[Open] Childbirth Classes

[Leanna]

Everyone I talked to said it was a waste so I didn't take the classes and to be perfectly honest, when it came down to it, I didn't need them. They told me exactly what to do when it came time to push...The classes here are so expensive and we spent that money preparing for after he got here. I don't tihnk we would have taken them, even if they were free...but that is just us.

Yes but you didn't want a natural birth.... to get through a natural birth you really have to know what's coming and what to expect your body and emotions to be doing, otherwise you quit and get an epidural. Had I not known my whirlwind labor was normal, natural, and what women have been doing all along so I could do it, I would have quit-- even though I was a crazy lady I didn't quit... the classes have nothing to do with knowing when to push, your body knows when to push and trust me it will tell you.

Alright so I am very apprehensive about these classes now, thanks ladies!

I was hoping they would tell me more about my different options on how to give birth, because the way the hospital is set up, I would think that they would because they give you the option of how you want to go through labor, you fill out a "Birth plan" ahead of time, and you are supposed to bring the whole binder to the class, so I thought they would go through everything with you.

Now I am nervous, Hubby gets to go with me, but that should be fun, he is funny around medical stuff.

I think it will be fine, you have nothing to lose! Yours could be good and helpful. I wrote a birth plan. If you do want a natural birth though just supplement with some good books, or a Bradley class if you can afford it. I think a breastfeeding class sounds like a good idea, the lactation consultants at my hospital were super good....

 

[BananaCake]

Well then you aren't ATTEMPTING one... you're having one. (unless something unforseen happens and you need intervention)

Have you started reading inspiring books like Ina May's Guide to Childbirth?

I have only read A Thinking Woman's Guide to Birth or whatever it's called And it wasn't inpiring for me personally. I didn't like it.

There's no Birthing From Within nearby and the Bradley site requires that you put in all your personal info to find out if there's even an instructor in the area. I don't really want to do that. Plus, there's no way my husband could commit to 12 classes because his schedule changes every week. They barely let him come to the ultrasound, and they knew about that 3 weeks in advance

Any other books I should look into? Or maybe a video series? My husband wants to take a class, but I'm sure he'd be open to watching a video series. Reading a book together is very challenging for us.

 

[BananaCake]

Well then you aren't ATTEMPTING one... you're having one. (unless something unforseen happens and you need intervention)

Oh, and the thought of having a needle in my back is far more traumatizing than the pain of labor Not only did I have a spinal tap as a child (my mom would never let me forget the trauma that caused her), I held a friend's hand while she got one. Ugh - no thank you

 

[Leanna]

I have only read A Thinking Woman's Guide to Birth or whatever it's called And it wasn't inpiring for me personally. I didn't like it.

There's no Birthing From Within nearby and the Bradley site requires that you put in all your personal info to find out if there's even an instructor in the area. I don't really want to do that. Plus, there's no way my husband could commit to 12 classes because his schedule changes every week. They barely let him come to the ultrasound, and they knew about that 3 weeks in advance

Any other books I should look into? Or maybe a video series? My husband wants to take a class, but I'm sure he'd be open to watching a video series. Reading a book together is very challenging for us.

Ahh yes we talked about that I remember, I didn't like that book either. The Bradley classes wouldn't work without your husband there, I don't think, because they take the husband's role very seriously. I haven't been to any but I can tell that's how it would be from the book. I read Natural Childbirth The Bradley Way and didn't do any of their practice thingeys but I found the information about Emotional Signposts in labor to be really helpful, and their description of kegels was the best I've seen with the little picture to inspire me not to be lazy. Then Ina May's Guide to Childbirth was helpful because the birth stories show what a variety of laboring experiences there are and there's a lot of reminders to trust your body. Those are the two I remember, there are also some websites online.... like http://www.birthingnaturally.net/birth/index.html

I "trained" my husband by reading passages of the books that I felt he needed to know, like the emotional signposts, and talking about what I wanted. I am glad that I did all that because had he not known he might not have been the support that he was through the labor and he never once suggested drugs, he told me I was doing great and I would be proud of myself

After labor was over and I was in recovery we both laughed about what a lunatic I was.... the whole thing was just too funny

 

[BananaCake]

I read Natural Childbirth The Bradley Way and didn't do any of their practice thingeys but I found the information about Emotional Signposts in labor to be really helpful, and their description of kegels was the best I've seen with the little picture to inspire me not to be lazy. Then Ina May's Guide to Childbirth was helpful because the birth stories show what a variety of laboring experiences there are and there's a lot of reminders to trust your body.

