Birthing Classes - Hermiston,OR

I'm glad I took the class and wish I had done a "refresher" for my second. Even almost 14 years later I still use the breathing and focusing techniques to get me through hard stuff. I also still talk to a couple of people from the class.

We took a whole series of birthing classes, and although we ended up w/ a c-sect at the last minute (I didn't end up needed the breathing techniques or pain management - actually - I did use some of those breathing techniques for a few days afterward!) I was VERY glad we'd done the breastfeeding class (spouses attend that one, too), the newborn care class, the the infant CPR class.

I think some people just need it for their peace of mind. But looking back, it was a waist of time. I could have read a book, or watched something on the Discovery Health Chanel. Though the information was more or less unless, I think I would have had a lot more anxiety about labor had I not taken it though. Its a toss up.

If this is your first child, I would go for it. I really liked the class that we attended; it was at the hospital where I gave birth. We learned the different stages of labor and what happens during each stage. They showed us some common tools and things used during labor and delivery, like what they use to break your water if needed, and an internal fetal monitor. We took a tour of the L&D dept, reviewed the rules regarding who can be there, who can visit, what to bring, etc. We watched some videos and practiced different labor positions. The last class included a diapering and swaddling lesson (using dolls) and advice on dealing with different scenarios like a baby that won't stop crying. The class we took was not focused on one particular birthing method, just a general informational class. It was helpful to me to know what kinds of things to expect with regard to my specific hospital. If nothing else, at least schedule a time to take a tour of your L&D dept at the hospital where you will have the baby. Those are usually free :)

Bradley Birth. You will learn so much, totally worth it!!

I took the Bradley classes. Definitely worth it.

I think a good class largely depends on the instructor. But, particularly if this is your first child, it's worth it to take a class. They bring up things that you probably haven't thought about and usually there is at least some bit of helpful information to take away. It's also a nice way to meet other expecting parents, who will later have kids the same age as yours... sometimes this lead to good friends to commiserate with, get support from and have play dates with!

I think it depends on what kind of labor you are planning. If you are planning for natural childbirth, it might be worth it. If you are planning to have an epidural, maybe not. Another thing to consider is what kind of learner you are. If you are a visual learner it could be helpful. If you learn better by reading, you might want to skip the class and get your hands on some of the great reading material out there. I took a birthing class and didn't find it particularly helpful, but I had an epidural and i learn better by reading.

we took the 1 day all day class. I enjoyed it and am very glad we did it. I think it helped alot.

HI E.,

I have only two things to offer. You might have an idea of what you hope to get out of a childbirth class first, then look for one that will meet that criteria.

Secondly, while I never used to put a lot of stock in them personally, as I beleive that you inherently know how to birth your baby, I am now sold. Because I have been a birth doula for 10+ years, I assumed most of the things I am used to dealing with were common knowledge. I am currently teaching a childbirth class to expectant parents as I work toward my Childbirth Educator Certification. The feedback I received from my parents to be was that they didn't know what they didn't know and were so glad that I was there to fill the void. So that said, I would say there is in fact value. But I would say find one that fits your needs, your style, i.e more lecture, vs. more interactive etc. Big group at the hospital, or private in home classes. There are also classes that teach certain styles of birthing like Birthing from Within, Lamaze, Hypnobirthing etc. You have to decide if that is more important, or if time and distance to home is most important.

Essentially, I beleive you will garner some valuable information, and generally speaking, you get out of it what you put in to it:-)

Good luck and happy birthing!

T. Nelson CD (DONA)

If you plan on going natural I would say the class will help you to understand what you're going through and what to do, but if you're going to have an epidural don't bother.

E.,

After 4 deliveries, I can tell you that knowledge is power. The more I learned about what was happening to my body and added different tools to my "arsenal" for coping with the sensations, the more enjoyable and empowering each delivery was. I was all natural with the last three. (Tried the first time, had a shot of Nubane and swore never to do that again - it was awful for me.)

Even if your goal isn't a drug-free birth, you'll still need tools for coping with contractions and keeping a calm and peaceful outlook. Fear = tense = pain. My husband and I loved our birth experiences and encourage everyone we know to use Dr. Robert Bradley's "Husband Coached Childbirth" (aka The Bradley Method) as well as Hypnobirthing or Hypnobabies. The delivery of your child can be amazing, empowering, strengthening your bond with baby's daddy (assuming he's attending) - or it can be scary and terrifying. I believe the knowledge and the tools make it a wonderful experience. Your hospital class may help, but often they just end up being an expensive tour and some Lamaze lessons. Books from the library are free!

From a midwife: Take Bradley Birth class or Hypnobirthing class. Either one is great, especially for your husband. You will be glad you did.

I also found the local class at the hospital very valuable. I think the class is good for preparing you for various scenarios, and is better than reading about birth because they can tell you more specifically about how things are handled at your particular hospital. You also have someone you can ask if something isn't clear enough or you have special concerns. I remember people asking questions about privacy concerns, technology capabilities, water birth options, etc. that you wouldn't find answers to in a book. I didn't think I wanted a water birth until learning more about it. There were other women who chose natural birth after taking the class. I also felt it was a wonderful place to connect with other mom-to-bes. If your hospital offers a new moms group, definitely go after the baby is born. It is where I made one of my very best friends! If they don't, start your own group by collecting some of those mom-to-bes email addresses. The last reason I felt the class was super valuable was so that my husband and I could connect and bond through the pregnancy. He was putting in huge amounts of overtime since his biggest focus on the impending new addition was how he would provide financially. I hardly ever saw him, but that required class once a week forced him to spend some time thinking about the rest of fatherhood and how he could support me through the birth. He turned out to be the best birthing coach ever! You might also discover through the class that he won't handle the process so well, and that you might need a doula to help you through the birth. Better to know ahead of time than when you are in the midst of birth and your partner faints on you! Good luck!

