BTDT moms...prenatal/child birth class

We were supposed to take a prenatal/child birth class through my dr office/hospital today, but it was obviously cancelled. I'm not sure if we're going to be able to make the next class or if they're going to rescheduke. My question is, how many of you took one and found it useful?

Since things are really tight right now, I'm wondering if spending $175 for this class is going to be worth it or not. The topics include: anatomy of pregnacy, comfort measure, relaxation and breathing techniques, phase of labor, pain meds, pushing techniques, delivery of newborn/placenta, c-section, breast feeding, newborn care, postpartum care, when to call the dr, what to bring to the hospital.

BTDT moms...prenatal/child birth class

i watched one on youtube - it was a full length one (5 hours long, i think) and honestly, it was totally useless to me.

The only thing i really learned is that you time the contractions from the start of the first till the start of the next one and if they're about 5 minutes apart for a full hour, then you should call the doctor and possibly go to the hospital.

You can ask or find out about all of those other things on the internet / LIF.

I'm happy i didn't spend the money on it but each person is obviously different

Re: BTDT moms...prenatal/child birth class

Well, I was happy after I took it. It definitely made me feel better prepared and I felt like I knew what to expect after I took the class. It put a lot of the fears of the unknown at ease for the remainder of my pregnancy. However, I wound up being induced and much of what I learned no longer pertained to me and just went right out the window! But had I gone into labor on my own, I think I would have been grateful for having taken a class. And, I think it really helped ease DH's fears as well, so that alone made it worthwhile.

BTDT moms...prenatal/child birth class

Waste. Save your money

BTDT moms...prenatal/child birth class

Don't bother

Re: BTDT moms...prenatal/child birth class

I don't think it pays to take it. Just educate yourself on your own with a little research. I didn't take any classes and was totally fine. When it is time, you will call your ob if you have any questions.

Re: BTDT moms...prenatal/child birth class

Re: BTDT moms...prenatal/child birth class

Please take that money and spend it on your future baby.
I couldn't be bothered to take a class like that and guess what?
DD was born.
The nurse told me how to push in 5 minutes.
I listened to what she said and it was fine.
No need to spend that kind of money on a class to tell you what women have been doing since time immortal.
Such a waste IMO
Do you really think in the heat of labor you are going to remember something from a class you took months ago?
Maybe whip out a notebook with notes?
Please

Message edited 2/10/2013 4:27:56 PM.

BTDT moms...prenatal/child birth class

I didn't take a childbirth class and don't think they're necessary unless maybe you're trying for a natural childbirth. Even then, you can probably rent a video from the library or watch something on youtube. I did take a free breastfeeding class at the hospital which was somewhat helpful. I also read a book which was even more helpful than the class.

Re: BTDT moms...prenatal/child birth class

The majority of the responses was what I thought. I guess I just needed some justification for not doing it. I will research the different topics with books, videos, and of course on here! Thank you all for the advice!

Re: BTDT moms...prenatal/child birth class

Maybe breathing techniques are helpful if you are going au natural.

I didn't do any classes. I didn't think I missed anything. I did have an epidural.

Re: BTDT moms...prenatal/child birth class

I'm the odd one.

I took the childbirth class my hospital offered and LOVED it.

I am a very nervous person by nature. My class was 2 classes on 2 separate nights. It was more than just breathing and a video of an outdated birth. The instructor went over when you should head to the hospital, what would happen exactly once you get to the hospital, we toured the labor and delivery wing and were able to ask questions about equipment, we toured the nursery and told what would happen to the baby right after it was delivered and some "common" concerns, they even showed us the OB OR and explained what would happen step by step if a emergency c-section was needed. They went over the phases of labor and how we would feel (wanting it quiet, not wanting to be touched, etc.), they went over the differences between an epidural and a demeral (sp?) shot and at which points during your labor you could get each. We met some nurses that would be taking care of us, they walked us through some worse case scenarios (if they can't detect the baby on the external Doppler, what an internal one looks like, etc.), they won't over some aftercare (baby blues vs. PPD, etc.), some infant care....and much much more. They literally talked about breathing and pushing for all of 20-30 minutes. We didn't sit on the floor with pillows....they talked to us about focusing and trying to relax and said that our bodies would take over and we'd know what to do (which is true).

I left there, feeling like I was 110% prepared. I knew everything that was happening when I was in delivery and I am the type of person that finds peace in knowing the answers to many of the "what ifs". I'm the only person I know who took the class...all my friends/family go with the flow and ya know what? They have given birth and been fine. I think it really depends on the type of person you are, but I think if you have a good instructor its worth the money/time.

Message edited 2/10/2013 7:10:50 PM.

Re: BTDT moms...prenatal/child birth class

I took it through the hospita i delivered at. Wasnt worth it, but the instructor went over little things that were helpful at the hospital. I didnt remember not one thing once i was in labor. I think my husband did. It wasactually quite amusing hearing him tell me how to breath and then when he tried to rub my back actually quote the instructor and then ask if this was the phase where i didnt want to be touched.. :).. Too funny. I wouldnt spend that much money on a class. I think i spent 50 or so.. mine was 3 nights 3 classes..

Re: BTDT moms...prenatal/child birth class

I really liked the classes we took and found them very informative. I did Birth and Beginnings, Breastfeeding and Infant CPR - which I almost had to use when DD choked and stopped breathing one day ughh!

Buy anyway I knew a lot of stuff but some I did not and they gave lots of great tips. I think DH really got alot out of it too...he def learned a ton and was happy we went. We took ours at night over the course of 6 weeks and would grab a quick dinner beforehand and it was sort of a little date night ;)

BTDT moms...prenatal/child birth class

I didn't take it. If I was going to take a class and pay I would take infant CPR and breastfeeding (if you really want to breastfeed) or one all combined. I ended up with a c section and was glad I didn't pay for childbirth classes.

BTDT moms...prenatal/child birth class

I didn't take it - I watched the Laugh and Learn About Childbirth DVD that I got from the library (a video of a woman giving a class).

BTDT moms...prenatal/child birth class

I thought it was informative and put my mind at ease before the birth of the baby. A lot of the information I knew already, but it was nice to take the tour of the hopsital and the nurses who taught the class gave little tips and pieces of advice that I didn't think of myself. Plus, DH didn't really know anything so it was good to expose him to everything.