Prenatal Classes Worth It?

S.,

I feel they are of great value. Not for the formal lessons, but for the opportunity to connect with other couples that are also expecting. As far as which class... that depends on you... What kind of delivery do you want?

With my whole heart, C.

I liked mine, took it before my first one, mainly it educated me on what to expect and all that and lessened my fear factor. Since you have gone through having a baby, I say you are probably more in the expert field now and would be bored!!! :)

Personal opinion is going to vary on this becuase there are many different types of classes and different levels of personal investment into the class.

If you're a person who's just going to be a chair warmer...it may not help you much becuase you're not helping yourself.

If you are going to be serious, practice the techniques, and do your part, then you'll notice a difference.

The studies are clear. Those who take classes have better outcomes and experiences than those who don't IN GENERAL. That is even MORE true if the classes are other than the standard hospital class BECAUSE, as one person stated, those classes aren't so much designed to help you work with your body and teach you comfort techniques but rather to explain to you the procedures and practices of the facility...they tell you what to expect as an average patient. AND often times, the standard hospital class mocks the unmedicated mother in labor. I personally find that unethical and ridiculous.

Each birth is different. Whether you're having your second, fifth, or eleventh baby; it will be a different experience as your baby is a different child than who you've birthed before. The staff will be different, the room may be different, the time of day, the onset of labor, your age, your fears, your relationship to baby's father, your overall health, your mental/emotional state, your life stresses, your homelife, those you choose to include into your personal birth team ALL affect the flow and process of birth. So...it's always worth a refreshed look at the information. Not to mention the new things we're learning daily about health and childbirth.

I would highly suggest looking outside the hospital for classes to teach you coping and comfort techniques, nutrition information, and empowerment exercises. Do your research. There are many different methods:
**Birthing From Within ( www.birthingfromwithin.com ),
**Bradley Husband Coached Birthing ( www.bradleybirth.com ),
**Hypnobirth ( www.hypnobirthing.com ),
**Hypnobabies ( www.hypnobabies.com ),
**Lamaze--which isn't a "method" anymore as much as a philosophy--( www.lamaze.org ),
**Eclectic classes taught by birth professionals around the country taking from their experience, knowledge, and training to share what has worked best for the women in their practices and cliental.

All of these have proven to be significantly beneficial to women and their partners. Coming second only to having a Doula, which, agian, I HIGHLY recommend. I, myself, would sooner jump off a cliff and slit my throat than give birth without a doula regardless to whether I was choosing an epidural birth or a completely unmedicated home birth...I just would NOT do it--EVER. I'd do research on that, too!!

I hope that helps...and CONGRATULATIONS!!

I took the classes, but realized that the nurses tell you everything you need to know about breathing, pushing and breast feeding. If I had to do it over I don't think I would take the classes.

I would highly recommend Dr Bradley's Natural Childbirth (Husband coached childbirth) classes. What's great about it, is that this class will obviously stress the value of natural childbirth, but it educates you for ALL eventualities (anyone that says that Bradley's method doesn't allow for the possibility of medical intervention simply do not know what they're talking about). I VBACed with my second child and there was an entire section geared for that. You learn about every step of childbirth, what to expect, possible complications, options on medications and an education on those as well....as well as VBAC and c-section scenarios. I did a lot of research when I was having my babies, and I found this to be the most informative and well-rounded option. There are classes virtually everywhere...just get online and look it up online and you should come away with contact information for someone in your area. Good luck!

I took one child birth express class at the hospital I am delivering at (Swedish Medical Center). There schedule is online too.

Best prenatal class I found though is Saturday at noon at Asana Yoga Studio. Jenn Stewart teaches the class. It's yoga and child birthing all i one honestly. Interacting with the other woman has been more beneficial for me then the child birth class...esp with breathing techniques.

Good Luck - C.

I didn't think so. Especially if it is your second. The instructor was great I just felt I could have spent my money and time on something better. Just my own personal experience. Because nothing ever goes directly as planned.

I did take classes for my first pregnancy, but with my second, I called the hospital and asked what kind of refresher course was available. We ended up doing a one-time class, just my husband and I and the teacher. It was a few hours long. We only talked about the specific things we wanted to review or had questions about. Some procedures differ from one hospital to the next. Since we hadn't been to that particular hospital before, that kind of info was useful. Then she gave us a hospital tour. I think it was worth it. For my third baby, I took no classes and barely looked in my pregnancy books.

With my first pregnancy I took a Childbirth Education offered by my hospital, it was kind of a waste of time for me. I had read so much online and in books about pregnancy and birth that I didn't learn anything new in the class. I also took a Breastfeeding class at my hospital though and it was VERY helpful and valuable. My experience giving birth that first time was not very good. My OB only showed up at the end of labor to watch a resident acctually deliver the baby so I was alone with my nervous husband for most of the labor, I was really scared and ended up getting an epidural which I had not planned on doing.

