Infant CPR at Shady Grove
Birth You Desire class with Ursula Sukinik (covers labor, delivery, breastfeeding)

I'm 34 weeks and taking the breastfeeding class at K St this week, probably by myself because DH just started a new job and likely won't be able to make it. We are taking an all-day birth class together this weekend and doing the hospital tour together in a couple weeks.

I have half a mind to get us into a baby care class, but doubt it will happen. But I did see a recommendation on here somewhere for a good baby care/prep DVD and would like to try to find that.

My husband and I took a baby care class and a baby first aid and CPR class through Childbirth 'n' Babies. We took a comfort measures class (Labor with Love) with Michelle Cohen at Willow Street Yoga. I took the prenatal express (breastfeeding) class at the Breastfeeding Center. And then I read tons of of books about childbirth.

I found the comfort measures class invaluable. The other classes didn't blow me away, but I was glad I took them. In those early, bleary-eyed days first home from the hospital, I was glad I didn't have to teach my husband how to put a shirt on the baby (and, yes, the baby care class covers stuff like that). And the breastfeeding class was inspiring and confidence boosting. I really knew *nothing* about breastfeeding before I took it, and it gave me the sense that BFing was very doable (which has definitely turned out to be the case for me and my happily BFing baby).

But I'm really glad I didn't take any more classes than those! I spent *weeks* fretting about not taking a more comprehensive childbirth class, especially since I wanted to have an unmedicated vaginal birth. I ended up with the birth I wanted, which had *everything* to do with a supportive midwife, doula, nurse, and husband, and a labor experience with all the right conditions. I was SUPER glad I hadn't wasted my time in a weeks-long class.

Bradley classes together

Breastfeeding class. Just me, he ended up having to work late that night.

Child/Infant CPR to renew my certification

Anonymous wrote:16:51 here. We were at OBGyn Associates for DC1 but at 12 weeks with DC2 have decided to switch.

Yep. Same as us. (I was the poster who asked.)

i took a birth works class (with DH), which was useful and insightful, but frankly probably a little too crunchy/touchy/feely and time-consuming for my tastes.

Also took a baby basics/sampler class at the breastfeeding center (with DH) which was super useful because we had not the slightest idea really how to do basic stuff like swaddle, etc. most stuff i retain better from reading and researching a bit on my own, but it's useful to get a swaddling demonstration!

but even that was optional. the postpartum and nicu nurses at the hospital were actually really good about giving tips/lessons on basic infant care and swaddling and cpr and such. also met with a lactation consultant associated with the hospital who helped get us started breastfeeding.

i didn't take the hospital tour, which i regret, but it was only offered at the time as part of a class and i didn't want to add another class to the list.

16:51 here. We were at OBGyn Associates for DC1 but at 12 weeks with DC2 have decided to switch.

Didn't take any - just a breastfeeding class that DH attended too. It was perfect. I ended up with an emergency csection and was so glad i didn't waste all that time in class - although I was still in labor and pushed for several hours but I didn't need a class for that!

I'm wondering if 16:51 went to the same practice as I go to now because I took the same slate of classes with DH. We're only a few weeks away from our due date.

Agree with everything that was said, although our CPR instructor was awesome. The baby care class was badly taught, with no A/c, and was a total waste of time.

I'm biased regarding the childbirth class, as we found out halfway through that I will need a C section. Since it's medically necessary, the labor techniques are utterly lost on me.

didn't take any

Anonymous wrote:I am a FTM here due in January as well (I asked about the Momease Baby Basics Class), but this is our running list of classes:

Breastfeeding (At K Street)

Breastfeeding for Partners (At K Street)

Infant CPR (At GW b/c it is cheaper than K Street)

Infant first aid (Not sure about this yet)

Newborn Basics (At GW, again cheaper)

Childbirth classes (With our doula)

Infant massage (if we do it, it will be at K Street)

Babywearing (if we do it, it will be at K Street)

Wow

I am a FTM here due in January as well (I asked about the Momease Baby Basics Class), but this is our running list of classes:

Breastfeeding (At K Street)

Breastfeeding for Partners (At K Street)

Infant CPR (At GW b/c it is cheaper than K Street)

Infant first aid (Not sure about this yet)

Newborn Basics (At GW, again cheaper)

Childbirth classes (With our doula)

Infant massage (if we do it, it will be at K Street)

Babywearing (if we do it, it will be at K Street)

DH and I took 3 classes together before DC1 was born:
1. Childbirth class at our practice
2. Infant/child CPR offered through Holy Cross hospital in Mont Co
3. 'It's a baby, now what?' - a general infant care class through Holy Cross as well.

It was a real effort toile all the classes, particularly through the fall/holidays, especially as I worked downtown DC and DH in College Park and we had one car. Here's my reviews on usefulness.

Class 1 - was suppose to be birthing techniques, explanation of stages of labor and an overview of the practices approach to labor and delivery. Also included a tour of the hospital's maternity wing (helpful), breastfeeding techniques (contradicted both hospital and pediatrician) and what to do when u go into labor. In the end, we found that we never used 75% of the information, 15% directly conflicting the hospital's procedures/policies and since the OB was only there the last ten minutes it only mattered what the hospital nurse said to do and the last 10% was helpful, largely in learning how to identify, not freak out and handle early signs of labor like bloody show, mucus plug and back labor. Worth it if you need that last 10% of knowledge.

2 - although the in structure was horrible I think this is the most important class. In fact I think we will take a refresher course for DC2.

3- this class had the same horrible instructor as #2 above, which just lost me from the get go. I found some of the material to be way too basic, if you are conscientious enough to be on her asking which classes to take, then there is alot that will be too basic for you as well). But it did cover a lot of the real world how to items with practice on a doll. Everything from first bath to changing diaper before ambiblical cord stump falls off. It also covered some soothing techniques and swaddling (which no one in the hospital ever did for us). All in all, I found it to be too basic for me and did not find the instructor to be knowledgable, but classmates were a great source for information. DH on the other hand really found it helpful and learned alot. He felt more secure after taking it and it was good for us to find out who was comfortable doing what and to get on the same page in knowing how we would do things. So I would recommend.

I did not do a birth or parenting class (vaginal delivery with an epi). I took a breastfeeding class at the Breastfeeding Center (alone) and did a CPR/first aid class at Destination Maternity in Montgomery Mall (with my husband).

We are going to be new parents in January and don't know what class(es) we should consider. We are planning on delivering at Shady Grove hospital. Are there any that MoCo parents recommend? We both work downtown so I wonder if we should look at a breast feeding class at the Breastfeesing center. What did you take before you brought home baby #1? Did your husband take the classes too? Thanks in advance.