Classes (and other Qs)

[yoshijo28]

FTMs are you taking any child birth or childcare classes?

STMs+ have you taken any before and were they helpful or not? Do you wish you took certain ones?

I figure we can use this thread to ask other questions. I know I have more!

[cali]

I'm planning on taking a childbirth class and breast feeding class at my hospital. Also considering parenting and child CPR class. I'm interested in what others are doing/have done, so thanks for starting this thread yoshijo28

[wanderingstar]

I'm a STM, and with my first I took the childcare class (how to bathe a baby, how to swaddle, etc.) As well as first aid/CPR, and the breastfeeding class. I would say all were super helpful. I will be taking the first aid/CPR again as a refresher. Hope that helps!

[addymac]

FTM here- I haven't looked into what our hospitals new birthing center offers for classes, but the only one I'm sort of interested in is a birthclass and a breastfeeding class. I do think my H would benefit from a childcare class, as he's held two babies once each and never really interacted with them, but I work with babies every day and have changed over probably 10k diapers and given hundreds of baths... so I think I'm good

Now if anyone wants to tell me how to tell what a normal baby's development and milestones should be... 😳

[wanderingstar]

Feb 23, 2017 13:09:23 GMT -5 addymac said:

FTM here- I haven't looked into what our hospitals new birthing center offers for classes, but the only one I'm sort of interested in is a birthclass and a breastfeeding class. I do think my H would benefit from a childcare class, as he's held two babies once each and never really interacted with them, but I work with babies every day and have changed over probably 10k diapers and given hundreds of baths... so I think I'm good

Now if anyone wants to tell me how to tell what a normal baby's development and milestones should be... 😳

I used the Wonder Weeks app, it tells you when you're baby is going through a leap (growth spurt, etc.). Was pretty helpful with figuring out what was going on and how to help baby (and mama!) through it.

[jessa1228]

STM - I took BFing, CPR, and childbirth classes offered by my OB/GYN practice. I'd say they were all relatively helpful, although I'll tell you right now that I retained very little. Most of what I know came from the internet and other people, honestly. But I would definitely recommend taking them.

I will also +1 the Wonder Weeks app for development and milestones. It was pretty spot on with DS.

[muscari]

Not sure yet but I am thinking about taking a childbirth and a breastfeeding class. And possibly child CPR.. I am actuelly going to be working on CPR certification for work some time these next couple months but I don't think it includes the lil ones?

[mrshall1027]

Feb 23, 2017 13:27:03 GMT -5 jessa1228 said:

STM - I took BFing, CPR, and childbirth classes offered by my OB/GYN practice. I'd say they were all relatively helpful, although I'll tell you right now that I retained very little. Most of what I know came from the internet and other people, honestly. But I would definitely recommend taking them.

I will also +1 the Wonder Weeks app for development and milestones. It was pretty spot on with DS.

Exactly all of this.  I loved the breastfeeding class and I kinda want to take it again.  I'm with a different practice this time, so I hope the one they offer is just as helpful.

[pennylane]

I took a labor/delivery class and a breastfeeding class with my last pregnancy. The first had a lot of helpful ideas on how to relax during labor, and I wish DH had been able to go with me because he was very deer in the headlights during DS' birth. It would have been helpful for him to have some ideas of things to do for me when I couldn't think of them myself.

DH did go to the breastfeeding class and I think that was helpful for both of us to have realistic expectations.

[cali]

Feb 23, 2017 13:39:20 GMT -5 muscari said:

Not sure yet but I am thinking about taking a childbirth and a breastfeeding class. And possibly child CPR.. I am actuelly going to be working on CPR certification for work some time these next couple months but I don't think it includes the lil ones?

Not sure how they do things here but my CPR certification for nursing did include some minimal stuff about kids/babies but definitely was focused more on adults.

[yoshijo28]

How long before you heard back if you passed your GTT? I took mine last Fri. I assume no news is good?

[cnbpa3027]

I took a Bradley class before my first. I didn't necessarily agree with everything, but it was super helpful for understanding the process and different stages of labor. Around here all of the hospital classes pretty much count on you getting an epidural and don't really give too many helpful tips on managing pain or different stages of labor.

That being said, our instructor was a family member who was trying to become an instructor so we only paid for the book. I don't know if the class was worth the $400+ they typically cost around here.

[Mom2Ms]

My two cents. Ive got two kids. I didn't think the birthing class was that helpful. Why? I had an epidural. I feel like it was kind of a waste of time. I'll save you first time moms money- push. Boom. If you're not doing a epidural, and going natural, I absolutely think it would be helpful. Now, the breastfeeding class (should you opt to do that) was the most valuable thing I did. It was beyond helpful. It was a wealth of information that was useful, practical, and I referred to it numerous times. I still refer to that information. I successfully breast fed both of my children. My daughter until about 15 months, my son 20 months.

I'm old. This isn't my first rodeo. No more classes for me.

[cravingchocolate05]

STM also. For our first, we took a newborn care class, a childbirth class, a car seat class, a breastfeeding class, and a relaxing during labor class (I was freaking out, lol). We took a CPR/choking class after DS was born but should have taken it before--lots of local fire depts offer them if the hospital doesn't, and I can't recommend it highly enough.

The newborn care class, childbirth class, and car seat class were the most helpful. I was so paranoid about carseat installation and also didn't know you weren't supposed to use after-market products that come between the baby and the straps. The newborn care class made us feel much more confident, especially me, since I hadn't been around newborns before. The childbirth class was a good basic review of what to expect at the hospital.

