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What if I can't afford childbirth classes?
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Anonymous
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Any options for poor moms in NOVA - Arlington area?
TIA |
Anonymous
| I'd call the hosp where you want to ake a class and ask |
Anonymous
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You don't need them. Women have been doing this for thousands of years without classes. I signed up for them, and then ended up having DS#1 before the class. It was no problem at all--part of it comes pretty naturally, the rest will be told to you by the attending nurses, and can be learnend in about 2 minutes...and you'll have hours. Don't worry.
If you really want to take them, I'm sure there are clinics--try calling Planned Parenthood, or the clinic at Arlington Hospital. |
Anonymous
| I would get Ina May Gaskins' books from the library or buy them. |
Anonymous
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I could afford them but chose to buy the Laugh and Learn about Childbirth DVD. $10 in amazon.
All you need, unless you really want to go all natural and no meds. |
Anonymous
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I decided not to do them because of cost, and I got one of the teachers to give me this list for reading:
Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn: The Complete Guide, Penny Simkin The Birth Partner, Penny Simkin (for your husband) Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, Ina May Gaskin Birthing from Within, Pam England I found the Complete Guide to be the most helpful of all of these, but I didn't read the Birth Partner yet. |
Anonymous
Like PP said, they are unnecessary unless you are trying to go med-free... which I didn't. It comes naturally to you and the nurses will instruct you on how to breath and push - that's all you need. 
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Anonymous
Agree with this. And most hospitals will let you do the tour for free - I was at VHC and that was true. So at least then you will be familiar with your surroundings. I felt like I learned a lot about labor and delivery just from watching all those birth shows on TLC! |
Anonymous
| We're first time parents-to-be, and we signed up for all the childbirth classes available to us- baby care, breastfeeding, infant CPR, and childbirth preparation. It cost us way too much in my opinion, and I really don't think it was worth it to be honest. The only one I felt was useful was infant CPR. A lot of the information from these classes you can learn from pregnancy books (many of which are available at your local public library), watching baby specials on TV, and researching on the internet. Important questions can be addressed by your ob/gyn. There are also tons of online websites and forums for expectant moms that provide useful information and answers to your questions. Truth be told, I'm finding our childbirth preparation classes tedious and boring for the most part. A girl friend of mine who gave birth already said that everything she learned in her childbirth preparation class went out the door when she went into labor and delivered. None of the techniques she learned helped her at all. So don't feel like you're missing out on much if you can't take any classes. |
Anonymous
Unfortunately, INOVA hospitals are not offering the tours right now because of the H1N1 outbreak. I do agree, though, if you're getting an epidural there is no need for childbirth classes. |
Anonymous
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VHC is not an INOVA hospital, and they are still giving tours (or were as of late Nov.). Even if you're not delivering at VHC, if you're looking for a low- to no-cost orientation to hospital birth, go take a tour there anyway. Most L&D rooms look pretty much the same, and the tour guide will outline the basic hospital policies, which also don't vary too much.
To further educate yourself, authors Penny Simkin and Ina May Gaskin are excellent resources, as is Henci Goer's "The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth." It might not hurt to also get in touch with a few independent childbirth educators and explain your situation -- someone will likely be willing to reduce her fees or set up a payment plan. |
Anonymous
| I will say that they are not necessarily necessary even if you ARE planning on going med free. Helpful to be sure, but you can do a lot of self-education. |
Anonymous
| not necessary. i did not take a class or read a book and just followed my instinct and the nurses direction. I pushed 6x's and my son literally popped out. it was suprisingly easy. for nursing i read the book So That's What They are For! and it was all i needed to nurse my son for a year. |
Anonymous
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Skip them if you are planning on getting an epidural. I found them totally useless. Just read a couple of the aforementioned books.
As for natural childbirth, I really can't opine but seems to me that this needs some coaching/preparation... |
Anonymous
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OP - Don't worry about this at all. I took a typical recommended class and it was a complete waste of time. I had an epidural in one delivery and the other was natural. In both cases, I didn't use anything I learned in class. You will be better served with some books and/or DVDs from the library.
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