Are there any real benefits to taking a lamaze class? Did anyone have a good/bad experience?
ByI am asking for a few reasons. I had an awful experience at my local hospital, and my only other option hospital wise is 2 hours from where I live. I am skeptical of delivering at this hospital and am even more skeptical about taking a program there just because my last experience was so bad. I was excited to go with my husband, but all my friends are telling me it doesn’t work and its a waste of time and money… any thoughts? If I do end up going it will be more for the tour of the hospital and to get a better idea of what will be happening when I go into labor.
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10 Comments
April 23rd, 2010 at 5:47 am
i never took them i was my friends coach and she didnt use the class’s eather when she was in labour it all went out the door.
April 23rd, 2010 at 6:27 am
i think they’re just to pass the time of being pregnant haha!
April 23rd, 2010 at 6:37 am
I didn’t do any lamaze classes. My first pregnancy I decided on an epidural…which they COMPLETELY messed up! So I ended up feeling ALL of the pain. I did perfectly fine though. And I do not think that Lamaze would have helped me anymore than the nurses & family I had there with me. I think lamaze just is something that helps u get ur mind off of labor until it FINALLY hits. lol. It can be fun though. I guess….to see people in the same situation. Good luck, and congrats!
April 23rd, 2010 at 6:49 am
A lot of people are going to tell you lamaze class “doesn’t work,” and that is because people expect the class to teach you how to make labor painless without the meds. Thats not what its there for at all. I took lamaze and found it pretty helpful, they go over certain positions, massages, breathing techniques to help you deal with the pain, not take it away. It teaches you the different phases of labor and what is happening with you and baby. They will explain procedures in the hospitals (like if they take baby to nursery what they do in there, or whatever else.) They will explain all the pain medications and give the side effects and explain all they do. And of course they do the tour of the hospital. SInce you want the tour (which you can go without the class) and want to get an idea of what’s happening with you and baby in labor, then I suggest going. Goodluck and congrats
April 23rd, 2010 at 7:32 am
I personally didn’t take the classes, I didn’t need the tour of the hospital because they took me to my delivery room, and I was in there until I left…lol. When deciding to not take the classes, I got HELL from my doctor, but I decided against taking them because women have been having babies for YEARS, and women have natural instincts. I just felt like I would know what to do in that situation (and I did very weel I might add….lol) I also didn’t honestly think then when my 8 1/2 pound daughter was coming out of me that I would remember the “lamaze breathing” excercises…lol. I was too busy screaming at everyone..lol. I have known people that they are beneficial for. It is really up to oyu. If you feel closed off to the idea then don’t do it, it really isn’t neccessary (even though people make it seem that way sometimes)
Good Luck, and CONGRATS on the munchkin!!
April 23rd, 2010 at 8:06 am
My mom took lamaze and used all the tips they gave her and she did all natural births (no pain killers) with all 3 of her kids. I plan on doing it when I am a little further along (I am only 24 weeks). It sucks you already had a bad experiece at the hospital since this is supposed to be such a happy time of your life you would think they would want to make you feel comfortable there. Usually the maternity ward is more of an uplifting place since they are celebrating life there. I would take the classes and see for yourself. What could you loose? A couple bucks?
April 23rd, 2010 at 8:27 am
I used a few of the techniques I learned in the classes during labor so I think you should try out the classes and form your own opinion. I think it did bring my husband more in to the birthing experience. As far as the hospital situation maybe a birthing center could be an option you would look in to.
April 23rd, 2010 at 8:44 am
What lamaze breathing does is pretty much make you light-headed. It can actually make you exhasted or make you pass out. I never took the classes. My mom had 7 children and she was my coach. I had no epidurals or anything. And I did just fine. The nurse tried to tell me how to breathe and it just made me feel weaker…like I was losing my breath. So, I don’t see any real benefit in taking the classes. And actually, slower breathing is better than that heavy panting they teach you to do. Trust me, I’ve been through it a couple of times without meds. You should do fine. One thing I will tell you though is that kegel excersizes really do help. No joke. I had not one tear with either children. Good luck to you!
April 23rd, 2010 at 9:41 am
I dislike lamaze. I hyperventilate, and go nuts. I prefer the bradley method, hands down.
April 23rd, 2010 at 10:30 am
hey, ive had 2 children and both labours were a bit diffrent but both fast, within 2 hrs.
i never went to any classes,i think when labour begins your bady will coope, unless there is a medical problem, and you body naturaly knows when to push etc.
years ago before these classes and widely availible meds, thousands of women had children naturally and safely.
both mine were natural births, not thru choice!! but it was too fast so 1st born on the ward, second at home in my bath tub. lol
good luck u will be jst fine