Birthing Classes? Lamaze?.. I am 2 days away from being 6 months…….?
ByHey Ladies 
I am 2days short or 6 months. I’ve kind of looked around for birthing & lamaze classes. . . but not really sure if I want to take those classes..
would you suggest taking them? ..did they benefit you? & how?
If I do not take these classes will they teach me breathing techniques @ the hospital?
will I even remember what I learned in Lamaze or birthing class when I go to give birth?.. I might forget EVERYTHING by then …?!?
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12 Comments
April 19th, 2010 at 4:57 am
I took the breathing course for my first pregnancy. Some of it helped but most of it flew out the window when it came time to deliver. The most important things I took from it was when to breath in and out, when to breath short breaths to prevent the baby from coming out when the doctor is not in the room, and how to bear down when pushing.
April 19th, 2010 at 4:58 am
i never took any of those classes. And I did perfectly fine…no one else I know has ever taken them either. Just read some books. And i have never seen anyone to actually breathe like they do in the movies like he he he whoo…you breathe how you want to breathe.
April 19th, 2010 at 5:55 am
Birthing classes are a great way to get you ready for the big day. You will learn about what to expect, and you will have the chance to ask questions about things that may be concerning you.
Even if you get to the labor room and decide to ask for the epidural instead of using the breathing techniques, there is still a lot of useful information you can get from the birthing classes. A lot of mothers find they have less anxiety about the entire birthing process if they at least have an idea of what to expect.
April 19th, 2010 at 5:59 am
i didn’t take them because everyone i talked to said that they didn’t think about it at all and it did not do them any good and it was just a waste of time and money. I am pretty sure that i would have used and thought about none of it while i was in labor anyways.
April 19th, 2010 at 6:32 am
I have two kids. I did take a “Childbirth Preparation” class for my first childbirth.
It was offered through the local hospital that I was delivering at, and it cost $25 for the 6 week class.
IT HELPED. It was worth every penny and every minute.
It is not just about the breathing. They also talked about the different instruments that they may need to use to artificially break your water; the wires that they screw into the baby’s head if they need a more accurate read-out; as well as a tour of the facilities and the equipment.
They also discussed what would happen in the instance of a C-Section and how to properly care for yourself after surgery or childbirth.
Let me tell you, I had no reason to believe that I wouldn’t have my baby naturally, but I still listened to all of it.
I ended up having an emergency C-Section. In the stress of the moment, it was great that they didn’t have to stop and explain things to me because I already knew what was going to happen. In such a vital situation, it was able to progress quickly because I took the steps to be informed beforehand.
I WOULD DO IT AGAIN IN A SECOND.
I also took a breastfeeding class, which also helped…
April 19th, 2010 at 7:20 am
I just had my first baby and I did not take any classes. You have to remember to breath IN through your nose and OUT through your mouth. If you hold your breath, the contractions will be so much worse. If you have any questions, just ask me. I’d love to give you some advice.
April 19th, 2010 at 7:35 am
Take the birthing classes! I am a Registered Nurse in labor and delivery. I have delivered many babies and I can promise you that you can tell a big differance between the moms that take the classes and the moms that dont. No we do not teach breathing techniques in the hospital. Birthing classes offer much more than just breathing techniques. They give you a idea of what to expect, they teach your partner how to assist you, and they teach you other relaxation techniques and stretches that you can use now (especially ways to relieve lower back pain). They also teach you what signs to look for to let you know you are in labor (like the bloody show). Yes you will remember this experience, and so will your partner. Dont you want the experience of bringing your child into the world to be a peaceful one? Experts have developed techniques to make this process as relaxing as possible. When you go into labor you are going to loose control of your body. You will be less afraid if you are prepared. Do this for you and for your baby.
April 19th, 2010 at 8:28 am
As far as the breathing techniques, we learned 3 of them. They might remind you or try to help you with them at the hospital. You won’t remember EVERYTHING but I believe it’s a good idea to take them. It explains breast feeding, bottle feeding, c-sections, vaginal births. Lots of diff things. Then usually the 2nd to last class you go on a hospital tour which is nice.
April 19th, 2010 at 9:10 am
I have three children (fourth on the way) and I did take classes with my second in the hopes that it would make me able to give birth without medication. It didn’t help at all. I loved the part where the teacher said that childbirth wasn’t pain just pressure. LOL!! I have had better luck just researching on my own and coming up with what relaxes for me. You can find a bunch of breathing techniques on the internet. Just practice them with your coach before delivery and find out what you are comfortable with.
April 19th, 2010 at 9:26 am
i went to antenatal (prenatal) classes at the hospital where i am gonna have bubs. AND for me personally they were a waste of time. they are good for meeting people that will be having a baby at the same time as you and making friends. but unless you have a really good teacher ,i think, that they are pointless because they focus too much on birth and not enough on what to do with the screaming squirmy thing you have afterwards.
i had a lady in my class,and i will just add she was the oldest one there and she was the only one with other kids, that just whinged the whole 6 weeks about being pregnant and how she didnt want to be and bringing everyone else in the class down.she was also very very ignorant and i think just about everyone in class wanted to hit her at some stage.
there is a video avaliable here in NZ called the pink kit, i dunno if you can get it anywhere else, and that teaches you the breathing techniques you need to know.
But in the end it just comes down to your own prefrences.
good luck on deciding!
April 19th, 2010 at 10:22 am
Take a birthing class, but in your eighth month. They are helpful, some people I know skipped the class to save money and had a very rough time, assuming that the nurses would tell them exactly what to do. Taking a class like Lamaze may be too ’specific’ if you are unsure about a particular birthing method. The main idea is to take a course that will give you a variety of methods for pain management. Even if you don’t take the class, research all you can and watch some videos. Just remember to relax and breathe slowly and deeply at each contraction.
You won’t forget what you learn. It’s funny how your body instinctively does what it needs to cope.
April 19th, 2010 at 11:04 am
I took one of the classes offered by the hospital and found it very helpful. They explained labor symptoms, when to come to hospital, drug choices, positions, exercises for after and much more. Take it a little later in your pregnancy though. My was approximately 8 months.