble-one was golf ball sized. Needless to say, I can handle pain & my OB told me the pain you feel with gall stones is very similar to back labor & contractions. Breathing through that pain was not a problem. I'll be drug free, so I honestly doubt knowing when to push will be a problem. I just can't help feeling like its a waste of money.

[GlitteryKate]

Didn't go with my first pregnancy and don't plan on going this go round either.   I pushed out DD in 2 pushes without the use of a epidural.  I would agree with the former poster that if you feel confident,  don't worry about it.  There's enough of other things to worry over.

[Mel_Singh]

I watch youtube ....

[libellula]

If I could comment, I would ask what your class offers? Mine isn't just the regular, here's how to push out a baby lol. They talk about how to know when to go in, breast feeding,  post pregnancy care, and legal information. So some are more helpful than others!

[smilez0304]

Honestly, I took it when pregnant with my first and didn't find it that helpful. If you feel confident, I'd say keep educating yourself like you are, and not worry about the class :)

[ericatoday]

I didn't take one with my first. I didn't get an epidural and I knew when to push. I did fine. But with this one my midwife office has free classes so I see no harm in taking it. But if I had to pay out of pocket I wouldn't do it.

[3babyboyz]

With my first bb i never took a birthing class n i was gonna do it without the epadural too but the pain was so unbearable to where i had to get it!

[bfeld]

I didnt find it helpful...I felt I already knew everything they talked about.  When I went into labor I didn't remember any of the breathing techniques and I already knew about epidurals. I did find the birthing center tour helpful but you can set that up outside of the class for free.