The labor relaxation class wasn't that helpful. I ended up having the epidural, but in any case, I think if I really wanted to learn relaxation techniques, I would have needed to do one of the more structured programs like Bradley or hypnobabies (both of which I know nothing about). Mine was a one-off class and they tried to jam in too much stuff.

I had a bad experience with the breastfeeding class that left me with a lot of guilt later on because the instructor said there would be no pain and that pretty much all women have enough milk for their baby. Neither of those turned out to be true for me, and I beat myself up over it for a long time. However, I still think it's a great class to take--our lactation consultant was just a little over zealous about the benefits and minimized the struggles some people have.

[jt2378]

STM, I only took a BF class the first time. TBH, I didn't even want to tour the hospital, I felt like it would make me more anxious and worry from the anticipation so I basically went in blindly. I ended up going med free and it was a pretty smooth delivery, really hoping for the same results. I do want to take a CPR class this time.

[elliecat17]

I will take the birthing class offered at the hospital because I will have a midwife so she does some extra teaching with baby spinning and auch. I will also take the breastfeeding class. However as an early childhood educator I've got the milestones and caring for a baby part down.
addymac I can give you all sorts of stuff about development and milestones.

[cravingchocolate05]

Feb 23, 2017 13:09:23 GMT -5 addymac said:

FTM here- I haven't looked into what our hospitals new birthing center offers for classes, but the only one I'm sort of interested in is a birthclass and a breastfeeding class. I do think my H would benefit from a childcare class, as he's held two babies once each and never really interacted with them, but I work with babies every day and have changed over probably 10k diapers and given hundreds of baths... so I think I'm good

Now if anyone wants to tell me how to tell what a normal baby's development and milestones should be... 😳

addymac, I feel dumb saying this BC it seems so gimmicky, but I loved the Wonder Weeks app when I had my DS. It shows major developmental leaps and corresponding fussy periods in the first 20 months. At first I thought it was BS, but then each time DS had major fussy days or learned something major, I would check the app and be like, "holy crap, it's saying it's a leap". I think it's free or there's a free version, but the app store doesn't show me since I already have it.

[bsouls]

STM here. We did a one day class at the hospital. It wasn't really helpful, but I wanted to tour the hospital since I have social anxiety. So, that was worth it for me. As far as learning how to care for the baby, I found it most helpful to have people show me once she was here - hands on.

I also took a breast feeding class. I didn't think it really helped or added anything for me. I found online information more helpful and the lactation consultant at her doctors. Also, I am now a little jaded on breast feeding.

[happyfeet9]

STM here. I didn't do any classes last time bc I have taken a few CPR classes in my time.
I don't plan to this time either unless there is a magical class for surviving with 3u3 that I don't know about.

[Deleted]

STM. I took a bunch of classes offered by the hospital last time. If you did 5 of the 7 offered, you got a big gift when you delivered (we got a pack and play. They also had car seats, monitors, etc). I didn't think any were overly helpful. But they were really short (45 min). We did breastfeeding, baby care, nutrition, important things about each trimester, and...one other one that I have no memory of now.

We also did a childbirth class that was somewhat helpful. I got an epidural, so a lot of the info just helped at home, but I mostly wanted to sit on a balance ball or lean over.

We won't be doing any classes this time.

[marajadeskywalker]

STM - we took a childcare class and that was it. I am certified with my SFA for work so I didn't bother with a CPR class as that is included. I didn't take a breastfeeding class, and I ended up exclusively pumping - DS was in the NICU for a month and had trouble latching.

We won't be doing any classes this time around

[yoshijo28]

Question

I've been having a lot of pressure in my lower abdomen. Now on my lower right side I'm having a throbbing, dull ache. I heard baby's hb and think I feel flutters today.

I'm taking it easy but I don't know what's normal and what's not. I thought it was RLP but it's not a stabbing, sudden pain. It just hurts sitting or not. I'm hoping it's stuff stretching. Idk. Now I'm googling contractions or IC and making myself nervous.

What kind of pains if any did you have in 2nd tri? (I'm 17+1)

[jt2378]

yoshijo28, it sounds like just growing pains, contractions would feel like more tightening. At least that is what I remember from BH. I would just continue to rest, I know it's so hard not to worry, hugs

[marajadeskywalker]

yoshijo28 I am having the exact same thing. My OB told me its just growing pains and the muscles stretching out.

Is the baby sitting on the right side? Mine is and that's where I feel the ache the most

[yoshijo28]

Feb 25, 2017 20:25:07 GMT -5 marajadeskywalker said:

yoshijo28 I am having the exact same thing. My OB told me its just growing pains and the muscles stretching out.

Is the baby sitting on the right side? Mine is and that's where I feel the ache the most

Yup!

[jessa1228]

yoshijo28 it definitely sounds like growing pains, I'm going through the exact same thing right now.

[cwbh928]

Feb 23, 2017 13:27:03 GMT -5 jessa1228 said:

STM - I took BFing, CPR, and childbirth classes offered by my OB/GYN practice. I'd say they were all relatively helpful, although I'll tell you right now that I retained very little. Most of what I know came from the internet and other people, honestly. But I would definitely recommend taking them.

I will also +1 the Wonder Weeks app for development and milestones. It was pretty spot on with DS.

This exactly for me as well. Our hospital offered all sorts of classes. We also took a pet class. We have 2 dogs (beagle and German Shepherd), I thought the class was pretty great and we learned how to introduce the baby to our animals. I recommend the class for anyone who is not certain how their animals may react.

The wonder weeks was amazing! It was also pretty spot on for us as well. I also used the app baby connect - it was a great tool to track everything going on with the baby from feeding to playtime to diaper changes, etc.