I requested them both from the library. Thanks!

 

[jgonz]

I totally 2nd Leanna's suggestions for books to read! I have both of those and they are Wonderful.

 

[Kazamataz]

What are these bradley classes everyone keeps talking about?

 

[-~Truth_N_Trust~-]

I am also in australia and with ruth I went to the classes at the public hospital birth centre where I was going to give birth - totally for free. My DH came with me, they were very good, didn't go on and on, showed a couple of videos and were very realistic. They didn't teach us any breathing exercises though, they said that it actually seems to stress people out worrying about it and if you need help during labour the midwife can instruct you, but mostly people cope pretty well. I didn't use any breathing exercises, my DH was with me the whole time praying for me out loud when I asked him to and that really helped me. I had a very positive natural delivery. I would try not to worry too much about going to the right class for a good birth experience, you can always get the extra info you feel you need from libraries/internet etc.

 

[Green Orchid]

Hubby and I are signed up for a free prenatal course that starts in May and runs for 5 weeks, once a week. I've heard that the classes are very useful, so I can't wait to see what we learn.

 

[jgonz]

What are these bradley classes everyone keeps talking about?

Bradley is a method of childbirth that is, IMO, very down to earth and realistic. There are classes available that teach the Bradley method in a lot of areas (but not all). The teachers have gone through specific training, and are fully qualified to teach the method. Unfortunately, they tend to be rather expensive though, which is why many moms tend to Not take them... The Bradley instructor in my area charges $500 for the series. She's a fully licensed and qualified midwife though, so maybe she's charging for her time as well...

A great book that explains the Bradley method is Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way, by Susan McCutcheon. I Love this book.

 

[Kazamataz]

Bradley is a method of childbirth that is, IMO, very down to earth and realistic. There are classes available that teach the Bradley method in a lot of areas (but not all). The teachers have gone through specific training, and are fully qualified to teach the method. Unfortunately, they tend to be rather expensive though, which is why many moms tend to Not take them... The Bradley instructor in my area charges $500 for the series. She's a fully licensed and qualified midwife though, so maybe she's charging for her time as well...

A great book that explains the Bradley method is Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way, by Susan McCutcheon. I Love this book.

Cool i don't know if these classes are held in Australia but i'd still like to read about them.

 

[BananaCake]

Have you started reading inspiring books like Ina May's Guide to Childbirth?

Bummer! I just found out both copies of this are missing from the library. But "Natural childbirth the Bradley way" is in and waiting for me to pick it up. So I'll start with that and see how it goes.

 

[BananaCake]

Someone was asking about childbirth classes, so I thought I'd resurrect this thread.

 

[Leanna]

Buy Ina May from www.half.com !!! cheap!

 

[Beth1231]

My class went GREAT last night! Hubby and I got there early so we had time to meet all the other ladies and their husbands/moms. We are all due in June and all but one of the mamas is having her first. The very best part is, as they talked about the stages of labor and we watched a birth movie (which made me cry), I started to feel more and more ready to take on this natural birth thing. And my husband held my hand and told me later that he is feeling emotionally up to supporting me and loving me through this. Wow, I'm happy. That's totally worth 60 bucks and next week is relaxation techniques.

 

[olafias]

Wow! I'm glad your class went well! Glad to hear that your hubby is so supportive-I'm worried mine will be freaked out! Thats okay, though, I've got my mom as a back up!

 

[Leanna]

I always cry when I see A Baby Story... thats a birth show ..... sad I know... though i was pregnant....