I have asked all of my friends who have children (including my sister) and none of they took lamaze classes, but felt they had no problems with delivery because they all had an epidural. I plan on having an epidural when I deliver, but I'm still wondering if I'll be in there and regret not having taken lamaze classes. Any advice? Did anyone take it and find it to be either a lifesaver or a complete waste of time and money? Thanks!
I am a nurse who works in L & D. I think taking childbirth ed classes are really important. The main reason is that although you don't seem to hear about this, epidurals don't always work well. I would say 25% of the time or so.
Also, most often (if you have a responsible doctor or midwife) you will need to be in active labor before you get an epidural. This can lead to having to deal with some contractions before that point. Many women are utterly unprepared for this or for the fact that often even with a working epidural there is some pain and pressure. It's also nice to take classes at the hospital where you will deliver to get an idea of their policies. Some hospitals still require babies to go to the nursery, some hospitals you go directly to L & d, others you go through the ER, etc. It's good to get an idea before you get there in labor.
Lamaze is a particular type of classes (like Coke is a particular type of pop). If you were planning an unmedicated birth I would recommend Bradley classes. It's good to take a class outside the hospital where you deliver to get unbiased information-for example a hospital class may say everyone in labor should have an iv because that is their policy while an independant teacher will just give facts, risks, and benefits not geared towards a particular hospital. Independent childbirth educators can also give you advice about your provider- for isntance if you are likely to end up with a c-section or episiotomy. I recommend hospital sponsored-classes for anyone delivering at a hospital so you know what to expect. Best wishes with your delivery.
If you are a first time would be MOM, I would recommend taking the class. Lot of things that friends and family dont talk about or they miss are covered systematically.
I did lamaze and teh breastfeeding class. I have no regrets, it help me be prepared batter than I would have been.
All the BEST for your baby!!
I do recomend it. I had to wait a really long time to get my epidural and had no idea how to make it easier for myself. I was verging on hysterical and the nurse had to all but slap me to get me to focus. Not a shining moment for me I have to say but I'm sure if I had some type of training under my belt, I wouldn't have been so scared or out of control. I did take a childbirth class at Northwestern but my husband and I paid no attention to the birthing part because I planned on asking for my epidural at the door and getting it seconds later.
I suggest taking the classes. Everyone is very different. But it's nice to have the experience under your belt. The "what if's" will be answered. It may help you to enjoy your experience better. I have 4 kids & took lamaze & each labor was very different. But I learned some great techniques to help me through each of them. I didnt need an epidural with my 1st but I labored at home for 3 hours then only 45 min in the hospital. But my 2nd & 3rd were different because I needed petocin so I got epidurals. And my 4th, well she was almost born in the car (labored for 25 minutes total). Although its a whirlwind in the delivery room I am positive my husband & I got use out of lamaze classes. Best wishes & congrats.
I have taken it Lamaze classes with both my children... 17 years apart :)
I would have to say the first time around it was wonderful for me. I was a teenager and it prepared me for things I had no idea were going to happen. It also prepared me for the wait that I had before being given the Epidural. If you remember the breathing techniques they teach you it helps... I am not sure if it really helps the pain but it gives you something to have control over.
The second time I took it, I took it for the sake of my husband. He wanted to do it and I was kindda against it but knew it would make him feel like he had some part in this besides the fun in making our daughter :) He felt like he had some control and knew what to expect and it was nothing like on the movies where this beautiful baby comes out with a cute cry.... she was a slimy mess he would not have been prepared for! lol
I am sooooooooo glad I took it the second time since there were A LOT of complications we had not expected. I went into labor 6 weeks early and had to have a c-section. I was also in back labor for about 12 hours or so before they gave me an Epidural. The breathing and calmness of my husband helped! Thankfully some of the curveballs we were thrown were covered in our class. It helped to keep us calm, especially when we seen a whole team of Drs and nurses in the OR. We knew what to expect when they took her from us and what they were doing in the corner with her.
