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When should we start Classes??



 
 
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  #1  
Old August 26th 03, 11:45 PM
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Default When should we start Classes??

Hiya, Maybe you can help. I was wondering what kinda of classes that I need
to take and the wife needs to take and the both of us need to take? At what
week should we start looking at classes and/or start them? Thanks for the
input.

Mark
EDD 11/03


  #2  
Old August 27th 03, 01:43 AM
Jennifer Rasmussen
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Default When should we start Classes??


wrote in message
...
Hiya, Maybe you can help. I was wondering what kinda of classes that

I need
to take and the wife needs to take and the both of us need to take?

At what
week should we start looking at classes and/or start them? Thanks for

the
input.

Mark
EDD 11/03


Childbirth classes are probably the most common; you'd take them
together. If you are planning on a hospital birth, the hospital most
likely offers them. You can also find out about local classes through
your OB/midwife, organizations such as Bradley, and local doulas (some
of whom may offer private, personalized childbirth education, even if
you are not using their services).

Whose class (if any) you need or want to take will really depend on what
kind of information and instruction you are looking for. This can be
very important because each method will tend to have its own agenda, and
some can be pretty, erm, adamant about their way being the only way.
Make sure you're taking something that matches or covers the kind of
birth you want (natural? medicated? what kind of pain management
techniques are you most interested in? how involved will the husband be
in a coaching role? are you planning to breastfeed? etc.)

I think there are probably a lot of people who take breastfeeding and
parenting courses as well.

Childbirth classes can run quite a few weeks (though many offer longer
classes on weekends to crash the timeline), and most places will
recommend you take them in the 2nd trimester. We didn't take
instructor-led childbirth classes, but I moved back our childbirth
education into the 3rd trimester simply because I knew that if we did
something earlier, my husband would never remember it all when it
counted :-).

Jen


  #3  
Old August 27th 03, 03:12 AM
Ericka Kammerer
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Default When should we start Classes??

wrote:

Hiya, Maybe you can help. I was wondering what kinda of classes that I need
to take and the wife needs to take and the both of us need to take? At what
week should we start looking at classes and/or start them? Thanks for the
input.



It really depends on what kind of birth you want
to have. If you want the "standard" birth offered by
your caregivers, then you may not need much at all, as
everything will likely happen that way whether you're
educated or not. You just need enough education to keep
yourselves from being surprised or uncomfortable with
the situation.

On the other end of the spectrum, if you want to
be a very active participant and you want a birth that
is very low intervention, then you likely need more education
and need to start earlier.

For instance, if you want to go with as few
interventions as possible, many people report good
success with Bradley classes, which tend to be longer
and start earlier than other types of childbirth prep
classes. Depending on supply of and demand for the
classes, you might already be pushing too late for
Bradley classes. Some other courses are much shorter,
and some are even done at "getaway" weekends for those
with busy schedules.

In terms of which classes to take, most of the
childbirth prep classes are couples classes. You'd likely
both take one of those together, choosing whichever type
of class suits the kind of birth you're looking for. (If
you post with that information, people can probably steer
you towards the kinds of methods that would be a good fit.)
There are breastfeeding classes out there too.
Some of them aren't very good, but others can be very
helpful. I think it's good for Dad to attend these as
well when possible because Dad's support plays an
important role in successful breastfeeding. Alternatively,
instead of a class you could get in touch with your
local La Leche League chapter and get the names and
numbers of some lactation consultants so that you have
somewhere to go for help if there are difficulties.
There are infant care classes available. Some
people feel better for taking them to learn how to bathe,
diaper, etc. babies. Others feel like they're a waste
of time. I suppose these really depend on your comfort
level at the idea of caring for a newborn. If you're
anxious about it and feel like a class would make you
feel more confident, take a class. Otherwise, it's not
exactly rocket science ;-)
One class that's excellent for *any* parent is
a course in infant CPR.

Best wishes,
Ericka

 




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