Childbirth Classes

[pvarho]

Can anyone recommend childbirth classes they were happy with. We will be moving to the DC area in the beginning of June and am due early August. We'd love to find something that is comprehensive, but weekend intensive rather than drawn out over several weeks. We'll be delivering at INova Alexandria and I'm not sure if there is something through the hospital. Any recommendations would be most appreciated! Thanks.

[Anonymous]

http://www.susanmessina.com/UpcomingClasses.html

I signed up for Susan Messina's weekend class. I haven't taken it yet, but it came highly recommended by my doula.

[Anonymous]

The Inova hospitals offer a one-day Saturday class that runs about 5 hours and is fairly comprehensive. I believe you can take the class at Alexandria or Fair Oaks. I don't remember how much it cost -- probably around $50.

Inova also offers a hospital tour (free), a baby care class, a breastfeeding class, and a class on ceasarians if you know you're going to have one.

Quality will vary depending on the teacher, which you won't know in advance, but they all cover basically the same material.

[Anonymous]

new poster here: I LOVED Susan Messina. Huge help to my husband and I. We got so much more out of it than the dry, rather boring hospital class we also took.
Sign up!

[Anonymous]

We just finished Tibbie Turner's weekend childbirth class (through Shady Grove hospital) and really liked it a lot - might be a bit of a haul for you if you're delivering in Alexandria, though. Your OB's office might be able to recommend some instructors as well.

[Anonymous]

There is so much information on the internet and in your local bookstore - I frankly feel that childbirth classes are a complete waste of time and money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is so much information on the internet and in your local bookstore - I frankly feel that childbirth classes are a complete waste of time and money.

how is this a recommendation for childbirth classes, which is what the OP was requesting?

[Anonymous]

Two time mom here. Managed to deliver two healthy kids with no classes. The first time I signed up for the class, but DC decided to be a preemie. I felt stupid signing up the second time around, so I bought a DVD and DH and I fell asleep 10 minutes into it (when they were talking about relaxing).

It can be done. If you think the class wiill help you, go. If you think it will be boring or a waste of money, don't go. Your kid will manage to be born either way!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is so much information on the internet and in your local bookstore - I frankly feel that childbirth classes are a complete waste of time and money.

how is this a recommendation for childbirth classes, which is what the OP was requesting?

Oops. 15:35 here. I just made the same mistake as this poster. Apologies to OP. THere is another thread going about whether to take classes. I meant to post on that thread and assume this poster did too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Two time mom here. Managed to deliver two healthy kids with no classes. The first time I signed up for the class, but DC decided to be a preemie. I felt stupid signing up the second time around, so I bought a DVD and DH and I fell asleep 10 minutes into it (when they were talking about relaxing).

It can be done. If you think the class wiill help you, go. If you think it will be boring or a waste of money, don't go. Your kid will manage to be born either way!

LOL! yes, I think you're posting on the wrong thread but I have to say that, as someone who is skipping childbirth classes, I was glad to read your words.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:new poster here: I LOVED Susan Messina. Huge help to my husband and I. We got so much more out of it than the dry, rather boring hospital class we also took.
Sign up!

Another big, big, BIG fan of Susan. I took an intensive class (3 classes over three weeks) which was excellent. I signed up a bit late (two months prior to due date) so I needed to take the more intensive track, but I wish I could have done a longer one because I loved her style and way of teaching so much! She is also really willing to work with you and any time contraints you may have. When I contacted her there wasn't a 3 session class scheduled, so she worked with three other couples who were in the same boat as us to find days/times that worked with everyone. I can't recommend her enough!

[Anonymous]

I took the Birthing from Within class with Susan Lucas in Silver Spring. I also took a weekend intensive class at WHC that included childbirth AND baby care. I highly recommend Susan Lucas's class (http://www.wisebirthways.com/). Additionally, we read a whole bunch of books. I think we could have survived on books alone with no class, but I really found Susan's class helpful and insightful.

[Anonymous]

Another vote for Susan Messina. I took her class when I was pregnant with my first, she is awesome - the classes really got us to think about our feelings about the birth and becoming parents. In addition to preparing us for childbirth I think it also really helped us think about the changes that come along with becoming parents. Most of my fellow classmates were hoping to have non-medicated birth experiences, I was neutral on it and did wind up having an epidural. I appreciated that Susan's class presented all the options and lots of information but never made me feel like I would be making a bad decision if I chose to have the epi.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
There is so much information on the internet and in your local bookstore - I frankly feel that childbirth classes are a complete waste of time and money.


how is this a recommendation for childbirth classes, which is what the OP was requesting?

It was a recommendation that she not waste her time and money on classes - don't think that this violated the rules in any way