MemberMy Hospital offers them, but I thought that they were free. Boy, was I wrong!! They are $150 for 7 classes. I was wondering if they were worth going. I just don’t want to spend the money and it end up not being useful. Also, ladies…how many classes did your Hubby/SO actually attend with you?
MemberI thought they were a complete waste of time. Darling Husband actually found them to be more beneficial than me because he learned about pregnancy. We did a weekend long course for $175, and I wouldn’t do it again. Darling Husband does need to come with you or else the teacher ends up standing in for him and it’s like you are the only one w/o a partner. Basically they tell you what you already know and you practice labor positions and breathing techniques. I don’t remember anything.
Member
MemberThe prepared childbirth, breastfeeding, and baby care classes at the hospital I delivered at were free. And you didn’t have to be delivering there to take them, they were open to anybody. Maybe look around at other hospitals and see what they have so you don’t have to pay.
For the hospital classes:
I also took Bradley Childbirth classes (typically 12 sessions, my instructor did it in 6 so we covered 2 chapters each week), since I wanted (and successfully had) a natural drug-free birth. Those were worth every penny! I think they really helped me succeed with doing it all natural.
Darling Husband attended all the classes with me.
MemberThe class I took was breastfeeding and childbirth. There were other classes for safety and cpr, but after we took the first one we decided not to take anymore.
I should also add that I do wish to have an epidural, so that could be part of the reason why I didn’t find it as helpful.
MemberIf you are a first time mom I would say it’s a good idea to take some sort of birth prep class. $150 sounds unreasonable to me since most hospitals offer discounted or free classes for mome who are registered to give birth at that particular hospital.
Planning for an epidural is a good idea if that is what you want but what if you get to the hospital too late to get one? Wouldn’t you rather be somewhat prepared for natural childbirth in case you don’t have another option? I think the best thing you get from classes is that you learn about the process so that you are less likely to be scared (being scared = more pain for most people.)
Not sure where you are delivering but here is a link for free classes in Memphis: http://www.baptistonline.org/news/2012/baptist-tipton-to-hold-free-childbirth-and-breastfeeding-classes/
MemberI had pre-natal classes for free in our local health center and later on on the Hospital and YES, they did help!
MemberI would say yes they are! Even though we didn’t take them (DH had the option to either do that or read a book, he chose the book and munchkin arrived early)
I took those kind of classes in college very informative and educational.
Member@beachbride1216: I saw that a few hours ago. I am in Shelby County, so the ride is too far. 🙁 Thanks, though.
MemberI am upset that others’ classes were free! Why is my hspital charging and I am delivering there?!
Edit: someone just informed me that another branch of the hospital is offering them for FREE!! How strange for one location to be free and the other not. Will it make a difference that I am not tkaing it at my exact location?
Member@beachbride1216- If I get to the hospital too late for an epidural, I’ll be in heaven! LOL. With a first baby I can’t imagine labor being that short.
MemberBy chance did you ask your OB/GYN or nurse at their office if they were aware of any other classes that are cheaper or free? I know that many OB/GYNs that are affiliated with certain hospitals so they are bound to refer you for services and classes at that hospital. The nurse may be aware of your other options and more likely to give them to you.
I don’t see where it says you have to register to use the Tipton Hospital classes. You could always call ahead and verify that they are open to all women.
P.S. My mom’s family is from the Shelby County area.
Member@roxy821: Babies are unpredictable but first time moms are more likely to end up at the hospital super early so it most likely won’t be an issue. Personally I plan to ask for the epidural because I saw how much it alleviated my mom’s pain during labor with my sister. I will likely also do hypnobirthing classes online because I don’t want to get the epidural too early and end up with a C-section. Plus, I would be terrified if I went into labor without an idea of what to expect and what I could do to alleviate some of the pain on my own. But that’s why they tell every woman to educate themselves on their options and make their own personal birth plan that works for them. I am glad OP is getting opinions across the spectrum so she can decide what works best for her.
MemberIf your classes include infant care, safety, and infant CPR I’d say go for it! My childbirth series was 5 classes for (I think) $100, but I had to take separate infant care and infant CPR classes. Your husband should definitely attend with you since, presumably, he will also be watching the baby sometimes. I would say learning the basics of infant care and safety (expecially if you don’t have a lot of experience with newborns) is very helpful.
MemberWe’re about halfway done with out classes and I’d totally pay for them if they weren’t free (which they are free for us, thankfully)
We’ve done Baby Care, Infant Safety/CPR, and Darling Husband has taken a Daddy Boot Camp class. We also did the first half of our 2 class Prepared Childbirth series yesterday and will finish up on Thursday. Then we have Breastfeeding and Car Seat Safety as well. My parents are also attending a 2-part Grandparent Class. I think they are well worth it. Is everything brand new information? No, but there is still a lot of things that I learned in class.
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