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Hello to all you fellow mothers or mothers - to - be...
I am currently 34 weeks and 2 days pregnant and still have not take any childbirth classes. My doctor has not said anything about it. My situation is this, I went into premature labor a few weeks ago but it was stopped by the little shot the OB docs gave me. My husband just enlisted in the Air Force and is currently away at boot camp so he is not here and will miss the entire labor portion.
I'm just wondering if you have to take childbirth classes... Is this a personal choice? I have been doing a lot of research online about labor and the different types of labor... watching videos and reading stories. I just didn't know if childbirth classes were something you needed to take or if you can just do some practice exercises at home...
Of course it's a personal choice. Everything is. When you're a parent, you make decisions for yourself and your baby. The doctors make recommendations, but you call the shots. I liked the childbirth classes, as it was fun to go out once per week wtih DH and hang out with other preggo women. They helped me to know what to expect as far as labor and delivery went, but the breathing exercises didn't really help me at all. If you're well-read and know the different stages of deliver and all, I'm sure you're fine... it never ends up being like what you expect, anyway! Congratulations on your soon-to-be-arrival!
You do not really need them. The only thing they did for me was scare me about the epidural because they showed us the needle and tubing. Everything they teach, you can learn online or by asking your doctor.
Put it this way- I was never sorry about anything I learned prior to labor. Every labor and delivery is different, so why not be as prepared as possible?
Let's be honest, though. It's not required. Take every class or no class and you're still having that baby
Good luck! (And please tell your husband thank you from my family for his service.)
^^^this - I found any information to be welcome. Although of course you don't "have" to take a class....it's not like they don't allow you to give birth if they find out you haven't taken the class!
I went to the class with my wife. I didn't learn anything there that I hadn't already seen on Discovery Health.
...but I wouldn't have known that had I not gone.
Better safe than sorry.
The most useful training was the hospital orientation. Showed us where we were going and what was going to happen and when. If we hadn't have done that we may still be wondering around the parking garage. (nah just kidding LOL)
You don't have to take a class but at the hospital I used for #3, you had to take an "epidural" class and get a piece of paper signed off that you took it, plus you had to pre-screen with the anesthesiologist to be approved to receive an elective epidural during labor.
If the OB's office has not told you this is the case for your hospital, and you have pre-registered there and they did not tell you, it is likely this does not apply to you. Just a heads-up though.
Hello to all you fellow mothers or mothers - to - be...
I am currently 34 weeks and 2 days pregnant and still have not take any childbirth classes. My doctor has not said anything about it. My situation is this, I went into premature labor a few weeks ago but it was stopped by the little shot the OB docs gave me. My husband just enlisted in the Air Force and is currently away at boot camp so he is not here and will miss the entire labor portion.
I'm just wondering if you have to take childbirth classes... Is this a personal choice? I have been doing a lot of research online about labor and the different types of labor... watching videos and reading stories. I just didn't know if childbirth classes were something you needed to take or if you can just do some practice exercises at home...
Any information will help. Thank you in advance!
You don't have to take childbirth classes but I do recommend you at least take a tour of the hospital you'll be delivering in (that is usually part of the child birth class). It's helpful because you can see the birth rooms, the recovery rooms (if they're different), the nursery, get your paperwork completed, etc.
Childbirth for me was nothing like the movies we watched in class. We practiced breathing techniques (and I wholeheartedly applaud the "try not to scream until you can get an epidural" method) and it was the first time I got to see what 10 centimeters dilated looks like. My husband was pretty freaked out. The classes, I think, are a good idea but aren't as important as the tour of the hospital.
Hello to all you fellow mothers or mothers - to - be...
I am currently 34 weeks and 2 days pregnant and still have not take any childbirth classes. My doctor has not said anything about it. My situation is this, I went into premature labor a few weeks ago but it was stopped by the little shot the OB docs gave me. My husband just enlisted in the Air Force and is currently away at boot camp so he is not here and will miss the entire labor portion.
I'm just wondering if you have to take childbirth classes... Is this a personal choice? I have been doing a lot of research online about labor and the different types of labor... watching videos and reading stories. I just didn't know if childbirth classes were something you needed to take or if you can just do some practice exercises at home...
Any information will help. Thank you in advance!
No, you do not need to take the classes.
More than likely, you will have a good set of nurses who will guide you along w/ the doctor.
My dh deployed to Iraq 3 weeks after our #1 was born. He had no time prior to go to the classes due to deployment prep & so on. Welcome to the world of the military...you will become a very strong woman over the next months!!
#1 is always the most interesting b/c it will be your first time in labor & deliver. Just have confidence in yourself b/c every delivery story is a different experience for every mom!
And make sure to pay attention to those kick counts!!!!
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I liked the childbirth classes, as it was fun to go out once per week wtih DH and hang out with other preggo women. They helped me to know what to expect as far as labor and delivery went, but the breathing exercises didn't really help me at all. If you're well-read and know the different stages of deliver and all, I'm sure you're fine... it never ends up being like what you expect, anyway! Congratulations on your soon-to-be-arrival! 
