Childbirth Classes: Why They're (Still) Important to Attend

Research Hypnobirthing. Fear is what makes you uptight and that is what causes it to be painful. I was relaxed and confident my body knew what it was doing. Women have been birthing for millenia. You don't hear animals screaming, why should we? Don't believe everything you see on television, that is all drama. I felt no pain during my first birthing. Pressure: yes, a tightening grip: yes, intense: yes, but not painful.

how on earth did women give birth before childbirth classes?! sorry, but childbirth is an age-old, naturally occurring process. they make it sound like if you don't take the class, you're doomed and everything will go wrong. if you support the classes, that's awesome. if you don't, that's awesome too. it's great that it's an option for women who want to take them, but i don't think anybody should be made to feel inadequate or neglectful if they choose not to.

I would go if they were free. They are $60 each class at the hospital that I will be deliverying at.

What does it cost to attend a child-birth class anyway?

For anyone out there that does not think that they can take a birth class due to work. Many hospitals have birth classes on weekends (one in my area does it all in two Sat/Sun sessions) or contact a doula. A doula will take you through the entire process around your schedule. We have a doula for our birth classes and she is teaching us everything- natural birth, medicated birth and c-section. A lot of doulas were or are nurses so they know what they are talking about.

I never went to one and I don't think Im going this time either but I would like to have a class to prepare my 12 yr old can feel part of the new experience and learn basic baby care so he can help.

I personally won't be taking a childbirth class because they do not have any that work around mine or my boyfriends schedule. Apparently the only people who give birth work a 9-5 job monday-friday.

I will definitely take one. I am in contact with the center at the hospital I have all my visits. A class was strongly recommended by parent-friends, my doctors (regular OBGYN and the obstetrician I see now) and from what I read. More than books and internet, it will provided me direct confirmed professional information... know better the places I will have to go to for my baby delivery... worth the cost.

For all you ladies out there that don't like needles: there are pain meds that can be put into your IV. Don't think you have to have a needle in your back just get away from the pain. The doctors say the IV meds don't work as well, but I figured it's worth a shot. I would rather have one poke-my IV-and be in a little bit of pain then having a couple of needles stuck in me.

I loved my Bradley Method childbirth class. I wanted an independent (non-hospital) class ... an unbiased source who wasn't just teaching me hospital protocol/standard procedures. Our teacher covered nutrition, relaxation and preparatory exercises as well as labor and birthing techniques. We became better advocates for ourselves. We had a wonderful natural birth (in a traditional hospital setting), and I credit our Bradley Method classes. Good luck to all you parents-to-be!

We just took a class and the instructor gave stats she had no research for. She was a retired OB nurse and was clearly condescending to usI after we told her we'd be foregoing the meds. Isn't this a PERSONAL decision? It was offensive and luckily, there was a physician in the class as well so he could calm the mothers the instructor had told 99.9% of women get an epidural and 1-2% are permanently paralyzed from it! THAT'S 1 IN 100!

Being "under the care of a doctor" is not enough if you don't know what's normal and what isn't, nor what to expect if something does go wrong, not to mention how to better handle the pain and what the options for pain relief are. For corrupt_white_dragon: Ask your OB-GYN or mid-wife about a doula or instructor that can give you a private class.

I didn't go to child-birth classes for my first pregnancy and had a horrible birthing experience. For my second birth, I went to a personalized child-birth class where the instructor and I focused on pain management and how to assert myself in the delivery room. She also guided my mother and husband in how to help with the process. That birth was wonderful. I will be attending again this pregnancy.

Well i have a problem my hospital only does classes every 3 months and i have missed mine. i am due in october. any suggestions? I cant get them to do another.

We just finished our childbirth class & found it very useful. We found out basic hospital procedures (which vary by hospital) & the L&D info was in one place. My mom is an RN & I know I want to be an informed patient regarding a specific hospital's procedures. (ex. how quickly do they try to bring baby to mom after childbirth for first breast feeding?) Seeing the epidural tubing makes the epidural less scary and I felt more informed about all my options including drug free childbirth.

I never went to them for my first pregnancy and im not going to them for this one. If something goes wrong im under the care of a doctor. I dont think going to them is going to help me at all when I know what im doing. Maybe 'once upon a time' they helped women, but I think now in our society books, television, and internet can do the job just as well. Your doctor will be happyto answer any additional questions.

I don't really get it why everyone is pushing these classes so badly!? I understand that I have to be informed, however as more I now as more I am freaked out. I have read few books, saw birthing videos online and listened to the "horror" stories - man I really don't want to know more. I especially don't want to know what can go wrong? Don't women give birth in the hospitals where they are under the qualified doctors' care that know what to do if something goes bad? Am I only one like that?

I liken labor and delivery like participating in a marathon. This is one of the more intense physical experiences you will go through in your life - you should really WANT to know what to expect. And you should WANT to be able to advocate for yourself and your child. If you are not well advised about the risks and benefits of interventions and procedures, it will be difficult to know what to look for if you have any negative side effects from a medication or procedure.