Hospital tours and classes - when?

[Anonymous]

What week did you set up baby care or breastfeeding classes? What about maternity ward tours? Thanks for your help - just trying to get a sense of timing.

[Anonymous]

I just took the labor and delivery class at Sibley (included the tour) and I'm 35 weeks. Most people in the class were from 30-36 weeks. I've got baby care skills scheduled for next week. I didn't want to take these too early and forget everything I'd learned. My memory has not been the sharpest in pregnancy!

[Anonymous]

I think it depends for the maternity tours. I'm currently 18 weeks but was going to take a tour 2 weeks ago (had to reschedule since I couldn't find a sitter for my 2 year old son). Why so early you might ask? Because I might be switching doctors... I delivered originally at Fair Oaks and the doctor I might switch to delivers only at Virginia Hospital Center. I want to make sure I am comfortable with the hospital I would be delivering at before I make a switch of my doctor.

[Anonymous]

we signed up for our childbirth class (which include BFing, the tour, and infant care too) at around 20 weeks and we started at 28 weeks. we'll be going until 34 weeks.

[Anonymous]

I would definitely do the maternity ward as soon as you can. If you don't like what you see you might want to switch hospitals. That's what I will be doing and I am 36 weeks today! Took a tour at Sibley but wasn't happy with what I saw and heard and I was able to squeeze myself in a tour at GWUH and felt much better about it. This does mean I will have to switch OB's as well but I don't really care.

[Anonymous]

We did the breastfeeding and infant care in the beginning of the third trimester, and then did the hospital tour and birthing class around 32 weeks. One thing I didn't realize was how quickly these classes fill up. I had actually wanted to do the birthing class earlier but couldn't get into one. Even if you aren't planning on taking the classes for several weeks, you might want to start signing up now -- you might not have as many options re timing as you think!

[Anonymous]

Our VHC classes run 6 weeks and include a tour and infant care/breasfeeding.

We are currently taking ours and I was 32 weeks when we started.

I was unsure before we signed up, so I actually asked the lady at the hospital and this is what she recommended. Either this class, or the one a little earlier.

[Anonymous]

Do you need to sign up independently or does your OB give you the details?

[Anonymous]

You can sign up on your own - go to the hospital's website and look for their woman's health classes.

[Anonymous]

yes, sign up ASAP - I delivered at VHC and left everything too late! (I had a lot of other stuff going on) My own fault. I only managed a hospital tour though which was beneficial.