With my second pregnancy I read a great book called Birthing From Within that was more about childbirth PREPARATION than education, it was really helpful to me, I loved it. If there was a class based on that near where I live I would have taken it, I know that such classes exist, just not in my area. That secind birth was just wonderful for me, I was under the care of a CNM (certified nurse midwife) who stayed with me for all of my labor and brought me drinks, suggested walking, using a warm shower, and other pain management techniques (though she had told me previous to my labor that if I asked for pain meds she would certainly give them to me with no judgement) so I was able to have a medication free birth and it was great.

So I guess my advice is to read Birthing From Within, take a breastfeeding class, and have a CNM for your prenatal care if possible. Good luck with your pregnancy and your baby girl's birth!

I took a class through the hospital before I had my first child. I didn't know what to expect, so it was beneficial for me. However, since this is your second birth, they are not going to tell you anything you don't already know. They give you some tips on pain management. But honestly, you are in so much pain during labor, that the tips don't really work. If you are looking to meet new moms and network, it is a great way to meet other families in the community.

I would say definatly! You gotta know what the Dr.'s are talking about. I had my first this year and took an education class with my husband. It was worth every penny, very educational. For me it helped also, it being my first time with some fears as well.

B. O
The MOM Team
www.4ellise.com

If this were your first pregnancy, then I'd say, sure take the classes...it can't hurt. But since you've been there, done that, there really isn't a need. You are already educated in what happens during childbirth. I was one of those freaked out pregnant gals who thought I just had to take the classes or I wouldn't know what to do when the time came. Well, for my first baby, I didn't get to use anything I had learned because he was breech and I had to have an emergency C-section. For my second baby, I did get to use the breathing techniques to get me through early labor pains, so I'm glad I remembered those from the class, but in all I could have done something else with my time other than sitting in a class full of other pregos and their husbands. My husband went along with it because he was just as freaked out, but it's not something I would say every couple should definitely take.

S.,

Sally W. really had wonderful information for you in her post, and I highly agree with her.

I think that whether or not you take a class depends on what kind of birth you want to have. If you want an epidural and want to feel your contractions as little as possible and have no interest in a natural birth, then you don't really need the class.

I would, however, still read "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" by Henci Goer, just so you are informed about the possible risks as well as the benefits of most major obstetrical interventions. If you still choose an epidural, great. If that's the right thing for you and your baby then go ahead. I believe in informed consent, and this book is very informative, backed up by research and statistics, and will let you know the pros and cons of common hospital procedures. If you just take a hospital-based class, they likely will tell you your pain-management options, but won't tell you the risk involved.

If you are interested in a natural birth, then taking a class could be INVALUABLE. If you want to break the fear-tension-pain cycle and have a wonderful experience, fully involved in the process of birthing your baby, you should definitely take a class.

With my first child I took a hypnobirthing class and studies several bradley method books. It was helpful. The "Birthing From Within" was also a great book. However, it didn't quite work for me and wasn't exactly what I was looking for.

I'm pregnant again, and this time I'm using Hypnobabies, which I find to be a much more complete program that provides the laboring mother with many more techniques to truly help her have a wonderful, potentially pain-free, natural birth.

Hypnobabies have independent instructors that teach classes. If there are no classes in your area or you can't afford the class, then they also have a home-study course that is still very excellent. If you go the home-study route you need to be good at staying on schedule and disciplining yourself to do the practice.

(And don't let the word "hypno" scare you off. It's really not as crunchy, new-wave as it sounds. It's basically just giving your really effective relaxation tools.)

Whatever you choose, good luck. I hope you have a wonderful birth. Let us know what you decide!

I took both those classes with my first and felt like they did little if any good. I appreciated the information, but the lamaze really didn't help me relax at all. With my 3rd I discovered hypnobirthing. (It isn't hypnosis or anything like that) But it actually did teach me how to relax. My 3rd labor and delivery was amazing. I was relaxed and talking the whole time and I even did it naturally. If you want something that will actually make a difference, go to hypnobirthing.com They will have the name and number of an instructor in your area and you can call them to find out when and where the classes are. Good Luck!

I've had 5 and never took a class until I read hypnobirthing. I ended up hiring a hypnotherapist for 2 sessions before my 4th was born. I used the hypnobirthing for baby 3,4,5 and was most prepared for 4 with the 2 sessions. I would look into that method by Marie Mongan. It is amazing and wonderful. I loved not having an epideral. fast recovery!
good luck

I took a childbirth experience class with both of my children. With my first it made me feel better and more prepared and my second child was my husband's first birth so it was great for him to feel prepared for anything that might happen. I think that they are enjoyable and entertaining but as I have seen others say you have been there and done that so there isn't much for you to learn. Also, in my second class I was the only one who had given birth before.

We took classes at St. Joe's because it was our first time. The only reason I would suggest taking the classes is if you wanted to learn a little more about your options for this time around.

