Birth Class

ljraff29

Happy Thursday ladies! I know birth classes have been talked about before, so please forgive- I'm Nest search challenged.

DH and I will be taking a Bradley class since I'm really hoping to go without meds (of course providing all is ok with me and baby). The class is 12 weeks and we have the option to start this month or start in April. The class at the end of April would take me to about 1-2 weeks before my EDD. Do you think we should start now or wait and start in April? Have any of you taken the Bradley classes?

Thank you!

smbenevides1989

I would start now since it is 12 weeks. This way you can be done earlier and you can review your notes before the baby is here.

I personally did not take the classes, but I know someone who did. She followed everything and delivered her daughter med free and even without an IV. She was home up to the point where she couldn't take the contractions anymore. She pretty much delivered and hour or so after she got to the hospital.

ljraff29

@smbenevides1989 Thanks for your input. I have a friend that took the class and delivered med-free, no iv and had the baby about an hour or so after getting to the hospital. It's nice to hear other people that accomplished it too.

amccul20

start now! you never know when that baby is going to arrive and you'll want to be prepared

JLyn821

I agree with PPs.  Start now if you can.  We didn't do Bradley classes, but did do the natural childbirth prep classes offered through our hospital.  We were done by about 30 weeks.  I'm glad we did it early because now I've had all of this time to do exercises and practice before ever going into labor.

ljraff29

@amccul20 That was my thinking too.. What if the baby wants to come early and the class isn't over!?

@JennaHack I didn't even think of practicing the exercises and things. I'm going check our hospital to see if they offer a natural birth class. I didn't think of that. The Bradley class is more than I expected and I'm sure the hospital will be less.

 

lindsayandjamie

There is tons of value in doing it early and practicing your relaxation techniques.  I delivered DS med-free after studying hypnobirthing starting at 20 weeks.  I def was not hypnotized, but I was able to get to a super relaxed place during and between contractions thanks to all the practice.

sgautschi

Definitely start now! Not only would waiting until April cut it really close, but the last thing you're going to want to do in those last few weeks is sit in a classroom and try to pay attention. Your mind will refuse to work toward the end. Lol

ljraff29

 

sgautschi said:

Definitely start now! Not only would waiting until April cut it really close, but the last thing you're going to want to do in those last few weeks is sit in a classroom and try to pay attention. Your mind will refuse to work toward the end. Lol

I didn't think of how annoying it would be to have to go to a class right up until the end. Thanks for that perspective! I think I've made up my mind, just have to get DH on board now...
:-/