Lamaze & epidural..question/thoughts/BTDT

So my friend told me that lamaze is pretty much useless if you plan on getting an epidural bc it is pain management and the epi does that for you.

Thoughts? TIA

Message edited 7/12/2011 8:56:40 AM.

Re: Lamaze & epidural..question/thoughts/BTDT

that's what people told me too - so I ended up just renting a video to watch and that was helpful. They do tell you other things though - like how to know when you are in labor, what to do when water breaks, etc. So even if you decided not to take a class, I would suggest still renting a video for those things at least.

But I will add that I was in horrible back labor for about 15 hours before they were able to give me an epi so some of the 'pain management' stuff did help anyway

Re: Lamaze & epidural..question/thoughts/BTDT

Re: Lamaze & epidural..question/thoughts/BTDT

Posted by DiamondGirl

Posted by Aries14

that's what people told me too - so I ended up just renting a video to watch and that was helpful. They do tell you other things though - like how to know when you are in labor, what to do when water breaks, etc. So even if you decided not to take a class, I would suggest still renting a video for those things at least.

But I will add that I was in horrible back labor for about 15 hours before they were able to give me an epi so some of the 'pain management' stuff did help anyway

good to know. Silly question, since most Blockbusters are closed now where did you rent a video? TY

Re: Lamaze & epidural..question/thoughts/BTDT

Posted by Aries14

Posted by DiamondGirl

Posted by Aries14

that's what people told me too - so I ended up just renting a video to watch and that was helpful. They do tell you other things though - like how to know when you are in labor, what to do when water breaks, etc. So even if you decided not to take a class, I would suggest still renting a video for those things at least.

But I will add that I was in horrible back labor for about 15 hours before they were able to give me an epi so some of the 'pain management' stuff did help anyway

good to know. Silly question, since most Blockbusters are closed now where did you rent a video? TY

I rented it from Netflix but I know a few people who rented it from the library.

Re: Lamaze & epidural..question/thoughts/BTDT

We rented a video and thought that it would be good enough until I was actually in labor and there were a lot of things that I was unaware of...maybe the video we watched wasn't that informative? I kind of wish that we would have went to lamaze or a child birthing class

Re: Lamaze & epidural..question/thoughts/BTDT

There is a lot of pain involved before you get the epidural, believe me! We took a Childbirth Ed class and were so glad we did. There was so much information that I wouldn't have known otherwise. I felt a lot more comfortable and prepared after taking it. For first timers, I'd DEFINITELY recommend taking a class.

Re: Lamaze & epidural..question/thoughts/BTDT

I really enjoyed the class. The instructor even said she got an epi with all three of her kids, and one didn't work, so Lamaze helped! It was a really nice day with my DH, we learned a lot of stuff. It wasn't just breathing techniques, but relaxation techniques and more in-depth info that we touched upon in the Childbirth class we took at the hospital.

Re: Lamaze & epidural..question/thoughts/BTDT

My GF just gave birth and she said even though she wound up with a c-section she is still very glad she took the lamaze class.

Re: Lamaze & epidural..question/thoughts/BTDT

I took lamaze when I was first preggo with #1 and I knew full well that I was going to have a epi no matter what but in all honesty, it was extremely helpful AND it helped get exH ready for what was to come lol

Re: Lamaze & epidural..question/thoughts/BTDT

Thanks for your input girls, looks like the class is the way to go

Re: Lamaze & epidural..question/thoughts/BTDT

I guess I'm the outsider, but I didn't find the lamaze useful. Maybe it was my specific class or that my labor was quick?

Re: Lamaze & epidural..question/thoughts/BTDT

I'm very glad I took the class. It was called a "Lamaze Class" but it was 8 hours long and we spent maybe 45 minutes on Lamaze techniques. The instructor told us that at our hospital, 90-95% of women choose to get epidurals. So instead of sitting on the floor on pillows and breathing, as I'd envisioned, we learned about all the different terms of labor (dilation, effacement, "stations," etc.), what exactly will happen when we check into the hospital, how to know when to call the doctor, who can visit you during and after the birth, and when, stuff like that. Very practical. I'm so glad I took the class.

Re: Lamaze & epidural..question/thoughts/BTDT

We signed up for lamaz but the day i was sup to go to the class i went into ore term labor then was put on bed rest till my Lo arrived.....needless to say never vot to take any of the classes i signed up for cause my dd came at 35 weeks. I had an epi was sooo scared posted so many things e weeks before my labor. Epi was awsome my water broke father days at 10 pm i rushed to hospital....waited a while then got the epi at close to 8:30 the next morn i was ready to welcome my baby into the world...the nurse worked me through the pushing and breathing my baby was out in 8 min.
I wish you a fast and painless labor and delivery ...not sure where you are delivering i was in good sam and the nurses were amazing...honestly my dr walked away for. In ...god knows why and the nurse was basically holding the baby in yelling for the dr to come back ...so basically she delivered my baby lol.

Re: Lamaze & epidural..question/thoughts/BTDT

My epi didn't work so I don't think it's useless.

Re: Lamaze & epidural..question/thoughts/BTDT

I got an epi with my first and found th class helpful - the massage techniques came in handy for me because i had back labor - and it still takes a while to got hrough triage before you can request an epi - th breathing techniques were also helpful