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Hi Val, I am taking a whole bunch of classes. even though I am also reading about the process in books I think it would be nice to be able to ask questions and get as much detail as possible. I also feel like this is a really nice opportunity to involve my hubbie and get him informed as well. My first class is in a couple of weeks so I can't really attest to the experience, but I think I am more relaxed just knowing I'm going and getting the information that way. I am also going to a Q&A at the hospital with an anesthesiologist.

i took them my first time around with my hubby and we both enjoyed having the information. it was a fun experience for both of us. we are both ready to do refresher courses the next time around (it have been 6 years since our last pregnancy). good luck.

We went to a childbirth class w/ our first, and to be honest it didn't help all that much. The way the breathing techinique was taught was uncomfortable and unnatural feeling to me, so when it came time for the real thing I just did what came naturally to me, and it was great. Also, they show detailed video of things like the episiotomy, which completely freaked me out. So much in fact that when I was being checked in during labor and the nurse asked "is there anything about this process you are nervous about?" The ONLY thing that had been stuck in my head was how and why they do episiotomies. My fear from having seseing one done caused me to get to 8cm naturally w/ no difficulties really until the dr said we're going to need to do an epis. I flipped out (baby was 4 weeks early and I was told she'd be small enough to NOT need one) and asked for an epidural. Turns out I didn't need one and got the epi for nothing. That bummed me out. What we did find helpful were the admission, labor and delivery procedures, and nursery tours. It's very much an individual choice. This time around we opted NOT to take a refresher course, but I am taking my 7yo DD to a siblings class she picked out. She's very excited for that.

Val.. i just wanted to add my two cents.... my DH and I didnt opt to take them with our first... my doctor told me that she had typically found that the ones that dont take the courses actually do better and are more relaxed in labor than those that take the courses... she said that sometimes people take everything a little too seriously and if anything changes and doesnt go like how they saw things in the class that they tend to freak out... and the last thing anybody needs is nerves in labor because it will slow things down.... so with that info, i decided to not take the course and just go with the flow and that is what worked best for us....some people really need to know what is going on, and i'm one of those that does better going with the flow and letting things take their course.... the nurse was very helpful with the breathing during labor.. i kept wanting to hold my breath because of the pain, and i think i would've done that had we taken courses or not... it was just a natural reaction.... but thats what worked for us.. and now we're going to have our next baby here in a short while.. and going with the flow is again my motto... but like i said, that doesnt work for everyone.. i know alot of people who took the courses and thoroughly enjoyed them... so its really up to you and what you are looking for.. i think everyone is different.. and some people can benefit and others it might actually negatively effect the situation if they are that type of person.... but good luck to you.. and congrats on your pregnancy!!

I hadn't even thought about not taking classes. I had been getting uptight because my midwife hadn't said anything about them yet. Now I'm not so worried. I've done a bunch of reading and feel like I've got a lot of the information I need, plus having a midwife instead of an OB kind of gives me a little more confidence for the birthing process. I like going with the flow and not knowing everything that could possibly go wrong. Hmm now I'm thinking about not even taking them, although I think DH could benefit from them...

Hi Val, im starting my classes next week...my ones seem to vary a lot and discuss all kinds of topics, from pain relief options to immunisation of baby once its born, plus of course what to expect at what stage of labour, and the tour of the maternity ward . The reason I am excited about them is unlike a book, I get to ask more in depth questions if I want to know further info about a certain thing, and also DH gets to be involved as well. Ive also heard from many friends that its a good opportunity to meet new couples in the same position as you are, and potentially someone to have lunch/coffee with and chat with during the first few months after birth as you will only be a week or so apart. Kinda like mothers group!

I think it will depend a lot on your instructor. I loved our course and the instructor was really calm and matter-of-fact; all the while assuring us that the process is totally natural and we'll all live through it. :) It really helped me to realize that we are going to have a baby; made me more excited. Also, my husband didn't really think he would benefit from it. I talked him into going anyway and he really got involved in all of the exercises and the information and he ended up enjoying it. So, you probably don't NEED it, but it definitely gave me more reassurance being a first-time mommy!

My hubby and I went when I was pregnant with our first child and it was a lot of fun. I would recommend going, they put bellies on the daddies and made them tie their shoes, they also made them get up off the floor from lying down and imitate trying to shave their legs. It was a riot. There were also videos and a lot of other information. The best part was the detailed tour of the birthing facility. We got to talk to some of the nurses and get and idea of what would really happen once we were admitted. Going to birthing classes is sort of a right of passage for first time mom's, you will never forget the experience and it is a lot of fun.