It also helped us to make the decision to do skin to skin contact right after she was born. Unfortunately that was not gonna happen immediately but within an hour my hubby was able to do it since I could not. If we had not known that he could do it we would have just allowed the nurses to tell us no. There was an older nurse who was absolutely wonderful and knew this was very important to us and she took my hubby in the NICU and put up a curtain around him, helped him get his shirt off and put her on his chest with a blanket over them.
My sister and girlfriend both had Epidurals and my sisters did not work at all and my girlfriends only numbed one leg and that was it! Thankfully my sister was prepared but my girlfriend had no idea and she is scared to death to get pregnant again!
So while it does not always help every person... I honestly would do it all over again if I was to get pregnant again! I also think that most parents forget just how bad labor can be after seeing thier precious baby and that is why they think it was no problem! lol Think about it... how many of us would have another baby if we really remembered! lol
Whatever you decide I wish you a happy birthing experience! Many blessings to you and yours!
I would recommend taking the class. It answered all of my questions, helped absolve many of my fears and prepared me for the whole birthing process. The classes themselves were a great bonding time for me and my husband.
It was also nice to be around other pregnant women and hear their stories (good and bad). I felt less alone.
As far as the techniques go, I planned on following them exactly but that just didn't happen. I did use something that I learned in class and sort of adapted it to my needs. It worked really well and got me through a long and difficult labor.
Take the class and then take from it what works best for you. I wish you all the best and a healthy, happy baby!
I took a child birthing class and had a epidural. In our class a lot of things were discussed which I found to be useful or at least give my husband and me food for thought. If this is your first child, I would recommend it. It was especially helpful for my husband, because he had not been around too many babies for more than one hour at a time. Our class was a one day class, so everything was crammed in. It was little bit over one hundred dollars. If you decide to forego this class, I would suggest to take some type of child care class. These may be cheaper and put you in touch with maternity nurses who can offer both medical and practical advice with questions you have. I was glad to have taken the class even though I knew how child birth works. It helped me appreciate the process. Good luck with your decision and the baby.
I took a Bradley Class, and did a natural childbirth. I skipped the Epidural because taking it highly increases your chances of a C-section.
Please think long and hard about the type of labor and birth you want to have. It is a memory that will stay with you.
With my first child, I took not a lamaze class, but a child birthing class. It was offered through Christ Hospital, and I imagine other hospitals would offer similar classes.
I was glad I took it because it familiarized me with a lot of different aspects to giving birth. We learned breathing techniques (although I confess I really didn't use much of that knowledge!) and they explained the process of different scenarios: being induced, c-section, etc. They showed the equipment they used for an epidural and breaking water, which made it seem less scary when I encountered some of those things.
My daughter ended up being breech, so I required a c-section. I felt that because I took this class and learned a lot about it, it eased my worries (I didn't find out she was breech until I was at the hospital in active labor!) Even though you plan on having an epidural, our plans don't always work out--I had a friend who was so far along when she arrived, there was no time for an epidural. So it's always good to be prepared for alternative scenarios. For a first child, I definitely recommend this type of class. I also took a breastfeeding class, given by Christ's lactation consultants, and that was extremely helpful.
Good luck, and congratulations!
I went to a child birth class with my first and I did find it helpful. Even if you understand the process of childbirth, it is likely your partner does not. My husband really had no clue! Even if you are planning on having an epidural, there are cases where they don't work or you get to the hospital and you have progressed to far to have one. With my first my epidural didn't work very well, so what I learned in the class really helped. I used the breathing techniques to help me through the pain and contractions. Luckily with my second, my epidural worked great and I swear had very little pain until I was fully dilated and ready to push. A lot of women will tell you to try to go "natural", I don't see any reason to suffer that pain if there are things to make your labor easier. The only reward you get leaving the hospital is your beautiful baby, no medals for being the "toughest"! I would say go to the class. Good luck!