For a first time mom, I thought it was good to go... Even though I already knew everything they taught us through my own research and visits with my home health nurse.

We didn't take any classes... My dr said that was more for women who were going natural (I had an epidural, and it worked great!!!) but it might be a good back up plan if u plan to gave an epidural, just in case it doesn't work... The class probably would have been good for my poor hubby... When it came time to push, he turned pale and had to go outside fir fresh air... Ha!!! Men are weenies!!! Just a side note... He had the cold face cloth on HIS forehead... Not me. =) Just sayin'...

I would def go! I was so glad we took ours because I found out a bunch of things I would have never thought to ask. I found our really beneficial as a first time mom.

I really liked ours. But, before I went I didnt even know what dialation meant. lol. So for me, I got a lot out of it. It was fun, really glad I did it.

It may or may not be worth your time -- depends on your personality. They basically offer you some coping skills and the idea behind them so that you can decide what will work for you. Ultimately, I used almost none of the techniques that they taught but the classes gave me confidence going into it. And they helped me realize that I get to (and need to) be in control of my childbirth. Without them, I would have been embarassed about my need to do jazz hands to cope and my compulsive behavior throughout.

We did one, and the value in it was in friends that we made...I sort of had the attitude that in the middle of labor, I wasn't going to remember what happened in class, and that the nurse would guide me as I went. Both of my labors were quite easy, no drugs, not really all that painful...for me, the class wasn't worth the money.

If you want to make your husband absolutely miserable, sign up for Bradley birthing classes. They usually last 12 weeks, but the one I took "squeezed" the subject matter into 9 weeks. That was a lot of time and a lot of sitting in uncomfortable chairs listening to doctor-bashing propaganda.

The useful stuff I learned in the class was stuff I had also read in books. For my first pregnancy, I saw a midwife and gave birth at an alternative birthing center at a hospital. Everything you learn in class goes out the window once you go into labor. The best thing I ever learned was something no one ever told me in class or in a book. The ER nurse told me to take deep breaths during my contractions. It helped immensely.

I've had three children with no pain medication. I have nothing against epidurals or c-sections. I just didn't feel like I needed them. I don't think I would have needed the pain meds had I not taken the birthing classes. Depending on what you hope to get out of the class, you might want to read a few books first or take the cheap/free class offered by your local hospital. Those natural birthing classes are expensive, and the time commitment is huge. If I had it to do all over again, I wouldn't have done it. Good luck to you!

We wanted to go before our first was born but the classes were only offered when we couldn't attend. I did just fine, or so I thought when the nurses kinda laughed at me when I tried to push the first time and they taught me how to correctly push to actually make it do something. I felt they were very helpful in the process and didn't even worry about classes the second time.

We found a free class with our first child through army community services, which helped for birth and first weeks of parenting. Some hospitals offer free or reduced. With both kids we toured the hospital which allows you to ask some of the medicine related questions. Our second child I found a birth class on DVD (sorry can't remember the title) that we watched together. Then I watched baby story on TLC.
You can't prepare for everything, but I couldn't go into labor without some preparation.

We toured the hospital but didn't do the birthing class. I think it's all up to you and what you feel comfortable with. :-)

The most useful part of the birthing class for us were the pointers they gave my husband on advocating for me when I was in labor. The techniques re: actual labor didn't do much for me, however, I did take a weekly prenatal yoga class beginning mid second-trimester and that proved to be very valuable during my labor and recovery. My labor and delivery experience was very positive and I bounced back quickly - I think yoga was a huge reason why.

My husband and I went to one before the birth of our first child. I was extremely glad we did. We were the couple goofing off and laughing in the back of the room like high school students but luckily when I went to give birth I remembered a few things! My epidural worked for about 15 mins then went straight to my feet only and eventually I felt everything. By 9 cm I was doing the breathing tech they teach and my husband was a great coach. My son was sunny side up, so at 10 cm they had me turn on to my stomach for an hour hoping he would flip. This was the worst pain I had ever felt and without the breathing techniques I dont know what I would have done. BTW he didn't ever flip over! When you go in to labor you never really know if there will be complications or not so it's good to be prepared for anything!

I didn't take any classes, mainly because money was tight... When I went into labor I wished I had. I had a few complications, and was put on picotin (sp?) to speed up my labor. Even with the drip, I was in active labor for 19 hours... I had no clue what to do to help manage my pain until I gave in and got an epidural. I had the general idea of how labor would go, but I wasn't really prepared. Given the chance, I would go back and take them. For my next child, I definitely plan on taking some. Even though I have already had one, I would like to learn to manage my pain, or even to learn what a more 'normal' birthing experience should be like. I wouldn't take any delivery-specific classes, just something to give you general knowledge, and pain management.

I didn't go to any birthing classes and had no problems during the actual delivery. The nurses guided me through the whole process really well. I probably wouldn't take one if and when I get pregnant again.

I decided to skip the birthing class and read a lot instead. I had a non-medicated vaginal birth which was a great experience and I don't think it could have been any better had I taken the class.
I think if you are planning to have an epidural (take it at your hospital in this case to learn about all the policies and procedures associated with it) or are thinking about using a specific kind of pain control for your birth (bradley, hypnobirthing etc.) it might be worth it.
Good luck.

I took a class before my 1st (I have 3). I am very glad I did - I learned about all kinds of things that might be done in the case that something might go wrong, and sure enough, it was a difficult birth and I ended up with a bunch of tubes and such sticking out of my body! All went well, and I'll tell you, it did wonders for me to know what was going on! If it weren't for the knowledge I gained from the class, I don't think I would have been as calm as I was!