Are lamaze classes necessary?
Byim almost 23 weeks and sumone just asked me if i was goign to be involved with lamaze classes! I havent ever thought abou tit but im not interested i beleive i can do it with out them! But is it neccessary to take them? Please let me know!
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14 Comments
April 11th, 2010 at 5:45 pm
lol I am almost exactly the same gestation as you, and I got that same question…and I was like umm what. Lol I dont think Imgoing to do it. my friend had a baby 3 weeks ago and she did it without classes, she told me that they coach you on the spot. I think the most important think Is maybe to take a tour of where your having your baby..
Good luck xxxx
April 11th, 2010 at 6:08 pm
I had planned to take them but never did and I was fine. I had 2 kids and just felt it came natural. I am sure they help some but the ones I looked into were expensive and we couldn’t get our schedules to work right to even do them.
April 11th, 2010 at 6:41 pm
it isnt necessary, but alot of people recommend it. My mom went to lamaze for all 3 of us girls, and she said once she got into labor everything she learned went out the window!
April 11th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
i never took em and i did great. it’s a natural thing that you dont hsvr to hsve classes for but i heard it’s nice if your partner is feeling wierd abotu teh whole situation, it teaches them how to help you deal with teh pain. i never took them and i didn’t scream or cry through the whole thing, everyone is different. i did ask my bf to go but he didnt want to
April 11th, 2010 at 7:36 pm
I’d be surprised if you found a class that was actually called Lamaze anymore. Now, they just go over basic childbirth. I took the class, and am very glad I did. I also did a lot of research before-hand (I LOVE webmd), but still found the classes helpful.
They really go into detail about the difference between false labor and real labor (i.e it will save you a trip to the hospital when you are only having false labor). It will also help you get over the shock factor (do you KNOW what you’re about to go through?). Plus a tour of the maternity unit, review of pain management options, etc.
Like they say, knowledge is power. I would take the classes.
April 11th, 2010 at 7:44 pm
No one I know has ever gone to a birthing class. Women have been giving birth naturally for thousands of years without lamaze. Not necessary. Believe me, when you are in labor, you will get through it by your own means, or medication, whatever suits you, and the nurses are there to coach you through it.
April 11th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
The classes can only help. What if your labor lasts for 32 hours? Wouldn’t you want to have some training before this? Take them, you can’t lose.
April 11th, 2010 at 7:53 pm
I took them w/ my 1st child….I forgot everything when I got into labor & delivery…lol….I did not take it w/ the other 2 it does really just come naturally but if you want to take them they do offer help & usually you get a tour of how everything works & what type room you will have that kind of thing. So for the 1st child I’d say yes just for the experience. Good luck
April 11th, 2010 at 8:02 pm
No. In lamaze class, you learn how to keep relaxed and focused by concentrating on breathing steadily. Fathers-to-be learn how to support and help the mothers keep relaxed to ease the birthing process.
That’s really it. Lamaze exercises can help by keeping the women distracted from the pain and can ease anxiety. However, lamaze doesn’t teach anything that is crucial. If you don’t know these exercises, it will not result in a bad birthing experience. The nurses will coach you through it all.
Women throughout time have given birth without lamaze classes.
Besides, once labor begins, most women let nature take its course. The men may try to get the women to focus on all the lamaze stuff, but truthfully, once you’re in labor, you can try to do that stuff but it will be hard.
Better to let nature take its course. But if you would like to understand and prepare for each stages and symptoms of childbirth (contractions, false labor, dilation, etc.) then the classes are informative. It was nice to know what 3 cm dilated, water breaking meant. I knew what was going on when it happened. That brought a great measure of peace.
The breathing though…well, we breath anyway. And when in pain, long breaths only hurt more.
You’ll be fine. Good luck!
April 11th, 2010 at 8:21 pm
I’m 29 weeks and I didn’t take them personally I feel it was a waste of money and time. Your going panic either way, so why waste the money that you could spend on diapers.
April 11th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
I have had 2 babies without classes and both labors were fine. I had complications with my first but no class would have helped that! And with the second labor I pushed 4 times and she was here. Just remember to breathe and listen to your nurses, they help you through it!
April 11th, 2010 at 9:33 pm
I had that question when I was around 23 weeks also but decided to take the classes. Mine were childbirth classes though, not Lamaze. At first I wasn’t going to because I was convinced I was going to have an epidural and that the nurses and doctors would be able to help me. I am really glad I took them now though because I feel I am much more prepared for what’s going to happen, the stages of labor, different types of pain relief, etc. Also, my hubby turns out to be a good coach and I believe he feels much more confident in knowing what’s going to happen and how to help me. I have also decided not to jump so quickly into getting the epidural. If you have the time and money I’d suggest it just so you’ll be prepared. Good luck and congrats on your pregnancy!!
April 11th, 2010 at 10:14 pm
Classes are not necessary, but can be helpful in other ways. Its nice to meet other couples who are pregnant, sometimes you can end up making friends for a long time. Also its good to have an idea about what you can expect at the hospital where you will have the delivery. This web site offers get information on how to have a natural childbirth. Good luck with everything!
http://www.birthingnaturally.net
April 11th, 2010 at 10:29 pm
Absolutely not. In fact, I wouldn’t recommend Lamaze at all. I’d do a search for “childbirth education” on the internet — there are a lot of different choices with very different philosophies of birth. If I was going to take a class I’d look for a Birth Works practitioner. Stay far, far away from hospital birth education, it’s usually useless. You might look into Birthing From Within as well.