From what I remember about our classes, they focused on relaxation/breathing techniques, you tour the hospital, they go over all types of potential medical interventions (drugs, monitoring devices, surgery, etc.), the stages of labor and what to expect at each stage and — what I considered the most helpful part — making a birth plan and then going through an exercise where certain things don't go according to plan. It really helped me feel like I knew what I wanted but if absolutely necessary, what types of interventions would be ok to help the baby. That part alone was worth it and made me feel more confident.

Our teacher's name was Nikki Wellensiek. She is a doula in Highland's Ranch and runs a website called birthpro. She was so great that I considered hiring her as our doula. Then I realized that she helped us so much that we could do fine without her. And we did! http://birthproonline.com/

good luck!

I saw several people mention Bradley. I teach Bradley classes in Clearfield. Like others say, it really depends what kind of a birth you want. If you want a natural birth, it isn't likely you'll automatically find the support you need from the doctor and the nurses at the hospital. And there are so many things that doctors do out of tradition but new studies are finding that they aren't the best. You'd only learn stuff like that from certain books and independent childbirth classes. Bradley classes also cover pregnancy, breastfeeding, and baby care.

Good luck, and send me a message if you're interested in taking a Bradley class.

Hospital-based classes will teach you how to be a cooperative patient, and the instructor will not be free to give information that would make hospital protocol look less than wonderful. That automatically made them less than useful, in my mind.
My husband and I took Bradley classes with our first pregnancy and feel they would have been a bargain at twice the price we paid. We learned so much, and we owe our three exceptional birth experiences to the things we learned in our Bradley classes. We learned about how to reduce risks for complications by having the healthiest pregnancy possible. We learned how to be truly informed consumers; instead of just surrendering to whatever policies someone suggested we were able to choose what what really best for us and avoid unnecessary interventions. (Incidentally, Bradley does NOT teach any breathing techniques; Dr. Bradley believed that adult women are experts at breathing--they've been doing it all their lives--and they should learn how to relax through labor, not create artificial distractions that are too hard to maintain when labor gets intense.)
I highly recommend a non-hospital-based class if you are serious about learning how to trust your body more and your hubby learning how to help you through labor better. I feel like the more you know, the less it hurts--it's been true for me because I was not caught up in the fear-tension-pain cycle that can set in so easily in labor.
I suppose how valuable prenatal casses are to you depends on how proactive you want to be about your experience. I think it's valuable for first-time moms, but I also think it's valuable for other moms, who need to have a smooth experience to ease the transition to being a mom of more than one child, and helping their older child/ren adjust to being siblings. For me and my family, Bradley classes were simply invaluable. There are several instructors in Utah and you should be able to find one nearby if you were interested. Consider looking around now, as Bradley classes and many other classes last for awhile and the earlier you start, the more benefits you can get fromt he information.
I would also highly recommend a doula, if you will be having a baby at a hospital. They are worth their weight in gold. A doula can help both you and your husband stay comfortable. You can find one at www.dona.org.
Consider reading "The Thinkng Woman's Guide to a Better Birth" by Henci Goer and "Ina May's Guide to Childbirth" by Ina May Gaskin. You coudl also read "Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way" by Jay and Marjie Hataway to find out more about the Bradley approach.
Best wishes to you and your growing family!
P.S. I also agree with another poster that "Birthing From Within" can be useful (there are classes in the Salt Lake area), and being attended by a midwife can make all the difference in the world for having a peaceful experience. Also, La Leche League meetings are a great resource for free but accurate info about breastfeeding and anyone can borrow books from their group libraries, which usually include all te books I suggested and dozens more. ;)

I took a birthing class before my first. It helped me understand what to expect (you already know from your first). They did talk about the pain management options (medication) and that was good information. As to learning to breath... it didn't help with the pain, but did give me something to focus on and that was helpful. If you have time and the budget I think you should. Otherwise you may always wonder if you missed something. Good Luck.

I took a few classes with my first baby. I did it more for my husbands sake because he was never around babys becuase he was one of the youngest in his family. We took a Child seat safty class which I think EVERYONE should take, and it was a free class. We also took, New born care basics, which was more for my husbands sake, but I benifited from it also on what to do with a new born. and then we also took a childbirth education type class, I cant remember the exact name. But That really helped me to know what I should do when I go into labor and what I can expect and stuff. Only I never got to put the class to use becuase I ended up having to get a C-section. But I'm still glad I took the class. But since this is your 2nd baby, I think it would be up to you if you think you need it or not since you've already done it once. good luck with your new little one and congrats!

My husband and I found it to be a waste of time. But that is just our opinion. I can't say I used one thing I learned in it. I had already read so much, that would have been enough for me AND I had my epidural 30 minutes after I got to the hospital. No need for breathing techniques for us.
We are having our second and won't be attending any classes.
But if you have the time and you are curious- go.
You will never know unless you try :)

Good luck and congrats on the new one!