Lamaze class

I'll be 7 months pregnant tomorrow and still undecided if I should sign up for lamaze class or not... I'm expecting a c-section, although the dr. has
not said so... I"m just assuming.. it is a must to go??

 

Only a couple of my good friends have kids, but neither took it... I'm not saying that's what you should do, I'm just saying it's worth asking around, researching, and looking into, and deciding if you still really want to take the class.

My first friend simply didn't have time to take the class before she went into labor - the nurses helped her out a ton, though. My other friend said EVERYTHING she learned at Lamaze, she forgot when it came to the real thing. The nurses had to coach her, too. Both had good birthing experiences, though.

Personally, I'm too far along to really worry about it. If I pre-register, I'll probably go into labor before a class even opens up. My Baby A recently came head down, so I was assuming that I would be getting a c-section, but now I'm looking at vaginal delivery as an option.

 

What about some kind of general childbirth/parenting class? Since I knew that we were probably going to have a c-section, I opted out of Lamaze. Instead, DH and I took a more general class that covered the basics (it was more for him, than anything) like how to give an infant a bath, diapering, swaddling, post-partum care, etc. I didn't learn a whole lot, but DH did and it gave us lots to talk about before the babies arrived, to ensure that we were both on the same page.

 

We did a multiples class that was offered through the hospital. It was very helpful. DH learned a lot. It covered breathing and labor techniques.

 

I didn't take a Lamaze class, either, because I had already opted for a C-section (baby B was breech). I second PPs suggestion about a general class. We took one, and I'm glad we did!

Becky

 

I did take a child birthing class when pregnant with my first DD and I did find it helpful. If you are planning to take something you should sign up soon, they sometimes fill up quickly.

 

Is this your first delivery? if so I would sign up just in case you are able to deliver vaginally.

 

I didn't sign up for lamaze because baby A is breech so we have a scheduled c-section next month. These will be our first babies. With a 2nd pregnancy, I do plan on taking lamaze. Also, whether you take it or not- I would sign up for a hospital tour.

 

We took a birthing class. There were four (3) hour classes and we only went to two. One night there was a "snow storm" (ok it was just flurries, but it ended at 9:30 and that was way past my pregnant bed time) and didn't want to go. The last class was going to be a "mock" birth and we didn't see a point in going because I knew I was having a c-section (due to the postition of the babies). We did receive some good handouts and books from the hospital for multiples, but I am pretty sure I could have gotten the same stuff from my ob (or from TS but I didn't know about this web-site then). I would see if you could find someone else who has taken the class you might want to take and see what their opinions are. It was not worth it for us. I was looking forward to a tour of the hospital, but they didn't even do that. They showed us a video because it is now against their policy to have vistors walking around the maternity floor.

 

It's really a personal choice. If you read and are a researcher, then you probably don't need a class. If TV is your main source of information, get out and get some real info. TV is way over-dramatic and if all the labors you are exposed to have women screaming and cussing, that is what you are going to expect and that's just not right.

I did so much reading that my 1st childbirth class was a waste of time for us, that wasn't so for everyone though. With my second birth, I took a Hypnobabies class and it was worth every minute.

If Baby A is head-down, then you may not have to get a c-section. When I found out I was having twins, I thought a c-section was definitely where we were headed but there are lots of twins that are born vaginally. Whether or not you get to birth vaginally just depends on their positions.