So i hit 35 weeks tomorrow (nerve wracking!!) and i haven't taken any kind of class that deals with birthing or anything along those lines. Is it really necessary to take these classes as a FTM or can i get away with reading things and watching videos? Anyone have any links, sites, or videos i can look up to help better prepare and know what I'm going into? Thanks in advance!
Posted Mar 29, 2014, 10:32 PM UTC
Well, if you are already 35 weeks it's a bit too late anyways... But, you should be fine reading/looking things up. Personally I like them, especially the ones given at the hospital you plan to deliver at because it goes into details about their policies, what they offer, what to do when you go into labor...ect.
You'll do great I'm sure :)
Not sure how OPs hospital/center is set up, but mine has plenty of options for classes so its never really "too late". You can even do it all in a one day 8 hour class. Personally, I feel really comfortable so I'm not taking any classes. I did do the free online Baby Center class :)
I don't think she's too late. My hospital's birthing class is for women week 34-37!
Really? My hospital didn't allow women after 32 weeks because it was a full day class and they didn't want women that far along sitting for 8-10 hours in a seat. I guess it depends on where you are!
Odd. Its a five hour class but I do think there's a lunch break. I guess it depends though. Oh well :-)
Speaking from the other side... the birth classes were very informative (you COULD get that information from videos online and talking to the hospital). We finished ours (we did it in 2 weekends) at the beginning of March, I was 36 weeks. The labor positions and practice didn't turn out to be as useful, sort of (we didn't have time to use them), but I am still really glad I/we had that information. I had contractions all day at work and I sit on a ball chair which really helped (was also a laboring technique we learned in class), but once my water broke things hit hard and fast. We tried every single position we learned and used all the breathing techniques.
The most important part of the classes IMO is the tour of the hospital, and learning the hospital's policies and capabilities. Is there a shower you can labor in? Will you get immediate skin to skin in the event of a c-section? That's the kind of info that you can't get online.
This. We took a couple of classes, but none of them have made me feel as ready as the tour. We had an option of an online tour, but I really wanted to go in person so I know what to expect. Made me feel so much better, I'm actually excited that we chose this hospital (there are a ton to choose from in Boston)!
I don't actually like being around people, so I've always depended on books. I found Sears's The Birth Book to be a pretty helpful read. There is a lean toward natural (unmedicated) childbirth, but there is also a section in the back discussing various forms of pain relief--epidural, IV narcotics, etc--and their pros and cons. Overall it's quite balanced. Definitely something to check your library for.
I think it depends on how you learn best. If you learn well from reading then you should be fine.
If you like reading, here is a list of books I thought were extremely helpful to read before my first little one arrived. http://www.reddit.com/r/Parenting/comments/217dq0/best_parenting_books/cgadn68
Reading goes a long way! I was super grateful for the classes though. I feel like they've helped me so far. Hopefully they help me with the birth as well.
Nope. I didn't have any kind of classes or anything for labor or after childbirth. I did read articles here and there.
I was scheduled for classes but they started 2 weeks late because of weather and my water broke early so I didn't take any of them.
I have 3 children and have never gone to any class. Read books. Watch videos. Talk to other mothers. Talk to your care provider.
The classes offered around town here are so expensive, limited schedule, and very one-sided on certain issues... When we were doing a tour at the hospital where we are being forced to deliver (whole other issue), a class had just finished, so DH and I decided to get some feedback from the other parents before registering. Oh man. No good things to say about the instructor or the information... But the facility is amazing and staff is competent, it Just doesn't seem like the classes are a priority. So we went the online route. Utilize any and all resources you can! But be careful with your time and money too.
Birthing and parenting classes are mandatory where I live. Also for hubby if he wants to be by my side at birth.
We start in June but from what I've heard they're very useful as they explain and show everything and we practice with them.
We also get four hours of maternal physiotherapy focused on lower back and abdominal muscle practice for easier last months and birth.
Probably not, but they're a fun pregnancy experience and you get to meet new people :)
Baby Center has a free online birthing class.
http://www.babycenter.com/childbirth-class?intcmp=Nav_HP_Hero2&intcmp=classes_hp_centermod