Didn't take Lamaze--getting nervous

[Anonymous]

I am planning to have an epidural and decided to forgo a traditional birthing class. Now, with my due date in less than 3 weeks I am regretting this (a little) as friends have mentioned that breathing techniques are helpful for the early parts of labor...does anyone have any advice or suggestions for websites where I can read up on breathing techniques and perhaps practice at home? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Don't listen to them. I took the class and left after 3 hours. Both my husband and I felt it was a waste of time. Basically, they just talked about staying relaxed and breathing through contractions. Well, I figured as much and since I too was planning on foregoing natural childbirth I didn't see the need. I was right. I did labor at home until I was 5 cent. then went to the hospital and got the epidural soon after. Trust me, your instincts kick in and you don't need a class for you to know to try to relax and focus to breathe through the pain. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I actually regret sitting inside on a beautiful afternoon in a "lamaze express" class. It was so boring and lame. A waste too.

After all was said and done, the L&D nurses gave me a pep talk and coached me through the breathingand explained the different phases of labor to me! I forgot everything anyways so I really appreciated the nursing staff.

For me and hubby, it was a waste. Like I said, the L&D staff will tell you what to do anyways when it comes time.

Good luck and don't waste your worries on this!

[Anonymous]

I agree with PPs, for the most part. I thought the class was completely useless. I did one of those all-day express classes. The only part I found useful was the hospital tour. I do think it gave us a lot of peace of mind to know the logistics--where to park, where L&D was, etc. Not that it ended up mattering, because we left for the hospital in the middle of the night and had to park and enter in a completely different place than we did for the class... but in theory, I thought that was useful.

However, my husband did find other parts of the class useful. He knew essentially nothing about the birthing process and possible interventions (what are forceps?). As it turned out, I didn't need any of that stuff anyway, but I do think he got a little peace of mind after that crash course. If your DH is as out of that loop as mine was, it might be worth finding a good website and sitting him in front of it for 20 minutes just to get an overview.

[Anonymous]

I agree with all the PPs. I took Lamaze, even flew back from CA on a red-eye to attend my 1st class, however, I had an epidural almost immediately and didn't do any breathing business. I would say reading up on the birthing process might be useful, but I delivered both my kids at Sibley and the L&D nurses there explained everything as it went along and were overall FABULOUS! THe only thing the class prepares you for is knwoing what to expect, but you could get that from a book or video.

[Anonymous]

I found the one-day class at the hospital helpful in terms of getting a sense of the actual labor process -- the different stages, etc. And like a PP's husband, I think mine also found the introduction to all things birth-related useful, particularly the part where our nurse explained what would happen if you needed an emergency c-section (which I didn't, but it was comforting to understand how it would work).

Anything more than a one-day class would have been a total waste of time for me. If you're really nervous, call the hospital where you plan to deliver and see if they have any openings in their classes in the next couple of weeks....

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks everyone...these responses confirm my original instincts. I think I am just nervous about it in general...I will do some reading up on it and I'm sure that will help me...we did do a baby care class and a breastfeeding class, which were helpful, so I am not totally unprepared!