I took the class and found it very informative for both my husband & I. I didn't need it for my firstborn, but for my 2nd, unbeknownst to all of us in the delivery room, the epidural pulled out & drained (another story altogether). I was in pain and used the breathing techniques, which helped. Also, just because you want an epidural, doesn't mean you'll get it. Sometimes it's too late. I think it's best just to be prepared.
good luck!
Hey Katie,
Congrats!
I may be in the minority here and this is not meant to be seen as a "show off" message, but truly, you may want to consider natural childbirth. I've had 5 kids, all natural with no epidural and no lamaze, just great support from hubby and excellent medical staff (all 5 diff. staff.) (same husband, LOL.) The best thing you can do to prepare HONESTLY (if there's no complications for your pregnancy) is to just stay calm, walk as much as you can, and practice breathing as if you want to "do a number 2" pushing it out (TMI here, sorry)...that is just what it is like to have a baby! Good luck in whatever you decide, just wanted to let you know YOU CAN DO IT!
Take care!
I took a lamaze class, and to tell you the truth, it felt like a waste of money. Mainly because the only thing useful that I felt I got out of it was the infant CPR and Heimlic. You can take those classes anywhere. They teach you pain management and things like that, but I felt like once I was in labor, ALL of that went out the window. So since you plan on getting an epidural anyways.. you won't be missing much by not taking the class. Also, they say they teach you how to push.... but trust me, when it comes time to, you'll know what to do.
Any class is helpful for a first time delivery or a second delivery for that matter.
We found BRADLEY to be 100 times more informative and to include much more information on preparation, delivery and breast feeding than the LAMAZE class we took. I've been to to both.
And, just because you take a Bradley class doesn't mean you can't use an epidural. Actually, percentage wise, most Bradley graduates end up getting an epidural.
They will also educate you Medulas and mid-wives - which I would highly recommend to consider using. They meet with you just as your doctor does each month, week, etc. and get to know you and the type of delivery you're looking for. They won't lecture you on not using an epidural, but will definitely be your #1 advocate in the hospital with knowledge & experience your hubby can't possible have for you.
Best of luck!
If you're concerned about time and money i'd suggest watching a DVD of a Lamaze class. It's free (if you get it from a library) and you can watch it, stop it, and rewind/fast forward however you like.
I watched Laugh and Learn about Childbirth with Sheri Bayles to prepare for my first child (no epidural). Very informative, funny, and engaging. It was nice to have that extra information she gave so that I knew what the hospital staff might "suggest" and I could be prepared and be confident in my decisions.
story For my second child, I was in the hospital for 15 minutes, the nurses said I wasn't progressing fast enough and said I could either stay in bed hooked up to monitors, get pitocin or go home!!! I chose to walk the halls for an hour and that got things going just fine. It also helped me decide that I did want an epidural since the staff was not helpful. end
I did not take Lamaze and I was just fine. I heard the same thing...it is a waste of money. The nurses are there to help you through it and tell you what to do. I would just read some books on the delivery, and just remember to breathe!
I did Lamaze classes with my 3 older children, and I 100% tell everyone to take the classes. You might not need the epidural if you follow the breathing techniques. I had natural childbirth for the 3 pregnancies. But had a C section with my twins. The breathing and relaxing is amazing. I recommend taking them.
I am a first time mom. My son is 10 months old. I did take lamaze, and had an epidural. I am GLAD I took lamaze. I was in labor for 34 hours and had 2+ hours of pushing. I am glad I knew breathing techniques and concentration techniques to get through many hours of labor before I actually got the epidural. My lamaze class also went over basic infant care, pregnancy backround and other informative info. Some of my friends that took lamaze said they gained valuable knowledge too, others said it was a waste of time. I decided to pay and form my own opinions. I also figured since this was my first pregnancy having any information would be helpful.
Good Luck!!