Birthing Class - Worth it?

[Anonymous]

Thanks to everyone for their responses. I am still a bit up in the air but leaning towards taking the class. I appreciate all your insight!

[Anonymous]

Delivered at GW and took the weekend childbirth and epidural classes. The childbirth class was geared towards breathing and explaining what the delivery is like. It helped calmed my nerves, but honestly I didn't really do the breathing techniques as much as I thought I would. The epidural class was helpful because they got the on call anesthesialogist who answered our questions. They also showed you how the epidural was given and what meds it was composed of. If you are set on getting an epidural see if Sibley offers it or if they don't you can take it at GW. You don't have to be delivering there to take their classes.

The best things I got from the classes was learning more information to help calm my nerves, taking the hospital tour and talking to the staff.

[Anonymous]

I took a birthing class, even though I signed up for the epidural when the test turned positive! I'd also done a decent amount of reading about labor. I didn't feel like I learned a TON in the class, but I definitely learned some things. (We took the one at GW.) What I really liked about it was that it helped DH focus on labor, what the stages were, what he could do to help, etc. He wasn't one to read the baby books, etc, so that class gave him the extent of his knowledge on labor. Of course, he came out of it a bit overwhelmed and wanted to hire a doula, but i vetoed that given my epidural plans!

All in all, I think it's work a day. Same with a baby care class, for similar reasons.

[Anonymous]

For anyone who has a DH that offers to hire a doula - I would strongly recommend that you say "yes, thank you" - even if you're planning on an epidural I found that even with the epidural, the doula offered so much! She was a huge comfort to me and DH, especially since the nurses were hardly ever in the room. She stayed with me while DH found something to eat (after insisting that he do so to avoid feeling whoozy) answered a million questions, helped me to focus when it was time to push and then took tons of pictures which I'm sure we would have missed otherwise. She also stuck around to help me try out breastfeeding.

DH was thrilled and we both agree it was worth every penny. They're not just for someone doing natural childbirth!!