childbirth/lamaze/breastfeeding classes

do you have to take them in the hospital you will be delivering in?

My dr's hospital is in Staten Island, and I live in Brooklyn. I think i may be OK giving birth in Staten Island, but I really don't think I want to travel there so often for classes, especially since I live very close to Methodist, and the Verazano bridge gets expensive.

Did anyone take these types of classes in a hospital other than the one they were delivering in?

Re: childbirth/lamaze/breastfeeding classes

You do not have to take the classes at your hospital. You may however want to at least take a tour of your hospital to be aquainted with the L&D rooms and procedures there. My hospital offered classes free of charge for Labor & Delivery, Breastfeeding and C-Section. Lamaze was to be taken privately at a cost of $150-$200. So that is another thing to consider, if your hospital offers free classes and you'd have to pay elsewhere, it may be worth it to go to your hospital.

My cousin took classes at my hospital free of charge and she gave birth in a different hospital. You have to call around and check at your local hospitals.

FYI... DH and I had our Labor & Delivery class the other night and it was great. I'm glad we went, mostly for DH's benefit and it was a fun night out. However, I watched the Laugh & Learn about Childbirth dvd and it covered pretty much everything that was covered in this class. You may want to consider that option for you and DH to watch at home. I rented the dvd from my library. The series also has a Breastfeeding one as well as Newborn Care.

Re: childbirth/lamaze/breastfeeding classes

Thank you Denise!

Re: childbirth/lamaze/breastfeeding classes

We are not taking the classes at our hospital. We live in Westchester and I'm giving birth at NSUH-Manhasset, we're taking the one day class that gives the hospital tour at the hospital.

The other classes, for Bradley Method and BFing we are taking close to us in Westchester.

Re: childbirth/lamaze/breastfeeding classes

DH and i couldn't get the classes to work with his schedule so we are watching the Laugh & Learn about Childbirth and the Laugh & Learn about Breastfeeding videos instead. We talked to my OB about it first. He ok'd it.

Re: childbirth/lamaze/breastfeeding classes

Thanks ladies, I feel better!
I have an appointment for a tour on June 15, same day as NT scan. AFter that, I'll decide if I like the hospital and its worth the commute.

what is Bradley method?

Re: childbirth/lamaze/breastfeeding classes

I don't think you have to take them at all if you don't want to, so I can't see why you can't take them at another hospital.