Birthing classes I’m a FTM and wondering if I should take a birthing class? I’ll be 37 weeks tomorrow so it’s kinda late…

I agree with the pp.

There’s more to the birth classes than just breathing, which may or may not be of interest to you. Don’t forget your partner may find it beneficial, too. While you may be too distracted to remember things, they won’t be.

Good classes do a really good job of breaking down labor. They explain the stages and what is happening at various points... what you and your partner can expect, how they can help and be involved, they answer questions about your hospital’s processes and procedures, etc...

We took a class that was 2 hours on a Friday evening and then 6 hours on Saturday. The other option was 2 hours once a week for 8 weeks. I’ve actually been through the classes and helped teach them when I was a nursing student / in residency, so there wasn’t any real new info for me, but it was really helpful for my husband to experience. He’s a big googler, but admitted the class covered things that he wouldn’t have even known to look into.

We never covered any breathing, honestly. The big takeaway is to just breathe in general. They did go through a lot of exercises, stretches, and different tools (labor balls, peanut balls, tubs, etc.) to facilitate labor and getting through contractions - my husband really liked that because it made him feel more prepared and armed with ideas for when I’m too busy concentrating on the pain. He took a ton of notes in the book they gave us, which was kind of adorable.

I had already googled most of the things we discussed in the class. I think you can find full videos of classes on youtube. If you think it will give you peace of mind, take the class. If not, just do some online research. Make sure it's from a reputable source though.

@jinx yea I figured that’s what happens! When you’re in pain I’m pretty sure the last thing you’re thinking about is what they taught you in birthing class ?

@mrs I’m the same! ? they always look at me like I’m crazy I flinch over a little butterfly needle ??

The only time I took birthing classes was when I was 17 and didn't really help me much because when in full blown labor I wasn't thinking about what they taught me i was thinking let this pain go away.

Yeah I have a ton of tattoos too and still cry and look away when I get my blood drawn, no one understands but it's different ?

I’m covered in tattoos but I hate hate hate needles ?? when I have to get a shot or blood drawn I’m a huge baby I think I’d rather deal with pain then the needle ?

I'm more scared of contractions then I was the needle ?

That’s why I’m considering going to birthing classes I really don’t want an epidural ??‍♀️ the thought of having a needle shoved in my spine terrifies me ?

If I wasn't planning on getting the epidural again then I might think about it, but really labor was a piece of cake once that epidural was in ? I can't imagine there was anything I could have learned in that class haha

??? yea I can see that happening! I don’t think I’ll care about a breathing technique while I’m in pain ??‍♀️

All I’ve ever heard from other moms was that they forget everything or didn’t care once they actually go into labor. ?

Yea I think YouTube sounds better haha the hospital is kinda pushing me on the classes but they’re 5 hours long ?

I personally never took them. I always just focus on my breathing . U can look up breathing techniques up in YouTube.