Should I take a childbirth class? Bradley method or Kaiser hospital class?
ByI will be having my first baby in January. I’m trying to figure out which childbirth class to take, or whether I really need to take one at all.
I could take a weekend class through Kaiser (where I will be having the baby) for $100. A friend of mine who is also pregnant with her first child just took the course, though, and she said it was a waste of money. She didn’t learn anything new she hadn’t already heard from her “What to Expect” books and such.
I’m also considering signing up for a 12-week course in the Bradley method. The cost is $350 — I feel like I will learn more, but it’s considerably more expensive.
I’m also wondering if I should just save my money — check out a few birth videos from the library and have my friend (who took the Kaiser class) teach me the breathing techniques (which she has offered to do).
If you have had experience with the Bradley method, hospital-based birthing classes, or any other techniques, I’d love to hear your advice! Thank you!
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8 Comments
April 9th, 2010 at 11:40 am
I did fine without any class. All you need to know is how to poop…lol! and I read that all those breathing techniques they teach you do not help and actually hinder you from getting all the Oxygen your body and you baby needs during labor. When I was in labor I just took long slow breaths that kept me calm during contractions.
Good luck and congratulations!!!
April 9th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Taking a class at the hospital is informative, not just because of learning the birthing methods. You also get to see the hospital and meet some nurses, find the waiting areas, stake out the vending machines
. Of course, you can do that on your own, but it’s interesting to take it all in together. Keep in mind, reading a book isn’t quite the same as taking the class. Our teacher had us on the floor, leaning on exercise balls, doing all sorts of moves that aren’t quite the same as reading about them in a book. (Of course the induction + C-section kind of killed it for me, but I still went into it a little more prepared than I could have been.) Taking a class also introduces you to people who will be becoming parents around the same time as you, and some people have forged friendships this way. You’re a teacher – you know the answer to this one. 
Our birthing instructor was also the lactation consultant at the hospital, so when Ethan had latching trouble, I was glad to already know her. Birthing instructors are good people to know!
Edit – don’t forget, when you’re learning from an instructor, you can ask questions. When you’re just reading the info from a book, you have to run to Y!A with your questions…and sometimes that’s not the best idea.
April 9th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
My doc actually doesn’t recommend taking those classes. She said when you are in pain and active labor, you won’t remember a thing taught in that class. Save your money or buy something special for the baby.
Mommy to 27 day old Mackenzie Lynn
April 9th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
I did fine without. Just read your books, and relax. You don’t need them. Although I find they need classes for fathers only. lol.
April 9th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
Well, if your friend said that maybe it really is
I would just go with the birth videos and breathing techniques from your friend. Just read up on things and make sure your prepared. You could also go onto some midwife websites (sorry I don’t know any), they are bound to have something helpful on there. 
April 9th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
Personally, I took the cheap class at the hospital and felt that I would have been better off just taking the tour and not bothering with the class… there really wasn’t anything there that I hadn’t already read or been told by my doctor…
However – I would recommend a tour of the maternity ward/hospital where you will be delivering… I learned what they had available (jacuzzi tub, etc.) and how they would be willing to work with me to have the birth experience I wanted…
Best of luck – and ask your friends who are parents for ideas (not horror stories!) about what to expect, what worked for them, and what was a complete waste of time in their case (music was pointless in my case – never even thought to turn it on!)
April 9th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
I did the Bradley classes and absolutely love them! They taught so many ways to relax and get through contractions, plus they were very factual on the process and what to expect during labor.
April 9th, 2010 at 3:30 pm
A trip to your Library might help alot. See if they have any Instructional Birthing books and videos. The classes are good too, but at that expense, I can see why you’re asking for advice.
The nice part about the class is that it helps to bring your Birthing Coach up to date on what to expect, what their roll will be, how they can help, and generally bring them closer to your pregnanacy and you. If you think your Birthing Coach will be willing and learn from the books and/or videos, then you both might learn alot more from them. If not, then a class might work better for both of you.
Hope this helps with your decision.
Best Wishes and Congratulations!!