Pregnancy Forum - Question For Been There, Done That Moms On Hospital Classes


Question For Been There, Done That Moms On Hospital Classes

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cln1812

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Joined: 15 Jul 2006
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Question For Been There, Done That Moms On Hospital Classes Posted: 08-07-07 10:04am


So the hospital I'm delivering at offers a ton of classes for new moms, and I'm wondering how helpful those of you who have BTDT & took classes found them really before I sign up for anything. How helpful did you find courses on the following: lamaze & childbirth (this is the main one they offer) baby care infant CPR breastfeeding I'm considering the lamaze & childbirth if only for the hospital tour & the fact that enrolling in the class pre-registers you for the hospital once the time comes plus it might familiarize me with how things are done at this particular hospital, and I'm thinking the infant CPR might be useful since I don't know CPR at all and having some sort of knowledge of it might come in useful though if I could use it properly if ever necessary, I don't know or if I'd just be in a blind panic instead. And how helpful (if at all) did you find courses on baby care & breastfeeding? Was the baby care course more like Duh? who wouldn't know that? or things that you'd figure out quickly on your own anyway? I wonder if the breastfeeding course is better served by getting a lactation consultant while in the hospital or contacting the La Leche league once I get home from the hospital if I'm having issues?

Becky

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Posted: 08-07-07 10:12am


i took a class in childbirth for my first child. i already knew everything from reading magazines and from being with my mum during her labour. i forced my husband to go along too though and he wa the only man there he didn't find it helpful at all and when it came to the actual labour i did the complete opposite of what they said but he was still brilliant anyway! i say go if you don't have a clue about labour or just want to be more informed on what to expect. they are good for first time mums

sillyakchick

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Posted: 08-07-07 10:16am


Well, I have BTDT, so here's my take on it: I took the hospital tour, because it helps to visualize what the environment will be like and what you will need to bring. I strongly reccommend a childbirth class that is open, unbiased, and promotes personal choices through education. IMO, hospital classes are not always the best at givving you unbiased education. They generall take a very medicalized view of the birth process. It might be nice for you to hear about all of your options and then be prepared to make decisions when the time comes, after fully expressing you "wishes" to your spouse and writing it down for the hospital staff. You might try looking around in your community for birthing class options. Truthfully, few educators actually teach the Lamaze method anymore. I think the CPR class would be great! What a nice idea! You might want to put off the breastfeeding class until you have the baby. Many hospitals offer free lactation support during and even after your hospital stay.

Ingi

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Posted: 08-07-07 10:47am


Why wouldn't you take all those classes? Nothing can beat having information! As far as the birthing classes, knowing what you can expect is a great way to start the delivery process. Plus, like you said, you'll be pre-registered in the hospital. The Infant CPR class would be benificial. You probably wouldn't ever use it - but it is always good to know. Breastfeeding is not as easy as people think it might be. You need a support system and somewhere to turn if things get hard. Some women sail right through breastfeeding while others have a difficult time a few weeks in. Having somewhere to go and someone to talk to cannot hurt.

chantigeek

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Joined: 03 Aug 2006
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Location: ontario, canada

Posted: 08-08-07 02:08am


I agree with the post above about the birth classes being about information and not bias. I started prenatal classes when i was about 27 weeks pregnant and i left because i felt that it was bias. I know all the information on breastfeeding and all the benefits. I personally at first did not want to even try breastfeeding because i felt that i might not feel comforatble doing so. Now i am thinking of at least giving it a go so i guess we'll see. But anyways at my prenatal classes i asked about which formulas are considered the best to give to your baby if you decide not to or cannot breastfeed? And the nurse doing the class said sorry we don't discuss baby formula because we promote breastfeeding. So lets just say that was my last class lol. But i know many people who have had good prenatal classes and learned a lot from them, so it's worth trying if you want to. I took the saint john ambulemce course and i felt it was great just to know in general.

babyAndy

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Posted: 08-08-07 12:32pm


You should definately know infant CPR...its a must. YOu never know. Even if its not your baby and its a friends in trouble. I would do that class over all of them. I am pregnant with my first though, so I havnt btdt...however I am a cardiac nurse...and when you see people come through the door that no one did CPR on vs someone who did have CPR done immediately...the difference is huge. (Less brain damage is the biggest one). Its rare to 'save a life' with CPR however if they do survive...CPR drastically improves their quality of life and account for much less brain damage. Please consider that class.

musikmaker

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Posted: 08-08-07 13:07pm


I haven't had my baby yet but I went to birthing classes at my hospital and loved them. The tour was great and has helped me be more comfortable about staying there because it isn't so unknown. Also, my husband learned a great deal through the classes. If we hadn't taken them I think that he would be super ignorant. It's probably a good idea to have your birth coach take them with you so that you both get a feel for what it will be like. CPR is an awesome idea. I think that I want to take that class now too

taykare

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Posted: 08-08-07 13:41pm


i think a child birth class is okay for a first time mom you do get some good info but you also some duh! stuff as well as stuff you do not agree with you have to remember you take out of what ever you need to learn not what they push you to do like breastfeeding. I had a set of twins and I tried and tired and tried and I was so sick to breast feed them but I could not in the end. The nurses at the hospital made me feel like I was failiny as a mother never let anyone treat you that wa. Sometimes nurses are very uncaring when they are teaching you how to breastfeed for the first time. In my case they just up and grabbed my boob and tried to put one of my tiny babies on and I feel so bad when she would not latch and she told me you have to try harder she needs your breast milk not this formula. Horrible . When I had my last child I wanted to try breast feding again and this time no hassle no pressure from the murse when had to give some formula until my milk came in. whole different thing it was wonderful and they even said if you can not breast feed they told me at the hospital that nestle Good start is closest to breast milk, but at the hospital the usually use enflac unless you have a premee do not bother with the one with all those extra things in it it only really helps premees there is no benificial stuff in it for full term babies according to my OB/GYN. Hospital tours I think are good to then you know where to go when you are iin labour. I do recommend CPR for infants and children. I had take cpr for my job for many years then I quit that job then was at another for abput 6 years before I got pregnant and I refeshed just after ny twins were born 5 years ago and you think I will never use this why am I taking this class I could be doing anything but sitting here. Well this year my youngest daughter had a fiblreale siezure and they usually last a few minutes and they keep breathing the whole time except my daughter was one of the few that stop breathing and do not start again on her own I had waked through the door she did not come running to me my husband say mommy get in here something is wrong I saw her eyes role back into her little head and start shake uncontrollably and not responsive at all I screamed to my husband give her to me I put her on the floor and as I did that she started turning blue and then I screamed again call 911 and I started to breath for her and I kept it up for the 3 1/2 minutes until the fire deparment came and they continued and put oxygen on her and emt's and the doctor at the hospital said if I had not began breathing when I did She could have had brian damage or the unthinkable she could have died right there at home in my arms. I thank God every day for her as when we had her we lost her twin and I do not know what I would do if I lost any of my girls. please take the CPR course if nothing else you never know what may happen. Oh the reason my husband I did the CPR and not my husband is he has not arms and had I not walked through the door 30 seconds before the start of the siezure she would have died. sorry to be so dramaic I know I could not handle losing a child and I do not think any mother could either taykare

Bridget

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Posted: 08-08-07 14:28pm


even if you don't take the classes, i'm pretty sure you can just pre-register at most hospitals. i did it on my hospital's website.