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12-28-2012 at 1:16 AM
joeymich
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joeymich is not online. Last active: 05-09-2013, 2:41 AMNewbie

Which classes to take...

Hi ladies,

 Just wanted to see which classes do you recommend for us to take being first time parents? 

 

Thank u so much!  


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12-28-2012 at 6:41 AM
ByeByeBooz...
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ByeByeBooze is not online. Last active: 05-19-2013, 6:39 PMBronze
I'm a FTM and took a few classes through my hospital. They were on labor (what happens, hospital tour, pain management techniques, etc), breastfeeding, and infant care. IMO, they were all completely useless if you do any sort of research on your own. The only thing that was moderately interesting was the tour of L&D and Maternity.

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12-28-2012 at 8:30 AM
omgitsrojo...
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omgitsrojo55 is online. Last active: 05-19-2013, 10:35 PMNewbie

I am also a FTM and also took the baby care basics, breastfeed ing, and prepared childbirth classes. I found them to be helpful because, while I have read a ton on these topics (I'm just one of those people that read about it all!), I found that I was able to either confirm my own feelings about certain topics, ask specific questions to qualified, certified nurses and lactation consultants, and get a little more info about my hospital's practices (I asked specifically about epidural rates, c-section rates, pitocin rates, etc.).

I thought they were worth the time and money, but I would say if there is something you are more concerned about or want more info about, sign up!  


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12-28-2012 at 9:08 AM
pinkglam7
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pinkglam7 is not online. Last active: 05-18-2013, 4:02 PMNewbie

DH and I took a childbirth class (labor, delivery, and postpartum) in December and are taking a breastfeeding class in January.  I can definitely say I feel so much more prepared after taking the childbirth class and asking all the questions I had.  It was also helpful to hear other FTM's questions I didn't think of.  They also had us preregiseter during the class and fill out birth plans so we are ready to go when baby decides to arrive!


 
12-28-2012 at 9:29 AM
Mitsya
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Mitsya is not online. Last active: 05-15-2013, 5:16 PMNewbie
omgitsrojo55:

I am also a FTM and also took the baby care basics, breastfeed ing, and prepared childbirth classes. I found them to be helpful because, while I have read a ton on these topics (I'm just one of those people that read about it all!), I found that I was able to either confirm my own feelings about certain topics, ask specific questions to qualified, certified nurses and lactation consultants, and get a little more info about my hospital's practices (I asked specifically about epidural rates, c-section rates, pitocin rates, etc.).

I thought they were worth the time and money, but I would say if there is something you are more concerned about or want more info about, sign up!  

I took the same ones through our hospital & came away feeling the same.  I was able to learn all sorts of things about their standard practices about which I'd either forgotten or hadn't thought.  I got to know some of the support professionals I might be calling down the road (it's always good to be able to put names to faces on both sides.)  We're pretty frugal people & we felt like the prices paid were reasonable & the time well spent-- the longest class was 4 hours split over two Tuesdays.  I know that my husband especially appreciated them as he felt like he knew less than nothing & was having trouble knowing where to start asking questions.


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12-28-2012 at 10:40 AM
526SadieSa...
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526SadieSadie is not online. Last active: 05-17-2013, 1:31 PMGold

We skipped the childbirth class because I decided to have an epidural and I personally thought it would be a waste of time learning breathing techniques.

We took a class called "Caring for You and Your Infant"  the teacher went over post-partum care for me and general things to expect (types of poop, caring for the bellybutton, circumcision care for boys, etc) and we were shown how to change diapers and give baths (I hadn't changed a diaper in FOREVER and my husband never had, neither of us had given a baby a bath before).  The second half of the course covered growing stages and caring for an older infant (teething, sleep training, baby food).

There was a powerpoint presentation on the screen that we were all given a copy of to take notes and ask questions, it was a great forum to ask "stupid" questions, we were all first time parents and one couple hadn't ever even held a baby before, so there were lots of those.

We were both really happy we took it, it was very informative.

We still want to take the CPR course, just in case. 

Check with your health insurance before you pay for any classes, some of them might be covered after the first of the year when the Affordable Healthcare Act goes into effect.


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12-28-2012 at 12:04 PM
Nutella197...
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Nutella1979 is not online. Last active: 12-30-2012, 9:26 PMNewbie

The more practical the topic is, the more useful the classes were for us. I think it also has a lot to do with the instructor.

Childbirth classes: We did not enjoy them at all. I rather read about the different options and drugs available rather than hearing about them. We did practice pain relief positions (not so much breathing). It was semi-useful but mostly awkward with a group of strangers. (8 hours)

Breastfeeding: Most useful of all especially to learn about all the common issues women face and what to do. I doubt I'll be into researching the internet exhausted with a hungry crying baby in the first few weeks! (5 hours)

CPR: Very useful. It's really hands-on and practice your "muscle-memory". Reading about how to do it and doing it are two different things. (2 hours)

Basic parenting: Useful. We didn't even know how to swaddle. (5 hours)


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12-28-2012 at 1:13 PM
kielpinski...
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Cleveland
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kielpinskim is not online. Last active: 05-19-2013, 6:49 PMSilver
We did prepared childbirth and breastfeeding with DD. I'm glad I did both, as the BFing class got me in touch with the LCs at the hospital and I was very comfortable asking for their guidance once LO came. I didn't do the infant care, as I was a nanny and DH is a pedi.

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