lamaze/childbirth class questions

So the person my dr. recommended teaches a 4 week class that meets weekly for 2 hours.
I just told DH and he was hemming and hawing about the time commitment (meanwhile he'll be the first one panicking in L&D, but that's beside the point).
He asked if there was a good one day course we could take instead.

So my questions are, is there? Do you think you get as much out of it? And does anyone know of any good ones offered in the Huntington area or relatively near by.

TIA!

Re: lamaze/childbirth class questions

I'm taking one in Roslyn, which sounds far for you, but I love the class. It's six weeks long, for about two hours. DH and I both feel like we get a lot of information that's (hopefully) usable and interesting. Totally worth it IMO.

Re: lamaze/childbirth class questions

Re: lamaze/childbirth class questions

DH and I went to one close to Huntington - 4 weeks for 2 hours on Wednesday night. I am wondering if it's the one you're thinking of taking...is the women who leads the sessions Celeste?

I am glad we took the class. But, be aware it isn't focused on Lamaze breathing - in each class we probably focused on breathing for around 20 mins. What it's really helpful for is learning a lot about the last trimester of pregnancy, labor, the delivery process at the hospital, post partum/newborn care and breastfeeding. Celeste is super knowledgeable.

In my case, since I knew my husband wasn't reading the books and I didn't want to educate him on everything - taking the class meant he learned everything I would want him to know - and that alone made it worthwhile.

Re: lamaze/childbirth class questions

sorry to crash this thread with another question - but when do you usually begin Lamaze class?? I'm in my 2nd trimester and haven't really thought about it yet. Should I be finding one NOW or do I still have time? Not even sure HOW to find one in my area.

Re: lamaze/childbirth class questions

New Baby Belly in Massapequa does a one day class I think (I did not take it)...I don't know if that is too far for you though.

Re: lamaze/childbirth class questions

dh and i are taking a bradley class. i noticed that a lot of regular group classes seem to be 6 or 8 weeks, 2 hours each.

our schedule is kind of crazy, so we are taking a private class, that way it fits with our schedule. the private class we are taking is 4 weeks, 2 hours each. i don't really know if you will find any other classes that are shorter than that, but if the scheduling is a problem, then a private class could be the way to go. we also could have taken 3 classes instead of 4, and just made them longer.... you can really customize with the private classes.

i do think it will be totally worth it to do a childbirth class though... not even just for me, but mainly for dh! i am always reading and learning about childbirth stuff so this is a good way to make dh learn things about it, too.

Re: lamaze/childbirth class questions

Re: lamaze/childbirth class questions

Re: lamaze/childbirth class questions

I was 21 when I had my daughter and in college full time all the way till i was 8 months, so i never took lamaze classes. but i think they are good if you have the time but... i have also heard they are a waste of time because you will be in so much pain, you wont remember anything you learned.

i took no classes, and did my own breathing techniques during labor which actually worked, considering i didnt yell, scream, curse at anyone. i just said i want to stick to the breathing and focusing on getting the baby out.

so i think it just depends on the person. some people take them, and are in so much pain they dont worry about what they learned. then others, follow what the learned in the classes.

its very easy to teach yourself breathing and relaxation techniques during labor though. as long as you stay focused , you can do it.

Re: lamaze/childbirth class questions

thanks Rachel & BayB614 for that info. I kind of had a feeling that it was a third trimester thing. I think I'll start researching though... hopefully there's one in this town (where I live there isn't much)

Re: lamaze/childbirth class questions

I recently attended a one day lamaze class at St. Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson. It's offered on the weekend (8 hours). You can call them to find out more info. HTH!