BR: S/O Birth Plans

mrs pH · July 2011

Who took a Lamaze class or something like it?

Did you think it was worth it? Why or why not?

mrs pH · July 2011

mrs pH:
Who took a Lamaze class or something like it?

I didn't but at the time, I wish I did. I was planning to go as natural/med-free as possible. So up until I knew I was getting a c/s, I was starting to regret it and hoping that everything I was doing on my own to prepare myself was going to be enough.

mrs pH:
Did you think it was worth it? Why or why not?

Turns out, it wouldn't have made a difference. Worse case scenario happened anyway. LOL

After all was said and done, I'm really happy I didn't spend the money on a class because it would have been pointless because of the c/s.

tarmar81 · July 2011

You're talking about natural birth classes, right? Do they even do Lamaze anymore? I know that was big in the 80s.

Right now I think the big ones are Bradley and Hypnobirthing. There's also Hypnobabies, which is a combination of Bradley and Hypnobirthing. Craig and I took Bradley classes. Were they worth it? Yes, for the most part. We learned a lot that we didn't previously know about various medical procedures during labor and delivery, as well as received a lot of education about breastfeeding and baby care in the first few weeks.

Did we actually USE the Bradley Method when I was in labor? Um, no. Bradley focuses on relaxation exercises and the husband being your coach. Craig was by my side supporting me, of course, but my midwife did all the hard work and most of the massaging and encouragement. All I wanted Craig to do when I was actually in hard labor was hold my hand, because my midwife was taking care of me in every other way. I couldn't relax at all though, that's for damn sure. I just loudly moaned through every contraction and started getting a little delirious and caught up with the thoughts in my head such as "Holy schit, this pain has to stop, I'm dying, I want a c-section, get this baby out."

Of course, the goal of Bradley is to have an unmedicated labor and delivery, and that's what I did, but when I was ready to give up, it was because my midwife basically ignored my requests for drugs and talked me through it!

tarmar81 · July 2011

mrs pH:
After all was said and done, I'm really happy I didn't spend the money on a class because it would have been pointless because of the c/s.

I'd like to hear Christina's opinion on this. She took Bradley classes too and ended up with a C-section, but I don't know that she'd say she regrets taking the classes. There's a lot of good info, even if your birth plan goes out the window, though I can understand feeling like the class was a waste when that happens.

rach83 · July 2011

I'm glad you posted this because I was kind of wondering the same thing. I don't think we're going to take a class at this point, but I sort of wonder if it would be helpful. I've been reading a lot of books, so I feel like they've prepared me somewhat.

YouandMe912 · July 2011

We took a birthing class but it wasn't a Lamaze class. I'm glad we took it because I think the information was helpful for Kevin, but it briefly covered breathing. It was a lot of "this is what the baby will look like" and "these are ways to help get them out" etc etc.

steeser03 · July 2011

Nat do you plan to do VBAC (I actually know what this means friends, are you impressed?)? I'm just asking because if you do, then do you think you'd take classes at that point in time since you didnt get to do a vaginal birth with Evie?

MBMcC421 · July 2011

We took a general birthing class that covered a little bit of everything, but mainly focused on breathing techniques and that to expect during L&D. I'm glad we did -- they say knowledge is power, and when it comes to childbirth, I don't think you can ever be prepared enough until you're actually there.

MBMcC421 · July 2011

steeser03:
Nat do you plan to do VBAC (I actually know what this means friends, are you impressed?)? I'm just asking because if you do, then do you think you'd take classes at that point in time since you didnt get to do a vaginal birth with Evie?

-- for you!

ETA: that should be the Gold Star.... damn you TN!

Nunu&Eddie · July 2011

I didn't take a class. I just read a lot of articles, watched several videos, etc. I never intended to have an unmedicated birth and after just 12 hours of back labor, I was praying for the epi.

I ended up with a C/S and am planning to have #2 via a scheduled C/S. It is unlikely that my pelvis will all of a sudden grow enough to fit a baby through it.

mrs pH · July 2011

rach83:
I'm glad you posted this because I was kind of wondering the same thing. I don't think we're going to take a class at this point, but I sort of wonder if it would be helpful. I've been reading a lot of books, so I feel like they've prepared me somewhat.

Rach, that's what I did. I read as much as I could and watched as many videos as I could. There's so much info out there that I think you could get yourself ready just fine. But also, sometimes it's nice to actually hear about birth from someone which I think is the main benefit from classes. I think that's why I felt like I wasn't prepared enough. Otherwise, I probably learned everything I would have learned by doing my own research, reading and watching dvds.

kelklump · July 2011

I took a comprehensive class that did all the natural methods but those went out the door when the petocin came into the picture...Some people love them- I didnt find them helpful unless you know nothing about birth.

mrs pH · July 2011

steeser03:
Nat do you plan to do VBAC (I actually know what this means friends, are you impressed?)? I'm just asking because if you do, then do you think you'd take classes at that point in time since you didnt get to do a vaginal birth with Evie?

I am impressed! Stick out tongue

I would like to do VBAC if it's possible but I don't think it will be an option for me. I had swelling in my brain from being pregnant, so doctors didn't think it would be safe at all for me to push. So unless my next pregnancy is different, I doubt I'll even have a chance for a VBAC. And if I have a c/s for the second pregnancy and we decide to have a 3rd, I think my only option will be to have a c/s.

For the next baby though, I'm hoping that I don't have to schedule my c/s and I can at least go into labor. And if it is an option for a VBAC, I will probably not take classes just because the big take home point for them is breathing techniques. That was something I was already working on the last time.

And now that I'm thinking about it, I wouldn't mind having another c/s. In fact, I wouldn't even mind being put under general anesthesia either. The recovery for me was pretty quick. I had the worse experience when they tried doing the epidural and spinal. I have scoliosis and they had to "stab" me 16 times to try to get either to work. It sucked so bad and just made my worse fears come true. The only reason I wanted to have a natural birth was because I was afraid the epidural. The doctor said they could try to do an epi next time but I told her "No, thank you!" LOL

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